Isekai is everywhere and inevitable, and it seems unlikely that they change soon. I love Anime ISEKAIBut the concept overall has a fairly negative reputation, at least in western online clubs. The overexposure naturally leads to repercussions and tiredness, especially for a theme that is strongly based on consolidated tropes and has a history of forgettable stories that produce in series. However, Isekai is more diversified than credit is often given, covering a wide range of genres, tones and settings.
If you like souls and follow the seasonal releases, you have probably seen many Isekai series in the last decade since they are difficult to avoid. For better or for worse, almost everyone knows it Art of Sword online, Overlord, MelmaAND Ri: zero. If none of these shows have struck you, you could be attempted to leap to the entire theme, potentially losing some stories that could become personal favorites. As a result, we highlight a couple of souls that is worth taking a look at the people who do not like Isekai.
Some notes and criteria:
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The goal is to highlight the ISEKAI anime which is a different touch from the norm and each item will try to cover a distinct type of history. If there are similar alternatives, they will be mentioned as honorable mentions.
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The largest ISEKAI Souls – Saus, Overlord, Ri: zero, Konosuba, Eminence in the shadows, Melma, Mushoku Tensei, evil saga of Tanya – have been excluded. They are too well known to request advice. Having said that, they can be included as honorable mentions.
Grimgar: ashes and illusions
An Isekai anime that goes against the Isekai conventions
Isekai loves the protagonists overwhelmed. Seriously, every other show presents an MC that is an street divinity and, usually, accumulates a Waifus harem that exist mainly to praise the ground on which they walk. There is nothing wrong with a fantasy of power, but if someone doesn't like this type of stories, it will have difficulties with Isekai. Fortunately, some shows go in the opposite direction e Grimgar: ashes and illusions It is one of the best examples.

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A group of characters is found in a strange fantastic world and have no incredible memories or skills. By deciding to remain united to increase their possibilities of survival, they become adventurers who must risk their lives to complete even the smallest mission. Goblin are terrifying, teamwork is important but not easy and death is around every corner.
Other anime ISEKAI with weak protagonists or holidays:
- Ri: zero
- Registry horizon
- .Hack // sign
- Handyman Saitou in another world – More comic
Drifter
An ISEKAI anime for fans of fate (which is not a destiny)
Ah, DrifterAn anime that should be a milestone from Isekai rather than just a note on the foot of the page. Unfortunately, the manga has a fairly slow release program and the adaptation ended in 2018 and it seems unlikely that it receives a sequel. In addition, it is not available on a streaming platform, which is extremely frustrating. Basically, Drifter AND Destiny with a touch of Isekai. Historical figures are evoked in another world to compete in a total war, becoming vagabonds or finals. Most of the characters are based on Japanese history, but there are some remarkable and wild exceptions.
Gory, vicious and simply fantastic, Drifter It is a non-stop action that attracts very few punches, in the meantime offering excellent animation and building a funny dark imagination environment. The story is simple and mostly acts as an excuse to put explosive fighters against each other, but it is quite well written to be memorable.
Another ISEKAI anime led by the action with Battle Royale Elements:
- Fai/Grand Order: Absolute Demonic Front – Babylon – Yes, there is a true Destiny Anime ISEKAI. Even decent enough. Drifter It was preferred since then Destiny It can be intimidating for new arrivals.
- Ishura
Magic Knight Rayearth
An Isekai anime for magical fans and mecha fans
Even if they contributed to modeling Isekai, the anime that debuted first Art of Sword online Hitting 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 popular trends, but their ISEKAI component tends to feel secondary rather than the main strength.
Magic Knight Rayearth It came out at a time when both the magical girls and the mecha were much more present than they are today, and the clamp manga and the subsequent anime are distinguished by combining the two and launching a fantasy environment. After being teleported to a new world, three girls are pushed into the roles of the heroes, putting them on a journey that begins carefree but gradually becomes more mature and dark. Although not without weaker plots, Magic Knight Rayearth It is generally quite coherent.
Other Isekai souls of the old school that are mainly part of other genres:
- Aura Battler Dunbine
- The twelve kingdoms
- Escaflowne's vision
The weakest tamer started a journey to collect the garbage
A fantasy anime that is barely Isekai (in a good sense)
A critical common to the anime of Isekai is that many stories do not fully exploit their premise “sends to another world”. After making a great show of their reincarnation or teleportation in the first episode, the visitor's status of the protagonist is just mentioned and becomes unimportant. The Isekai element looks like an expedient.

