Are you looking for the best Isekai anime of all time? If yes, till now, you would have been tired of getting hundreds of Isekai lists in the name of “best”. Yup, many renowned platforms have listed so many Isekai shows on this question just to rank higher.
From a newbie to a hardcore anime fan, this list has every necessary ingredient to impress diversified audiences.
What is Isekai anime?
Isekai refers to a genre of anime and manga where normal people from our world are transported to, reborn, or trapped in a parallel universe.
Qualities of a good Isekai anime:
- Detailed fantasy world to explore
- Main character adapting to the new world
- Memorable companions to meet and team up with
- Character growth through battles and quests
- An engaging story that keeps the viewer interested
- Impressive animation and fight scenes
- Balanced elements for an immersed viewing experience
The Following anime fulfills all the criteria for a isekai to become the greatest, so let’s check it out.
14: Dead Mount Death Play
I was considering this anime average run-of-the-mill Isekai anime until I was blown off by its crazy animation quality. Because most Isekai disappoint in terms of quality. One more thing that caught my interest was the display of blood and gore in this anime.
It’s the tale of a notorious Necromancer who got transported to modern-day Tokyo before getting defeated by a Hero. In today’s world, the Necromancer wakes up as a Polka Shinomiya in a bizarre condition of being murdered.
Now the Necromancer has to redeem himself in this new world as a good guy by helping others. The good thing about this anime its seriousness because it’s a fast paced Isekai anime with a best plot like no other.
13: Uncle From Another World
If you’re done being roasted in the name of fantasy anime where an OP protagonist quests to defeat the mighty demon lord, Uncle From Another World is best seinen isekai anime for you with a unique storyline.
Uncle Yousuke was in a bad accident 17 years ago. He woke up speaking a strange language and told his nephew Takafumi he had gone to a magical place called Gran Bahamal. At first, Takafumi did not believe him. But then Uncle floated a cup of water without touching it.
They made a YouTube channel showing Uncle’s magic. Takafumi had to teach Uncle about new things like phones and computers. He also told Uncle how game companies like Sega changed. Together they made videos online. People wrote nice things but also mean things like todays’ internet. They did not know what would happen next, but it would be very unusual.
12: The Devil Is a Part-Timer
The Devil is Part-Timer sounds like an adventure fantasy with lots of action but in actuality, it does not follow the usual Isekai tropes and focuses more on the everyday exploits of its main characters.
The Devil is a Part-Timer is about a powerful demon king named Satania who ruled over a magical world. However, during a battle, he gets transported to modern-day Tokyo. He soon realizes that he has lost all his powers. In Tokyo, he gets a job at a fast-food restaurant just to survive.
His arch-enemy from the magical world, Emilia, also ends up in Tokyo and continues to pursue him. It’s a very funny and entertaining show. It combines comedy and action with the fish out of water concept of the powerful demon king having to work a normal job. The cultural jokes and seeing Satania adapt to modern society make this anime the best isekai without a doubt.
11: The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat
Usually, the opening of an anime sets the stage for its success, the more unique and intriguing it is, the more fans will like it. I can assure you this anime “The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat” fulfills such criteria.
The story follows Lugh Tuatha Dé, the world’s most accomplished assassin, who is abruptly reincarnated into a fantasy realm as an aristocrat. His new mission: assassinate the hero destined to bring ruin to the world. This unique premise sets the stage for a compelling narrative filled with suspense, political maneuvering, and clever strategies as Lugh attempts to blend into high society while concealing his deadly past.
This anime crafts a unique story by blending isekai, fantasy, and spy thriller elements together beautifully which makes it one of the best. Lugh faces challenging obstacles as he infiltrates the nobility seeking a mysterious objective. Viewers are pulled along an exciting journey as his secret mission unfolds amongst political intrigue in a richer fantasy world.
10: Spirited Away
Spirited Away was the Isekai movie that made me a hardcore fan of Ghibli Studios. For info, this movie was created in 2001 and it has collected $ 395 million at the box office becoming Japan’s most successful anime movie. In my own opinion, this old-school movie is totally worth watching.
