Sword Art Online and Co are as popular as ever. But are there any other Isekai anime that you should definitely watch? We introduce you to 5 of them.
There are countless anime now - even if you search for individual genres. Today we want to take a look at the Isekai genre and introduce you to some anime gems that you may not have seen yet. Because especially here, where many fans are fascinated by the concept of “Sword Art Online”, the idea of alternative worlds is very popular.
That's why we're introducing you to 5 top anime from the Isekai genre.
What is Isekai?
“Isekai” is Japanese and means “other world”. Over the last few years, it has become its own genre in anime and manga. The basic idea is usually similar: one or more protagonists are transported from reality to another world, usually in a fantasy setting. As a rule, they still have their knowledge from the modern world.
Re: ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
Alternative names: Re: Zero, Re: Life in a different world from zero, Re: Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Episodes: 51 (2 seasons)
Stream available on: Crunchyroll
Just on the way to the supermarket, suddenly in the marketplace of a fantasy world - that's what happens to Subaru. And it gets even better: Shortly after arriving, he runs into the beauty Emilia, with whom he immediately falls in love. But the lucky streak doesn't last long. Because while he tries to help Emilia, Subaru is brutally killed out of the blue. However, instead of simply dying, he travels back in time and finds himself back in his original position.
What to expect from Re:Zero: The anime combines the classic Isekai ingredients such as fantasy and colorful characters with some time loop elements. Since the protagonist is always “taken back” several days after he dies, some segments are repeated, but always provide new insights and also wonderfully show the despair that comes with it.
However, it should be noted that Re: ZERO is in some respects much darker and more adult than other isekai. Mental and physical cruelty occurs more frequently towards the end of the first season and gives the plot a gravity that is perhaps not suitable for “casual evening entertainment”.
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Alternative names: Youjo Senki, The Military Chronicles of a Little Girl
Genre: Action, Fantasy
Episodes: 13
Stream available on: Crunchyroll
Tanya Degurechaff doesn't seem to make the perfect soldier on the outside - especially because she's still a child. But her magical skills and strategic calculation quickly brought her to the attention of the military academy. In an alternative version of Europe during the First World War, Tanya tries to help her country win - and at the same time prove that "God" does not exist. It is only thanks to this creature that Tanya even exists in this world, as she actually comes from modern Japan.
What to expect from Saga of Tanya the Evil: On paper, “World War in Europe with Magic” sounds a bit silly, but after the first episode, you should think better of it. Saga of Tanya the Evil impresses with its powerful images and sounds, great action, and just the right amount of drama.
The anime balances on an interesting line. As a viewer, you're never quite sure whether to be for or against Tanya - because her calculating, ruthless nature is cold-hearted but efficient.
GATE
Alternative names: Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Takakaeri, Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There!
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Episodes: 24 (2 seasons)
Stream available on: Aniverse (Amazon Prime Channel)
When a manga convention takes place in Tokyo, something strange happens: a large gate appears in the city. Fantastic beings such as orcs, lesser demons, and knights storm the portal and plunge Tokyo into chaos - for a few hours. Because after a short time, the creatures are destroyed by the Japanese defense army. Now the army itself is pushing through the “gate” and trying to establish an outpost in this strange world, make contact with the inhabitants, and perhaps trade in previously unknown goods.
The officer Youji Itami is at the center of the plot and makes initial contacts with the residents, who are also overwhelmed by the political implications of this portal, behind which a superior force awaits.
What to expect from GATE: GATE mixes traditional fantasy with modern military tactics and war equipment. A mixture that may seem inappropriate at first glance, but it quickly develops its own fascination. Even if some of the characters - like the Goth Lolita - seem a little cliché, the personalities of the protagonists are still convincing.
