By Joshua Eubanks
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One of the hottest trends in anime right now is isekai. This genre works so well because it places the protagonist in various unfamiliar situations and places, such as fantasy worlds or video games. Finding an isekai show to watch can be as simple as performing a Google search, but going beyond the popular options can be problematic for viewers who wish to find high-quality shows.
There are still plenty of great options, even for voracious anime consumers who may feel they have exhausted their supply of worthwhile isekai programs. Whether one's interests lean toward fantasy, as depicted in Cautious Hero, mecha, as in Knight's & Magic, food, as in Kakuriyo, or the military, as in GATE, the beauty of the isekai genre is that it offers a blank slate for the type of world in which the characters find themselves. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that less well-known programs are also less worthy of one's time, but some isekai anime prove that lesser-known shows can be just as entertaining.
10 Knight's & Magic Is an Isekai for Mecha Otaku
Great Battles Make for Entertaining Viewing
Knight's & Magic was adapted from a light novel written by Hisago Amazake-no. The show tells the story of a computer programmer otaku named Kurata who dies and is reincarnated as a boy in the fantasy land of Fremmevilla, where giant robots battle monstrous insects and other dangers. Knight's & Magic is like many other isekai shows readers might have seen, save for the excellent mecha battles.
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Knight's & Magic's saving grace is its passion for the mecha genre. Enthusiasm is appealing in any medium, whether music, books, TV shows, or even interpersonal relationships, and this underrated isekai show is an enthusiastic love letter to giant robots and mechas. It should also be noted that the music in Knight's & Magic is stirring and rousing, providing the perfect background to the wonderful fights. , the zeal with which it presents its subject makes it an excellent choice.
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Knight's & Magic
TV-14
AnimationAction
AdventureComedy
10/10
- Release Date
- 2017 - 2017
Cast
-
Rie Takahashi
Ernesti Eru Echevalier
-
Shinsuke Sugawara
Archid Kidd Walter
Ernesti, a programmer and mecha fan in his previous life, is reincarnated in a fantasy world where he sets out to pilot a humanoid weapon.
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1
- Creator
- Hisago Amazake-no
- Number of Episodes
- 13
9 Digimon Fusion Is Appealing for Both Adults and Children
A Small Amount of Everything Goes a Long Way
Digimon Fusion, or Digimon Xros Wars, is part of the Digimon franchise of media, which is mainly geared toward children. In Digimon Fusion, sports fanatic Taiki Kudou, who has a penchant for helping those in need, and his two friends are pulled into the digital world where the titular digital monsters reside. Even if the childish presentation turns some viewers off, there is much here to recommend this program, particularly in the show's second season.
Digimon Fusion contains something for fans of all types of anime, from mecha to fantasy and from comedy to action. One final noteworthy characteristic is that, as this show is ostensibly targeted toward kids, it is a great jumping-on point for younger fans who are just becoming interested in the medium — something the whole family can enjoy together.
Digimon
A group of young teens is unexpectedly sent to the mysterious Digital World and paired up with their own powerful, morphing monster called the Digimon. Together the entire group set out on an adventure to fight evil and save the world.
- Created by
- Akiyoshi Hongo
- First Film
- Digimon: The Movie
- Latest Film
- Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning
- First TV Show
- Digimon Adventure
- First Episode Air Date
- March 7, 1999
- Video Game(s)
- Digimon Survive, Digimon All-Star Rumble, Digimon World: Next Order, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
8 Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They? Is a Character-Driven Accomplishment
Three Distinct Character Personalities Keep Things Interesting
When the isekai trend first became mainstream around 2012-2013 with the advent of Sword Art Online, many viewers found themselves searching for isekai programs that defied their expectations or could do something new within the format's restraints. Problem Children are Coming From Another World, Aren't They?, based on a light novel written by Tarou Tatsunoko, tells the story of three youths with extraordinary powers who choose to enter the "little garden" in the hopes of enriching their bland lives.
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The highlight of Problem Children are Coming From Another World, Aren't They? is the character-driven interaction between the three protagonists. Viewers will be treated to some fantastic dialogue and spicy exchanges between the sarcastic Izayoi, the good-natured You, and the supercilious Asuka. The premise is engaging, and the mental powers that the three main characters possess keep things interesting throughout the show's scant ten episodes.
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Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?
TV-14
AnimationComedy
Fantasy- Release Date
- 2013 - 2012
Cast
-
Shintaro Asanuma
Izayoi Sakamaki
-
Sarah Emi Bridcutt
Asuka Kudou
-
Megumi Nakajima
You Kasukabe
-
Iori Nomizu
Back Rabbit
Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?: Three extraordinarily talented teenagers are transported to a mysterious world where they must use their powers and wits to compete in high-stakes games. This realm, filled with fantastical creatures and gods, challenges them to overcome various trials and discover their purpose in this new environment.
