Isekai usually refers to a plot point where a character is reborn or dies and then awakens in a fantastical world where the rules of reality don't apply. Such fantastical settings typically feature a great deal of action and adventure due to the presence of magic and otherworldly beings.
Some isekai series, however, defy the pattern by placing their protagonists in more grounded, realistic settings. The fate of the world isn't at stake, so the focus may be on the individuals and their relationships with one another and the world around them rather than on magic or dragons that breathe fire.
6 Ascendance Of A Bookworm
Urano, a bookworm who sets out to become a librarian, is crushed beneath a pile of books during an earthquake. She hopes with her dying breath that she will have more time to read in her next existence. Thankfully, Urano is reincarnated in a fantasy world, albeit as a sick five-year-old. Furthermore, books are expensive, and only the wealthy can afford them in this new world. Urano, however, puts her intelligence to the test by attempting to recreate books from scratch.
As the Ascendance of a Bookworm anime series is based on the life of Urano and her journey to becoming a librarian, the world she lives in is relatively ordinary. Her world is tranquil since there are no malevolent rulers plotting the hero's downfall or dragons blasting fire everywhere.
5 Restaurant To Another World
The Nekoya Western restaurant operates in a mundane shopping district on the streets of Tokyo. Popular with many different classes of people due to its Western and Japanese servings, the Nekoya restaurant has made a name for itself but does not open on Saturdays… at least that is what the general populace thinks. On Saturdays and holidays, this restaurant is open to magical residents of other worlds, like elves and beastmen, as it serves them the most exotic of dishes.
While the series incorporates magic and magical creatures like elves and beast men, Restaurant to Another World is set in the mundane streets of Tokyo inside the restaurant. As Tokyo is seemingly ‘normal’, the word mundane can be used to describe the normal everyday lives of its inhabitants.
4 Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World
Chef Nobuyuki Yazawa is the owner of a traditional Japanese bar—an izakaya—that serves tasty food and drinks to its customers. Accompanied by the waitress Shinobu Senke, Nobuyuki’s izakaya opens into the heart of Aitheria, a parallel world filled with magical creatures. As news of Nobuyuki’s izakaya spreads far and wide, various creatures wish to taste the various delicacies Chef Nobuyuki can create, and they come with riveting stories to tell.
Similar to the Restaurant to Another World anime series, Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food from Another World is set in modern-day Tokyo. While the series features fantasy characters from other worlds, the primary occurrences of the show take place in a normal world with no supernatural elements.
3 My Next Life As A Villainess: All Routes Lead To Doom!
A 17-year-old girl finds herself reincarnated into the world of her favorite game, Fortune Lover, as the Villainess character. Though she should have an advantage with her knowledge of the game, Catarina Claes quickly realizes that she's on a path to either execution or exile as she remembers the game's tragic ending. With her memories of her former life, she sets out to change her fate, but doing so will require her to act as a villainess in a world where she's already despised.
Although taking place in a medieval fantasy world, the anime series has no standout element that makes it different from normal everyday worlds. Rather than on action and adventure, the story is focused on how Catarina sets out to change her fate as a villainess, portraying themes of romantic comedy rather than supernatural elements that would make the world exciting.
2 Drugstore In Another World: The Slow Life Of A Cheat Pharmacist
This series tells the life of former corporate slave Reiji Kirio, who awakens in an alternate world one day. After awakening, Reiji realizes that he possesses the ability to create higher-ranked potions than his rank should allow. Further, after realizing the superhuman knowledge of pharmaceuticals he possesses, Reiji decides to open a drugstore and attend to various people’s needs.
Although this anime series possesses magic-like potions and spells, they are portrayed as commonplace rather than extraordinary occurrences. The focus of the series is on Reiji and his endeavors to create drugs and run a pharmacy, rather than emphasizing the more exciting and supernatural elements of the world he finds himself in. This makes the world portrayed in Drugstore in Another World relatively mundane.
1 The Devil Is A Part-Timer
While seeking to conquer the world of Ente Isla, the devil Satan is confronted by the hero Emilia, who forces him to retreat to another world. This world ends up being modern-day Tokyo with no magic. To survive, Satan adopts the name Sadao Maou and takes up a part-time job at a fast food restaurant. While working his part-time job, Satan comes across various individuals from Ente Isla who strive to survive in a world where the concept of magic does not exist.
Despite the few action-packed scenes and the supernatural elements portrayed in the show, The Devil is a Part-timer anime series is set in modern-day Japan with ordinary humans living their ordinary lives.