GATE has come under a bit of criticism because, in the view of some critics, it is said to be carrying out Japanese military propaganda. However, if you don't let this deter you or bother you, GATE is exciting and follows a concept that is so far unique in the Isekai area.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Alternative names: Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu, Jobless Reincarnation: I Will Seriously Try If I Go To Another World
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Ecchi
Episodes: 24 (a 2nd season is currently running)
Stream available on: Crunchyroll
The 34-year-old protagonist hasn't had a good life so far. He was constantly bullied and oppressed, lives unemployed, is withdrawn, and spends his time primarily with questionable hentai. When he finally gets up the courage to do something heroic for once in his life, he dies.
Shortly afterward he is reborn in another world - now as "Rudeus Greyrat". Thanks to his knowledge and experiences from his previous life, he uses his second chance to master many areas of life early on. He shows huge potential in magic and is also trained in the use of the sword.
When his family can no longer support his skills, he sets off towards the capital to further hone his skills - and little by little gets caught up in the maelstrom of political and magical intrigues that threaten the entire kingdom.
What you should expect from Mushoku Tensei: The first episodes of Mushoko Tensei take a little effort, as the emerging ecchi elements are a bit too prominent here. After that, however, the series turns out to be a masterpiece on every level. No matter whether it's about the story, the world-building, the characters, the animations or the musical accompaniment: Jobless Reincarnation is one of the great Isekai.
If you stay tuned here, you'll soon lose yourself in a convincing fantasy world with great characters that you can't help but constantly root for.
The Eminence in Shadow
Alternative names: Shadow Garden, Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute!
Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Episodes: 20
Stream available on: Aniverse (Amazon Prime Channel), HiDive
Minoru always wanted to be a hero. But as a simple person, he realized that at some point he reached the limits of his abilities. No matter how strong he is, he simply cannot survive against the military or bombs - at least in this world. It is a hint of fate that sends the truck past him, which runs over him and leads to his rebirth as “Cid” in another world.
Here he can play out his complete fantasy: he becomes a “shadow eminence” and acts as if there is a secret demon cult that is planning to overthrow the world. While he recruits more and more women for his "live role-play", he completely misses the fact that this demon cult actually exists - and that everyone else takes his "larp" much more seriously than he does.
What you should expect from The Eminence in Shadow: Although the anime is primarily a parody of many other anime, it impresses with an interesting plot and a variety of interesting characters. Above all, the delusions of Cid, who has to jump back and forth between the two roles of “boring NPC that no one remembers” and “almighty shadowy eminence”, make this series so appealing.
The Eminence in Shadow balances on a sometimes difficult line between cool and cringe, but never takes itself too seriously - in contrast to the protagonist, who gets to live out his most wonderful dream.
Bonus: The Devil is a Part-Timer!
Alternative names: Hataraku Maou-Sama!
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
Episodes: 35 (2 seasons)
Stream available on: Amazon Prime Video (Season 1), Aniverse (Amazon Prime Channel)
Demon lord Satan has subjugated almost the entire world. In one of humanity's last rebellions, the heroes rush into his palace. They manage to put Satan on the run, who escapes through a dimensional portal. The heroine Emilia follows him to finally put an end to the evil.
However, the portal led to modern-day Japan, where magic virtually does not exist. Now forced into the guise of the young adult “Sadao Maou”, the demon lord must plan his return to his kingdom – and pay the rent. He, therefore, takes a job at the fast food chain “MgRonalds”, while the former heroine makes a living as a support employee in the call center.
What to expect from The Devil is a Part-Timer: Strictly speaking, The Devil is a Part-Timer is not a traditional isekai, but a “reverse isekai”. The protagonists are transported from a fantasy world to the environment of modern Japan and lose a large part of their magical power in the process. The devils and the shining heroes suddenly find themselves confronted with unfamiliar problems - like paying the rent or finding a job.
The fact that the war between the parties continues to rage under this cover always creates tension and some action, although the focus is clearly on the characters and the comedy.
Do you have any other isekai anime that you should definitely watch? If so, please let us know in the comments - and also explain what makes this anime so special for you.
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