Fantasy isekai is a genre where characters are transported to another world, often one full of magic and mythical beings. The isekai genre has captured the hearts of anime and manga fans around the world for many years because of its ability to create a sweet escape that is both relatable and otherworldly. These fantastical stories often explore themes of adventure, self-discovery, and the endless possibilities of otherworldly places.
From classic sword and sorcery tales to unique new twists on the genre, fantasy isekai offers a wide range of stories that can appeal to any anime or manga fan. The magic of fantasy isekai lies in its ability to blend the ordinary with the extraordinary. These stories often center around main characters who start out as regular individuals before finding themselves in fantastical worlds where they must adapt to survive.
Whether it is mastering new powers, navigating political dangers, or simply trying to survive and live a peaceful life, each fantasy isekai is a story full of challenges and adventure that will leave every fan on the edge of their seats.
20 Best Isekai Anime Of All Time
In isekai like The Vision of Escaflowne and The Boy and the Beast, characters travel to other worlds, becoming powerful heroes in their adventures.
10 The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
A Fantasy World Where Healing Magic Is Used In Brutal Combat Training
The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic follows Usato, an ordinary high school student who is accidentally transported to a medieval fantasy world, along with two classmates. Unlike his classmates, who are recognized for their potential as heroes, Usato is chosen for his hidden talent at healing magic. But in this fantasy world, healing magic is not just for fixing wounds, it is used in combat training.
Usato is thrust into a training boot camp where he is forced to learn how to use healing magic effectively to help his allies on the battlefield, or die in the process. This series revolutionized a classic fantasy trope and role, that of the healer, and it has the right mix of comedy and action to make it entertaining to watch.
9 In Another World With My Smartphone
Touya Explores A Fantasy World Using His Smartphone And New Magical Powers
In Another World With My Smartphone
In Another World With My Smartphone follows Touya Mochizuki, who, after being accidentally killed, is resurrected in a fantasy world with his smartphone, where he navigates new adventures and uncovers the world's secrets.
- Release Date
- July 11, 2017
- Seasons
- 2
follows the story of Touya Mochizuki, who was accidentally killed by a god and then given a chance to start a new life in a fantasy world. As an apology for his accidental death, he is allowed to bring one item with him and he chooses his smartphone.
Armed with his smartphone and enhanced magical abilities granted by the god, Touya sets out on a journey filled with friendships, quests, and even some romance. This anime is very lighthearted and funny, taking several traditional isekai tropes and turning them on their head.
8 Skeleton Knight in Another World
A Gamer Wakes Up In A Fantasy World As His Powerful Skeletal Knight Avatar
Skeleton Knight in Another World is a unique take on the isekai genre, centering around a gamer who wakes up in the body of his in-game avatar, a powerful skeleton knight. Known as Arc in this new world, he finds himself in a land full of monsters and magic. Even though he has the appearance of a spooky skeleton, Arc has a noble heart and helps those in need, saving villagers and battling evil forces. This anime combines action and comedy, as Arc tries to hide his skeletal form behind his armor.
7 My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom!
Catarina Is Reincarnated As The Villainess In An Otome Game And Must Avoid Her Tragic Fate
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
- Release Date
- 2020 - 2021
- Writers
- Megumi Shimizu
Cast
Inori MinaseSophia Ascart / Atsuko Sasaki-
Maaya UchidaCatarina Claes
WHERE TO WATCH
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! is an anime series about Katarina Claes, who reincarnates as a video game villainess and attempts to avoid the game's fatal outcomes by thwarting the plot’s preordained events.
- Seasons
- 2
In My Next Life as a Villainess, the main character Catarina Claes realizes that she has been reincarnated into the world of an otome game she used to play, but not as the heroine. Instead, she is the villainess fated to meet a tragic end. Using her knowledge of the game, Catarina comes up with strategies to avoid all the bad ends that await her.
This series subverts the popular isekai trope of having a power-hungry main character, by focusing on a character who, instead of striving for power or adventure, is merely trying to survive and find happiness. Catarina's character and her genuine kindness make this show one of the best fantasy isekai.
6 Dahlia in Bloom: Crafting A Fresh Start With Magical Tools
Dahlia Uses Her Crafting Skills To Create Tools And Run A Successful Business In Another World
Dahlia in Bloom is about a woman reincarnated in a medieval fantasy world where she uses her modern knowledge and ion for craftsmanship to create magical tools. Unlike many isekai protagonists who focus on fighting and adventure, Dahlia chooses to focus on her creativity and business, as she opens a workshop and begins to carve out her own place in the male-dominated society around her.
Her story is about empowerment and self-discovery as Dahlia learns the importance of pursuing her ions and breaking the societal norms of her new fantasy world. By blending the slice-of-life and isekai genres, Dahlia in Bloom is one of the greatest and most unique fantasy isekai.
