Many Isekai such as That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime or KonoSuba, have gained international fame in recent years, bringing recognition to the genre and sparking a wave of new productions that premiere every season. As a result, viewers searching for an equally enjoyable story are often overwhelmed by the increasing amount of generic isekai anime available. Still, there are several underrated Isekai that deserve more attention than the ones they receive upon their airing.

Great isekai often go under the viewer's radar, either due to their niche premise, the slow pace of their stories, or due to having experienced production issues during their broadcast. However, these underrated isekai anime are more than worthwhile for viewers looking to immerse themselves in a different world.

10 No Longer Allowed in Another World

Animated by Atelier Pontdarc, Based on the Manga by Hiroshi Noda and Takahiro Wakamatsu

Although some viewers believe that isekai is an oversaturated genre, there are anime like No Longer Allowed in Another World that revel in the overused tropes while subverting them in ingenious ways. The anime's biggest appeal is its protagonist, Sensei, who is a parody version of the Japanese writer Osamu Dazai, who does not have any desire to live or explore his new world beyond looking for his previous lover to try to end their lives together once again.

Sensei is gloomy and unmotivated, being displeased to have won the travel lottery to another world and reincarnating with absolutely zero skills or statistics to survive, but he has a particular perspective on life that gives the anime a layer of satire, irony and maturity on occasions that feels refreshing and unique. Furthermore, even though its first episodes might seem generic, No Longer Allowed in Another World's story takes flight after Sensei finds his potential, proving to be a really enjoyable series for viewers looking for a different type of isekai.

9 By the Grace of the Gods

Animated by Maho Films, Based on the Light Novel by Roy and Ririnra

By the Grace of the Gods is a lighthearted isekai about a salaryman, Ryoma Takebayashi, who dies after being overworked by a black company and is summoned to a fantasy world by three gods, where he ends up reincarnating as a child. Thankfully, in his new world, Ryoma doesn't have to become a hero or fight a demon king, choosing to become an expert at taming and collecting slimes.

The twist in By the Grace of the Gods is how Ryoma uses the slimes for multiple innovative activities, becoming an industrious merchant and business owner, giving him a chance to finally enjoy the relaxed, mellow life he couldn't experience before, having suffered enough in his past life. Although the anime could be too slow-paced for some viewers, it's one of the most charming slice-of-life isekai, with heartwarming characters that teach how to value others and enjoy life moderately, perfect for viewers who prefer peaceful stories without much intense action.

8 The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash

Animated by Studio Massket, Based on the Light Novel by Honobonoru500 and Nama

The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash may be one of the most comforting and heartwarming isekai in recent years. After being reborn and spending the first years of her new life with a caring family, Ivy’s world suddenly spirals into chaos after being chased away from her village, being forced to go on a journey where she will use her new monster tamer skill. Despite being labeled as weak, the anime isn't about power, but it's a slow slice-of-life about self-discovery and friendship.

The anime has wholesome characters and a mellow atmosphere elevated by its breathtaking animation with gorgeous landscapes and scenery. Furthermore, despite its slow start, The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash evolves into a story about traveling, finding meaningful relationships, and going forward in life despite the struggles along the way, becoming a soothing and relaxing watching experience and a unique isekai that will charm viewers.

7 Uncle from Another World

Animated by Atelier Pontdarc, Based on the Manga Created By Hotondoshindeiru

Uncle from Another World is a different kind of isekai, as it follows a character who has returned after experiencing an isekai scenario in a magical world during his 17-year coma. While this is the tale that Yosuke Shibazaki told to his nephew, Takafumi Takaoka, upon awakening speaking in a foreign language, it is proven to be very real when he makes a display of his magic powers along with the memories of his experiences in Gran Bahamal.

This unconventional setting makes Uncle from Another World a unique and entertaining anime, as the cultural shock of modernity clashing with Yosuke's particular wisdom and perspective on life creates hilarious situations, all while including many nods to geek culture, nostalgia about the beginning of the millennium, and jokes about his social ineptitude. Unfortunately, due to its delay during its broadcast, Uncle from Another World is often overlooked when listing the funniest isekai out there, but it's a must-watch anime for comedy fans.

6 As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World

Animated by Studio MOTHER, Based on the Light Novel by Miraijin A

One of the most surprising Isekai, As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World is one of those anime that gets better as their story progresses with a great use of politics and character relationships. Contrary to other isekai protagonists who are reborn in a magic world wielding great power, Ars Louvent is a weakling without great talent, but he possesses a special skill called appraisal that allows him to evaluate statistics, talents, and information of others.