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Character(s)
- Izayoi Sakamaki, Asuka Kudou, You Kasukabe, Back Rabbit, Jin Russell, Shiroyasha, Leticia, Lili, Calico Cat, Sandora Dortlake, Mandra, Gardo Gasupa, Luios Perseus, Weser, Ratten, Pest, Ayesha Ig Fatuus, Jack-o'-Lantern, Griffon
7 GATE Showcases What Happens When a Modern Army Fights Medieval Soldiers
Engrossing Fights Keep Viewers Tuning In
GATE has a fairly stellar reputation, with high scores from fans and critics alike, but it is underrated because it is not nearly as well-known as some other isekai programs. The premise of GATE pits a contemporary military against a medieval army that has invaded the modern world. Things get even more interesting when the Japan Self-Defense Forces are sent to the other side of the gate to take the fight to the invaders.
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The fight scenes in GATE, which combine modern military forces with fantasy elements, are incredibly compelling. Furthermore, the main character, Youji Itami, is a bonafide hero who is relatable, particularly to viewers tired of the cliché high school protagonist. There is also some light humor to keep things from getting too serious. Overall, this is a delightful action program with fantasy and military elements.
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Gate
TV-14
Comedy
DramaAction
Anime Fantasy Isekai- Release Date
- 2015 - 2016
- Network
- Tokyo MX
- Directors
- Ryoh Ando, Ayako Kono, Shigeki Kawai, Naoya Ando, Ei Aoki, Tomohiko Ito, Yuki Ito, Matsuo Asami, Toshimasa Ishii
- Writers
- Kurasumi Sunayama
Cast
-
Fumi Hirano
Mimoza La Mer
-
Shouto Kashii
Shinzou Motoi
-
Junichi Suwabe
Youji Itami (voice)
-
Nao Toyama
Lelei La Lalena (voice)
Original title: Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri.
A gate appears in modern-day Tokyo which allows access to a fantasy world. A Japanese military squad is formed to establish ties between both worlds.
- Creator
- Takumi Yanai
- Number of Episodes
- 24
6 Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious Turns the Isekai Concept on its Head
A Great Pick for Viewers Who Like to Laugh
The idea behind Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious is that Ristarte, an aspiring great goddess, must bring a hero to the Unified Divine Realm to save the world from the Demon Lord. She chooses someone who looks fantastic on paper, but when he arrives, she finds, to her dismay, that Saiya Ryuuguuin is not interested in being her champion. Audiences will find that they relate to Saiya even as they chuckle at his attempts to grasp the rules in his new domain.
Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious is an anime for viewers who do not take their isekai too seriously. What makes the show work is the tongue-in-cheek, self-referencing sense of humor, which dazzles from the first episode. Based on a concept taken from a light novel by Light Tuchihi, Cautious Hero is a wonderfully fun isekai.
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Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious
TV-14
Action
Adventure8/10
- Release Date
- October 2, 2019
Cast
-
Yūichirō Umehara
-
Aki Toyosaki
The goddess Rista summons a hero to help her in her hard mode video game world. The hero, Seiya, is exceptional in every way, but is incredibly cautious.
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1 Season
- Studio
- White Fox
- Creator
- Kenta Ihara
- Production Company
- White Fox
- Number of Episodes
- 12 Episodes
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5 Restaurant to Another World Features All Types of Foodies
Slice-of-Life Execution Meets an Isekai Setting
Restaurant to Another World is another isekai anime based on a light novel, this time written by Junpei Inuzuka. A fantastic opening theme fronts this program, in which food takes center stage alongside denizens of a fantasy world, such as anthropomorphic lions and lizards. The idea is that these outlandish creatures come to the restaurant, which gives the show its name, for comfort food that only the chef/owner can provide.
Restaurant to Another World combines slice-of-life execution with isekai concepts and throws in some appealing food to whet viewers' appetites. In many ways, it is the polar opposite of a show like GATE. Where GATE is intense, Restaurant to Another World is laid-back, but they both feature the popular fantasy elements that keep isekai fans coming back for more. This is a fine show for fans of slice-of-life anime and other viewers who are looking for something light and mellow to while away the hours.
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Restaurant to Another World
Sci-Fi
- Release Date
- 2017 - 2020
Cast
-
Christopher Sabat
-
Jill Harris
-
Charles C. Campbell
-
Monica Rial
A chef runs a restaurant that serves as a Portal between our World & a Fantasy land every 7 Days, where he serves Western Style Food to Elves, Demons, Dragons & more.
