The Best Isekai Animes Of All Times

Sword Art Online (2012)

Sword Art Online is a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara. The story follows the adventures of Kirito, a skilled player of the virtual reality MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) Sword Art Online. The game takes a dark turn when the players realize they are unable to log out, and are trapped within the game by its creator. In order to escape, they must defeat all 100 levels of the game. As Kirito navigates through the challenges of Sword Art Online, he meets other players who become his allies and friends. The series explores themes of friendship, courage, and the consequences of living in a virtual world. Sword Art Online has gained a large fan base and has been adapted into anime, manga, and video games.

Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World (2016)

Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World is a Japanese light novel series written by Tappei Nagatsuki and illustrated by Shinichirou Otsuka. The story follows Subaru Natsuki, a young man who is suddenly transported to a fantasy world. Upon his arrival, he discovers that he has the ability to return to a specific point in time whenever he dies, allowing him to try different approaches to overcome the challenges he faces. As Subaru navigates this new world, he forms relationships with various characters, including the silver-haired half-elf Emilia and the violent yet loyal demon maid Rem. The series explores themes of love, loss, and the consequences of one’s actions. With its unique premise and engaging characters, Re:Zero has become a popular and critically acclaimed anime series that has captivated audiences around the world.

No Game No Life (2014)

No Game No Life is a Japanese light novel series written and illustrated by Yu Kamiya. The story follows siblings Sora and Shiro, who are known online as the undefeated gaming duo “Blank.” They are transported to a world where everything is decided by games, and they must use their strategic thinking and gaming skills to survive and conquer the world of Disboard. The series is filled with clever twists, mind-bending games, and colorful characters, making it a fan-favorite among anime and light novel enthusiasts. The vibrant animation and unique world-building make No Game No Life a visually stunning and captivating watch. With its mix of humor, action, and strategy, the series has garnered a dedicated fanbase and continues to be a beloved title in the world of anime.

Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! (2016)

Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! is a popular Japanese light novel series written by Natsume Akatsuki. The story follows Kazuma Satou, a shut-in gamer who dies in a traffic accident and is sent to a fantasy world resembling a video game. There, he is joined by Aqua, the goddess of water, Megumin, a powerful archwizard, and Darkness, a crusader with a masochistic streak, as they form an unconventional party to defeat the Demon King. The series is known for its humor, quirky characters, and unique take on the isekai genre. With its mix of comedy, adventure, and fantasy elements, Konosuba has garnered a dedicated fanbase and has been adapted into manga, anime, and even a video game.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (2018)

“That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” is an anime series that premiered in 2018 and quickly gained a large following. The story follows Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old man who is reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world after a sudden and unexpected death. Despite his new form, Satoru retains his memories and intelligence, and quickly adapts to his new surroundings. As a slime, he gains unique abilities such as shape-shifting and absorbing other creatures. With his newfound powers, Satoru sets out on an adventure to explore the world and make new friends. Along the way, he forms alliances with various creatures and beings, slowly building a community of his own. The series is praised for its engaging story, lovable characters, and stunning animation, making it a must-watch for fans of fantasy and adventure genres.

The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019)

The Rising of the Shield Hero is a popular anime series that premiered in 2019 and quickly gained a strong following. The story follows Naofumi Iwatani, a young man who is summoned to a parallel world as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes. However, Naofumi is labeled as the Shield Hero, the weakest of the four, and faces betrayal and hardship from the other heroes and the people of the world. Despite the challenges he faces, Naofumi must rise up and protect the world from waves of mysterious monsters. Along the way, he forms alliances with other characters, including the demi-human Raphtalia and the mysterious Filo. The series explores themes of betrayal, redemption, and the power of perseverance. With its engaging storyline and complex characters, The Rising of the Shield Hero has captivated audiences around the world.

Overlord (2015)

“Overlord” is a 2015 Japanese light novel series written by Kugane Maruyama and illustrated by so-bin. The story follows the protagonist, Momonga, a powerful wizard who is transported into a virtual reality game world called Yggdrasil. With the game’s servers about to shut down, Momonga finds himself trapped in his in-game avatar, a powerful skeletal sorcerer known as Ainz Ooal Gown. As he navigates this new world, Momonga must balance his desire to find other players from his guild with his newfound role as the ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

The series explores themes of power, morality, and the nature of identity as Momonga grapples with his own transformation into the overlord of Nazarick. With its dark fantasy setting and complex characters, “Overlord” has captivated audiences around the world and spawned numerous adaptations, including manga, anime, and video games.