Thanks to his intellect, tenacity, and status as a noble, Ars starts recruiting the best to gain the necessary allies to survive an imminent war. What makes the anime different from others is that Ars' greatest power is his leadership ability, exploring the political aspect of his world, with great use of tension and strategy that keeps viewers hooked at all times.

5 Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious

Animated by White Fox; Based on the Light Novel Series by Light Tuchihi and Saori Toyota

Just as its name suggests, Cautious Hero tells the story of a man who becomes a candidate for a goddess to save the world but has an excessively cautious nature that doesn't match how powerful he is. This pathologically careful mindset of Seiya Ryuuguuin sets out many troublesome and funny situations, being one of the most hilarious modern isekai, while also serving to showcase a unique perspective on overpowered characters.

However, Cautious Hero proved to be more than just a fun subversion of the isekai's tropes, playing with the emotions of its audience with one of the most shocking plot twists in anime. As a result, Cautious Hero is one of the isekai that deserves more recognition for how it continually outclasses viewers' expectations while being extremely entertaining throughout its short run.

4 Zenshu

Original Anime Series Produced by MAPPA

One of the most original proposals by the studio of Attack on Titan, Zenshu follows Natsuko Hirose, a recognized genius animator who is overworked and experiencing a creative block, and is transported into the world of her favorite movie after having food poisoning.

Sadly, upon her introduction, Zenshu sparked criticism due to Natsuko's personality not being appealing to many viewers for being considered arrogant and authoritarian. However, she not only improves throughout the episodes, coming out of her introverted shell, but the way she isn't a hero but a human with flaws and great ion for her craft makes her a great protagonist. Full of color, imagination, and stunning visual sequences, Zenshu is an ode to animation and an unmissable option for viewers who ire the hard work of artists from any medium.

3 Ascendance of a Bookworm

Animated by Ajia-do Animation Works and Wit Studio, Based on the Light Novels by Miya Kazuki and You Shiina

Ascendance of a Bookworm is an anime that proves that the genre can still be great without being the typical power fantasy with intense action or filled with fanservice, presenting a book-lover protagonist motivated by her desire to read books. After a silly death, Urano gets reincarnated as a child in a world where literacy is extremely difficult due to the price of books being unreachable for commoners and reserved for the upper classes. Despite this opposition, Myne doesn't give up on her ion but actively tries to pursue her interests.

Ascendance of a Bookworm is a cozy anime with great and realistic world-building that highlights the struggles of the period and a defined socioeconomic structure, all while introducing charming characters that are easy to relate to and a respectable quest that is impossible not to root for.

2 The Vision of Escaflowne

Original Anime Series Produced By Sunrise

Despite being considered a classic cult anime, The Vision of Escaflowne is often forgotten as one of the groundbreaking series that started the isekai genre, being especially innovative by mixing mecha with war and epic fantasy. In The Vision of Escaflowne, Hitomi is transported to the world of Gaea, where she gets involved in a war between kingdoms after meeting Van, who is a pilot of the mythic Escaflowne. Amid this large-scale military conflict, Hitomi will experience all kinds of troubles as she tries to return to her world.

With intriguing mysteries, epic action, and a touch of romance, Escaflowne has stood the age of time, introducing a captivating medieval fantasy world with alternative animation, great antagonists, and an incredible soundtrack that has a unique appeal different from the modern isekai anime.

1 Sonny Boy

Original Anime Series Created By Shingo Natsume and Studio Madhouse

With an atypical direction characterized by a non-linear narrative and experimental animation with an expressive visual style that is more reminiscent of modern abstract art, Sonny Boy is a surrealist isekai that has become one of the underrated anime that the genre has to offer. Sonny Boy tells the story of a group of students who are mysteriously transported to an alternate dimension where they experience a series of strange phenomena as they seek to return to their real world.

Shingo Natsume is also recognized for his work as director of One-Punch Man Season 1.

Sonny Boy does a magnificent job of conveying the confusion and loneliness of the characters while exploring philosophical and moral dilemmas in addition to issues such as identity and social conflicts, all represented through symbolism and gaps that should be filled and interpreted by the viewers. As a result, Sonny Boy is a hidden gem in anime that any isekai fan should watch.