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Although certainly a valid criticism, a couple of shows have done this type of implementation well. The weakest tamer started a journey to collect the garbage Ivy follows, a girl who is marked for death by her village because she has a power deemed useless. Desperate to survive, he starts a life in the desert, doing all the time he does some nice friends and trying to see the brightest side of life.
Ivy receives a guide from a voice in his head, which seems to be his past life. That presence is never formally introduced into the anime and are essentially the intuition of Ivy. This decision places the emphasis exactly on Ivy and looks like a child rather than an adult who masks herself as one.
Other fantasy souls that spray the light Isekai elements:
- The magical revolution of the reincarnate princess and the brilliant young woman
- Theogony
Restaurant in another world
An Isekai anime for gourmets (and slice of life fans)
This will probably not be a hot grip, but Japan has excellent food. Even more important, does the souls industry love to celebrate the country cuisine and what better way to spread the good word than to introduce national dishes to people from another world? A lot of ISEKAI souls incorporate food to a certain extent, but Restaurant in another world The more mile goes by giving priority to this aspect. The show also highlights some western dishes, something that rarely done by souls.
Together with the Ai Molgustai restaurant who want to see delicious dishes, Restaurant in another world It also does an excellent job in telling small stairs stories through Etablishment customers. The anime maintains a relaxed and quiet tone for all its race and both seasons are therapeutic.
Other Isekai souls on food:
- Isekai Izakaya: Japanese food from another world
- Cook in another world with my absurd ability
- Welcome to Japan, Elf Lady!
The executioner and his lifestyle
An ISEKAI anime that does not concern (only) the visitor of another world
Almost always, Isekai Anime revolves around, well, characters of Isekai. I mean, it's all in the name. The exceptions are so rare that they are almost non -existent, but The executioner and his lifestyle technically qualify. The anime gives life to a world that has received for a bit of ultraterrene powerhouse, a phenomenon that not only influenced society in general, but also caused widespread problems. Consequently, the welcome and the role of Menou is no longer to perform anyone who has been called illegally.

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Although a secondary protagonist who comes from Japan, The executioner and his lifestyle It is ultimately the history of Menou, and undertakes a unique journey for the ISEKAI genre. In addition to the premise of the novel, the anime is also structured as a dependent couple narration, with handmaking traveling with the person who has the purpose of assassinating. Their friendship is at the center of the scene and both cross a lot of development.
Other Isekai souls who illuminate the inhabitants of the world:
- Dahlia in Bloom: crafting a new start with magical tools
- It is no longer allowed in another world
- Rioborn as a vending machine, now vague in the basement
- Reincarnate like a sword – The anime concerns as much as it is the proincarnated male protagonist.
From time to time, here and there
First war souls, Isekai second
From time to time, here and there It is not an easy watch. Sharing more in common with Serious of the fireflies O stories of Mech focused on humans compared to the typical Isekai, this anime presents oppressive regimes, torture and children soldiers, all presented through a veil of realism that makes you reflect rather than encourage resilience. Shuu runs after a girl from another world, all in the hope of saving her from her kidnappers.
Unfortunately, it is not particularly strong or intelligent; In fact, it is mainly a normal boy, even if brave. In a nutshell, he is not prepared for the hard world in which he finds himself, where people like him are disposable and vulnerable. From time to time, here and there It is not necessarily fun, but it is captivating and a clear reminder that Isekai can tell mature and stimulating stories.

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