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 2
- Studio
- Silver Link, OLM
- Number of Episodes
- 24
4 Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits WIll Appeal to Food Lovers of all Types
Even Spirits Love the Finer Things in Life
Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits is about Aoi Tsubaki, a young woman who can see spirits and is drawn into a situation where she must cook for them or agree to marry a demon. The program is based on a novel by Midori Yuuma and is all about the universal desire for good food. Food draws people from all walks of life together and is an essential part of the human experience. If this show is to be believed, it is equally important in the spirit realm.
Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits amounts to comfort food for anime lovers and is another show that will appeal to a wide assortment of viewers, particularly those who enjoy watching female protagonists. Kakuriyo is a strong entry in the annals of isekai that many anime fans missed out on when it debuted in 2018, strong enough that it is getting a second season in 2025.
3 Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions Is a More Realistic Take on Isekai
Beautiful Art Brings Grimgar to Life
Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions is based on a light novel written by Eiri Shirai. This show's premise involves a large cast of characters who must fight for their lives against menaces such as goblins and other fantasy creatures in a world not their own. It may sound like a typical isekai, but what sets this show apart is the top-tier execution of the concept.
The action in Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions is intense, particularly in the way the camera angles make viewers feel as though they are part of the action. The characters and their relationships feel like what might really happen if a group of humans were transported to an alien landscape. The art is gorgeous, and while this show is not for everyone, mature viewers looking for a character study that is unlike any other Isekai will find Grimgar worth the investment.
Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
Haruhiro suddenly wakes up, with no memory but his name. There are a lot of people around, but noone seems to know anything. Haruhiro forms a party of some of the people and start exploring.
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2 Drifters Is a Dark & Bloody Success Full of Violence
Real-Life Historical Figures Do Battle in a New World
Drifters is another underrated isekai series that comes highly recommended. Not for the faint of heart, as it is extremely violent and gory, this anime showcases some of the most interesting, well-thought-out battles ever seen on the small screen. The concept is unique in that it takes actual historical figures, such as Shimazu Toyohisa, a samurai who lived in the late 16th century, from the eras they lived in and places them in a truly foreign land.
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5
Everything about Drifters is dark, from the backgrounds to the story itself. These historical figures are inexorably drawn into a battle for what they believe to be right, as some of the heroes eventually find themselves fighting for the freedom of the native creatures. Drifters is a fascinating program from beginning to end, particularly for those who relish mayhem.
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Drifters
TV-MA
AnimeAction
Adventure Isekai- Release Date
- 2016 - 2018
Cast
-
Mitsuki Saiga
-
Naoya Uchida
-
Yuichi Nakamura
-
Takahiro Sakurai
Various historical fighters are summoned from across time to wage war on each other, with the fate of the world in the balance.
- Creator(s)
- Kohta Hirano
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 1
1 Ascendance of a Bookworm Is an Isekai for Book Lovers
Those Who Love to Read Will Find Themselves Deeply Moved by This Isekai
Myne, the protagonist of Ascendance of a Bookworm, is obsessed with books and learning. Her problem is that she has been reincarnated into a time and place where there are no printing presses. Thus, she is resigned to creating her reading material by hand. In many ways, this show is for books what Kakuriyo is for food, and Knight's & Magic is for mechas.
In Ascendance of a Bookworm, the "other world" setting is merely a means to an end and not the focus of the show itself. If not for the retained knowledge from her previous life that drives her, this show could have functioned nearly as well without the isekai aspect. It is not the "fish out of water" idea that is so important to this isekai. It is Myne's drive to create her beloved books and what she must overcome to accomplish that goal. It may not sound like the most exciting premise, but the entertainment value found in watching Myne make her way in her new world cannot be overstated.
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Ascendance of a Bookworm
TV-14
Animation Drama Fantasy Isekai7/10
- Release Date
- 2019 - 2022
- Showrunner
- Mitsuru Hongô
- Directors
- Mitsuru Hongô
- Writers
- Miya Kazuki, Mariko Kunisawa
- Franchise(s)
- Ascendance of a Bookworm
Cast
-
Yuka Iguchi
-
Shō Hayami
Urano, a young Japanese soon-to-be librarian, dies in an earthquake. She is reincarnated in another world as a young girl named Mayne, but learns books are scarce and only provided to prestigious elites.
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Seasons
- 3
- Studio
- Ajia-do Animation Works
- Number of Episodes
- 36
- Anime
- isekai
- ascendance of a bookworm
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