Isekai is a genre of anime that involves a character being transported to another world, usually a fantasy or sci-fi one. The term isekai means “another world” in Japanese, and it has become one of the most popular genres in recent years. Isekai anime often feature themes such as adventure, comedy, romance, action, and drama, as well as exploring the differences and similarities between the original and the new world.

If you are a fan of isekai anime, or if you are curious about what it has to offer, you might be wondering which ones are the best to watch. Well, look no further, because we have compiled a list of the 20 best isekai anime for you to enjoy.

These are the anime that have received high ratings, positive reviews, and loyal fanbases, as well as having unique and captivating stories, characters, and settings. Whether you prefer a light-hearted comedy, a dark and serious drama, or a mix of both, you will find something to suit your taste in this list.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the 20 best isekai anime.

20. Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online is arguably the anime that started the isekai craze, and it remains one of the most popular and influential ones to this day. The story follows Kirito, a gamer who gets trapped in a virtual reality MMORPG called Sword Art Online, along with thousands of other players. The only way to escape is to clear all 100 floors of the game, but if they die in the game, they die in real life too.

Sword Art Online is a thrilling and emotional anime that explores the themes of survival, friendship, love, and identity, as well as showcasing some epic battles and stunning visuals.

19. Gate

Gate is an anime that combines modern military and fantasy elements, creating a unique and exciting contrast. The story begins when a mysterious gate appears in Tokyo, unleashing an army of monsters and soldiers from another world. The Japanese Self-Defense Force (JSDF) responds by sending a team of soldiers, led by Youji Itami, to explore the other side of the gate. There, they encounter various races, cultures, and conflicts, as well as making allies and enemies.

Gate is an anime that balances action, comedy, drama, and politics, as well as featuring a diverse and likable cast of characters.

18. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! is an anime that parodies the otome game genre, which involves a female protagonist choosing a romantic partner from a group of male characters. The story follows Katarina Claes, a noble girl who realizes that she is the villainess of an otome game that she played in her previous life. She also realizes that every possible ending of the game leads to her death or exile, so she decides to change her fate by befriending and charming all the potential love interests, as well as the heroine.

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! is an anime that will make you laugh out loud with its absurd and hilarious situations, as well as its adorable and quirky characters.

17. The Ambition of Oda Nobuna

The Ambition of Oda Nobuna is an anime that puts a spin on the historical period of the Sengoku era, which was a time of civil war and feudal lords in Japan. The twist is that all the famous warlords are replaced by cute and sexy girls, and the protagonist is a modern-day high school boy named Yoshiharu Sagara, who gets transported to the past. He ends up serving under Oda Nobuna, a female version of Oda Nobunaga, the most powerful and ambitious warlord of the era.

The Ambition of Oda Nobuna is an anime that blends comedy, romance, action, and history, as well as showcasing the personalities and relationships of the female warlords.

16. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord

How Not to Summon a Demon Lord is an anime that follows the adventures of Takuma Sakamoto, a shut-in gamer who is summoned to another world by two girls who want to enslave him. However, due to his high level and skills in the game he was playing, he ends up being the one who enslaves them instead. He also takes on the persona of his game character, Diablo, a powerful and arrogant demon lord.

How Not to Summon a Demon Lord is an anime that is full of ecchi and comedy scenes, as well as some epic battles and magic. It also has a harem of cute and sexy girls who fall for the protagonist, despite his awkward and clueless personality.

15. The Familiar of Zero

The Familiar of Zero is an anime that follows the relationship between Louise, a noble girl who is terrible at magic, and Saito, a normal boy who is summoned by her as her familiar. Louise treats Saito as her servant, but he gradually proves his worth and loyalty to her, as well as developing feelings for her.

The Familiar of Zero is an anime that has a lot of comedy, romance, action, and drama, as well as a tsundere heroine who is both cute and annoying. It also has a fantasy world with magic, dragons, and wars, as well as a harem of other girls who vie for Saito’s attention.

