The best Isekai anime and manga with middle-aged protagonists

While there seems to be an almost endless supply of protagonist types in anime and manga series, the number of middle-aged protagonists is seemingly few and far between, and even fewer in anime or isekai manga. Typically, the situation in most isekai anime and manga, where characters often find themselves transported to fantasy realms, is that the focus is usually on young heroes embarking on epic adventures.

However, this piece will highlight the best isekai series with much older main characters. These characters often approach their second chances with a good mix of humor, nostalgia, and experience, creating compelling narratives that resonate with more mature audiences. So, for this piece, here are some of the best isekai series featuring middle-aged protagonists.

6 Uncle from another world

Anime Planet rating: 3.8 / 5

THE Uncle from another world features a rather entertaining narrative that follows the life of the central character, Takafumi Takaoka, and his uncle, Yousuke 'Ojisan' Shibazaki. The series begins after Yousuke Ojisan goes into a coma for seventeen years after an unfortunate truck accident. Things get very confusing for Takafumi suddenly after Ojisan mysteriously regains consciousness, claiming to have been transported to another world called Great Bahamal, where he gained magical powers.

Takafumi brushes off his uncle's ramblings until Ojisan magically floats a cup of water. At this point, Takafumi has the seemingly brilliant idea of ​​starting a YouTube channel to showcase his uncle's skills. Fresh out of a coma at 17, Ojisan struggles to cope with the progress made in his absence. Together with Takafumi, the pair focuses on growing their YouTube channel with Ojisan's new powers and otherworldly experiences.

5 GATE: where the JSDF fought

Anime Planet rating: 4.2 / 5

• Creator(s): Sao Satoru, Yanai Takumi
• No. of chapters: 136 (In progress)
• Type: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

The GATE The series presents a unique isekai trope, in which it is neither reincarnation nor transmigration, but the coexistence of two worlds that seem more likely to merge than simply collide. The story's protagonist, off-duty Japanese Self-Defense Forces personnel, Youji Itami, finds himself at the center of the narrative after a mysteriously large gate suddenly appears in the middle of the city, spawning several supernatural creatures and warriors, in his way. at his favorite doujin convention.

Quickly springing into action, Youji saves as many people as possible in the time the rest of the JSDF can mobilize. Three months after the attack, Youji once again finds himself on the front lines of the JSDF's special reconnaissance team to be sent into the world beyond the mysterious gate. As the leader of the reconnaissance team, Youji soon realizes that the fate of two worlds depends on whether he and his team fail or succeed in their mission.

4 The Great Cleric

Anime Planet rating: 4.1 / 5

The hard work in this series doesn't seem to work as reality suggests, and the prime example of this is the protagonist of the story. Initially, Japan's hardest-working wage earner who worked and toiled every day until his untimely and unfortunate death, and now reincarnated in the world of Galdardia as Luciel, is not particularly eager to enslave another life. Quick with his head and hands, Luciel decides to follow the path of the healer and heads towards the small town of Merratoni.

There he learns the rare value of healers in his new world and joins the Healers' Guild, unlocking his potential for magic and as a healer. Luciel reaches a decisive point when he fails to save someone and, due to the guilt of the person's death, decides to become stronger to help others. To carry out his decision, Luciel becomes an adventurer and makes his way across the lands of Galdardia, earning a reputation as a selfless healer.

3 Saga of Tanya the Evil

Anime Planet rating: 4.2 / 5

A story of ingenuity between a human and a god, The saga of Tanya the Evil follows the life of the infamous “Rhine Devil”. The protagonist of the story, Tanya Degurechaff, is a child soldier of the Empire. However, beneath the child's skin lies the soul of a man who challenged Being X and lost, leading to his reincarnation as Tanya.

Still determined to challenge herself, Tanya believes she can achieve world peace with her own methods and is determined to rise through the Empire's military ranks as quickly as possible. But, between his infamy on the battlefield and the Empire's constant state of war, Being X seems like the biggest obstacle to his ambitions. However, his highly perceptive actions and ingenious tactical methods appear to have an unprecedented impact on the Empire, quickly transforming it into one of the most feared nations in history. Whether Tanya can survive a god remains to be seen.

2 Record Horizon

Anime Planet rating: 4.1 / 5

Virtual reality mixes with reality in the Record Horizon series, while thirty thousand Japanese players suddenly find themselves trapped in the famous MMORPG Elder Tale. The story's protagonist, Shiroe, the socially awkward college student, also finds himself among those trapped in the game.

An Elder Tale expert, Shiroe finds no time to sulk about his situation and instead makes his way to explore the limits of his sudden new reality. With bland in-game food, awakenings from the dead, and boring conversations with NPCs, Elder Tale couldn't get any closer to the reality players left behind. Shiroe, on the other hand, together with his allies, is determined to adapt to this new reality without standing out as much as possible.

1 Overlord

Anime Planet rating: 4.2 / 5

The quest for world domination in Overlord the series begins as a whimsical suggestion born from a seemingly impossible situation. The story takes place in the same world as the famous MMORPG Yggdrasil, where the protagonist plans to spend what would have been the last moments of the game until the servers are closed.

Things start to get serious when the timer finally starts counting down and the protagonist, Momonga, finds that he can no longer log out of the game. Left with the immense powers of his characters in the mysteriously real version of Yggdrasil, Momonga seeks to try his hand at world domination, a feat seemingly possible for the archlich. With the help of his generals, Momonga begins the search for worthy opponents while investigating the possibility of other players like him in this new world.