TOP ANIME ISEKAI 2025: Best Isekai Series You Must Watch

A representative isekai anime carefully crafted with high-quality animation.
Studio Bind was established largely to produce this series long-term, which shows how much effort has been poured into it.
It was nominated for Best Animation at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards for two consecutive years.

The story begins with a man killed by a truck who is reincarnated into a world of swords and magic—the very definition of isekai anime.

While the animation quality is clearly top-notch, it also includes the typical fanservice scenes often found in isekai, making it more geared toward a male audience. But that’s acceptable—it’s isekai anime, not classic cinema.
The characters themselves are also very charming.

The original novel began serialization in 2012.

A smash hit series with over 14 million copies of the novels in circulation.
It has already received 4 anime seasons and a movie, and since the original novel is still ongoing, there is more to come. The story was originally posted on a web novel site starting in 2010.

The plot: “What if the online game you were playing shut down, and you found yourself inside as your own character?”
In this relatively realistic isekai without much fantasy optimism, the overpowered protagonist expands his power base step by step together with former NPC companions.

The anime adaptation is also extremely popular, but condensing the dense original material into one cour often feels rushed. Still, Overlord was one of the works that helped spark the isekai anime boom, so the limited budget at the time was understandable.

Each character has distinct and attractive traits. One unique highlight is the dynamic where the supposedly supreme leader protagonist is often nervous around his loyal ex-NPC subordinates, giving the show a unique flavor.

The story follows players trapped inside a full-dive VRMMO, forced to clear the game in order to escape.
Rather than being reincarnated in another world, the characters are stranded inside a game world with other players. SAO predates the flood of cheat-skill isekai anime and became a pioneer in the genre.

Most anime fans are already familiar with this title. Hugely popular, it helped popularize the trope of “being unable to log out of a game.”

Even within the game setting, the stakes are high—if you die in the game, you die in the real world. This premise creates gripping tension, while the characters themselves remain highly compelling.

Though the first season aired over 13 years ago, it remains enjoyable and influential today.

A protagonist suddenly transported to another world gains the ability to “Return by Death,” rewinding time upon dying.
He repeatedly sacrifices himself, gathering knowledge to prevent disaster for his companions and himself.

The original novel began in 2012 and became a major hit, with over 13 million copies sold.
The anime adaptation, airing since 2016, has also enjoyed enormous popularity. As a series that originated on a web novel site, it is one of the most successful examples of its kind.

Unlike many mass-produced isekai with invincible protagonists, Subaru is an ordinary boy aside from his Return by Death ability.
Even without understanding why he dies, he must face overwhelming enemies.
His struggle in despair makes him highly relatable and inspiring, leaving audiences cheering for him.

A cold, rational businessman dies in a train accident and is reborn in a Europe-like world reminiscent of WWI and WWII, only with magic technology.
He strives to secure a stable and prosperous life as a military officer in this new reality.

First posted online in 2011, the series has exceeded 9.5 million copies in circulation by 2021.
While the protagonist inhabits the body of a little girl, her ruthless personality makes it hard to view her as “cute,” creating a unique experience.

Although magic exists, battles emphasize trenches, barbed wire, and brutal charges.
The grim war setting combined with Tanya’s cunning maneuvers creates fascinating tension, while ironically pulling her further away from the peaceful life she seeks.

Genius gamer siblings are transported to a fantasy world where everything is decided through games.
Among 16 races, they must fight as humanity—the weakest race—for survival.

The light novel began publication in 2012 and has sold over 6 million copies.

The games they face are infused with magic and often involve competing against races with seemingly “cheat-like” abilities.
Despite these disadvantages, the siblings win through sheer intellect rather than special powers, delivering thrilling and satisfying victories.

A man murdered in a random stabbing is reincarnated into another world—as a slime.
From this weak form, he gradually rises to power, gathering allies and building a nation.

The franchise has surpassed 45 million copies in circulation worldwide.
Both the manga adaptation and anime have been extremely well-received, with strong DVD and comic sales. Originally posted online in 2013, it has become one of the most successful isekai stories ever.

Watching a humble slime steadily rise through the ranks is exhilarating and deeply satisfying.

A shut-in dies in an accident during his rare outing and is transported to another world.
Allowed to bring one item, he mischievously chooses the goddess before him.
Together with eccentric companions, he sets out to defeat the Demon King, stumbling through countless comedic misadventures.

With over 10 million copies sold, it became a breakout hit. The anime adaptation was also hugely successful, emerging as a dark horse of the 2016 winter season and boosting isekai’s popularity.

Even Roger Avary, co-writer of *Pulp Fiction*, praised its movie adaptation.
At a time when isekai was still considered niche, KonoSuba shocked audiences with its unexpectedly high quality and hilarity.

Set in a world where dungeon exploration is central to society, the story follows a rookie adventurer’s growth.
While not strictly an isekai (no reincarnation or transport), it shares many fantasy elements.

The light novel began in 2013 and became very popular, spawning up to five anime seasons by 2024.

One heroine, Hestia, gained explosive popularity thanks to her character design, earning the nickname “Ribbon Goddess.”
With many appealing characters, its popularity is easy to understand.

The protagonist suddenly finds himself in a fantasy world of swords and magic, forced into duty as a volunteer soldier against monsters.
Alongside others who arrived under the same mysterious circumstances, he struggles to survive.

First published as a light novel in 2013, it has sold over 1.2 million copies.

Unlike many isekai where the hero gains cheat powers, this story keeps its protagonist ordinary.
Survival requires hardship, sacrifice, and teamwork.
A must-watch for viewers tired of overpowered protagonists dominating isekai anime.

The goddess Ristarte summons a hero to save a dangerous world.
While extremely powerful, he is absurdly cautious—burning a slime to ashes, then burning it again “just in case.”

First posted online in 2016, the series was published in book form in 2017 and adapted into anime by 2018.
It gained traction quickly thanks to the rising isekai boom.

Uniquely, the story unfolds from the goddess’s perspective rather than the hero’s.
It blends comedy with solid storytelling, making it both funny and rewarding to the very end.