Animeis more popular than ever, yet it continues to reach a wider audience as it expands its horizons. The medium offers a diverse range of genres, from epic battle shōnen to complex avant-garde shows. However,the recent genre that has dominated anime is Isekai, which roughly means “another world.” These shows typically feature a character from Earth transporting into a fantastical new world to experience a journey like no other.
Despite its massive popularity, fans criticize Isekai anime for its reliance on tropes, laziness, and unoriginal stories. However, this doesn’t mean there are no excellent Isekais; in fact, there are many incredible shows, and this list finds the ten most perfect. While this list will favor completed anime since they have a whole story, it will include a few shows still running. For a show to be considered for this list,it must perfect many aspects of an Isekai, such as escapism and power fantasy, but also be unique and well-written.
10’The Vision of Escaflowne' (1996)
Studio: Sunrise
Many fans view Isekai as a modern genre, and while it is currently at its most popular, there are many older Isekai anime.The Vision of Escaflowneis the oldest anime on this list, following a young girl as she travels to a new world amidst a generational war. The prince of Gaea, Van, emerges into the real world fighting a dragon and meets Hitomi. Together, they return to the fantasy world to stop evil from taking over.
While the plot may seem stereotypical nowadays, it was somewhat original back then. Everything starts fairly tropey but steadily develops, creating a unique world, interesting characters, and a fast plot to excite fans. Specifically,Escaflowneis a Shojo featuringplenty of romance and an intriguing love polygon. However, the show faced constant censorship, withthe anime’s first episode being bannedfor confusing reasons.
Escaflowne: The Movie
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9’That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' (2018)
Studio: 8bit
A common trait of Isekai anime is to have an overly descriptive and long title;That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slimeis one such example. Satoru is a 37-year-old man living a monotonous life until his sudden death when he is reborn into a mystical world as a gooey ball of slime. After helping an ancient monster, he gains power and embarks on a journey to learn the mystery of his arrival while etching his name in history.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slimeis an easygoing and digestible show, which makes it a perfect Isekai. It doesn’t bog the viewer down with anything they don’t want; it simply delivers an enjoyable experience and power fantasy as fans witness Satoru become one of themost powerful characters in anime. It excels at providing exciting content that has becomea staple of Isekai through its power scaling and entertainment value.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
8’Digimon Adventure' (1999)
Studio: Toei Animation
Digimon Adventuresserved as a classic show in many fans' childhoods, with some not realizing that it actually is an Isekai.Digimon Adventuresis the first in the series, which consists ofmultiple anime series and movies. After a group of kids goes to a summer camp, they end up in a Digital World with creatures called Digimon who help them fight as they look for a way back to their world.
Many fans viewedDigimonas aPokémonknockoff. But while it was always inPokémon’sshadow, real fans know the charm and qualityDigimonprovides. Unlike many other anime on this list,Digimonis a kids' show, but that doesn’t mean it’s not perfect. It uses the childlike fantasy of stumbling into a new world with fantastical creatures to go on a wondrous adventure.The anime uses nostalgic feelings and escapism fantasy to deliver a dream from a simpler timeand a perfect children’s show that adults can still watch.
Digimon Adventure
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7’Konosuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World' (2016)
Studio: Drive
While Isekai is already extremely popular,Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful Worldis one of the most popular of the genre. When Kazuma gets a fresh start in a fantasy world, he can bring one thing with him. He cleverly picks the goddess, relaying this information to him only to realize she is utterly useless. Together, they form a party and must work hard to earn a living while encountering hilarious and dangerous situations.
No one anime was responsible for the Isekai boom, butKonosubaundoubtedly contributed to its rise. The show features many tired tropes but plays and satirizes them, creating funny and enjoyable anime. It takes the concept of escaping into a brand-new world but flips it on its head to deliver the fantasy while subverting expectations.Konosubais alsoone of the best comedy anime, delivering non-stop laughs with a fun cast and scenarios, creating an Isekai with the perfect amount of tropes and creativity.
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!
6’Re:Creators' (2017)
Studio: TROYCA
Almost every anime fan dreams about going into the world of their favorite show; however, sometimes, it might not go as expected. InRe:Creators, Sota dreams about becoming a creator and wants to create a light novel. Sota seeks inspiration from anime when he suddenly transports into its world, and when Sota comes back, he brings the characters from it with him. He works with the characters to uncover this mystery as reality and fantasy blur when the Created meets the Creators.
