In this article, we will see a complete list of all isekai animes. We will recommend the best in the genre, and we will also mention virtual reality animes, reverse isekai animes, novels, mangas, and others. Ready to go to another parallel world?
Isekai animes take place in a universe or parallel dimension that is unknown to the protagonist. There is an immense diversity of worlds, many of which are different from reality. Some are worlds of non-human creatures, while others are virtual worlds.
Today, this genre is quite popular, and every year new animes in this style are released. Let’s get to know some of these animes, from the oldest to the most recent. I will divide them into two basic categories, parallel worlds or dimensions and virtual worlds.
Table of Contents
What does Isekai mean?
Isekai [異世界] means “different world” or “parallel universe.” Isekai is the term used to define the genre of animes, mangas, games, and light novels where the protagonist gets trapped in another world or dimension. A Western example of this genre is the famous work Alice in Wonderland from 1865.
Generally, the protagonists of this genre are NEET, hikikomori, or a gamer, who is transported to a parallel universe after dying, being summoned, or finding some kind of portal. In this new world, the protagonist can acquire abilities.
Generally, isekai animes take place in a fantasy world with magic, elves, monsters, angels, witches, or anything that does not exist in our world.
In recent years, the genre has become popular, with the emergence of successful titles like Re:Zero and KonoSuba. Starting in 2016, this unprecedentedly generated a huge amount of animes and light novels with the same type of story.
Due to its immense popularity, a Japanese light novel contest even prohibited any stories of isekai. There are even subgenres of isekai animes such as:
- isekai ten’i [異世界転移] – Transition to another world;
- isekai tensei [異世界転生] – Reincarnation to another world;
The concept of isekai has its origins in ancient Japanese literature, particularly in the story of Urashima Tarō, a popular tale widely known in Japan that is familiar to isekai writers.
What is the First Isekai Anime?
The first anime and manga titles that can be classified as isekai include Aura Battler Dunbine (1983), Mashin Hero Wataru (1988), NG Knight Ramune & 40 (1990), Fushigi Yûgi (1992), and El-Hazard (1995).
Other titles from the 90s identified as isekai include the dorama and anime series The Twelve Kingdoms (1992), Magic Knight Rayearth (1993), the visual romance game YU-NO (1996), and the manga and anime series InuYasha (1996).
The anime film Spirited Away (2001) was one of the first isekai anime films known worldwide, although the term was not used. Digimon (1999) and .hack (2002) were among the first to present the concept of isekai as a virtual world.
The Best Isekai Animes – Dimensions and Parallel Worlds
Isekai is a fantasy genre in which a person from Earth is transported, reborn, or trapped in a parallel universe or fantasy world. The animes below do not include cases of interception in a video game, but both subgenres are included in the tag Person in a Strange World.
Outbreak Company
Outbreak Company – 2013 (12 episodes) Our protagonist is named Kanou Shinichi, and he is an otaku fanatic. The anime begins with him taking a QUIZ about animes and mangas. Due to his answers in this QUIZ, a company calls him for a “service.”
Upon arriving at the company, he is drugged and sent to another reality. In this reality or parallel world, there are elves, dwarves, dragons, and various mixed races. He was sent there with a purpose, to spread and propagate otaku culture in this world.
Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu – 2016 (25 episodes) In this anime, we have a protagonist named Natsuki Subaru, who starts his life from scratch in a different world. One day he is ripped from his daily life and transported to another world, quite different from his own.
However, in this world, he gains a certain ability. Every time he dies in this world, he returns again from where he left off last time. But, only he remembers what happened before, while the people around him do not. So, until something happens to break this infinite cycle, he will continue in this dilemma.
No game no life
No game no life – 2014 (12 episodes) Here we have a duo of protagonists, Sora and his younger sister named Shiro. They are both great experts in all kinds of games. This leads them to become quite bored and consider the real world as a bad game.
But all of this changes after they receive an email, where they are challenged to a game of chess in another world. They defeat the challenger and discover that his name is Ted, the “god” of this world. The siblings are invited to live in this new world, where violence is completely banned and all kinds of problems and conflicts are resolved with games.
Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari
Tate no Yūsha no Nariagari 2019 (25 episodes planned) Iwatani Naofumi is a young otaku who is suddenly summoned along with three other young people to a parallel world. The four are considered the destined heroes to save that world from great threats.
Each of them receives a weapon, spear, sword, bow, and shield. Naofumi receives the shield and is soon considered the weakest. This leads him to be betrayed and accused of theft by his colleagues. This causes him to be despised and avoided by everyone. Then, Naofumi strives to evolve and prove to everyone that they were wrong.
Drifters – 2016 (12 episodes) The anime tells the story of the samurai Toyohisa, who was fighting in a great war in the year 1600. In this battle, he is seriously injured, but before dying, he is transported to another world, where orcs, dwarves, elves, humans, and other races live.
Warriors from all eras and worlds are transported to this dimension. These warriors are known as Drifters, each with a different ability to help maintain the balance of this world.
ISEKAI QUARTET
A simple comedy anime that mixes characters from Re: ZERO, Overlord, Konosuba, and other isekai animes in a classroom. Although it seems like a generic anime that uses the fame of others, it has been quite successful and has already gained two seasons.
Other isekai animes of worlds or parallel dimensions
Below we will leave some recommendations for other isekai animes, but at the end of the article, you will find a complete list ordered by the most popular and with their production year. There you will also find movies and OVAs.
- Youjo Senki – 2017 (12 eps);
- Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! – 2016 (10 eps);
- Hataraku Maou-sama! – 2013 (13 eps);
- Re: Creators– 2017 (22 eps);
- Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken – 2018 (24 eps);
- Zero no Tsukaima: o familiar de zero – 2006 (13 eps);
- Gate Jieitai Kano Chi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri – 2015 (12 eps);
- Isekai wa smartphone tomo ni;
- Hai To Gensou no Grimgar;
- Knights and Magic;
- Death March;
- Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu;
- Hyakuren No Haou To Seryaku No Valkyria;
- Blood Lab;
- Mon to Chihiro no Kamikakushi;
- Dog Days;
- Mondaiji-Tachi Ga Isekai Kara Kuru Sō Desu yo?
Isekai – Animes of Virtual and Digital Worlds
Some claim that isekai genre animes cannot be virtual world animes. There are no rules regarding this. Still, we have separated them for better understanding. Also, remember that it is not necessary for an anime to take place in a parallel world; it just needs to involve elements of parallel worlds.
In these animes, the characters get trapped in a video game or in a Virtual Reality world. Usually, it is a high-stakes game where players cannot log out until they win the game, and in extreme cases, dying in the game means they die in real life.
Digimon series
Digimon -1999: When I started writing about isekai animes, the first ones that came to mind were those from the Digimon saga. The story of all the animes in this saga is basically the same: a group of children from Earth ends up in the Digi World, a digital world. In this world, there is a whole society of distinct creatures.
The protagonists of these stories always team up with the digimons to combat the evil forces that affect both the Digi World and the real world. There are several versions/seasons of this anime, all epic.
Sword art online
Sword art online – 2012 (1st season – 25 episodes) In 2022, the VRMMORPG, Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer RPG Online, is released. With the help of a virtual reality helmet called Nerve Gear, which stimulates the five senses of the player through the brain. This allows users to control virtual characters with their minds. Kazuto Kirigaya, known as Kirito, is one of the 10,000 players who managed to buy the game.
But something unexpected happens; all players cannot log out. They are informed that they can only log out if they defeat the 100 floors of the game. But something worse is announced: dying in the game means dying in real life. Finding himself in this desperate situation, Kirito decides to get stronger to leave the game as quickly as possible and save everyone.
Log Horizon
Log Horizon – 2013 (25 episodes) 30,000 players of the MMORPG called Elder Tale are transported into the game during the launch of the 12th expansion pack, appearing as their avatars.
Shiroe, the protagonist of this story, joins Akatsuki and Naotsugu. Together, they form a group with the goal of facing the difficulties of that world and finding a way to return to their real lives.