The movie follows Chihiro, a young girl who becomes trapped in a mysterious and otherworldly realm after her parents are transformed into pigs. To rescue her family and find a way back home, Chihiro must navigate the enigmatic and fantastical spirit world. Along the way, she encounters a colorful cast of characters, both friendly and menacing, as she works at a bathhouse for spirits and seeks the help of a powerful sorceress named Yubaba.
What makes “Spirited Away” the best isekai even after almost 20 years is its masterful storytelling and imaginative world-building. Director Hayao Miyazaki weaves a spellbinding tale filled with themes of bravery, self-discovery, and the importance of empathy.
9: No Game No Life
One can consider this anime a tribute to online Gamers because from A to Z, this anime is all about games. like No Game No Life pulls you into a dazzling world where all conflicts are solved through games of wits.
When brilliant gamer siblings Sora and Shiro are mysteriously summoned, they enter a vivid landscape where challenges and high-stakes matches abound. With their profound intellect and creative strategies, they quickly dominate every opposition through crushing victories.
At its core, this anime celebrates the exhilaration of games, boundless imagination and pushing boundaries further than ever thought possible. It’s undoubtedly the best isekai anime that follows the game world tropes.
8: Saga of Tanya The Evil
I am sure that fans of dark isekai shows and historical warfare will appreciate the clever twists this classic tale brings to the genre. Saga of Tanya the Evil is a must-watch for those seeking an energetic protagonist and intelligent storytelling without distracting harem and ecchi elements.
The story revolves around Tanya Degurechaff, a salaryman who is reborn as a little girl after an accident. But Tanya is no ordinary girl – she believes in rationality and pragmatism above all else. She ends up joining the military in an alternate Earth-like magical world that is engaged in a great war. As she rises through the ranks, Tanya showcases her genius-level intelligence and ruthless tactics to dominate on the battlefield.
Saga of Tanya the Evil is one of the most popular and highly rated isekai anime series mostly praised for its realistic combat sequences, complex political themes, and Tanya’s compelling yet disturbing character progression.
7: Sonny Boy
Attractive art style admirers are destined to fall in love with this visual spectacle with wonderful shots worthy of competing for the award for best anime cinematography. Sonny Boy is a most underrated Isekai anime masterfully produced by Madhouse Studio.
This surreal Isekai follows high schoolers navigating a strange new realm where reality warps and each gains powers. As the landscape shifts mysteriously, they confront personal issues and ponder life’s deepest questions while seeking to solve the mysteries of this odd dimension.
Sonny Boy takes viewers on a trippy, surreal ride through a fluid reality as its characters confront life’s puzzles. Philosophical themes and visual inventiveness make this anime the best Isekai for those craving an imaginative, cerebral anime unlike anything else.
6: Rising of the Shield Hero
Normally in Isekai, a random Japanese nerd gets transported to another world as a noble Hero, while this anime also follows such settings but in a different way. Get ready to witness a super dirty and schemey plot with a badass antihero who is ridiculed by everyone.
The Rising of the Shield Hero tells the compelling tale of Naofumi, who is transported to another world and given the cursed shield as one of four heroes. From the start, he faces discrimination as people view the shield as weak and worthless while treating other heroes with respect. Naofumi then begins his journey of cultivation, gathering followers, and growing stronger both in abilities and character.
Naofumi’s road from pariah to hero defending the realm is a truly moving underdog story. One thing is damn certain, in the least case you may not love its protagonist but you’ll hate its antagonist from deep inside for their shamelessness and trickiness.
5: Konosuba
Konosuba transports viewers to a hilarious fantasy world through the unfortunate adventures of Kazuma. Kazuma is a wholesome boy who died while saving a high school girl from a truck accident. Well, it’s another case that the truck was quite slow and Kazuma just died because of a heart attack with the fear of being hit by the truck.
Though brave in games, he’s transported to this world after an untimely end and joins with Aqua and the other eccentric party members. Together they take on quests, but more chaos tends to follow than progress.
