Summary

• The isekai genre offers a wide range of storytelling possibilities, from intense political thrillers to absurd comedies, making it incredibly appealing.
• The best isekai anime stand out by transcending tired tropes and adding something new to the genre.
• Unique and refreshing shows like Re:Zero and That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime challenge typical isekai conventions, offering a more serious and strategic approach to the genre.

With how many superb shows and movies fall into the genre, ranking the best isekai anime of all time has become quite a difficult task in modern years. Isekai is one of the most popular genres of anime, involving a protagonist from the real world getting transported to an alternate dimension. Despite a large amount of new entries failing to be more than just uninteresting power fantasies, there are a variety of isekai anime that transcend these tired tropes.

The beauty of the isekai genre is that it contains the potential to tell pretty much any type of story imaginable. An isekai anime could be an intense political thriller featuring various fantastical kingdoms vying for world domination, or it could be an absurdist comedy lampooning typical fantasy tropes.

This means that a list of the best isekai of all time will encom a selection of vastly different stories, but this is a testament to the great appeal of isekai's central premise.

20 Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skill (2023)

Based on the light novels by Ren Eguchi & produced by MAPPA

Mukouda Tsuyoshi s the ranks of the best chefs in anime when he is mistakenly transported to a fantasy kingdom. Rather than the heroes' party, Mukouda makes a living using his single special ability: buying food from Earth to cook with. Fans enjoy watching Mukouda become happier and more successful with his new enterprise than he ever was in the modern world: he's too shy and humble for the action-hero life to fit him, either. Just as popular are his answer to an adventuring party: the group of familiars that adore his food and follow him loyally, making up for his lack of combat skill in a hostile world.

While the series isn't necessarily breaking new ground, Campfire Cooking's peaceful tone and focus on cooking are more than enough to make the series memorable. Isekai has always been about escaping into a new world, so seeing Mukouda live out his dream with a group of monster pals is a perfect example of what makes the genre so popular.

Fans of Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skill might also enjoy the series Farming Life in Another World.

19 I'm In Love With The Villainess (2023)

Anime Series By Platinum Vision; Based On The Light Novel By Inori

Platinum Vision’s I’m in Love with the Villainess begins with the typical setup of a “reincarnated into an otome game” story with the protagonist, Rei Ohashi, reincarnating into Rae Taylor, the protagonist of her favorite otome game, Revolution. Unlike its contemporaries, however, Rae is openly gay and has no interest in Revolution's canonical male love interests, instead seeking a relationship with the villainess of the story, Claire François.

While the series doesn't have much going for it in of visuals, I'm in Love with the Villainess' humorous take on a staple of the isekai genre, combined with thoughtful and heartwarming discussions of LGBTQ+ issues, still helps it stand out in the crowd and make it fun to watch from start to finish. It does a great job of breaking the isekai mold in a meaningful way, and any fan of isekai or LGBTQ+ content is sure to love it.

18 KonoSuba (2016)

Based on the web novel by Natsume Akatsuki

Death is nothing like Kazuma Satou imagined: he is met by the goddess Aqua, who offers him the chance to reincarnate in a fantasy world with the destiny of saving it. Kazuma agrees, dragging Aqua in alongside him! KonoSuba has amassed a devoted fan base for its parody approach to the genre, making fun of usual isekai tropes far more than it plays them straight.

For instance, rather than being a revered prophetic hero and his noble magic-wielding companion, Kazuma is usually just the butt of everyone's jokes and Aqua is more likely to make fun of someone than help them out.

Konosuba recently returned for a third season in April 2024.

17 The Vision Of Escaflowne (1996)

Original series written by Shoji Kawamori, directed by Kazuki Akane & produced by Sunrise Studios

Hitomi Kanzaki never paid much mind to her occasional visions of the future…until a vision showing her life turned upside down by a dragon-slaying prince comes true. Transported to the world of Gaea alongside Prince Van, Hitomi must help him learn the secrets of the Guymelef mecha. Escaflowne became one of the hits of the nineties for its thrilling story, beautiful animation, and above all, top-tier execution of the isekai genre and all its tropes.

The Vision of Escaflowne [makes him] not just one of the best isekai series, but one of the best 90s anime series in general.

It's also one of the few isekai to combine medieval fantasy with the mecha genre: two opposites that normally would not go together at all, but feel natural here. All of this makes The Vision of Escaflowne not just one of the best isekai series, but one of the best 90s anime series in general.