5 No Longer Allowed in Another World
A Struggling Author Faces The Grim Realities Behind Typical Isekai Tropes
No Longer Allowed in Another World is another unique twist to the isekai genre because of its satire and existential jokes. The main character, a struggling author, finds himself transported to a fantasy world where he quickly learns that the tropes and clichés of isekai don't guarantee him a good life.
The anime is a darker and more cynical take on the isekai genre, questioning the typical escapism that is associated with it. No Longer Allowed in Another World offers a thought-provoking and entertaining commentary on the isekai genre as a whole, making it a great fantasy isekai for viewers who are looking for something different.
4 Re:ZERO - Starting Life In Another World
Subaru Dies Repeatedly And Restarts In A Fantasy World, Trying To Save His Loved Ones
Re:ZERO
RE: Zero - Starting Life In Another World
- Release Date
- April 4, 2016
- Franchise(s)
- Re:Zero
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Creator(s)
- Tappei Nagatsuki
follows a character named Subaru Natsuki, a normal young man who is suddenly taken to a fantasy world. Unlike other isekai protagonists, however, Subaru has only one power. When he dies, the timeline restarts at a specific point in time, giving him the chance to avoid disaster and save those that he cares about.
This dark and intense series dives into the ideas of trauma, perseverance, and the morals of different choices. Subaru has a journey that is full of emotion and tragedy, making Re:ZERO one of the most emotionally charged isekai stories out there.
The Most Innovative Isekai of All Time Transcends the Genre's Boundaries, And Now Is the Best Time To Pick It Up
Re:Zero was reinvigorating for the isekai genre, and now that its third season looms on the horizon, even those who dislike isekai should try it out.
3 Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy
Banished By A Goddess, Makoto Builds A New Life With His Extraordinary Powers In A Fantasy World
Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy follows Makoto Misumi, a high school student summoned to a fantasy world as a hero. When he arrives in this new world, the goddess deems him too ugly and banishes him to the wilderness. Despite this bad start to his new life, Makoto learns that he has extraordinary powers and is able to ally himself with non-human creatures and build a life for himself.
This anime combines comedy, action, and classic fantasy, as Makoto makes a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. While this may not be the most innovative isekai out there, Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy's blend of humor with serious undertones makes it a refreshing addition to the isekai genre.
2 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
A Reincarnated Man Strives To Live A Fulfilling Life In A Magical World And Overcome His Past Failures
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation follows a man who, after being reincarnated in a magical world, sets out to live his life without regrets. Adopting the name Rudeus Greyrat, he embarks on a journey of personal growth and adventure, armed with both his past life's knowledge and newfound magical abilities. The series explores themes of redemption, self-discovery, and the quest to overcome personal failures.
- Release Date
- January 11, 2021
- Seasons
- 2
- Creator(s)
- Rifujin Na Magonote
Mushoku Tensei is often credited with redefining the isekai genre
Mushoku Tensei is often credited with redefining the isekai genre, offering a more mature and in-depth story than most other isekai. The anime follows a 34-year-old Japanese hikikomori (a shut-in with no social life) man who, after a tragic accident, is reincarnated in a fantasy world as Rudeus Greyrat, the son of a couple of former adventurers, retaining however his memories and knowledge.
Determined to live a better life, Rudeus dedicates himself to mastering magic and, more importantly, overcoming his failures from the past life, making this one of the few works in the genre that actually try to tackle the question "What would an ordinary person do if they had a second chance at life?". Mushoku Tensei is known for its detailed world-building, complex characters and their development, and the heartbreaking storytelling that makes this anime a must-watch for all isekai lovers.
1 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Satoru Is Reborn As A Powerful Slime And Aims To Create A Peaceful Society
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an action-adventure isekai anime based on the original novels written by Fuse. Living a standard life with no actual forward trajectory, Satoru Mikami's humdrum life is thrown into chaos when he is stabbed to death during a daily walk. However, Satoru's life is spared when he is reborn into the body of an all-powerful slime in a fantasy world where he gets a second chance at living a more fulfilling - albeit bizarre - life.
- Release Date
- October 5, 2018
- Writers
- Kazuyuki Fudeyasu
- Seasons
- 3
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Creator(s)
- Yasuhito Kikuchi
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is one of the staples of the isekai genre. The story follows Satoru Mikami, an office worker who is reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world after being killed in a random attack. As a slime, Sotoru gains powerful abilities, including the power to absorb other creatures' skills. After renaming himself Rimuru Tempest, he sets out on a journey to create a peaceful and prosperous society for all races. The anime balances lighthearted humor with epic fantasy action, making it one of the most beloved titles in the isekai genre.
What makes Reincarnated as a Slime truly stand out is its focus on literal worldbuilding. While Rimuru is easily one of the strongest characters in the series, his journey is never about himself. He wants to build a peaceful and prosperous kingdom for his followers and friends, and protect them from harm. This does not simply require strength, but also negotiation, trade, and diplomacy, giving the show a different feel.
