Interest Stacks

A pioneer of isekai. It was not by any means the first to develop the common trends and tropes of the genre, but it was one of the first, best and most successful series to put those influences together in the way we recognize them today, and specially popularizing the reincarnation element.

By now the tropes that Mushoku popularized and mixed in its pastiche nature have been milked to death, but Mushoku still stands out to today's audience due to the meticulous detail put into the world building, lore, build-up of stakes and tension, nuance of the character work, gradually growing scale of the conflicts and size of the cast. Helped by the fact that the good source material received a beautiful and detailed adaptation with amazing visuals and music, Mushoku manages to convey an almost unparalleled sense of adventure, wonder and fantastical excitement.

Do be aware though, that this show has significantly problematic and uncomfortable aspects that some viewers might find distasteful.

Flipping the wish fulfillment power fantasy tropes of isekai on its back to create a dark, harsh and brutal journey with psychological and cosmic horror elements, Re:Zero has grown to legendary status in the otaku community.

With some of the most iconic characters and developments in recent years, along with the waifu wars it spanwed, this show is acknowledged by almost everyone who watched anime in this day and age, as it proves that the isekai genre isn't only for escapist male power fantasies but that it can also be a great tool to tell deep and beautiful stories of growth and redemption amidst all the pain and suffering of reality.

This is the anime that best uses the cliched fantasy RPG setting to its advantage, by showcasing its full potential in the context of sociopolitical and economic conflicts. Game dynamics and exploits are used as tools by cunning schemers for their struggle for power in a lawless fantasy world that seeks balance and peace. An amazing protagonist and a charismatic cast are sure to keep your attention in this surprisingly intelligent take on the isekai genre.

Meta overload, hilarious characters, refreshing premise. A great parody of isekai. Guy gets isekai'd to a fantasy world and comes back after many years, full of hilarious stories of his badass exploits that somehow we as an audience can't project ourselves into in an escapist way, because the guy was so incredibly dumb and oblivious to his situation in the other world, that he missed every chance to find love and happiness.

If "Come and See (1985)" was an isekai it would be this. This is one of the most grimdark anime ever, not even just isekai. This great series uses the concept of isekai to show the inhuman horrors of war, slavery, torture, sexual abuse and recruitment of child soldiers in an anarchic, medieval no-man's land governed by psychopathic warlords. So basically what every isekai would be if they didn't give the MCs superpowers. Very interesting show that allows for meaningful parallels with the situations in many countries of the third world.

By now this is probably one of the most easily recognizable and iconic isekai, and for good reason. KonoSuba has been a massive success in the otaku community worldwide, spawning more memes than anyone could ever count. With some of the most iconic characters in the medium at this point, brought to lfe by the amazing voice acting that enhances the comedic value of the gags, this show has become one of the most significant comedy anime ever. For those who want a lighthearted and cute take on the isekai genre.

What if we isekai'd a history buff who gushes over political philosophy and gave him the role of a king? Don't be fooled by this show's generic appearance and lackluster presentation, it is very good. Political drama, socioeconomic conflicts, military strategy are at the core of this show. Of course, all of these aspects are oversimplified here, but it is still a refreshing and interesting isekai and the best civilization building one.

Inverse isekai about how Supreme Venerable Demon Lord Satan loses a war, loses his powers, and apparently loses the memory of all the horrible war crimes he commited and becomes a hard-working, self-disciplined, kind-hearted employee at McDonalds in modern day Japan. Amusing character dynamics, good comedy and wholesome vibes.

What if a couple of gamer shut-in siblings with 300 IQ and raging incestuous tendencies were to be thrown in a world where intricate mindgames are the key to every single thing (all of which are incredibly saturted in this world apparently). Again, one of those classic isekai that defined the genre in the west and has become extremely iconic.

Re-interpretation of the first arc of Sword Art Online. While SAO series is famously bad, this movie trilogy is setting up to be quite decent, with great visuals and the somewhat refreshing perspective of Asuna, the female MC. With a solid dramatic core and plot, this movie is a higher quality reboot of what was already the best (or least bad) SAO arc.

SAO is probably the most iconic and influential isekai, which already kind of warrants watching it, even if just as an anime history lesson, so if you plan on ever getting into this, why not choose this good adaptation.

Wholesome slice of life isekai that sets itself apart from the mass of generic waste by showing us the infinite search for literary knowledge of a frail yet tireless girl who uses knwoledge as her greatest weapon.

A protagonist that gets isekai'd to a game world and ends up in the role of the villain? Ok, might be slightly interesting. The demographic is shoujo and the MC is a girl? I'm sold, tell me more, otome isekai might be the future.

Extremely interesting meta-premise that explores the deeper social and political consequences of isekai'd humans with superpowers in a fantasy setting. Original concept for a magic system. And a yuri romantic romantic drama at the emotional core of the story. The execution and presentation might not have been the best, but this is still one of the most interesting isekai to come out in years.

Civilization building and conquering isekai, mixed with silly comedy and wholesome slice of life. Charming characters and amusing dynamics between them keep the show fun despite the lack of tension and significance of the conflicts.

A villainous demon lord power fantasy based on silly misunderstandings. Badass moments of conquer and destruction mixed with goofy campiness in the middle of an overarching political plot and civilization building context keep this show interesting even if the following seasons lower the quality.

If you're gonna watch one of the edgelord male power fantasy isekai it might as well be this one. With an actually very competent adaptation that enhances the source material this show manages to answer the interesting question... What if the guy that got isekai'd wasn't some generic layman with a cardboard personality for self-insert wish fulfillment fantasies but rather an already cool and badass movie main character type of guy?