16 Fushigi Yuugi (1995)

Based on the manga by Yuu Watase & produced by Studio Pierrot

Miaka and Yui's lives change forever when they are sucked into an ancient library book. Meeting a young warrior named Tamahome is just the beginning of their harrowing journey, as they are caught up in a brewing war.

One of the highest-rated isekai on MyAnimeList, Fushigi Yuugi began airing in 1995, and its influence can be seen in many isekai that came out in the almost thirty years since, such as the stranger from Earth being the subject of prophecy and use of Japanese and Chinese legends and mythological creatures to enrich the new world. Its complex story, memorable characters, and mature tone keep it a classic isekai that many fans still regard as one of the best.

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15 Magical Revolution (2023)

Anime Series By Diomedéa; Based On The Light Novel By Piero Karasu

In Diomedéa's The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady, while princess Anisphia "Anis" Wynn Palettia can't use magic, she's made a name for herself with her various magical inventions and experiments. When the genius mage Euphyllia "Euphy" Magenta is about to be publicly shamed for crimes she didn't commit, Anis saves her and recruits her as her assistant, and what follows is a relationship that changes both of them in more ways than one.

Thanks to some bombastic fight scenes, engaging worldbuilding, and incredible writing for its leads, The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady has a perfect blending of action and strong storytelling for a narrative that delivers on all fronts. There are few anime with as much care put into their stories, isekai or otherwise, and any fan of the genre would be remiss to it up.

14 Magic Knight Rayearth (1994)

Anime Series By TMS Entertainment; Based On The Manga By Clamp

TMS Entertainment's Magic Knight Rayearth stars Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji, a trio of girls who are suddenly called to the magical world of Cephiro by its ruler, Princess Emeraude. There, they learn that Emeraude has been captured by the evil high priest Zagato, and Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu must become the Magic Knights of legend to defeat Zagato and free Emeraude from her suffering.

In addition to having all the great character writing that Clamp stories are known to excel at, Magic Knight Rayearth's blending of fantasy and mecha themes and action makes for a uniquely engaging story from start to finish, and with how oversaturated modern isekai is with derivative stories, that uniqueness is especially noteworthy. It's a truly standout series among Clamp's works, and with a Magic Knight Rayearth reboot officially in development, now's the perfect time to start watching.

13 Outbreak Company (2013)

Anime Series By Feel; Based On The Light Novel By Ichiro Sakaki

In Feel's Outbreak Company, the Japanese government has recently made with the fantasy world of the Holy Eldant Empire and has started making efforts to ally with them. The government decided that the best way to do so would be to teach the citizens of the Holy Eldant Empire about anime and manga, and to that end, they recruited major otaku Shinichi Kanou to help spread his knowledge of anime across the land.

Outbreak Company's reference-laden comedy and fantasy parody stylings always do a great job of playing with the typical conventions of the isekai genre, and that's made even more impressive by how the series came out before isekai started to become overdone. Add in some clever twists near the end that completely engagingly recontextualize the story, and it's an underrated gem any isekai fan should give a chance.

12 The Devil Is A Part-Timer (2013)

Anime Series By White Fox & Studio 3Hz; Based On The Light Novel By Satoshi Wagahara

In The Devil Is a Part-Timer!, after the demon lord Satan and his assistant flee to Earth after being defeated by the hero Emilia, they must disguise themselves as humans until they can regain enough power to return home. However, not only do they have to deal with allies and enemies alike in the same situation as them, but they also have to contend with Satan getting far too acclimated to his job as a fast food worker and human life, in general.

Another series that came out before the isekai genre was in full swing, The Devil Is a Part-Timer! does a great job of satirizing the genre with excellent character-driven comedy and a surprising amount of heart occasionally. The second season didn't always live up to the quality of the first, but overall, it's still a stellar comedy for flipping the script on the isekai formula.

11 Ascendance Of A Bookworm (2019)

Based on the light novel series by Miya Kazuki & produced by Wit Studio

Dying in the real world, Urano Motosu wishes to be reborn, so she can keep reading. She is, but there’s a catch: it’s in a world at a level of technology before the dawn of the printing press, so books are incredibly rare.

While some viewers are turned off by its slow pace, others who aren't looking for action find it refreshing to follow an isekai protagonist who aspires to be a librarian rather than a warrior. Urano — now an adorable kid hero named Myne — is determined to spread literature throughout her new world even if she has to hand-copy every single book she’s ever read by memory, a noble goal whose execution is interesting to follow.