Isekai is a subgenre of fantasy in which a character is suddenly transported from their world into a new or unfamiliar one. The isekai genre is an oversaturated genre since the 2000s. Having a genre that is oversaturated and overally advertised, it is hard to find a unique or captivating anime from the rest. However, when The Time I Reincarnated into a Slime was released in 2018 it revitalized the isekai genre. So, if you enjoyed The Time I reincarnated into a Slime then check some of these similar animes!
BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Slice of Life
1 Season, 12 Episodes
After an enthusiastic invitation from her friend, Kaede Honjou reluctantly agrees to try New World Online: a very popular VRMMO (Virtual Reality massively multiplayer online). Naming her in-game character Maple, she sets out on her journey. As a complete novice to such games, she allocates all of her stat points into vitality, desiring to not get hurt. With not a single point in any other stat, Maple has extraordinarily high defense, but she can't move quickly or hit hard. Starting her journey as a tank.
I highly recommend this show for those who enjoy Recovery of an MMO Junkie or Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku. This is a carefree and relaxing anime to watch. We have a great mixture of comedy, adventure, and action. Fun and dumb, cute girls playing a VRMMO while being rewarded for doubling down on their dumb builds. In all honesty, it is a care-free anime that allows me to relax and just go with flow. Sometimes, you need a break from the Shounen and Shojo animes and this an anime that comfortable and hassle-free. Now kick up your feet and enjoy this laidback anime.
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Genre: Action, Historical, Drama
1 Season, 12 Episodes, 1 Movie
Our protagonist is a salaryman who is murdered by a disgruntled subordinate whom he had fired due to poor performance at work. In his last moments, he is confronted by an entity that declares itself to be God who condemns the salaryman for not having 'faith'. In a battle of wits, our protagonist is reincarnated as an orphaned girl named Tanya Degurechaff. Starting his turbulent life in a world ravaged by war.
Now this is an interesting twist to the “traditional” isekai genre. Unlike other animes where we have a more of a lighthearted series with serious moments, Tanya is serious and foreboding the entire show. The setting takes place during an ear similar to War World I, and during a times of war we see some atrocities. Knowing that Tanya truly is not a little girl but a middle-aged man with knowledge of the “modern world,” we see how he applies that knowledge. We watch as Tanya is completely ruthless and brutal when it comes to waging warfare as her tactics are to swiftly end the fight with clever tactics and overwhelming firepower. Off the battlefield she can talk her way to the command staff with groundbreaking military doctrine and instill a sense of reverence in her troops. Unlike other isekai’s this series carves a names for itself. This series is truly underrated and underrepresented. You won’t be disappointed in watching this show!
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
2 Season, 12 Episodes
Catarina Claes, is a Young and noble lady who injures herself recalling her past like as otaku who has been reborn into the last game, she was playing Fortune Lover. However, instead of being the protagonist she has become the villainess. Will Catarina be able to avoid her doomed fate?
This is a fun and entertaining anime to watch. I am a huge fan of isekai especially the villainess reincarnations. So, when I heard of this anime, I had to watch it. This is not a spectacular or amazing anime, but it is fun. It makes you laugh out loud and root for the MC (main character). I enjoyed myself entire series. You don't watch it for deep political soliloquy or some kind of wonderful plot that leaves you questioning your life's meaning. You watch this because it's fun. Now stop reading reviews and have some fun.
So I'm a Spider, So What?
1 Season, 24 Episodes
Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery
Just your average high school girl who was reincarnated as a spider monster in a fantasy world. Armed with only her human knowledge and overwhelming positivity, will she be able to stay alive? So begins the labyrinth survival story of a girl with incredible mental strength living as one of the lowest-ranked beasts!
This anime is based off the Japanese light novel series written by Okina Baba and illustrated by Tsukasa Kiryu. I picked this anime because I do enjoy the isekia genre and it had The Time I Reincarnated as a Slime vibes. This is your typical isekia adventure story with a light-hearted atmosphere with hints of dark humor. The series does start off a bit slow but gradually picks up pace. This makes the series come together for me. Unlike other isekia animes, we have a main character who is overpowered really fast. This series has makes you grind for the level up. Making it more relatable to an RPGs. The characters are charismatic and likeable. The art style a good mix of CGI in it. I know CGI has a bad reputation and it turns people away. However, this series does a great job of blending both. This is a series that once you watch it, you get hooked.
Ascendance of a Bookworm
Genres: Fantasy, Slice of Life,
2 Seasons, 12 Episodes
Urano Motosu loves books and has an endless desire to read literature, no matter the subject. She almost fulfills her dream job of becoming a librarian before her life is ended in an accident. As she draws her last breath, she wishes to be able to read more books in her next life. She wakes up reincarnated as Myne—a frail five-year-old girl living in a medieval era. Will she be able to fulfill her dream in this new world?
This is another anime that has an interesting twist to the “traditional” isekai genre. Our MC (main character) Myne, is just a girl who wants to read, however, being in “medieval times” books are scare and highly expensive. So, what is she to do but create her own? This is where things get interesting. This series does start of slow and can be a bit boring for some, but the series really picks up after the 5th episode. We watch our MC do everything to obtain books. I would go into more detail, but I am afraid of giving spoilers. Overall, this series has great characters, drama, story and pacing that is so perfect it makes you want to watch it all in one go.
*Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Rated R: Viewer Discretion Advised
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Ecchi
1 Season, 11 Episodes
Despite being bullied, scorned, and oppressed all of his life, a thirty-four-year-old shut-in still found the resolve to attempt something heroic—only for it to end in a tragic accident. But in a twist of fate, he awakens in another world as Rudeus Greyrat, starting life again as a baby born to two loving parents.
Being an anime that released for 2021, it was high anticipated and has big following. As someone who followed Light Novel, I was curious to see this show would become animated. This show has a lot of controversy following it for its darker themes (rape, sexual assault, etc.) and it being overshadowed with lighthearted comedy. I personal was never a huge fan of the MC (main character). In my personal opinion, he is shallow and selfish, but I couldn’t stop myself from reading or watching. In defense of the MC, the supporting characters support/ carry the MC making him more digestible for me and some viewers. Moreover, there is something about this anime that pulls you in. By no means is this series bad. I actually enjoy and I am going to watch season 2. It's charming, funny, and gives you interesting characters for sure! Give this series the 3-Episode Rule and make you assumptions.
Overlord
Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural, Ecchi
3 Seasons, 13 Episodes
"A popular MMORPG game traps its players inside and the players now have to play the game where the consequences are quite real". Sounds familiar?
This is anime that has a lot of negative reviews because they try to compare it to SAO (Sword Art Online). It is a “knock-off version” of it. However, this series comes with its surprises. We have our MC (Main Character) become the “antagonist” and try to navigate this world. This anime does have its faults like any anime, especially the overpowered MC. The MC is too strong making it kind of difficult for deep and meaningful character development. This is not a deep anime but yet a simple and fun anime. It wonderfully ignores the “real world” sticking to the new one taking you for a crazy ride. Overall, Overlord is a lighthearted comedy with a mix of action scenes. Go out and check it out! It is a fun anime!
Honorable Mentions
Log Horizon
KonoSuba
Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?
Is it Wrong to Pick Up Girls From a Dungeon?
The Rising Of The Shield Hero