Isekai Anime - Exploring Parallel Worlds

In this article, we are going to see a complete list of all the isekai anime. We will recommend the best of the genre, we will also mention virtual reality anime, inverse isekai anime, novels, manga and others. Ready to go to another parallel world?

Isekai anime takes place in a parallel universe or 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 very popular, and every year anime in this style is released. Let's get to know some of these anime, from the oldest to the most recent. I will divide it into two basic categories, world or parallel dimensions and virtual worlds.

What does Isekai mean?

Isekai [異世界] means “different world” or “parallel universe”. Isekai is the term used to define the genre of anime, manga, games and light novels where the protagonist is trapped in another world or dimension. A western example of this genre is the famous work Alice in Wonderland of 1865.

Usually 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 will be able to acquire skills.

Usually isekai anime takes place in a fantasy world with magic, elves, monsters, angels, witches or anything that doesn't exist in our world.

In recent years, the genre has become popular, with the emergence of hit titles like Re:Zero and KonoSuba. As of 2016, this has spawned an unprecedented gigantic amount of anime and light novels with the same kind of story.

Due to the huge popularity, a Japanese contest of light novels even went so far as to ban any stories of isekai. There are even sub-genres of isekai anime such as:

  • isekai ten'i [異世界転移] - Transition to another world;
  • isekai tensei [異世界転生] - Reincarnation into another world;

The concept of isekai has its origins in ancient Japanese literature, particularly the story of Urashima Tarō , a popular tale widely known in Japan that isekai writers grew up with.

Isekai anime - going to other parallel worlds
An Anime That Brings All Isekais Together!

What is the First Anime Isekai?

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 1990s titles identified as isekai include the drama and anime series The Twelve Kingdoms (1992), Magic Knight Rayearth (1993), the visual novel game YU-NO (1996), the manga and anime series InuYasha (1996 ).

The Spirited Away anime film (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 introduce the concept of isekai as a virtual world.

Isekai anime - going to other parallel worlds
Film Spirited Away!

The Best Isekai anime - Dimensions and Parallel Worlds

Isekai is a fantasy genre in which a person from Earth is transported, reborn, or imprisoned in a parallel universe or fantasy world. The anime below do not include cases of interception in a video game, but both subgenres are included in the Person in a Strange World tag.

Outbreak Company

Outbreak Company – 2013 (12 episodes) Our protagonist is called Kanou Shinichi, and he is an otaku fanatic. The anime starts with him taking a QUIZ about anime and manga. Due to his answers in this QUIZ, a company calls him for a "service".

Upon arriving at the company, he is doped and sent to another reality. In this reality or parallel world there are elves, dwarves, dragons and various mixtures of races. He was sent there for one purpose, to spread and propagate otaku culture in this world.

Isekai anime - going to other worlds

Discover the best Isekai anime and embark on epic adventures through parallel worlds. Explore fantastic realms, magic, and unforgettable heroes. Click and start your journey!

Discover the best Isekai anime and embark on epic adventures through parallel worlds. Explore fantastic realms, magic, and unforgettable heroes. Click and start your journey! – 2016 (25 episodes) In this anime we have the protagonist named Natsuki Subaru, who starts his life from scratch in a different world. One day he is ripped from his everyday life and transported to another world, very different from his own.

But in this world, he gains a certain skill. Every time he dies in this world, he picks up again where he left off last time. But only he remembers what happened before, the people around him don't. So, until something happens to break this endless cycle, he will remain in this dilemma.

Isekai anime - going to other worlds

No game no life

No game no life – 2014 (12 episodes) Here we have a protagonist duo, Sora and his younger sister named Shiro. Both are great experts in all types of games. This leads them to get quite bored and consider the real world to be a bad game.

But all that changes after receiving an email, where they were challenged to a chess match in another world. They defeat the challenger and discover that he is called Ted, the "god" of this world. The brothers are invited to live in this new world, where violence is completely banned and all kinds of problems and conflicts are resolved with games.

