The 20+ Best Isekai Anime, Ranked By Fans

One minute you’re living a totally normal life, the next minute you’ve been
flattened by Truck-kun and wake up with magic powers, a talking sword, or a
dragon roommate. Welcome to the wonderful, chaotic world of isekai anime.
In this fan-favorite genre, ordinary characters are transported, summoned,
reincarnated, or trapped in another world – usually one with monsters, magic,
and way too many overpowered main characters.

To build this list of the best isekai anime, we looked at fan rankings and
polls from big community sites, streaming guides, and awards lists. Instead
of a critic’s-only countdown, this ranking reflects what viewers actually
binge, rewatch, argue about on forums, and endlessly meme. If you’re wondering
which “other world” to jump into next, consider this your portal.

What Makes an Isekai Anime Truly Great?

Before diving into the ranking, it helps to understand what makes an isekai
series stand out. Plenty of shows toss a protagonist into a fantasy world.
Only a handful become the kind of comfort-watch classics fans fight to keep
at the top of the charts.

• World-building you want to live in – or at least visit for a season or two.
• Characters who grow instead of staying stuck in one “OP hero” setting forever.
• A hook or twist on the usual reincarnation/transported-to-another-world formula.
• Emotional stakes, whether that’s heartbreaking time loops or absurd workplace comedy.
• Rewatchability and meme power – if fans quote it years later, it’s doing something right.

The shows below mix all of those ingredients in different ways: dark,
psychological isekai, lighthearted comedies, cozy slice-of-life series, and
high-stakes strategy epics. Let’s step through the portal.

The 20+ Best Isekai Anime, Ranked by Fans

This ranking is inspired by fan-voted lists and popularity data across multiple
platforms. The higher entries tend to dominate polls, streaming charts, and
discussion threads, but every show here has a strong, vocal fanbase.

1. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

A middle-aged office worker dies in our world and wakes up in a fantasy
land as a squishy blue slime. That premise sounds like a throwaway joke,
but fans love how this series uses it to build a surprisingly deep world.
Rimuru Tempest’s ability to absorb skills and allies turns the show into a
satisfying mix of nation-building, battle strategy, and found-family vibes.

Viewers consistently push this title to the top of fan polls because it checks
almost every isekai box: overpowered protagonist, political intrigue, lovable
side characters, big battles, and a flexible tone that swings from wholesome
to hype without feeling messy.

2. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Mushoku Tensei is one of the most debated isekai series – and one of the
most praised. A shut-in with a wasted life gets a second chance when he’s
reborn as Rudeus Greyrat in a rich fantasy world. What keeps fans glued to
the screen is the sheer quality of the world-building and character growth:
we literally watch Rudeus grow from childhood to adulthood, mistakes and all.

Stunning animation, thoughtful magic systems, and long-term storytelling
make it feel closer to an epic fantasy novel than a disposable power fantasy.
It’s not a comfortable watch for everyone, but in fan rankings it often lands
near the top thanks to its ambition and emotional weight.

3. Overlord

Instead of a clueless hero dropped into danger, Overlord gives us a max-level
final boss stuck in his favorite MMORPG after the servers should’ve shut down.
As Momonga embraces his new identity as Ainz Ooal Gown, the series flips the
script: we’re following the “villain” attempting to understand this world and
quietly conquer it.

Fans rank Overlord highly for its detailed world, ruthless tone, and morally
gray lead. Watching Ainz role-play as a terrifying overlord while internally
panicking is half the fun. The series rewards viewers who love political
maneuvering, dark humor, and a cast of monstrous, loyal subordinates.

4. Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World

Subaru Natsuki is the poster child for “this seemed fun until it wasn’t.”
Pulled into another world with zero special powers, he discovers he can
return from death to a reset point – but he remembers every painful mistake.
Instead of power creeping his way to victory, Subaru repeatedly breaks down
and claws his way back up.

