For better or worse, isekai has been one of the biggest anime genres of the past decade, leading many fans to wonder what are the best isekai anime available for streaming. The genre became famous for featuring stories about ordinary people being transported to fantastical worlds where they gain special powers that allow them to save their new world. Although the genre is diverse, Isekai excels at placing relatable characters in dramatic situations.

With such a large catalog of anime to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which isekai is the best one to invest time in, especially when many series in the genre can have seemingly identical plot lines. Regardless, there are plenty of watchable isekai that offer a fun, refreshing spin on the genre. The best isekai anime on streaming shows just how vast and diverse the genre is.

15 Reincarnated as a vending machine, I now wander the dungeon.

Based on the light novel by Hirukuma, Isua Kato and Yuki Hagure

It may be a new anime like Vending Machine Reincarnation, but it’s one of the weirdest takes on isekai ever. The series focuses on an unnamed character (called Boxxo by the series’ characters) who falls into a vending machine and ends up in a fantasy world as a vending machine. Although far from a regular vending machine, Boxxo has access to everything he bought from a vending machine in his previous life. While that may sound silly, the sequel finds many clever uses for Boxxo’s items, making this Isekai anime incredibly creative. Any interested fan can watch the first season of this hot new isekai anime that just finished airing on Crunchyroll.

14 Digimon Adventure

Based on the toy franchise created by Bandy

Although Digimon Adventure isn’t the first series that comes to mind when fans think of Isseikai, the seminal anime fits the genre well. Instead of going into a world where one main character is defeated, Digimon Adventure sees a group of eight kids band together to explore the wilds of the digital world alongside their digital friends. Digimon Adventure is certainly not without faults, but the series holds up surprisingly well. Old fans looking for nostalgia and new fans looking for a different take on what Isekai anime can be watch this classic now on Hulu.

13 Inuyasha

Based on the manga created by Rumiko Takahashi

Another classic anime is InuYasha, which is actually an Isekai flashback. The series follows a young woman named Kagome who is transported back in time to feudal Japan and meets the half-demon Inuyasha. As Kagome is revealed to actually be the reincarnation of Kikyo, a priestess who plays a major role in Inuyasha’s backstory, the series develops and becomes an increasingly complex legend. Although the result is very different from modern isekai anime, Inuyasha shares more in common with his spiritual successor than the first impressions. Any fan of Isekai anime owes it to themselves to watch this stream on Netflix.

12 .HACK//SIGN

Based on the franchise created by Cyber ​​Connection 2

.hack// SIGN is an important isekai anime that established many of the tropes that became the basis for the genre. The series established the formula for later popular characters like Sword Art Online trying to get stuck in the MMO world. Although arguably more than any of his successors. hack does interesting things with this premise as it builds a very interesting mystery as to why people are trapped in the game world. The series’ emphasis on mystery and introspection may not appeal to every Isekai fan, but the curious will likely be hooked. Luckily for anyone who wants to watch this seminal isekai anime, it’s currently streaming for free on Tubi.

11 Sonny’s son

An original anime series created by Shingo Natsume and Studio Madhouse

More than any other anime, Sony Boy showcases Isseikai’s wide and deep potential. The series follows a group of high school students who are secretly transported to a black void and then to an island as they develop special powers. What sets Sonny Boy apart is his introspective nature and his refusal to be anything close to perfection. The young protagonists may be freed from the pressures of adulthood, but the pressure is replaced by a deep-seated anxiety. The result is mind-blowing in a way that all the best fantasy anime are. Although Sony Boy may be a different take on isekai anime, it’s definitely worth finding on Crunchyroll.

10 Cooking a campfire in another world with my absurd skills

Based on the light novel by Ren Iguchi

Animated by renowned studio MAPPA, Campfire Cooking is a beautifully crafted series that offers a cozy and refreshing spin on isekai with my otherworldly no-nonsense skills. The series follows Tsuyoshi Mukouda, a mercenary who is accidentally summoned to another world to protect the Kingdom of Rijsager from their enemies. Indirectly, Mukuda talks his way into becoming the kingdom’s hero, as his skills outside of combat are deemed useless by the “online supermarket”.