Isekai anime - going to other worlds

The Rising of the Shield Hero

The Rising of the Shield Hero 2019 (25 episodes predicted) Iwatani Naofumi is a young otaku who is suddenly summoned along with 3 other young men in a parallel world. The four are considered the predestined 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 regarded as the weakest. This leads to him being betrayed and accused of stealing by his colleagues. This causes him to be despised and shunned by everyone. So, Naofumi sets out to evolve and prove to everyone that they were wrong.

Isekai anime - going to other worlds

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 he dies he is transported to another world, where ocrs, dwarves, elves, humans, and other races live.

Warriors from all ages and worlds are transported to this dimension. These warriors are known as Drifters, each with a different skill to help keep this world in balance.

Isekai anime - going to other worlds

ISEKAI QUARTET

A simple comedy anime that mixes characters from Re:ZERO, Overlord, Konosuba and other isekai anime in a classroom. Despite looking like a generic anime that uses the fame of others, it was quite successful and has already won two seasons.

Other isekai anime from parallel worlds or dimensions

Below we will leave some recommendations of other isekai anime, but at the end of the article you will find a complete list ordered by the most popular and with their year of production. There you can also find movies and OVAs.

  • Konohana Kitan - 2017 (12 eps);
  • I'm sorry, but "Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!" is a Japanese title and it's commonly known as "KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!" in English. - 2016 (10 eps);
  • Hataraku Maou-sama! - 2013 (13 eps);
  • Re: Creators- 2017 (22 eps);
  • When I was reincarnated as a slime - 2018 (24 eps);
  • Zero no Tsukaima: the familiar of zero - 2006 (13 eps);
  • Gate Jieitai Kano Chinite, Kaku Tatakaeri - 2015 (12 eps);
  • Isekai wa smartphone tomo ni;
  • Hai To Gensou no Grimgar;
  • Discover the best Isekai anime and embark on epic adventures through parallel worlds. Explore fantastic kingdoms, magic, and unforgettable heroes. Click and start your journey!
  • Death March;
  • Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu; (English: How Not to Summon a Demon Lord)
  • I'm sorry, "Hyakuren No Haou To Seryaku No Valkyria" is a Japanese title and does not have a direct translation in English.
  • Blood Lab;
  • Spirited Away;
  • Dog Days;
  • Problem Children Are Coming from Another World, Aren't They?

Isekai - Anime of Virtual and Digital Worlds

Some claim that anime of the isekai genre cannot be anime of virtual worlds. There are no rules regarding this. Still we separate for better understanding. Also remembering that it is not necessary for an anime to take place in the parallel world, it is enough to involve elements of parallel worlds.

In these anime, characters are trapped in a video game or in a Virtual Reality world. It is typically a high stakes game where players cannot leave until they win the game and in extreme cases dying in the game means they die in real life.

Digimon série

Digimon -1999: When I started writing about isekai anime the first thing I thought of was the Digimon saga. The story of all anime in this saga is basically the same, a group of children from Earth end up in Digi Mundo, a digital world. In this world there is a whole society of different creatures.

The protagonists of these stories always join the digimons to fight the evil forces, which affect both the Digi World and the real world. There are several versions/seasons of this anime, both epic.

Isekai anime - going to other worlds

Sword art online

Sword art online – 2012 (1st season – 25 episodes) In 2022, the VRMMORPG, Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online RPG, is launched. With the help of a virtual reality helmet called Nerve Gear, which stimulates the player's five senses 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 told that they can only log out if they beat 100 floors in the game. But something worse is announced, death in the game means death in real life. Finding himself in this desperate situation, Kirito decides to get stronger in order to get out of the game as soon as possible and save everyone.

Isekai anime - going to other worlds

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, with the appearance of their avatars.

Shiroe, the protagonist of this story, joins Akatsuki and Naotsugu. Together, they form a group in order to face the difficulties of that world and find a way to return to their real life.

Isekai anime - going to other worlds

Overlord

Overlord – 2015 (13 episodes-season 1) The protagonist of this story is called Momonga, and he is a regular player of a popular online game called Yggdrasil. But soon the game would be over. So Momonga decides to spend the last few minutes playing him. But even after the game is turned off, it remains logged in.

