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Isekai is everywhere and inescapable, and that seems unlikely to change anytime soon. I loveisekai anime, but the concept has, overall, a fairly negative reputation, at least in Western online circles. Overexposure naturally leads to backlash and exhaustion, especially for a theme that relies heavily on established tropes and has a history of mass-producing forgettable stories. However, isekai is more diverse than it is often given credit for, covering a wide range of genres, tones, and settings.
If you are into anime and follow seasonal releases, you have likely watched plenty of isekai series over the last decade since they are hard to avoid. For better or worse, nearly everyone knowsSword Art Online,Overlord,Slime, andRe:Zero. If none of these shows impressed you, you might be tempted to give the entire theme a skip, potentially missing out on some stories that could become personal favorites. Consequently, let’s highlight a couple of anime worth checking out for people who are not into isekai.
A few notes and criteria:
Isekai is fond of overpowered protagonists. Seriously, every other show features an MC who is a walking deity and, usually, amasses a harem of waifus who primarily exist to praise the ground they walk on. There is nothing wrong with a power fantasy, but if somebody does not enjoy these types of stories, they will have a hard time with isekai. Fortunately, a few shows go in the opposite direction, andGrimgar: Ashes and Illusionsis one of the better examples.
A group of characters find themselves in a strange fantasy world, and they have no memories or incredible abilities. Deciding to stick together to increase their chances for survival, they become adventurers who must risk their lives to complete even the smallest of quests. Goblins are terrifying, teamwork is important but not easy, and death is around every corner.
Other isekai anime with weak protagonists or parties:
Ah,Drifters, an anime that should be a cornerstone of isekai rather than just a footnote. Unfortunately, the manga has a fairly slow release schedule, and the adaptation ended in 2018 and seems unlikely to receive a sequel. It is also not available on a streaming platform, which is extremely frustrating. Basically,DriftersisFatewith an isekai twist. Historical figures are summoned to another world to compete in an all-out war, becoming either Drifters or Ends. Most of the characters are based on Japanese history, but there are a few notable and wild exceptions.
Gory, vicious, and just all-around awesome,Driftersis non-stop action that pulls very few punches, all the while delivering great animation and building a fun dark fantasy setting. The story is straightforward and mostly serves as an excuse to pit explosive fighters against each other, but it is well-written enough to be memorable.
Even though theyhelped shape isekai, the anime that debuted beforeSword Art Onlinehit differently nowadays, just because they were not influenced by the tropes that would come to define these stories. They are still products of their time that reflect the popular trends, but their isekai component tends to feel secondary rather than the main selling point.
Magic Knight Rayearthcame out at a time when both magical girls and mecha were way more present than they are today, and Clamp’s manga and the subsequent anime set themselves apart by combining the two and throwing in a fantasy setting. After being teleported to a new world, three girls are pushed into the roles of heroes, setting them on a journey that starts lighthearted but gradually grows more mature and dark. While not devoid of weaker storylines,Magic Knight Rayearthis generally quite consistent.
A common criticism of isekai anime is that many stories do not take full advantage of their “send to another world” premise. After making a big show of their reincarnation or teleportation in the first episode, the protagonist’s visitor status is barely referenced and becomes unimportant. The isekai element feels like a gimmick.
While certainly a valid criticism, a couple of shows have done this sort of implementation well.The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trashfollows Ivy, a girl who is marked for death by her village because she has a power that is deemed useless. Desperate to survive, she starts a life in the wilderness, all the while making a few cute friends and trying to see the brighter side of life.
Ivy receives guidance from a voice in her head, which happens to be her past life. That presence is never introduced formally in the anime, and they are essentially Ivy’s intuition. This decision puts the emphasis squarely on Ivy, and she comes across as a child rather than an adult who is masquerading as one.
This probably will not be a hot take, but Japan has great food. More importantly, the anime industry loves to celebrate the country’s cuisine, and what better way to spread the good word than to introduce national dishes to people from another world? Plenty of isekai anime incorporate food to an extent, butRestaurant to Another Worldgoes the extra mile by prioritizing this aspect. The show also highlights some Western dishes, something rarely done by anime.
Along with catering to foodies who want to see delicious dishes,Restaurant to Another Worldalso does a great job of telling small-scale stories through the establishment’s patrons. The anime maintains a relaxed and tranquil tone throughout its entire run, and both seasons are therapeutic.
Almost always, isekai anime revolve around, well, isekai’d characters. I mean, it is all in the name. Exceptions are so rare that they are almost non-existent, butThe Executioner and Her Way of Lifetechnically qualifies. The anime brings to life a world that has been receiving otherworldly powerhouses for a while, a phenomenon that has not only influenced society at large but also caused widespread problems. Consequently, they are no longer welcome, and Menou’s role is to execute anyone who has been summoned illegally.
While featuring a secondary protagonist who is from Japan,The Executioner and Her Way of Lifeis ultimately Menou’s story, and she goes on a journey that is unique for the isekai genre. Beyond the novel premise, the anime is also structured as an odd-couple narrative, with Menou traveling with the person whom she is meant to assassinate. Their friendship takes center stage, and they both go through quite a bit of development.
Other isekai anime that shine a spotlight on the world’s inhabitants:
Now and Then, Here and Thereis not an easy watch. Sharing more in common withGrave of the Firefliesor human-centric mecha stories than the typical isekai, this anime features oppressive regimes, torture, and child soldiers, all presented through a veil of sobering realism rather than encouraging resilience. Shuu runs after a girl from another world, all in the hopes of saving her from her captors.
Unfortunately, he is not particularly strong or intelligent; in fact, he is mostly an ordinary boy, albeit a brave one. Simply put, he is not prepared for the harsh world that he finds himself in, where people like him are disposable and vulnerable.Now and Then, Here and Thereis not necessarily entertaining, but it is captivating and a stark reminder that isekai can tell mature and challenging stories.