As a result, Mukuda realized that his skills were useless and took up his life as a trader and adventurer. He manages to whip up a variety of food which eventually attracts the attention of a fairy wolf named Fel, and as the pair negotiate a partnership, Mukuda becomes famous for Fel getting more food. While nothing constructive, Campfire Cooking with My Otherworldly No-nonsense Skills is a lot of fun from start to finish and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

9 Why did Raeliana end up at the Duke’s mansion?

Based on the web novel Milcha

Offering a unique twist on the “Birth into Another World” concept, it follows Rinko Hanasaki on why Raeliana ended up at the Duke’s mansion after being reincarnated as a fictional minor character named Raeliana McMillan, the Baron’s first daughter. A relatively carefree life until finally dying at the hands of her fiance Frances Brooks. With this knowledge, Raeliana is determined to end her relationship with Lord Brooks and seeks help from the main character – Duke Noah Wakeknight.

Remembering everything about him from the book, she offers the duke a deal: if he takes her as his betrothed, she will not reveal the secret. A love affair with a mystery surrounding the male lead, Raeliana succeeds in delivering a heartwarming story of why she ended up in the Duke’s house that will keep the audience on their toes until the very end.

8 Eminence in the shadows

Based on the light novel created by Daisuke Aizawa and Tozai

Fame in the Shadows follows Minoru Kageno – a young man with the idea of ​​being stronger than anyone else. This desire for power does not stem from a need for recognition or a sense of inadequacy, in fact Minoru does his best to blend in with the crowd. After a tragic truck accident, Minoru was convinced that his wish was thwarted, that is, he was dying until he woke up as a noble boy named Sid in a magical world.

Eminence of Shadows prides itself on being strategic in maximizing its comedic moments and succeeding in every way. His ability to use magic finally has the power that CD missed in his previous life. Donning the moniker “Shadow”, he formed a group called the Shadow Garden to combat the fictional Devil Cult – which CD seems to have founded. Surprisingly, while it doesn’t take itself too seriously, The Eminence in Shadow is the perfect tongue-in-cheek comedy isekai for fans of typically “fun” content.

7 Uncle from another world

Based on the manga created by Hotondo Shindou

Technically Reverse Uncle is an underrated comedy series about what happens when a person transported to another world comes home. After being in a coma for seventeen years, Takafumi Takaoka’s uncle Yosuke “Ojisan” Shibazaki regains consciousness and begins to recount his adventures in the magical world of Granbamal. Takafumi dismisses his uncle’s stories until he sees him using magic, which prompts the pair to start a YouTube channel showcasing his skills from another life.

Takafumi is also tasked with keeping his uncle abreast of everything that has changed in the world over the past seventeen years. Everything from the modern Internet to the infamous console wars of the 90s have been considered earth-shattering developments. Although absurd at times, Uncle From Another World is nothing short of hilarious to see what can happen when an isekai protagonist’s journey comes to an end, making it the perfect summer binge watch.

6 My Next Life as Evil: All Roads Lead to Destruction!

Based on the light novel by Satoru Yamaguchi and Nami Hidaka

Raised as a young aristocrat, Katarina Claes suddenly finds all her memories from her past life in an accident in her family home. She learns that she is reincarnated as the main antagonist of her favorite dating sim, Fortune Lover, and intends to die throughout the story. Using her knowledge of the game’s events, Katarina is determined to change her own destiny, unaware that the choices she makes are affecting the lives of others as well.

My Next Life as Evil: All Roads Lead to Destruction! It is an expressive and charming romantic comedy starring several popular characters and featuring an even more popular character. Katrina, try as she might, is aloof and doesn’t realize how important she is to those around her, believing that her tragic fate lurks around every corner.

5 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Based on the light novel by Rifujin na Magonote

Season 2 is currently airing as part of the summer 2023 seasonal anime releases, Mushoku Tensei: Idle Reincarnation has been hailed as one of the best isekai series to date. Following the life of Rudeus Grerat, Mushoku Tensei tells the story of a man born into a new world who cannot be saved from his past life and hopes to become a powerful adventurer.