Fans adore Re:Zero for its brutal time loops, unpredictable twists, and
nuanced look at mental health and trauma. It’s not the comfy kind of isekai
you put on while doing chores. It’s the kind you binge at 3 a.m., then stare
at the ceiling thinking about your life choices.

5. KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!

KonoSuba asks a simple question: what if your isekai party was completely
useless, but in the funniest way possible? Kazuma is reincarnated into a
fantasy world with a loud, chaotic goddess, a masochistic knight, and a
mage who only casts one spell – explosively.

Fans rank KonoSuba as one of the funniest anime in the genre, period. It
lovingly mocks isekai tropes, RPG logic, and “chosen one” narratives while
still delivering genuine character chemistry. If you want laughter over
life-or-death stakes, this is your first stop.

6. The Rising of the Shield Hero

Summoned as one of four legendary heroes, Naofumi draws the short straw:
he’s stuck as the Shield Hero, widely seen as useless. After a brutal false
accusation destroys his reputation, he becomes a cynical, armor-clad mercenary
who trusts almost no one.

Fans gravitate to this series for its underdog energy, revenge-tinged story,
and surprisingly tender bonds between Naofumi and his party. It’s also one
of the most discussed isekai in fan communities because of its darker themes
and controversial story beats.

7. Sword Art Online

You can’t talk about isekai without mentioning Sword Art Online. Trapped in a
deadly VRMMO where dying in-game means dying in real life, Kirito and Asuna
became gateway characters for a whole generation of anime fans.

SAO is polarizing, but it remains hugely influential. Fans who rank it highly
cite the iconic Aincrad arc, strong music, and the fantasy of exploring multiple
virtual worlds. Even if newer shows have refined the “trapped in a game” idea,
SAO’s cultural footprint keeps it near the top of fan lists.

8. No Game, No Life

Sora and Shiro, shut-in gaming prodigies, are transported to a world where
every conflict is settled with games instead of war. It’s basically a neon-colored
playground for strategic showdowns, wild gambles, and smug grins.

Fans love the sharp visual style, outrageous bets, and over-the-top logic
puzzles that still (mostly) make sense. With just one season and a movie,
it has a “lightning in a bottle” feel that keeps it near the top of fan
wishlists for sequels.

9. Log Horizon

Log Horizon answers a different question: if thousands of players were stuck
in their MMO, what would society look like a year later? Instead of focusing
on escape, it digs into economics, politics, and the social rules that make
this new reality livable.

Fans rank Log Horizon highly for its thoughtful take on world-building and
strategy. It’s less about single-sword heroics and more about careful planning,
alliances, and system mechanics – perfect for viewers who like slow-burn,
“how does this world actually function?” storytelling.

10. The Devil Is a Part-Timer!

In a delightful reverse isekai, the Demon Lord flees a heroic battle and
ends up in modern Tokyo… where he has to get a part-time job at a fast-food
joint to pay rent. World domination plans are put on hold until after his shift.

Fans love this series for its deadpan humor and surprisingly relatable take on
adult life. Balancing cosmic conflict with customer service disasters makes it
a comfort watch. It also proves that not every other-world story needs a sword
and a skill tree.

11. Saga of Tanya the Evil

A ruthless salaryman is reincarnated as a young girl in a war-torn, magic-infused
alternate Europe. Determined to defy the godlike Being X who put him there,
Tanya becomes a terrifying military prodigy with a dead-eyed stare and a rifle.

Fans rank Tanya highly for its mix of military tactics, dark humor, and moral
ambiguity. It’s political, cynical, and full of explosive set pieces – a great
pick if you prefer your isekai with artillery and ethical dilemmas.

12. Ascendance of a Bookworm

After a book-loving woman dies and wakes up as a frail child in a medieval-style
world, she discovers the real horror: books are rare, expensive luxury items.
Her solution? Make her own, and quietly start a printing revolution.

Fans adore this cozy, slow-burn isekai for its focus on everyday life, crafts,
and economics instead of monster hunting. It’s the perfect “cup of tea” show
when you want gentle stakes and clever problem-solving instead of nonstop battles.