Overlord
Overlord – 2015 (13 episodes – 1st season) The protagonist of this story is named Momonga, and he is a regular player of a popular online game called Yggdrasil. However, the game is about to be shut down. So Momonga decides to spend the last minutes playing it. But even after the game is turned off, he remains logged in.
He realizes that the NPCs are much more realistic than normal. Then he realizes that somehow he has become trapped inside the game. Not knowing how to return to the real world, he decides to become stronger and stand out more in this new universe.
Other isekai animes – Virtual Worlds
- Accel World – 2012 (24 eps + 2 OVAs);
- Ixion saga DT – 2012 (25 eps);
- .hack//SIGN – 2002 (26 eps);
- Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody – 2018 (12 eps);
Below is a complete list of Virtual World Animes in order of popularity with their year of production:
| Name of the Virtual World Anime | Year |
| Overlord III | 2018 |
| Overlord | 2015 |
| Log Horizon | 2013 |
| Overlord II | 2018 |
| Log Horizon 2 | 2014 |
| Overlord: Shikkoku no Senshi | 2017 |
| Overlord: Fushisha no Ou | 2017 |
| Sword Art Online | 2012 |
| How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord | 2018 |
| Demon Lord, Retry! | 2019 |
| .hack//SIGN | 2002 |
| Log Horizon Recap | 2013 |
| Sword Art Online: Alicization – Recollection | 2019 |
| Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? | 2019 |
| Kenja no Deshi wo Nanoru Kenja | |
| How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord: Omega | 2021 |
| Log Horizon: Entaku Houkai | 2021 |
We appreciate any shares and comments. I hope this list of isekai animes has satisfied your curiosity. If you think an anime is missing from the list, comment!
Reverse or Inverted Isekai Animes
Unlike typical Isekai titles, where a person from Earth is transported, reborn, or trapped in a parallel universe or fantasy world, these anime characters from another world find themselves on Earth through similar means.
I won’t talk much about these animes, but we can briefly mention Hinamatsuri, a very hilarious and must-watch comedy. Re:Creators, a great reverse isekai anime with an amazing soundtrack by Hiroyuki Sawano.
Another quite popular Reverse Isekai comedy is Kobayashi Dragon Maid, which has generated countless memes on the internet. GATE also deserves a bit of highlight. The rest I am unaware of, but the list continues ordered by the most popular:
| Name of the Reverse Isekai Anime | Year |
| Hinamatsuri | 2018 |
| Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid | 2017 |
| GATE | 2015 |
| The Devil is a Part-Timer! | 2013 |
| Restaurant to Another World | 2017 |
| Re:Creators | 2017 |
| Kuromukuro | 2016 |
| Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World | 2018 |
| Mirmo Zibang! | 2002 |
| Eiyuu Kaitai | 2016 |
| Sengoku Collection | 2012 |
| Laidbackers | 2019 |
List of Isekai Novels and Mangas
See below a list of popular isekai mangas according to the ranking from MAL and Anime-Planet:
| Name of the Isekai Manga | Year |
| The Beginning After the End | 2018 |
| Who Made Me a Princess | 2017 |
| Who Made Me a Princess (Novel) | 2017 |
| That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime | 2015 |
| Overlord (Light Novel) | 2012 |
| Youjo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil (Light Novel) | 2013 |
| Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp | 2017 |
| The Boy and The Beast (Light Novel) | 2015 |
| That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Light Novel) | 2014 |
| The Legendary Mechanic (Novel) | 2017 |
| Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint | 2020 |
| Fuguushoku to Baka ni Saremashita ga, Jissai wa Sorehodo Waruku Arimasen? (Light Novel) | 2018 |
| Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp (Novel) | 2016 |
| Spirited Away | 2001 |
| Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter (Light Novel) | 2015 |
| Trash of the Count’s Family (Novel) | 2018 |
| The Faraway Paladin (Light Novel) | 2016 |
| Ascendance of a Bookworm (Light Novel) | 2015 |
| Release that Witch (Novel) | 2016 |
| The Eminence in Shadow (Light Novel) | 2018 |
| Overlord | 2014 |
| Ascendance of a Bookworm – Part 3 | 2018 |
| Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki | 2017 |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- (Light Novel) | 2014 |
| GATE: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakeri (Light Novel) | 2010 |
| The Twelve Kingdoms (Light Novel) | 1992 |
| So I’m a Spider, So What? | 2015 |
| I Belong to House Castielo | 2018 |
| So I’m a Spider, So What? (Light Novel) | 2015 |
| Ai wo Ataeru Kemonotachi | 2020 |
| Mesmerizing Ghost Doctor (Novel) | 2016 |
| Ascendance of a Bookworm – Part 2 | 2018 |
| No Game No Life (Light Novel) | 2012 |
| Survive as the Hero’s Wife | 2018 |
| My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! | 2017 |
| I’m Only a Stepmother, But My Daughter is Just So Cute! (Novel) | 2019 |
| KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! (Light Novel) | 2013 |
| My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (Light Novel) | 2015 |
| The Obsessive Second Male Lead Has Gone Wild | 2020 |
| By the Grace of the Gods | 2017 |
| The Boy and The Beast | 2015 |
| Akuyaku Reijou Level 99: Watashi wa Urabosu Desu ga Maou de wa Arimasen | 2020 |
| The Twin Siblings’ New Life | 2020 |
| The New Gate | 2014 |
| Jishou Akuyaku Reijou na Konyakusha no Kansatsu Kiroku | 2018 |
| Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu (Light Novel) | 2017 |
| Daughter of the Emperor | 2015 |
| Log Horizon (Light Novel) | 2011 |
| The Eminence in Shadow | 2018 |
| Rettoujin no Maken Tsukai: Skill Board wo Kushishite Saikyou ni Itaru | 2020 |
| Tensei Shitanode Tsugi Koso wa Shiawasena Jinsei wo Tsukande Misemashou (Light Novel) | 2015 |
| Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Light Novel) | 2014 |
| Youjo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil | 2016 |
| The Rising of the Shield Hero | 2014 |
| Tilea no Nayamigoto (Light Novel) | 2015 |
| Re:Monster | 2014 |
| The Faraway Paladin | 2017 |
| Maseki Gourmet: Mamono no Chikara wo Tabeta Ore wa Saikyou! | 2019 |
| Tate no Yuusha no Oshi Nagaki | 2019 |
| GATE: Where the JSDF Fought | 2011 |
| Isekai de Cheat Skill wo Te ni Shita Ore wa, Genjitsu Sekai wo mo Musou Suru: Level Up wa Jinsei wo Kaeta (Light Novel) | 2018 |
| The New Gate (Light Novel) | 2013 |
| Fukushuu wo Chikatta Shironeko wa Ryuuou no Hiza no Ue de Damin wo Musaboru | 2017 |
| My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Comic Anthology | 2020 |
| Rekishi ni Nokoru Akujo ni Naru zo: Akuyaku Reijou ni naru hodo Ouji no Dekiai wa Kasoku suru you desu! | 2020 |
| Accomplishments of the Duke’s Daughter | 2015 |
| Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear (Light Novel) | 2015 |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Chapter 3: Truth of Zero | 2015 |
| Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu | 2015 |
List of All Isekai Animes
Below we will share a complete list of all Isekai animes, organized by popularity, along with their sequels and new seasons and year of production. I hope you enjoy:
| Name of the Isekai Anime | Year |
| Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part II | 2020 |
| That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime | 2018 |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 2 | 2020 |
| The Rising of the Shield Hero | 2019 |
| No Game No Life | 2014 |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- | 2016 |
| KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! 2 | 2017 |
| Ascendance of a Bookworm | 2019 |
| Youjo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil | 2017 |
| Log Horizon | 2013 |
| GATE (2016) | 2016 |
| Drifters | 2016 |
| KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! | 2016 |
| GATE | 2015 |
| Log Horizon 2 | 2014 |
| My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! | 2020 |
| Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren’t They? | 2013 |
| Kyo Kara Maoh! 3rd Series | 2008 |
| Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits | 2018 |
| Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash | 2016 |
| The Twelve Kingdoms | 2002 |
| The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Twin Moons | 2007 |
| The Familiar of Zero F | 2012 |
| Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious | 2019 |