Mushoku Tensei: Idle Reincarnation is beautifully animated, featuring a lush world and Rudeus, a strong supporting character who has been associated with them throughout his life. Part of what makes this series unique among similar isekai anime is that it shows every key moment in Rudeus’ life, starting when he was a child. Showing such a deep level of development makes it easy to connect with Rudeus despite his many flaws and immerses the audience in the world as he grows.

4 That boy Kongming!

Based on the manga created by Yuto Yotsuba and Ryo Ogawa

Despite its surprising premise, that Boy Kongming! It’s an infectiously fun and quirky isekai with something for everyone. Zhuge Kongming, chancellor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era, wishes to be reborn into a time of peace and finds himself in modern day Shibuya on Halloween. He meets a musician named Eiko Tsukimi, and is inspired by her music to help her follow her dreams.

Although it is very different from the usual isekai as it lacks magical power or any other traditional fantasy elements, Ya Boy Kongming! It’s incredibly fun to tell a truly heartwarming story about chasing dreams. The style and beauty of this series makes it one of the best anime the genre has to offer.

3 Re: Zero – Starting life in another world

Based on the light novel series created by Tappei Nagatsuki and Shin’ichiro Ōtsuka

After leaving the supermarket, Subaru Natsuki is suddenly transported to another world, anxious and lonely as he tries to explore this mysterious new place. He was quickly attacked by a gang. He is suddenly rescued by a girl named Emilia, who was stolen from her, looking for signs. In their search, the couple is hunted down and tragically killed. That’s when Subaru wakes up again from the thugs and is suspiciously saved by Emilia just like before.

As Re:Zero progresses, Subaru realizes that this mysterious power can help him as much as it hurts him. While initially presenting itself as a normal isekai, Re:Zero – starting life in another world quickly develops into something far more interesting – and often gruesome – than viewers can imagine. Subaru’s endless agony of trying to find the best outcome for each situation creates an uncomfortable tension as the stakes mount, making it a great isekai anime for fans of the genre.

2 Then I got reincarnated as Slim

Based on the light novel series created by Fuse and Mitz Vah

Nobody’s corporate office worker Satoru Mikami can’t find a girlfriend, but he’s perfectly content with his normal Tokyo lifestyle. After meeting his colleagues, Satoru is stabbed in the street by a stranger. Injured, Satoru rises as a mud monster in an unknown world. After befriending and helping a disaster-level monster named Storm Dragon Veldora, Satoru sets out on an adventure under the name Rimuru Tempest.

That Time I Got It as Slim Reincarnation is a relatively standard isekai, and while it doesn’t break any major genre conventions, it’s a fun series that follows a new independent life dedicated to someone with more substance. A humble look at the vast fantasy world in which the series takes place.

1 KonoSuba: God’s blessing on this wonderful world

Based on the Natsume Akatsuki light novel series

After buying a video game and returning home, Kazuma Satou, who had been locked out of high school after dying, finds himself sitting in front of a beautiful and seductive goddess named Aqua. She offers him two choices: he can either go to the afterlife or be reborn into a fantasy world. Choosing to start a new life, Kazuma quickly embarks on a routine mission to defeat the Devil King who is plaguing the world. He is allowed to choose any items to go with him before starting his journey. Believing that he will defeat the system, he chooses Aqua, realizing that she is completely useless.

In a genre as oversaturated as Isekai, it can be refreshing to find a series that entertains all aspects of the genre. KonoSuba achieves this by using every opportunity to not only poke fun at the many tired tropes that plague Isekai, but also by poking fun at its main characters and making a walkthrough of Isekai’s most beloved archetypes.

Isekai is truly a diverse genre with an amazing scope to tell different stories. Although some anime fans may find the genre too similar-y due to the genre’s most famous examples, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Isekai anime is popular because it can appeal to many different groups of people. The premise of someone being transported to a magical world has a lot of potential, and the best isekai anime all take advantage of that to tell amazing stories.