He notices that the NPCs are much more realistic than usual. Then he realizes that somehow he got trapped inside the game. Not knowing how to get back to the real world, he decides to get stronger and stand out more and more in this new universe.

Isekai anime - going to other worlds

Other anmes isekai - Virtual Worlds

  • Accel World - 2012 (24 eps + 2 Eggs);
  • Ixion saga DT - 2012 (25 eps);
  • .hack//SIGN - 2002 (26 eps);
  • Morte Marcha para a Rapsódia do Mundo Paralelo - 2018 (12 eps);

Below is a complete list of Virtual Worlds Anime in order of most popular by year of production:

Nome do Anime de mundo virtualYear
Overlord III2018
Overlord2015
Log Horizon2013
Overlord II2018
Log Horizon 22014
Overlord: Shikkoku no Senshi2017
Overlord: Fushisha no Ou2017
Sword Art Online2012
How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord2018
Demon Lord, Retry!2019
.hack//SIGN2002
Log Horizon Recap2013
Sword Art Online: Alicization - Recollection2019
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: Omega2021
Log Horizon: Entaku Houkai2021

We appreciate the possible shares and comments. I hope this list of isekai anime has cured your curiosity. If you think an anime is missing from the list, comment!

The article is still halfway through, but we recommend also reading:

Reverse or Reverse Isekai Anime

Unlike typical Isekai titles, where a person from Earth is transported, reborn, or trapped in a parallel universe or fantasy world, these otherworldly anime characters find themselves on Earth through similar means.

I won't say much about these anime, but we can quote briefly Hinamatsuri, a very hilarious and must-have comedy. Re:Creators, a great inverted isekai anime with a amazing soundtrack by Hiroyuki Sawano.

Another popular Inverted Isekai comedy is Kobayashi Dragon Maid, which has spawned numerous internet memes. GATE also deserves a bit of prominence. The rest I don't know, but the list is ordered by the most popular:

Nome do Anime Isekai InvertidoYear
Hinamatsuri2018
Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid2017
GATE2015
The Devil is a Part-Timer!2013
Restaurant to Another World2017
Re:Creators2017
Kuromukuro2016
Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World2018
Mirmo Zibang!2002
Eiyuu Kaitai2016
Sengoku Collection2012
Laidbackers2019
Isekai anime - going to other parallel worlds

List of Isekai Novels and Manga

Below is a list of popular isekai manga according to rankings on the BAD and Anime-Planet:

Nome do Mangá IsekaiYear
The Beginning After the End2018
Who Made Me a Princess2017
Who Made Me a Princess (Novel)2017
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime2015
Overlord (Light Novel)2012
Youjo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil (Light Novel)2013
Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp2017
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 Viewpoint2020
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 Away2001
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
Overlord2014
Ascendance of a Bookworm - Part 32018
Fushigi Yugi: Byakko Senki2017
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 Castielo2018
So I'm a Spider, So What? (Light Novel)2015
Ai wo Ataeru Kemonotachi2020
Mesmerizing Ghost Doctor (Novel)2016
Ascendance of a Bookworm - Part 22018
No Game No Life (Light Novel)2012
Survive as the Hero's Wife2018
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 Wild2020
By the Grace of the Gods2017
The Boy and The Beast2015
Akuyaku Reijou Level 99: Watashi wa Urabosu Desu ga Maou de wa Arimasen2020
The Twin Siblings' New Life2020
The New Gate2014
Jishou Akuyaku Reijou na Konyakusha no Kansatsu Kiroku2018
Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu (Light Novel)2017
Daughter of the Emperor2015
Log Horizon (Light Novel)2011
The Eminence in Shadow2018
Rettoujin no Maken Tsukai: Skill Board wo Kushishite Saikyou ni Itaru2020
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 Evil2016
The Rising of the Shield Hero2014
Tilea no Nayamigoto (Light Novel)2015
Re:Monster2014
The Faraway Paladin2017
Maseki Gourmet: Mamono no Chikara wo Tabeta Ore wa Saikyou!2019
Tate no Yuusha no Oshi Nagaki2019
GATE: Where the JSDF Fought2011
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 Musaboru2017
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Comic Anthology2020
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 Daughter2015
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear (Light Novel)2015
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Chapter 3: Truth of Zero2015
Tsuki ga Michibiku Isekai Douchuu2015

