Japanese website Minna no Ranking has just released a new list of the top 10 isekai anime most recommended by fans in Japan . And guess what? As expected, there are plenty of established characters from the genre there. In total, the ranking ranges from #1 to #234—meaning there are plenty of recommendations!
But wait, if you're not familiar with the term isekai , here's a quick summary: it's the kind of anime where the protagonist ends up in another world, almost always with a medieval look and a ruleset that seems straight out of an RPG. Oh, and of course—the characters often have absurdly overpowered powers. That said, let's check out the top 10, according to online voting.
The best isekai anime according to Japan – Top 10
10. Youjo Senki
- MAL Rating: 7.96 (Season 1)
- Year: 2017
- Studio: NUT
- Episodes: 12 (Season 1)
At first glance, you might think Tanya is just another cute little girl in a war zone. But make no mistake: she's actually the reincarnation of a grown man who defied a divine entity and ended up reborn in an alternate world in the midst of a military conflict. From this point on, what we see is a cold, calculating, and incredibly intelligent protagonist who uses war strategies and magic to survive—and dominate.
With a darker tone and a unique military feel, Youjo Senki stands out from the standard isekai. The anime blends religious critique, philosophy, and intense action scenes, creating a tense and engaging atmosphere. If you're looking for a deep story and a main character who completely escapes clichés, this is an excellent choice.
09. No Game No Life
- MAL Grade: 8.05
- Year: 2014
- Studio: Madhouse
- Episodes: 12
No Game No Life introduces the brothers Sora and Shiro, two antisocial geniuses who can master any game. Early on, they're transported to a world where everything—from small disputes to major political decisions—is resolved through games. And so begins a journey filled with mental challenges, wacky rules, and plenty of creativity.
The visuals are vibrant and stylized, perfectly matching the plot's eccentric tone. Furthermore, the anime relies on the protagonists' intelligence, quick dialogue, and a playful atmosphere that strays from traditional physical battles. Ideal for those who enjoy outlandish strategies, twists and turns, and a touch of humor between plays.
08. Re:Zero
- MAL Rating: 8.24 (Season 1)
- Year: 2016
- Studio: White Fox
- Episodes: 25
Subaru Natsuki is a protagonist who seems ordinary at first—until he discovers that every time he dies, he travels back in time with all his memories intact. This power, which seems like an advantage, soon proves to be a massive emotional burden, as he must watch the people he loves suffer (and die) repeatedly while desperately trying to change the course of events.
Re:Zero goes far beyond the basic isekai formula. The series delves into heavy themes like trauma, depression, and responsibility, with twists and turns that test both the protagonist and the viewer. With intense scenes and deep characters, it's a story that blends dark fantasy and real emotion, leaving you with your heart in your mouth with every episode.
07. Tate no Yuusha
- MAL Rating: 7.93 (Season 1)
- Year: 2019
- Studio: Kinema Citrus
- Episodes: 25
At first, it all seems like a typical hero's call: Naofumi is summoned into a fantasy world to fight threats alongside three other heroes. But the twist quickly unfolds—he's falsely accused and rejected by everyone, forced to forge his own path, using only a shield as a weapon.
This isolation ultimately shapes Naofumi in a unique way, making him a darker and more skeptical, yet also more human, protagonist. Throughout the story, we witness his journey of overcoming obstacles, creating sincere bonds with unlikely allies and gradually becoming a true hero. It's an anime about resilience, trust, and justice in a world full of hypocrisy.
06. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom
- MAL Rating: 7.45 (Season 1)
- Year: 2020
- Studio: SILVER LINK
- Episodes: 12
otome -style romance game , but as a secondary character—a mob , unimportant to the original plot. From then on, he decides to live as peacefully as possible... until he realizes that the game world is much more cruel and absurd than it seemed.
So, the real fun here lies in the satire and subversion of clichés. The protagonist is sarcastic, authentic, and experiences situations so ridiculous it's impossible not to laugh. Even with this lighthearted tone, the anime also delivers good action scenes and interesting critiques of the school romance and fantasy genres. A great choice for those who want to laugh, but without sacrificing a good plot.
The best isekai anime according to Japan – Top 05
05. Sword Art Online
- MAL Rating: 7.22 (Season 1)
- Year: 2012
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- Episodes: 25
On the other hand, when Sword Art Online arrived, it revolutionized the modern isekai. In short, Kirito and thousands of players are trapped inside a virtual reality game, where dying in the game means dying in real life. From the beginning, the series features intense battles, romances, moral dilemmas, and a vast and immersive digital universe.
Throughout the arcs, new virtual worlds are introduced, each with unique rules and styles. While SAO has mixed reviews, its influence on the genre is undeniable. It's an anime that blends action, drama, and science fiction, ideal for those who enjoy technological worlds and highly skilled protagonists.
04. KonoSuba
- MAL Rating: 8.09 (Season 1)
- Year: 2016
- Studio: Studio Deen
- Episodes: 10
At first, Konosuba takes everything you expect from an isekai—powerful heroes, dangerous monsters, epic quests—and throws it out the window. Kazuma, the protagonist, dies in a ridiculous manner and ends up reborn in a fantasy world… along with a completely useless goddess. From there, a journey filled with chaos and comedy begins.
Thus, its greatest charm lies in its lack of seriousness: all the characters have hilarious flaws, and instead of great victories, the group constantly finds itself in one trouble after another. It's perfect for those who want to laugh at the genre's clichés while still enjoying a good adventure. Konosuba is light, funny, and full of incredibly memorable moments.
The best isekai anime according to Japan – Top 03
03. Overlord
- MAL Rating: 7.90 (Season 1)
- Year: 2015
- Studio: Madhouse
- Episodes: 13
Unlike most isekai, Overlord casts the protagonist as the "villain." However, Ainz, a player trapped in his super-powered skeleton avatar after the end of an online game, decides to explore—and dominate—this new world with the help of his loyal (and terrifying) subordinates.
With an overpowered protagonist and a darker atmosphere, the anime blends strategy, action, and politics in a universe where Ainz must balance his humanity with the tyrannical image he's built. It's a captivating and unpredictable story, ideal for those who enjoy watching the tables turn—literally.
02. Mushoku Tensei
- MAL Rating: 8.35 (Season 1)
- Year: 2021
- Studio: Studio Bind
- Episodes: 11 (Season 1)
On the other hand, Mushoku Tensei is often considered one of the pillars of modern isekai, and for good reason. The story begins with a failed man who dies and is reincarnated in a new world as Rudeus, a baby with memories of his past life. From then on, he decides to live differently, without repeating the mistakes that made him waste his first chance.
Furthermore, the key difference lies in the character development: we see Rudeus grow, fail, mature, and form real bonds with the people around him. With top-notch animation and rich world-building, it's a journey that blends magic, drama, and humanity like few other anime can.
01. Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken
- MAL Rating: 8.14 (Season 1)
- Year: 2018-2019
- Studio: 8-bit
- Episodes: 24 (Season 1)
You never imagined a slime could be one of the most charismatic isekai protagonists, but Rimuru Tempest is here to prove that anything is possible. In short, after dying in the real world, he reincarnates as a slime with unique abilities and begins building his own kingdom in a fantasy world full of monsters and magic.
The anime beautifully balances lighthearted humor with world-building and epic moments. Rimuru, despite being incredibly powerful, is a charismatic and fair leader, and his journey is filled with memorable encounters, incredible battles, and unlikely alliances. A story that begins simply but grows impressively with each episode.
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