Isekai is all about escapism and leaning into fantasy, which is why they often go to different worlds. However,Re:Creatorsoffers a distinct yet intriguing premise of bringing the world of anime to the viewer. This unique spin works well with the genre, adding something new while still providing the escapist dream. While this is technically a reverse Isekai, it does everything exceptionally well to accomplish a completed story and is one of themost underrated anime of the decade.
Re:Creators
5’InuYasha' (2000)
InuYashawas many fans' first experience with an isekai, as the show was incredibly popular for its time, establishing itself as a major long-running shōnen anime. When a demon drags Kagome into a well, she finds herself in feudal Japan, where demons roam the land. Here, she encounters Inuyasha, who, after a dispute, must reluctantly work together to restore the fragments of the Shikon jewel spread across the land.
From itsnostalgic presence, captivating romance, exhilarating action, and relatable characters,InuYashawas among the most famous early Isekais. While the filler and episodic nature bog the show down a bit, the anime is still a beautiful piece of art with incredible music. Some of the best Isekai don’t feel like one, andInuYashaexcels at that, avoiding tropes to deliver a fresh experience that isbetter than the manga.
Inuyasha (2000)
4’Sonny Boy' (2021)
Studio: Madhouse
Madhouse was once one of the greatest anime sstudiosof all time, creating standout shows, includingOne Punch ManandHunter x Hunter. While the studio faded due to overworked employees and financial issues, they have made a recent resurgence, withSonny Boybeing one of their best anime. The show follows a class that mysteriously transports into a strange world with bizarre rules. When they gain powers, conflict brews as they try to find their way out.
With only twelve episodes,Sonny Boydelivers a tight story that, while confusing, is still incredibly profound and complex. It takes the Isekai genre and ignores all of its tropes, creating a perfectly unique series. With engaging characters and an inventive world, this anime is incredibly creative, making an avant-gardeLord of the Flies-type story. Itsunpredictable nature and thought-provoking material make it a perfect Isekaiand one of themost underrated anime of this decade.
3’Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation' (2021)
Studio: Studio Bind
Isekai contains a lot of polarizing material, with some problematic themes that play on the wrong kind of fantasy. Fans have criticizedMushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnationfor some of these reasons, as the anime has become one of the most popular shows recently. While these issues can be hard to overlook,Mushoku Tenseigets many other aspects right, from itsemotional weight, world-building, complex characters and stunning animation.
The anime follows a stay-at-home loser reborn into a fantasy world with all his memories. Deciding to make the most of his second chance, he becomes a prominent mage while trying to build a happy life. However, this isn’t easy, as his problematic nature conflicts with this. After he is separated from his family, he goes on an adventure to find them again, learning to cope with his previous lifestyle and becoming a better person.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
2’Now and Then, Here and There' (1999)
Studio: AIC
Many anime fans probably haven’t heard ofNow and Then, Here and There. Most Isekai anime feature characters with a rough life going to their dream world; however, this show does the opposite, with giant robots dragging Shuu from his peaceful life into a Dystopian war-torn world. Protecting a girl with the ability to control water, they must both look for her lost pendant in hopes of surviving this harsh environment.
Now and Then, Here and Therefails as an Isekai by today’s standardsbut excels at delivering a unique and profound story for the genre. Doing the opposite of popular Isekai, this anime is a soul-draining and gut-wrenching watch, not satisfying any power fantasy or escapism. It faces real-world issues dialed up to eleven, pushing a clear message in this fantastical crumbling world.Now and Then, Here and Therewon’t excite fans looking for a good time, but itredefines what an Isekai should be, delivering a well-written experience from start to end, not just now and then.
Now and Then, Here and There
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1’Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-' (2016)
Studio: White Fox
Potentially the most popular and well-received Isekai,Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-is still currently airing. After his sudden death, Subaru travels into a fantasy world where he encounters Satella, who helps him get accustomed to this new place. However, when two thugs brutally murder the two of them, Subaru wakes up to the same scene as this anime that mixes the Isekai and time loop genres.
Re:Zeromay not be finished, but from what fans have seen, the show is perfect so far. Travelling into a fantasy world with supernatural powers and a hoard of beautiful women sounds like a dream come true. However, the anime is most known for itsheavy themes, dark story, and psychological focus. This character-based story continuously torments Subaru, creating impactful and depressing moments that help it stand out and become one ofthegreatest fantasy anime.Re:Zerouses the Isekai tropes perfectly while adding its unique spice and masterful writing, creating a perfect Isekai anime without dull moments.