List of All Isekai Anime

Below we will share a complete list of all Isekai anime, arranged in order of popularity, along with their sequels and new seasons and year of production. Hope you like it:

Nome do Anime IsekaiYear
Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part II2020
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime2018
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 22020
The Rising of the Shield Hero2019
No Game No Life2014
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-2016
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world! 22017
Ascendance of a Bookworm2019
Youjo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil2017
Log Horizon2013
GATE (2016)2016
Drifters2016
KonoSuba – God's blessing on this wonderful world!2016
GATE2015
Log Horizon 22014
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 Series2008
Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits2018
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash2016
The Twelve Kingdoms2002
The Familiar of Zero: Knight of the Twin Moons2007
The Familiar of Zero F2012
Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious2019
The Familiar of Zero: "Rondo" of Princesses2008
Zero no Tsukaima 2006
Knight's & Magic2017
The Vision of Escaflowne1996
Outbreak Company2013
Kyo Kara Maoh!2004
Fushigi Yugi: The Mysterious Play1995
Wise Man’s Grandchild2019
Kiba2006
Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World2018
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest2019
Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody2018
Dog Days'2012
Dog Days''2015
Those Who Hunt Elves II1997
Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!2019
Magic Knight Rayearth1994
Kemono Michi: Rise Up2019
In Another World With My Smartphone2017
Dog Days2011
Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu2004
Those Who Hunt Elves1996
El-Hazard: The Alternative World1998
High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World!2019
El-Hazard: The Wanderers1995
Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time – A Tale of the Eight Guardians2004
Ixion Saga: Dimension Transfer2012
The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?2020
Aura Battler Dunbine1983
Arata the Legend2013
Super Dimension Century Orguss1983
The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjar2018
The Titan's Bride2020
Isekai Cheat Magician2019
Sengoku Night Blood2017
Final Fantasy: Unlimited2001
Ascendance of a Bookworm: Part III--
The Dungeon of the Black Company--
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! Season 22021
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Season 2: Part II2021
Kenja no Deshi wo Nanoru Kenja--
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom--
How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord: Omega2021
The Slime Diaries: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime2021
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 2: Part II2021
By the Grace of the Gods2020
Log Horizon: Entaku Houkai2021
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 22021
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation2021
Kumo desu ga, Nanika?2021

List of Isekai Films

Nome do Filme IsekaiYear
Spirited Away2001
KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! Movie: Legend of Crimson2019
The Boy and the Beast2015
Youjo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil Movie2019
Children Who Chase Lost Voices2011
Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Memory Snow2018
The Vision of Escaflowne: The Movie2000
Tobira o Akete (1986)1986

Lists of OVAs and Isekai Specials

Now let's share a list of Isekai Specials and OVAs. The order are also the most popular:

Nome do OVAYear
Dog Days'': Limone Resort Tenbou Onsen!2015
Arata the Legend Picture Drama2013
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest - Prologue2020
KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! 2 OVA2017
Ascendance of a Bookworm OVA2020
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime OVA2019
KonoSuba – God’s blessing on this wonderful world! OVA2016
Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They? OVA2013
Kyo Kara Maoh! R2007
El-Hazard: The Magnificent World1995
Fushigi Yugi OVA: Dai Ni Bu1997
El-Hazard: The Magnificent World 21997
Fushigi Yugi OVA1996
Fushigi Yugi OVA: Eikoden2001
Mahou Shoujo Tai: The Adventure2007
Harukanaru Toki no Naka de ~Ajisai Yumegatari~2002
Wings of Rean2005
Choujikuu Romanesque Samy: Missing 991986
Rainbow Mountain2003
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime: Veldora's Journal2019
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest - Omnibus: The Great Orcus Labyrinth2019
Xie Wang Zhui Qi2019

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