Top 10 Isekai Anime of All Time

Isekai has something for every anime fan. While the genre is overloaded with titles trying to get to the top, there are plenty of great shows in the mix. From oldies to goldies, these are some of the best isekai anime you can watch.

Inuyasha

Inuyasha is one of the greatest original isekai, although he follows a slightly different pattern than others in the genre. Kagome, a young girl, falls into a well at her family’s shrine and ends up in ancient Japan. There she is discovered to be the reincarnation of a revered priestess and embarks on a journey with a half-demon named Inuyasha.

Inuyasha incorporates romance and adventure, and there are even episodes set in modern Japan. Kagome travels between times to continue her normal life while having her own feudal tale where she shows incredible character development before the end. Even among animes like Inuyasha, it stands out for its place in the isekai genre.

The Rise of the Shield Hero

When it comes to standard isekai, The Rising of the Shield Hero is a great example. The main character, Naofumi, is transported to a new world with a few other young men who are supposed to be heroes. The heroes get legendary weapons, and Naofumi eventually gets the legendary shield.

Naofumi is initially wrongly accused of a crime and shunned, leading to him attempting to save the world with the help of others he meets along the way. The beginning of the show is stronger than the end, but much of the criticism of the anime applies to the majority of isekai in general.

The devil is a part-timer

While most isekai feature a protagonist set in a fantasy world, there are a few that place the main character in a modern, realistic setting. Such is the case with The Devil is a Part-Timer, a show in which Satan is sent to modern-day Tokyo with some of his generals. In order to survive and look for a way back off Earth, Satan, now Sadao Maou, works at a fast food restaurant.

The show is funny and contains a bit of romance, and it’s a breath of fresh air compared to the best isekai out there.

Restaurant in another world

If you’re looking for a leisurely title to keep you going while you’re progressing through your favorite shonen anime, then look no further. Restaurant to Another World is the perfect soothing title that allows viewers to relax and watch a restaurant serve customers from other worlds once a week.

There’s no heartbreaking action or high-stakes dilemmas that many isekai have. However, it makes up for it with a relaxing story and delicious food. Plus, it’s anime food – it’s incredibly comforting and looks delicious.

That’s when I was reincarnated as a slime

It’s hard to ignore That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime. It is one of the greatest modern isekai, and was published before any other isekai release was a long sentence-form title. It caught people’s attention and arguably marked the beginning of modern Isekai.

The story follows Rimuru, a company employee who turned into slime after his death and woke up in a new world. Rimuru’s unique ability allows him to take on the appearance of whatever he eats, which is why the show’s main character is rarely ever shown as an actual slime.

Sword Art Online

While some consider That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime to be the starting point of modern-day Isekai, others will point to Sword Art Online. The anime started with a group of people using a VR system and eventually being trapped in an online world. Although they later drop out of the game and are likely to be very traumatized, many of the characters end up playing other VR games.

Each season of the anime feels like a whole new show that everyone has different opinions about. However, most people agree that the first season of Sword Art Online is pretty incredible. It was released before many of the other shows on this list and deviates from many of the tropes commonly seen on Isekai.

Mushoku Tensei: Unemployed Reincarnation

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is a pretty standard isekai: the main character gets hit by a truck and wakes up in another world. However, this main character awakens as a brand new baby and relives childhood with the mind of a 34-year-old.

The show is often praised for its animation and storyline. The premise also stands out – after all, most isekai don’t involve the main character becoming a baby. Although the first few episodes are presented fairly light-heartedly, it begins to unravel more complex themes such as trauma and coping with loss.

Re:Zero – Starting life in another world

Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World is a fan-favorite isekai, and it’s easy to see why. After mysteriously appearing in a new world, the main character (Subaru) discovers that he has the power to manipulate time when he dies. The show follows his time in this new world where he keeps dying to help the people he meets.

Many isekai focus on the positive side of being able to start over in a new world. However, Re:Zero took a darker turn that differentiated it from other Isekai anime when it was released in 2016.

Ya boy Kongming!

One of the most charming isekai out there is Ya Boy Kongming!. The show follows Kongming, a war general, who dies and returns to modern-day Japan. There he meets an aspiring pop star whom he wants to use his brilliant tactical mind to help him succeed.

The Isekai model is reversed, which isn’t unique in and of itself, but the wholesome and general concept didn’t make the anime feel less than perfect. The characters are brilliant, funny and genuine, and the music is pretty great too. When it was released in 2022, it was considered one of the best anime.

Cooking at the campfire in another world with my absurd ability

More cooking magic awaits you in Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skill. This Isekai follows Mukouda, a hero summoned to a new world to fight enemies. However, while the rest of the summoned heroes gained battle-related powers, Mukouda’s power can bring food and food products from Japan.

This leads to him cooking for animals and beasts while traveling and trying to start a new life. This simple approach to the isekai genre puts the focus on the food while providing a solid experience that’s less complicated than so many other titles in the genre.