Actually Good Isekai
Anime
Surprisingly good series from an oversaturated genre. For people who are interested in isekai but are tired of generic, cliché, trope-filled stories.
(one entry per franchise)
Entries meet 4 or more of these criteria:
1. Atypical protagonist(s) (either in background, personality, or dynamics)
2. Unique magic / power system (aka no "He's casting without incantations?!?!")
3. Unique in-setting religion (aka no "Hello protagonist, I am the Goddess™ of this world")
4. No JRPG / video game mechanics (aka inventory, stats screen, skill list, etc.)
5. Major plot elements do not revolve around an adventurers' guild (generic place that gives quests)
6. No demon king / demon lord / demon army
7. Minimal to no fanservice / nudity
8. Not in the harem / reverse harem subgenres (as in revolving around the main character's many love interests) (series marked with an 8* are ones that are tagged as Harem by MAL but don't really fit the definition)
9. Protagonist has healthy friendships with both male and female characters (as equals rather than subordinates or simple love interests)
10. Has a reason to be an isekai
11. Consistently funny comedy
Format:
Description
[isekai type(s)]
(list of criteria met)
Tags: Unique Isekai, Worthwhile Isekai, Great Isekai
(one entry per franchise)
Entries meet 4 or more of these criteria:
1. Atypical protagonist(s) (either in background, personality, or dynamics)
2. Unique magic / power system (aka no "He's casting without incantations?!?!")
3. Unique in-setting religion (aka no "Hello protagonist, I am the Goddess™ of this world")
4. No JRPG / video game mechanics (aka inventory, stats screen, skill list, etc.)
5. Major plot elements do not revolve around an adventurers' guild (generic place that gives quests)
6. No demon king / demon lord / demon army
7. Minimal to no fanservice / nudity
8. Not in the harem / reverse harem subgenres (as in revolving around the main character's many love interests) (series marked with an 8* are ones that are tagged as Harem by MAL but don't really fit the definition)
9. Protagonist has healthy friendships with both male and female characters (as equals rather than subordinates or simple love interests)
10. Has a reason to be an isekai
11. Consistently funny comedy
Format:
Description
[isekai type(s)]
(list of criteria met)
Tags: Unique Isekai, Worthwhile Isekai, Great Isekai
TV, 2019,
14 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Ascendance of a Bookworm is a series with a fun and unique premise. A librarian is reincarnated in a world with few books. This show also does a good job of worldbuilding and slowly revealing aspects of the setting to the audience.
[reincarnation]
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
[reincarnation]
(1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The romance in this one is so good! This series is very fast-paced and gets a lot out of the otome game concept.
[reincarnation] [game world]
(1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10)
[reincarnation] [game world]
(1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10)
TV, 2013,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Log Horizon is fairly unique in how it handles the many problems (social, political, economic, etc.) that would arise from thousands of people suddenly being sent to the world of an MMO.
[game world]
(1, 5*, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
[game world]
(1, 5*, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
TV, 2019,
23 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Both the cast of characters and the artstyle are fun and colorful! The setting is also fairly unique, with a human boy having to try to fit in at a demon school.
[whisked away]
(1, 2, 4, 5, 7?, 8, 9, 10, 11)
[whisked away]
(1, 2, 4, 5, 7?, 8, 9, 10, 11)
TV, 2021,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Finally an isekai where the monster MC doesn't turn into a human right away! This series also makes great use of non-linear storytelling.
[reincarnation]
(1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
[reincarnation]
(1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The world's greatest pharmacologist is reincarnated as Pharma, a young boy in a world without modern medicine. To help those in need, Pharma must fight against tradition to establish his own pharmacy.
[reincarnation]
(1?, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10)
[reincarnation]
(1?, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10)
TV, 2023,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
After Mitsuha accidentially gains the power to teleport to and from another world, she sees a great opportunity to save some money for her retirement by selling modern conveniences.
[accidental teleporting?]
(1, 2, 4, 6?, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
[accidental teleporting?]
(1, 2, 4, 6?, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
TV, 2016,
25 eps
Me:-
Author:7
A series with an interesting gimmick. This first season is surprisingly engaging (if you can put up with how whiny Subaru can be). Your mileage may vary on the later seasons though.
[reincarnation]
(1, 2?, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9?, 10)
[reincarnation]
(1, 2?, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9?, 10)
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
The first 5 episodes are very wholesome. A solid fantasy adventure with more in common with Dungeons and Dragons than typical generic JRPG settings.
[reincarnation]
(2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
[reincarnation]
(2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
A fun tribute to the dating sim genre. Has many of the tropes common to those types of games, but navigates them in a unique way.
[reincarnation] [game world]
(1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
[reincarnation] [game world]
(1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10)
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
A more cynical take on dating sims, parodying many tropes of the genre. The main character uses his knowledge of the game world he's been reincarnated into to rise above the status of minor character. There's also mechs!
[reincarnation] [game world]
(1, 2?, 4?, 5, 6, 10)
[reincarnation] [game world]
(1, 2?, 4?, 5, 6, 10)
TV, 2022,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
The dynamic between the two leads is fun and cute!
[hero summoning?]
(1, 5, 8, 10)
[hero summoning?]
(1, 5, 8, 10)
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
This one is pretty trope-y, but it's executed really well. If you're looking for a fun CGDCT isekai comedy, this might be the one for you!
[reincarnation]
(1, 8*, 10, 11)
[reincarnation]
(1, 8*, 10, 11)
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
A feelgood anime about slimes and laundry
[reincarnation]
(2?, 3?, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
[reincarnation]
(2?, 3?, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
TV, 2021,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Not particularly deep. Just a comfy slice of life show about a pharmacy in fantasy world.
[reincarnation?]
(4, 5, 7, 8*)
[reincarnation?]
(4, 5, 7, 8*)
TV, 2020,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:7
With each quest completed, the heroes' party gains a new member. This series also makes interesting use of RPG class/job systems. Seeing the impact the characters have on the fantasy world over time adds a small amount of depth.
[hero summoning]
(1?, 2?, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
[hero summoning]
(1?, 2?, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