14. KonoSuba

KonoSuba is an anime that makes fun of the isekai genre, as well as the RPG and fantasy tropes. The story follows Kazuma, a NEET who dies and is reincarnated in another world by a goddess named Aqua. He is given the choice to bring one thing with him, and he chooses Aqua herself, much to her dismay. Together, they form a party with two other members: Megumin, a chuunibyou mage who can only cast one explosion spell per day, and Darkness, a masochistic knight who can’t hit anything.

KonoSuba is an anime that will make you laugh with its hilarious and ridiculous scenarios, as well as its lovable and eccentric characters.

13. No Game No Life

No Game No Life is an anime that revolves around games, both literal and metaphorical. The story follows Sora and Shiro, a brother-sister pair of NEETs who are unbeatable at any game they play. They are summoned to another world by Tet, the god of games, where everything is decided by games, from politics to personal disputes. There, they aim to challenge and defeat the other races, as well as the god himself.

No Game No Life is an anime that is full of strategy, comedy, fanservice, and references, as well as having a colorful and vibrant animation style.

12. Ascendance of a Bookworm

Ascendance of a Bookworm is an anime that follows the life of Myne, a girl who loves books more than anything. She dies in a book-related accident and is reincarnated in another world, where books are scarce and expensive. She decides to make her own books, using her knowledge and creativity, as well as the help of her family and friends.

Ascendance of a Bookworm is an anime that is relaxing and heartwarming, as well as showing the beauty and power of books.

11. The Saga of Tanya the Evil

The Saga of Tanya the Evil is an anime that depicts the horrors and madness of war, through the eyes of a cold and calculating protagonist. The story follows Tanya Degurechaff, a former salaryman who is reborn as a girl in a world where magic and technology are used for warfare. She is forced to serve in the military by a mysterious being who calls himself God, and she uses her intelligence and magic to rise through the ranks, while also trying to defy God’s will.

The Saga of Tanya the Evil is an anime that is dark and intense, as well as showcasing the strategy and tactics of war.

10. The Devil is a Part-Timer!

The Devil is a Part-Timer! is an anime that reverses the roles of the hero and the villain, creating a hilarious contrast. The story follows Satan, the ruler of a demonic world, who escapes to Earth after being defeated by the hero. He ends up working at a fast-food restaurant, while also trying to regain his power and conquer the world. However, he soon faces various challenges, such as paying rent, making friends, and dealing with the hero, who also follows him to Earth.

The Devil is a Part-Timer! is an anime that is full of comedy and slice-of-life, as well as showing the human side of the devil.

9. Princess Connect! Re:Dive

Princess Connect! Re:Dive is an anime that is based on a mobile game of the same name, and it is a delightful and charming fantasy with a food theme. The story follows Yuuki, a boy who wakes up in another world with no memories. He joins a guild called Gourmet Guild, which consists of three girls who love food: Kokkoro, a guide and caretaker; Pecorine, a gluttonous and cheerful princess; and Karyl, a cynical and tsundere catgirl. Together, they explore the world, fight monsters, and enjoy delicious meals.

Princess Connect! Re:Dive is an anime that is cute and funny, as well as having a colorful and vibrant animation style.

8. I’m Standing on a Million Lives

I’m Standing on a Million Lives is an anime that puts a twist on the typical isekai formula, by making it a dark and gritty survival game. The story follows Yusuke Yotsuya, a loner and gamer who is transported to another world, along with his classmates Shindou and Hakozaki. They are given a quest by a mysterious being called the Game Master, who tells them that they have to complete it in order to return to their world. However, they also learn that their lives are at stake, as well as the lives of millions of people in both worlds.

I’m Standing on a Million Lives is an anime that is suspenseful and thrilling, as well as having a realistic and mature tone.

7. Log Horizon

Log Horizon is an anime that focuses on the political and strategic aspects of living in another world, rather than the action and adventure. The story follows Shiroe, a veteran gamer and strategist who is trapped in a virtual reality MMORPG called Elder Tale, along with thousands of other players. He forms a guild called Log Horizon, which aims to create a stable and peaceful society for the players, as well as dealing with the native inhabitants, the monsters, and the other guilds.

