Isekai is one of anime's most popular genres yet, and as more series and Manga are released, the more it attracts new fans every day. The genre started a few years ago with classics like Inuyasha or Sword Art Online, where the protagonist is typically sent into another world and must learn to adapt.

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The Isekai genre is quite multifaceted, with many anime proving to be much more than predictable reincarnation adventures within an alternate reality.

In more recent years, the isekai genre became synonymous with the concept of reincarnation as some of their protagonists tend to enter new worlds reincarnated as someone or something else. Reincarnated As A Slime is a perfect example of this trend and stands as one of the pillars of this particular category.

Updated on April 9, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Isekai anime are still as inescapable as ever, with the theme featuring prominently in the Spring 2024 season. Most of the currently airing properties are fairly by the numbers, although one series stands out from the crowd due to featuring a unique form for its protagonist. Regardless of whether it goes down as a great or not, this anime does at least try something different with its main character.

10 Re:Monster

Goblin

Although slimes are considered the default and most basic enemies of JRPGs, goblins give them a run for their money while having more presence in the wider fantasy genre. Even if a few modern manga, light novels, and anime have taken measures to rehabilitate this classic monster's reputation, goblins are still typically associated with natural evilness, often acting as low-level fodder opponents for the heroes to slay. Not only do they tend to lack personality in most stories, goblins are often indistinguishable from each other.

Re:Monster shines a spotlight on these creatures by reincarnating its protagonist, Tomokui Kanata, as a new baby goblin called Rou. Initially, the main character is as weak as the rest of his clan; however, his intelligence allows him to hunt strategically and level up quickly. Before long, Rou assumes a leadership position, becoming a role model for other goblins.

Studio Deen's adaptation is airing as part of the Spring 2024 lineup, so the anime is still in its early days. The light novel source has a mixed reputation due to going into some rather unsavory directions; however, the series has gotten off to a pretty decent start.

9 Butareba: The Story Of A Man Turned Into A Pig

Pig

A young man who spends his days secluded in his room living an Otaku lifestyle finds himself in a new world and inside a body that is not his own. Unfortunately, the young man quickly realizes that he has been placed into the body of a pig. With little to go on and even less in options to fix his predicament, the young man catches his first break when he realizes that the girl who owns him can read minds.

With his timely demise ahead of him, the adventures come flooding in as the pig and the young girl get to know each other. Butareba is a weird show that can leave a fairly negative first impression, although it does have a sense of mystery that helps bring some intrigue.

8 Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear

Bear Warrior

Yuna was already a high-ranking heroine in the VRMMO called World Fantasy Online, that is, until she unsuspectingly accepted a gift that initiated her Isekai experience, accompanied by a dominating kawaii factor! Emerging as a level one cutie pie, Yuna has no choice but to fight in a cuddly bear onesie, arguably winning the word for the most absurdly dressed (yet still overpowered) Isekai protagonist.

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Thankfully, her bizarre attire comes with some added perks; each of her hand-puppet-type mittens represents her oversized bear familiars, named Kumakyuu and Kumayuru, who are willing to fight by her side. In fact, any magic ability with a bear theme is automatically enhanced while wearing this mortifying armor, turning Yuna into the most adorably dominating force around.

7 Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid

Powerful Dragon Turns Into A Maid

The current trend with Reverse Isekai seems to solely focus on a Demon King (or his/her subordinates); however, the pool regarding anime about reincarnation in another world can go much deeper, revealing the world-dominating dragons within. Even though Tohru can level entire planets, she wouldn't dare do a thing to harm her beloved Kobayashi and has subsequently entered a life of servitude under her paramour's command.

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Having a Dragon Maid is not all it's cracked up to be, at least not initially. Even if her saliva is a stain remover, her self-regenerating tale is edible, or her guard dog skills are on point; it's hard work keeping the excitable Tohru under control! Moreover, new dragons keep popping up with no place else to go, and this alcoholic otaku's household gets more bewitching (and a little cramped) as the days go by.

6 The Saga of Tanya the Evil (2017)

Twisted Little Girl Soldier

On the brink of death, a Japanese man raises his metaphorical fist at god, blaming the deity for his unfair demise. Unbeknown to the protagonist, his callout does not fall on deaf ears, and he finds himself reincarnated as a young child in a world caught in a deadly war.

Tania is enlisted in the Empire's Imperial Armed Forces to fight in this magical war. Her ruthlessness, cold exterior, and calculating mind help her rise through the ranks rapidly, and she quickly becomes the infamous "Devil of the Rhine".

5 Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon

Vending Machine

Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon was first published in 2018 and focuses on the story of a middle-aged man who has been obsessed with vending machines all of his life, and it's also the way he dies – crushed by one of them. However, his life didn't end there. He was reborn as a vending machine in a dungeon packed with dangerous monsters.

As a sentient object, he cannot move on his own and can only communicate with typical vending machine phrases such as "welcome" and "Get one free with a winner". His new life seemed doomed from the very get-go until the heroine, Lammis, finds him and gives him the name of Boxxo. Having the strength of six men, Lammis carries Boxxo around on her back and goes out for quests while he provides her any items bought from vending machines in his previous life. The two make an unlikely pair of heroes, but nevertheless, this light story has captured the attention of many fans.

4 Reincarnated as a Sword (2022)

Sentient Sword

A 30-year-old man dies in a car accident and is reborn as a particular object, a sword. He finds himself in another world full of fantasy, monsters, and magic and must find a way to survive, despite not remembering his name.

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He encounters a fleeing slave girl known as Fran, who once belonged to the tribe called the Black Cats, but after years of abuse and mistreatment, she ran away. After being saved by the sword, she named him Shishou, and the two adventurers team up to fight justice within this world.

3 So I'm a Spider, So What? (2021)

Spider Monster

A Japanese high school girl named Kumoko died along with many other students when an unforeseen event killed everyone at her school. Fortunately, many of these students reincarnated as people of various social statuses in another world. From nobles to princesses and princes, everyone got a second chance at living their best life except Kumoko.

She was the only one to be reborn as a spider monster and one of the weakest species too. Like many of her favorite games, she realizes that by increasing her stats and leveling up by defeating fellow monsters, her quest for survival and her chance to improve her life will be easier than expected.

2 My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (2020)

Otome Game's Villainess

Catarina Claes, the only daughter of Duke Claes, remembers everything about her past life and how she was reincarnated into this person when she hit her head at the age of 8 years old. She remembers the night of her death clearly. She was playing this otome game called "Love Fortune"– the exact same game she is now trapped in as the villainess.

With her knowledge of the game, she knows the tragic fate that awaits her, and she must try everything in her power to survive. She also must make the right choices that will not send her to her impending death with the help of her friends.

1 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime (2018)

Slime

A thirty-seven-year-old man named Satoru Mikami loses his life by being fatally stabbed in the streets of Tokyo. He awakens in another world and after finding out he has been reincarnated as a slime, he learns he can change its appearance and gain unique abilities depending on what he devours during his journey.

As a lonely slime with no name and friends, when he finally gains Veldora as a companion, he gets named as Rimuru Tempest. Rimuru and Veldora embark on a quest to destroy a magical seal, becoming increasingly more powerful along the way, and racking up a substantial fanbase in the process.

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