13. The Eminence in Shadow

This series is what happens when a chuunibyou kid who desperately wants to be
a secret mastermind actually gets reincarnated into a world where his edgy
fantasies come true. Cid acts out elaborate shadow-organization scenarios –
only to discover the “made up” villains he’s inventing are real.

Fans rank this show highly for its absurd humor, meta-take on power fantasies,
and surprisingly cool fight scenes. It’s tailor-made for viewers who both love
and gently roast the edgiest parts of the isekai genre.

14. BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Technically more VRMMO than classic death-trap isekai, BOFURI still scratches
the same itch: Maple dumped all her points into defense and accidentally becomes
a walking bug in the game’s code.

Fans enjoy BOFURI for its wholesome friendships, creative “broken” builds,
and low-stress vibe. If you love the idea of gaming with friends in another
world but don’t need world-ending stakes, this one goes down easy.

15. Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill

Summoned to a fantasy world and immediately sidelined, Mukouda discovers his
one unique ability: an “online supermarket” skill that lets him order modern
Japanese groceries into a medieval setting.

Fans rank this one surprisingly high in comfort-view lists. It’s cozy food
anime plus isekai, with an overpowered wolf familiar and chill road-trip
energy. Perfect for viewers who want fantasy, but also want to get hungry.

16. GATE

When a mysterious gate opens in Tokyo and fantasy soldiers pour through, the
Japanese Self-Defense Forces push back and then head through the gate
themselves. What follows is a clash of technology, politics, and dragons.

Fans appreciate GATE for its two-way isekai concept and large-scale battles.
It’s heavier on military hardware and geopolitics, making it a unique entry
in a genre usually dominated by solo heroes.

17. Wise Man’s Grandchild

An ordinary salaryman dies and is reborn as Shin, a boy raised by a legendary
wizard. He grows up in the countryside, accidentally becomes absurdly powerful,
and then attends magic school with no idea how overpowered he really is.

Fans put this one mid-to-high on lists as a fun, cheesy power fantasy with
likable characters and plenty of magic explosions. It’s not the deepest show,
but it’s a solid comfort-watch for power-fantasy fans.

18. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord

In his favorite game, Takuma is a feared Demon Lord. In reality, he’s socially
awkward. When two girls summon him into the game world and try to bind him,
his passive ability reverses the spell – and they become bound to him instead.

Fans rank this series as a guilty-pleasure isekai: light on subtlety, heavy on
fanservice and goofy comedy. It’s not here for deep philosophy. It’s here for
people who want to turn off their brain and watch an OP demon lord solve
problems with overwhelming firepower.

19. Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy

Makoto is summoned to a fantasy world – and immediately rejected by the local
goddess for being “ugly.” Banished to the far edges of the world, he starts
building his own territory with the help of dragons, spiders, and various
powerful misfits.

Fans enjoy how Tsukimichi plays with expectations: instead of the world
worshipping the hero, the world is mildly horrified by him. It blends comedy,
action, and city-building in a way that feels fresh in a crowded genre.

20. My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

When a girl realizes she’s been reincarnated as the doomed villainess in her
favorite otome game, she decides to avoid every bad ending through pure chaos,
kindness, and agricultural enthusiasm.

Fans rank this as one of the best “villainess” isekai, filled with wholesome
comedy, light romance, and a heroine who accidentally builds a massive harem
by being the nicest disaster possible. It’s a great pick if you want isekai
without grim stakes.

21. In Another World With My Smartphone

After a divine oopsie, a teen gets reincarnated into a fantasy world with a
powerful body, strong magic, and, most importantly, his smartphone still
connected to the internet.

Fans are divided on its quality, but it appears on many “most-watched” and
“most-talked-about” lists. It’s simple, light, and full of wish-fulfillment –
the kind of series you watch when you don’t want stress or complex politics.

22. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest

A class is transported to another world, but Hajime gets betrayed and left for
dead in a deadly dungeon. He survives by any means necessary and emerges as
a very different person – armed to the teeth and done with everyone’s nonsense.