Log Horizon is an anime that is smart and complex, as well as having a charismatic and clever leader.

6. Overlord

Overlord is an anime that follows the perspective of the villain, rather than the hero, and it is a fascinating and entertaining fantasy with a powerful overlord. The story follows Momonga, a gamer who is the leader of a guild called Ainz Ooal Gown, which consists of various NPCs who are loyal to him. He is transported to another world, along with his guild base and NPCs, when the game he was playing shuts down. He decides to explore the new world, while also posing as the supreme ruler of his guild, which is now a nation of its own.

Overlord is an anime that is epic and humorous, as well as having a badass and charismatic overlord.

5. Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles

Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles is an anime that follows the story of a boy who is reincarnated in another world, but also retains the memories and personality of his previous life. The story follows Rio, a boy who is born in a slum and has a hard life. He also has the memories of Haruto, a Japanese student who died in a bus accident. He uses his knowledge and skills from both lives to survive and grow stronger, while also encountering various people and events that are connected to his past and future.

Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles is an anime that is adventurous and dramatic, as well as having a dual identity and a harem of girls.

Related: Top 10 Anime Like Seirei Gensouki

4. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an anime that follows the story of a man who is reincarnated as a slime, which is one of the weakest and most common creatures in fantasy worlds. The story follows Rimuru, a former salaryman who is stabbed and dies, and is reborn as a slime in another world. He soon discovers that he has the ability to absorb and mimic the abilities of anything he eats, as well as communicate with other beings. He befriends and helps various races, such as goblins, dwarves, ogres, and dragons, and builds a nation of his own.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an anime that is fun and friendly, as well as having a slime hero who is cute and powerful.

3. Inuyasha

Inuyasha is an anime that is a classic and timeless adventure, with a feudal Japan setting and a touch of romance. The story follows Kagome, a modern-day high school girl who falls into a well and travels back in time to the Sengoku era. There, she meets Inuyasha, a half-demon who is looking for the shards of the Shikon Jewel, a powerful and sacred object that can grant any wish. Together, they face various enemies and allies, as well as developing feelings for each other.

Inuyasha is an anime that is exciting and emotional, as well as having a rich and detailed world.

2. Re: Zero

Re: Zero is an anime that is a psychological thriller, with a time loop mechanic that adds a layer of mystery and horror. The story follows Subaru, a NEET who is transported to another world, where he meets a beautiful and mysterious girl named Emilia.

He soon learns that he has the ability to return to a certain point in time whenever he dies, which he calls “Return by Death”. He uses this ability to try to save Emilia and himself from various threats and dangers, while also suffering from the trauma and pain of dying repeatedly.

Re: Zero is an anime that is gripping and shocking, as well as having a complex and twisted plot.

1. The Rising of the Shield Hero

The Rising of the Shield Hero is an anime that follows the story of a hero who is betrayed and despised, and his journey of redemption and justice. The story follows Naofumi, a college student who is summoned to another world as one of the four legendary heroes, each wielding a different weapon. He is assigned the shield, which is considered the weakest and most useless of the four.

He is also framed for a crime he did not commit, and is hated and shunned by everyone. He decides to become a cynical and ruthless hero, who only cares about himself and his companions, especially Raphtalia, a demi-human girl who he buys as a slave.

The Rising of the Shield Hero is an anime that is dark and gritty, as well as having a shield hero who is strong and noble.

Related: 10 Anime Like The Rising of the Shield Hero

Conclusion

Isekai anime are a genre of anime that involve a character being transported to another world, usually a fantasy or sci-fi one. They are popular and diverse, offering a variety of themes, stories, characters, and settings.

In this article, we have listed the 20 best isekai anime that you should watch, based on their ratings, reviews, and fanbases, as well as their uniqueness and quality. Whether you are looking for a comedy, a drama, a romance, or a mix of all, you will find something to suit your taste in this list.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the 20 best isekai anime.