The isekai genre is rather controversial in the anime and manga fandom, with some believing the "transported to another world" shtick is stale and overdone and others liking the genre's escapism aspect. The genre is actually more diverse and vibrant than one may think, and not every isekai work is aimed at teenage boys.

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For instance, plenty of isekai titles are meant for the seinen (adult male) demographic. These anime and manga tend to be more "mature," meaning that yes, there may be more nudity and violence. Still, it also means that these series often explore the psychological toll of having to adjust to a new world. Like regular seinen, there's also plenty of lighthearted "moe" titles and straight-up comedies.

10 Knight's & Magic

MyAnimeList Score: 7.07

There haven't been a ton of isekai anime that feature mecha battles, but Knight's & Magic is a visually stunning marriage of these two genres. Tsubasa Kurata, a mecha otaku from Japan, dies in a car accident and is reborn as an androgynous inventor named Ernesti Echavalier.

The series has a unique magic system, with the protagonist able to use his programming abilities to pilot the magical mecha robots. While some believe the isekai aspect is unnecessary, the series has some solid world-building and the action scenes are a feast for the eyes.

9 Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They?

MyAnimeList Score: 7.44

The title says it all, doesn't it? Three children with psychic powers are tired of their boring lives until they receive an unusual envelope that transports them to a strange place known as Little Garden. There they find out through a bunny lady that they were brought to Little Garden to hone their special abilities to play high-stakes games and restore their community's glory.

One of isekai anime's more underrated offerings, Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren't They? offers a ton of lighthearted humor mixed with fantasy trappings and a colorful trio of characters.

8 Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi

MyAnimeList Score: 7.23

Studio Gainax is known for creating some of the weirdest anime out there, and Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi is no exception. It tells the story of Arumi and Sasshi, two Abenobashi district residents who get whisked away to a zany world after an accident.

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From there, the two protagonists' attempts to get back home lead them to discover other wacky worlds, including those built on RPG, dating sim, sci-fi, and fantasy settings. Fans of series like Excel Saga and FLCL are sure to enjoy this similarly surreal and satirical anime, complete with trippy animation.

7 So I'm A Spider, So What?

MyAnimeList Score: 7.45

A catastrophe at a school causes every student to be reincarnated in an RPG world as something fantastic - nobles, royalty, or someone else with influence and prestige. Unfortunately, one otaku girl is not so lucky. She gets reborn as a mook spider, the lowest-level enemy in any video game.

Subverting the usual isekai trope of the protagonist getting reincarnated as an overpowered being, So I'm a Spider, So What? follows its spider protagonist as she tries her hardest to level up and adjust to a world full of far more powerful creatures.

6 The Rising Of The Shield Hero

MyAnimeList Score: 7.97

Naofumi Iwatani, an otaku, was summoned to the fantastical kingdom of Melromarc along with three other men to become the land's Cardinal Heroes. Unlike the three men who received offensive weapons like a bow, a spear, and a sword, Naofumi was bestowed a defensive shield.

Accompanied by a tanuki girl named Raphtalia, Naofumi takes it upon himself to explore Melromarc and fight to protect its inhabitants. A rather controversial series, The Rising of the Shield Hero is a prime example of a dark fantasy isekai, consisting of a ton of angst and a colorful cast of characters.

5 The Saga Of Tanya The Evil

MyAnimeList Score: 7.96

These days, it isn't unusual for an isekai series to have a villain as the protagonist. Tanya Degurechaff, who in her previous life was a Japanese salaryman who challenged God-like Being X, is a ruthless soldier in a world resembling Imperial Germany. Tanya aims to reach the highest rank in the military to avoid being killed in war, as the cycle of reincarnation will end otherwise.

The Saga of Tanya the Evil provides a refreshing deviation from the protagonist being a generic everyman or a noble hero, with some not-so-subtle commentary on Japanese society.

4 Overlord

MyAnimeList Score: 7.91

The year is 2138, and a hugely popular virtual reality MMORPG named YGGDRASIL is set to shut down after a twelve-year run. However, a veteran player named Momonga decides to spend a few more minutes in the game before it's gone forever. To his surprise, he gets trapped in the body of his skeleton avatar, and the game's NPCs start developing personalities.

Now going by the name Ainz Ooal Gown, Momonga decides to take this new world into his own hands. In addition to its fascinating world-building, Overlord explores the psychology of someone who suddenly gains a lot of power, cementing the phrase "absolute power corrupts absolutely."

3 Drifters

MyAnimeList Score: 7.89

Samurai Shimuza Toyohisa, after being critically injured in battle, finds himself in a corridor full of hundreds of doors on either side. A mysterious man named Murasaki pulls Shimuza into the nearest door, where the samurai finds himself in a completely different world full of fantastical creatures and warlords from different eras of Japanese history.

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Drifters is action-packed to the core, and fans of Hellsing will quickly take a liking to its universe, as both series were created by the same person, Kouta Hirano.

2 No Game, No Life

MyAnimeList Score: 8.07

Two gamer siblings, Shiro and Sora, are summoned to another world called Disboard after winning a game of chess with Tet, the God of Disboard. The two shut-ins are ecstatic, as Disboard is a reality where disputes are settled through games. With their impeccable strategy and wit, Shiro and Sora aim to conquer this land by challenging its inhabitants.

No Game, No Life is a must-watch for any gamer, and Sora and Shiro's entertaining gaming sessions are further bolstered by Madhouse's stunning animation.

1 Re:Zero - Starting Life In Another World

MyAnimeList Score: 8.23

Originating as a fanfic of The Familiar of Zero, Re:Zero is perhaps one of the finest deconstructions of the isekai genre. Natsuki Subaru, a NEET, is summoned to a fantasy world while walking home from the convenience store.

After dying a number of times, Subaru finds out he has the power to turn back time after his death. Deciding to use his power to help others, he discovers that being selfless is much more painful than he thought. The series is more of a psychological journey than most standard isekai, with the protagonist's fortitude being tested over and over again.

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