It's never been a better time to be a fan of Isekai anime. While modern Isekai has its roots in the 70s and 80s, it became so popular in the mid 2010s that some Japanese publications started to ban it altogether. Despite this, the boom is still in full swing, with new Isekai titles being animated every season. With so much to choose from, it can be tough to really know what's good and what's not.
The Magical Revolution Of The Reincarnated Princess And The Genius Young Lady is, as well as being a mouthful, an interesting take on the Isekai genre. Like a few modern stories, instead of being transported to another dimension, the protagonist Anisphia is instead reincarnated into a princess with no magical powers. In spite of this, she becomes a magical genius, and uses her power to help noblewoman Euphyllia regain her good name. The series also has LGBT+ themes, and is an enjoyable watch for fans of Yuri animanga.
8 By The Grace Of The Gods
Japanese name: | Kami-tachi ni Hirowareta Otoko |
|---|---|
Where to watch: | Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu |
By The Grace Of The Gods is a slice-of-life reincarnation Isekai, but more specifically, it's Iyashikei. Iyashikei is the Japanese word for healing, and it's a sub-genre of slice-of-life that focuses on characters living peaceful lives in calming environments. For Ryoma Takebayashi, life wasn't always that way.
The series follows Ryoma, a hard-working salary man that, after dying alone in his sleep, is reincarnated in the form of a young boy. Granted this second chance by three gods, his only goal is to savor the wonderful things in life. It's a more soothing reincarnation Isekai than The Magical Revolution Of The Reincarnated Princess And The Genius Young Lady, and perfect to wind down to.
7 Spirit Chronicles
Japanese name: | Seirei Gensōki |
|---|---|
Where to watch: | Crunchyroll |
Reincarnated after a bus accident, twenty-year-old college student Haruto Amakawa finds himself reincarnated as Rio, an orphan from the slums of the Bertram Kingdom's capital. Well, sort of. He's reincarnated with Rio, into the same body as an existing child.
It's an interesting twist on reincarnation Isekai, and is definitely worth a watch for fans of the genre. As the two deal with their memories and personalities fusing, Rio gains magical powers and his entire life changes. A second season has been announced, though there is no official release date yet.
6 Ascendance of a Bookworm
Japanese name: | Honzuki no Gekokujō |
|---|---|
Where to watch: | Crunchyroll |
Another reincarnation Isekai, Ascendance of a Bookworm is hard not to love. It's about a young college student, Urano, who has loved books since she was a child, and the exciting life that awaits her after her tragic death in an earthquake. Her only wish for her next life is to be able to read more books.
Unfortunately, fate has it out for Urano. Reincarnated as a medieval five-year-old with little access to literature, she's determined that if she can't find books, she'll make them.
5 The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent
Japanese name: | Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu |
|---|---|
Where to watch: | Crunchyroll, Funimation, Prime VIdeo |
The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent is a hidden gem of an Isekai, that unfortunately only received one season. Ordinary office worker Sei Takanashi is transported into a magical world on her way home from work, but is cast aside by the mage that teleported her when she's not what he's looking for.
Like The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Young Lady, the series features a female main character that doesn't just blast her way through problems with magic or violence, though Anisphia is a little more over-powered than Sei.
4 My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
Japanese name: | Otome Gēmu no Hametsu Furagu Shika Nai Akuyaku Reijō ni Tensei Shite Shimatta... |
|---|---|
Where to watch: | Crunchyroll |
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom is a popular reverse harem anime that follows Catarina Claes, the young daughter of a noble family. When she bumps her head one day, she becomes aware of her past life as a seventeen-year-old otaku girl, and her reincarnation into the otome game Fortune Lover as its main antagonist.
Now aware of her role and fate to be executed, Catarina must take steps to ensure she doesn't meet the same fate again.
3 The Executioner and Her Way of Life
Japanese name: | Shokei Shoujo no Virgin Road |
|---|---|
Where to watch: | Hidive |
Fans of the cheerful/serious girl dynamic that The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady will love The Executioner and Her Way of Life. When average student Mutou Mitsuki finds himself transported to another realm, he discovers he's one of the few people without magic powers called 'The Lost Ones.'
It's a unique Isekai because Mitsuki isn't really a main character, but instead takes a supporting role to Menou and Akari Tokitou, two female main characters that have an interesting romantic relationship.
2 I'm In Love With The Villainess
Japanese name: | Watashi no Oshi wa Akuyaku Reijō |
|---|---|
Where to watch: | Crunchyroll |
I'm In Love With the Villainess isn't yet animated, but it's set to air some time in 2023. Based on the light novel and Manga series by the same name, the yuri Isekai follows Oohashi Rei, an ordinary office worker that is worked literally to death. When she dies, she finds herself in her favorite otome game, Revolution, as the protagonist Rae Taylor.
Unimpressed by the three original romance routes, she sets her heart on Claire François, the game's main antagonist, and is determined to give her the happy ending she deserves.
1 Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid
Japanese name: | Kobayashi-san Chi no Maid Dragon |
|---|---|
Where to watch: | Crunchyroll, Funimation |
Miss Kobayashi is the only reverse Isekai on this list, because it's one of the best. Office worker and programmer Kobayashi is greeted by a large dragon on her way to work one morning, who immediately turns into a maid called Tohru.
Kobayahi realizes that during a drunken excursion the previous night, she had removed a holy sword from Tohru's back. Eternally grateful, Tohru stays with Kobayashi as her maid. She's good at her job, but her mere presence attracts other dragons, gods, and mythical beings to her new home.
The Magical Revolution Of The Reincarnated Princess And The Genius Young Lady is now airing on Crunchyroll.