The most realistic isekai. With stunning visuals, this show doesn't pull punches when showcasing the true hardships and indifferent cruelty of an RPG fantasy setting.

Loli Hitler on her quest to kill God. If that doesn't interest you I don't know what will. Also it's interesting how it takes place in a WW1 type of setting but with magic rather than a medieval RPG fantasy.

Utterly ridiculous stuff, but hilarious precisely because of that. What if we took the Gigachad guy, gave him a psychotically obsessive, pessimistic and paranoid personality, and isekai'd him.

Isekai with a female protagonist who reincarnates as a monster mob, like in Slime isekai, but unlike that show, she keeps her monstruous appearance in this one. Very interesting and unique premise.

The only isekai I know to so quickly and readily answer the question of what would happen if normal humans with modern technological military equipment were to defend themselves against fantastical creatures. Purely from the non-derivative premise, I think it's worth checking out.

What if everytime a human creates a fictional story, a new parallel world based in that story is created? What if every NPC in such worlds is actually just a sentient and free being with their own dramas and fights. This incredibly creastive reverse isekai series explores such topics and more, while showing what happens when a creator meets their creation.

Inverse isekai that has grown to become one of the most iconic anime in recent times. At its core, this show is a wholesome and kind comedy slice of life story about found family, healing from trauma and empathising with people from different cultures. And yuri. Lots of it.

Femdom isekai about a smug gamer who wakes up in a matriarchy fantasy dating sim setting and uses his knowledge and cunning to accumulate a harem. Not the most original thing but has a couple of noteworthy gimmicks.

For some reason the idea of a healer/pharmacist isekai has been getting some decent traction in the industry and this seems to be the best among them. Another story where modern world knowledge is used as the MC's srongest weapon to balance the chances in a fantasy world, in this case, in order to revolutionize the healthcare system.

A straight forward and generic isekai that simply succeeded at being genuinely funny for many and wholesome for kids. Doesn't reinvent the wheel, but seeing how it keeps getting adapted, you can take that as a sign that this show did something right.

A parody of isekai about acceptance and making a place for oneself in the world while looking like shit. Funny use of the tropes, which while not the most original, are certainly interesting.

Upcoming isekai based on one of the great classics of Japanese literature, No Longer Human by Ozamu Dazai.

Isekai mixing grim violence with campy comedy and an adult cast of amusing characters as well as elements from Japanese history.

Medical iyashikei/slice of life isekai with a female protagonist and shoujo romance elements.

Virtual reality isekai based on the Beauty and the Beast by Mamoru Hosoda, director of some cult classics in the anime community.

For many, one of the most hilarious comedy anime to ever bless the community.

The first ever isekai, by the creator of Mobile Suit Gundam, Yoshiyuki Tomino. Full of scoiopolitical commentary, mechs and Tomino's interesting conceptualization.

Cheesy 90's goodness with mechas in a fantasy setting. Classic.

Mech fights in a fantasy setting. Cheesy and crazy but awesome mishmash of a bunch of concepts.

What if we take a bunch of already isekai'd protagonists from different series and isekai them yet again to see their interactions? Basically isekai squared. Does it get any more meta than this?

Maybe more of a time travel series than an isekai, and it doesn't technically have time travel, but for all intensive purposes it is an isekai, as the show is about a cast being taken from their comfortable modern world into a changed and hostile environment where they have to get accustomed and learn everything from zero. Very silly, dumb, loud, obnoxious, childish and over the top but surprisingly educational at times and the MC is quite amusing, taking the smart-ass trope to the utter extreme.

Again, more of a time travel show than an isekai, but functions like an isekai in how it brings a character from his world to another one that functions in entirely different ways.

Heartfelt and exciting music show about strategy, history and passion for art, with an extremey charismatic protagonist and great dynamics as well as a banger OP.

A supernatural adventure cult classic by legendary director Mamoru Hosoda, who loves his time leap/parallel world works of art.

Probably the most critically acclaimed, iconic and popular anime film by legendary director Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, and also technically an isekai. Masterfully crafted adventure through the captivating horrors of the supernatural world, with lots of wonder and mystery.

One of the greatest anime films ever made, and a Kyoto Animation classic, this movie concludes (for now) the adaptation of the Haruhi adaptation with lots of drama, angst, strife, love and realisation using the parallel world trope as a tool.

The latest adapted installment of the Monogatari seried, bringing an epilogue to the story using isekai to tell yet another abstract, delicate and charming psychological drama.

One of the greatest and boldest works of art to come out of the industry due to pure passion in recent years. Abstract, metaphorical and full of symbolism, Sonny Boy does a sharp criticism of Japanese society and the hypocrisy of social institutions and hierarchies in general, while developing into a very intimate coming of age story full of emotion and an experimental presentation that uses the concept of isekai and the strenghts of animation to the max.

By the creator of Clannad, this is a classic tearjerker full of equal parts over the top anime silliness and moving emotional developments in a supernatural afterlife setting.

Yet again using the afterlife supernatural isekai setting, this series chooses to take a more suspenseful, psychologically oriented approach, covering different types of human drama with each episode.

A wholesome and soft slice of life but also a psychological supernatural drama, this deeply atmospheric, enigmatic and symbolism packed show seeks to convey a deep message about trauma and moving on using isekai to its greatest potential

Hilarious and stupidly over the top harem isekai in the same vein as Overlord.

*upcoming

Very hyped Japanese adaptation of one of the most popular hunter/gate/culivation/RPG isekai manwha from Korea, by a great studio. Generic and derivative power fantasy but a fun one at the very least.

New otome isekai combining anti-hero power fantasy with shoujo romance elements.