Arifureta ranks well with fans who enjoy edgy, transformation-focused
power fantasies. The production is rough in places, but its mix of revenge,
dungeon crawling, and monster alliances gives it a distinct charm.

How to Pick Your Next Isekai Binge

With so many portals to step through, where should you start? A few handy
fan-tested routes:

• For beginners: Try That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, KonoSuba, or The Devil Is a Part-Timer! for an easy, fun introduction.
• For maximum pain and angst: Queue up Re:Zero, Mushoku Tensei, or Arifureta.
• For comfy vibes: Go with Ascendance of a Bookworm, BOFURI, or Campfire Cooking.
• For strategy nerds: Try Overlord, Log Horizon, or Saga of Tanya the Evil.

However you approach it, isekai works best when you treat it like a buffet:
sample a bit of everything, then commit to the flavors you enjoy.

Falling Down the Isekai Rabbit Hole: Fan Experiences

Ask any longtime anime fan how they got into isekai and you’ll usually hear
a story that sounds a little like an isekai plot itself. One day they clicked
on a random episode of Sword Art Online or Re:Zero after
school, “just to see what the hype was about.” A few nights later, the sun was
rising, the snacks were gone, and they had accidentally binge-watched an entire
season. Congratulations – you’ve been transported to another world, courtesy
of autoplay.

For many viewers, the first hook is pure escapism. Real life might be full of
homework, bills, or a job you’d happily trade for a slime body. In contrast,
isekai worlds offer clear goals, visible power growth, and parties that
actually appreciate your skills. Watching Rimuru build a nation or Naofumi
grind his way from hated outcast to respected hero scratches the same itch as
leveling up in a game – but without having to dodge spoilers in the group chat.

Another big part of the experience is community. Isekai fans don’t just watch
these shows; they live in them between episodes. They argue in comment sections
about whether Subaru is a terrible protagonist or a brilliantly human one.
They trade recommendations – “If you liked KonoSuba, you’ll love
The Eminence in Shadow because it has the same chaotic energy, just
with more edgy monologues.” Fan art, memes, and cosplay bring these other
worlds into real-life conventions and online spaces in a way that makes the
genre feel like a shared universe, even when the stories are totally different.

There’s also the comfort factor. A lot of fans use isekai as a “reset button”
after a long day. You know the structure: someone gets transported, discovers
their powers, builds a party, meets gods, slays something big. Within that
familiar framework, shows like Campfire Cooking, BOFURI, or
Ascendance of a Bookworm become cozy rituals. You brew some tea,
hit play, and watch characters figure out how to make bread, craft spell
books, or optimize defense builds instead of worrying about emails.

Over time, many viewers notice their tastes evolving. At first, the big,
flashy power fantasies like Overlord, Arifureta, or
Tsukimichi are the main draw. Then curiosity kicks in: what happens
when the main character isn’t the strongest person in the room? That’s when
fans drift toward more introspective or experimental shows – the character
studies of Mushoku Tensei, the time-loop psychology of Re:Zero,
or the economic tinkering in Ascendance of a Bookworm. The genre is
flexible enough that your watchlist can grow with you.

Finally, there’s the simple joy of “what if?” fantasies. What if you were
reborn with a broken skill? What if your customer service job actually involved
managing demon lords? What if your book obsession could literally rewrite a
world’s culture? Isekai gives those daydreams structure. It lets viewers play
out choices and consequences in worlds where magic circles replace paperwork
and dragons occasionally stand in for difficult coworkers.

For a lot of fans, that’s why the “best” isekai anime are never just about
cool spells or big boss fights. They’re about seeing someone start over,
mess up repeatedly, grow anyway, and build a life in a world that initially
wanted them dead, useless, or invisible. Whether you’re here for the comedy,
the catharsis, or the power creep, the right series at the right time can feel
like your own personal portal – not out of reality, but into a story that
helps you come back to it with a little more energy.