Konosuba stands out with its self-aware, satirical take on typical isekai tropes. Kazuma’s hopeless party and their absurd misfortunes continually subvert expectations to comedic gold. Iconic characters like Megumin and her explosive obsession will steal viewers’ hearts.
4: That Time I Reincarnated as a Slime
As a kid you may think of making your own kingdom with your custom rules and willings, well, we all think. It’s time to paint your lively wholesome imaginations with anime paintings in this awesome Isekai anime “That Time I Reincarnated as a Slime”.
The story follows office worker Mikami, who is killed and reborn in a new world as the Slime monster Rimuru. Rather than weak, Rimuru gains extraordinary powers and sets out to build his own city.
Underneath the comedy lies thoughtful commentary on leadership, diversity and community. Fans of laidback isekai will love Rimuru’s unconventional story. Both Slime fans and those new to the genre can sit back and enjoy the heartwarming characters and imagination on full display. It’s a great choice for anyone seeking entertainment with depth.
3: The Eminence In Shadow
If you’re tired like me watching a goody two-shoe protagonist, The Eminence in Shadow presents a super mundane mc who doesn’t give a shit to relationships or such things. His only thirst is for ultimate power. I am talking about Minoru Kagenou an op isekai protagonist with zero emotions.
Minoru Kagenou has relentlessly trained to obtain power, unfortunately, his life ends in a single road accident. Despite being physically powerful he always wishes to have magic to become undefeatable. Eventually, he reincarnates as a child in a fantasy world where he has everything he longs for.
Slowly and steadily he built his own powerful organization “Shadow Garden” to fight the mysterious evil force of this universe “The Cult of Diablos.”
If you wish to watch a fantasy realm without anything missing, this is the best choice you can go for. With super good and vibrant animation, an intriguing plot, attractive characters, and awesome landscapes, this anime is undoubtedly the best dark Isekai anime you’ll be forced to watch.
2: Rezero
Before running into this anime, you wouldn’t have thought an Isekai anime could be this good with a dark seinen theme. Undoubtedly Rezero is the best seinen Isekai anime with a quite complex plot.
Re:Zero pulls you into a perilous fantasy world where Subaru Natsuki finds himself stranded. Through a harrowing sequence of repeatable deaths, he comes to realize his strange ability to “Return by Death” after each demise. Teaming up with the likes of Emilia and Rem, Subaru must unravel mysteries to escape this cursed loop.
Watching Subaru struggle to navigate political intrigues and horrific monsters through trial and grim error is a nerve-wracking experience. The depth of characters and their realistic flaws draw you in, while meticulous world-building immerses you fully. No moment is safe from gut-wrenching twists as Subaru battles psychological turmoil Just when you think things can’t get worse, they do.
If you seek an emotionally heavy watch that will leave you haunted by its memorable journey, look no further than this tour de force of the genre. Subaru’s harrowing slow paced tale is one that will linger long after.
1: Jobless Reincarnation
I am pretty confident to put Jobless Reincarnation on top of the list of best Isekai anime of all time. Because the way this anime delivers slow-paced characters growth and in-depth world-building is truly praise-worthy.
Mushoku Tensei immerses the viewer in a sprawling fantasy world through the eyes of Rudeus. As a reincarnated man born anew as a baby, we witness his unconventional upbringing as he trains in magic alongside memorable companions.
Despite struggles with his past flaws, his growth through perseverance and diligence provides inspiration. It is such detailed that some newbies call it slow-paced but in real it digs in deeply.
Conclusion:
According to my own preferences as an Otaku for multiple years, I have included these anime shows in the list of best Isekai anime. I am pretty sure that the anime community from popular platforms like MAL, IMDb, and anime-planet has received warm reviews about these Isekais. Based on my own experience, these shows fulfill the criteria of being good which I mentioned on the top. Whether you’re a newbie or a hardcore anime Otaku, from bottom to top, not even a single anime going to disappoint you.
