The isekai world is no stranger to magic and the plot elements it adds to a story. Many Isekai protagonists are transported to worlds having different material rules than their initial ones. The initially impossible becomes commonplace, and the characters must deal with those changes and find their place. Doing this most times requires skills, and many times, these skills involve magic.
Magic use isn’t limited to protagonists, however. Many characters have access to magical abilities, and naturally, some are more powerful than others. For a medium that heavily depends on magic, it takes a lot for a mage to stand out, and these ten strongest mages in Isekai anime certainly do.
10 Emilia – Re: Zero
Emilia has the rare gift to communicate with spirits, forming contracts in the process. She is contracted with several Quasi Spirits. Her Spirit Arts allow her to alternate between attacks and defense effortlessly.
She can use ice magic, causing explosions with her mana. Ice spears, ice clones, mist barriers, and even healing magic are some of the creative ways she uses her magic. Her Ice Brand Arts enable her to summon and manipulate ice weapons with great precision. Beyond being such a great mage, she can also perform close-quarters combat, relying on her agility, strength, and sharp senses.
9 Rimuru Tempest – That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
While Rimuru Tempest may come across as eccentric and childish, there is much more to Rimuru than meets the eye. With a sharp and analytical mind, and when faced with genuine fury, Rimuru can be ruthless, resorting to brutal torture and murder without hesitation.
With skills like Azathoth, Rimuru can manipulate time and space, dominate the surroundings, and predict future attacks with precision. Rimuru's abilities also include predation, which allows the user to absorb and consume almost anything, and mimicry, which allows the user to take on the form and strength of analyzed targets.
8 Megumin – KonoSuba
As the Arch Wizard of the Crimson Demons in the Fantasy World, Megumin is known for her explosive magical abilities. But beyond Explosion magic, Megumin is skilled in other abilities such as magic tool creation and potion making.
Megumin is dedicated to her craft and constantly works on improving the power of her explosions and decreasing the time required for incantations. She carries the Light of Reflection Scroll and uses the High-Quality Manatites provided by Kazuma, enabling her to unleash multiple Explosions at will. Although her skills give her a lot of power, they come with some drawbacks. However, Megumin faces them head-on.
7 Rudeus Greyrat – Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Rudeus Greyrat is a powerful mage known for his great magical abilities and strategic thinking. With a natural talent for magic and a dedication to honing his skills, Rudeus becomes one of the strongest mages in his world. His ability to use voiceless incantations and melded magic sets him apart, allowing him to cast powerful spells instantly.
Despite his power, Rudeus remains humble and caring, always protecting his loved ones. His journey from a reclusive individual to a formidable mage showcases his growth and determination, making him a captivating character in the world of anime magic.
6 Shiroe – Log Horizon
Although viewers of the Log Horizon anime mostly know Shiroe for his strategic skill, with 8 years of experience under his belt, it's only reasonable that his strategic skill is matched with a similar measure of power.
Shiroe's specialty lies in two builds: the Enchanter and Mana Controller, which make him very versatile at playing the attacker or the support in fights. The over skill, called Contract Art Ceremony, gives him the ability to alter the world through contracts. Equipped with powerful and interestingly named tools like the Staff of the Wise Horned Owl and the Sacred Robe of the Stars, Shiroe enhances his magical power.
5 Naofumi Iwatani – The Rising of the Shield Hero
Naofumi Iwatani is called the Shield Hero for good reason. Summoned to another world, Naofumi becomes a skilled Potion Crafter, capable of creating healing potions, disease cures, and even legendary medicines through extensive self-education and practice.
While primarily known for his defensive abilities, Naofumi also possesses offensive skills such as Energy Blast and Night Terror, which allow him to unleash devastating attacks. His defensive repertoire includes the versatile Air Strike Shield, Shield Prison, and Shooting Star Shield, which provide both protection and strategic advantages. He also possesses utility abilities like Change Shield and Alert Shield, enhancing his adaptability and situational awareness.
4 Diablo — How Not To Summon A Demon Lord
Takuma Sakamoto is also known as Diablo because in the virtual game world of Cross Reverie, Takuma controlled the character Diablo, the true Demon King. Because of his overwhelming skills, he always held back to avoid making his power too obvious.
But when he is transported to another world and becomes his game character, Diablo, his power too becomes difficult to hide. As a Sorcerer, he masters elemental magic and possesses the Combiner sub-class, earning him the title "Sorcerer of Annihilation." Diablo can use a range of spells, including Ice, Water, Light, Fire, and more effortlessly.
3 Tanya Von Degurechaff – Saga of Tanya The Evil
Despite being reborn as a young girl in an alternate version of Europe, Tanya's talents and ruthless nature make her a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Joining the Empire's Mages troops at the age of nine, Tanya quickly rises through the ranks and becomes a Second Lieutenant. With her strategic mind and efficiency, she proves to be a valuable asset to the Empire.
Tanya leads her own Mage Battalion, even with her small physical stature. She compensates by using magical enhancement spells to enhance her physical abilities. She excels in air warfare, prayer magic, and explosive spells.
2 Roswaal L Mathers – Re:Zero
As the lord of Roswaal Manor in the Dragon Kingdom of Lugunica, Roswaal L Mathers possesses the soul of his ancestor, Roswaal A Mathers, and is a mage of unparalleled skill. With mastery over all six elements of magic, Roswaal's abilities surpass even those of his mentor, the Witch of Greed.
With his immense magical power, Roswaal is capable of single-handedly defeating whole armies. His repertoire of spells includes powerful attacks like Ul Goa, Al Goa, and the awe-inspiring Threefold Magic, which allows him to conjure and control three fireballs simultaneously. He can also manipulate weather conditions within a large radius and has knowledge of various other branches of magic, such as soul transference and rewriting magic.
1 Ainz Ooal Gown – Overlord
Previously called Momonga, Ainz Ooal Gown is an incredibly powerful mage and the guild master of the homonymous guild, Ainz Ooal Gown. In the New World, he is the Sorcerer Kingdom’s 'Sorcerer King' and is regarded as the most powerful user of magic in the world.
Ainz Ooal Gown has an unparalleled knowledge of spells because he has memorized a staggering 718 different spells, far surpassing the limit for a level 100 player. Despite his overwhelming power, Ainz remains cautious and always seeks to improve himself by constantly experimenting with his abilities and seeking new ways to utilize his magic in the New World.