| The Familiar of Zero: “Rondo” of Princesses | 2008 |
| Zero no Tsukaima | 2006 |
| Knight’s & Magic | 2017 |
| The Vision of Escaflowne | 1996 |
| Outbreak Company | 2013 |
| Kyo Kara Maoh! | 2004 |
| Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play | 1995 |
| Wise Man’s Grandchild | 2019 |
| Kiba | 2006 |
| Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World | 2018 |
| Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest | 2019 |
| Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody | 2018 |
| Dog Days’ | 2012 |
| Dog Days” | 2015 |
| Those Who Hunt Elves II | 1997 |
| Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! | 2019 |
| Magic Knight Rayearth | 1994 |
| Kemono Michi: Rise Up | 2019 |
| In Another World With My Smartphone | 2017 |
| Dog Days | 2011 |
| Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu | 2004 |
| Those Who Hunt Elves | 1996 |
| El-Hazard: The Alternative World | 1998 |
| High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World! | 2019 |
| El-Hazard: The Wanderers | 1995 |
| Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time – A Tale of the Eight Guardians | 2004 |
| Ixion Saga: Dimension Transfer | 2012 |
| The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me? | 2020 |
| Aura Battler Dunbine | 1983 |
| Arata the Legend | 2013 |
| Super Dimension Century Orguss | 1983 |
| The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar | 2018 |
| The Titan’s Bride | 2020 |
| Isekai Cheat Magician | 2019 |
| Sengoku Night Blood | 2017 |
| Final Fantasy: Unlimited | 2001 |
| Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part III | — |
| The Dungeon of the Black Company | — |
| My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Season 2 | 2021 |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 2: Part II | 2021 |
| Kenja no Deshi wo Nanoru Kenja | — |
| How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom | — |
| How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord: Omega | 2021 |
| The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime | 2021 |
| That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2: Part II | 2021 |
| By the Grace of the Gods | 2020 |
| Log Horizon: Entaku Houkai | 2021 |
| That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2 | 2021 |
| Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation | 2021 |
| Kumo desu ga, Nanika? | 2021 |
List of Isekai Movies
| Name of the Isekai Movie | Year |
| Spirited Away | 2001 |
| KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! Movie: Legend of Crimson | 2019 |
| The Boy and the Beast | 2015 |
| Youjo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil Movie | 2019 |
| Children Who Chase Lost Voices | 2011 |
| Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Memory Snow | 2018 |
| The Vision of Escaflowne: The Movie | 2000 |
| Tobira o Akete (1986) | 1986 |
Lists of Isekai OVAs and Specials
Now we will share a list of Isekai Specials and OVAs. The order is also from the most popular:
| Name of the OVA | Year |
| Dog Days”: Limone Resort Tenbou Onsen! | 2015 |
| Arata the Legend Picture Drama | 2013 |
| Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Prologue | 2020 |
| KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! 2 OVA | 2017 |
| Ascendance of a Bookworm OVA | 2020 |
| That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime OVA | 2019 |
| KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! OVA | 2016 |
| Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren’t They? OVA | 2013 |
| Kyo Kara Maoh! R | 2007 |
| El-Hazard: The Magnificent World | 1995 |
| Fushigi Yugi OVA: Dai Ni Bu | 1997 |
| El-Hazard: The Magnificent World 2 | 1997 |
| Fushigi Yugi OVA | 1996 |
| Fushigi Yugi OVA: Eikoden | 2001 |
| Mahou Shoujo Tai: The Adventure | 2007 |
| Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ~Ajisai Yumegatari~ | 2002 |
| Wings of Rean | 2005 |
| Choujikuu Romanesque Samy: Missing 99 | 1986 |
| Rainbow Mountain | 2003 |
| That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Veldora’s Journal | 2019 |
| Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Omnibus: The Great Orcus Labyrinth | 2019 |
| Xie Wang Zhui Qi | 2019 |
Leave a Reply