A recent survey conducted in Japan has revealed the favorite isekai series of anime fans, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of the genre and the titles that have left their mark on otaku culture, from classic productions that marked an era to new hits that continue to reinvent the formula. And on this occasion, the focus was on the isekai anime genre, characterized by stories in which the protagonists are transported to parallel worlds full of fantasy, magic and supernatural creatures.
Japan unveils its definitive ranking of the best isekai anime of all time
The isekai genre has been for years one of the pillars of modern anime, from its first incursions in the 80s and 90s with titles such as Fushigi Yugi or Inuyasha, to become a massive phenomenon in the last decade, the isekai has managed to conquer generations of viewers. With this new survey published by Minna no Ranking, a clear hierarchy of the most influential, popular and recommendable anime series within this category is established.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old salaryman, dies suddenly and is reincarnated in a fantasy world as a slime with unique abilities, under the new name of Rimuru Tempest, he begins to build a nation where different races can live together in peace, along his journey, he becomes one of the most powerful beings in the world. The series combines action, diplomacy, political growth and touches of humor, currently has three seasons, a movie and a new installment scheduled for 2026.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
After a miserable and purposeless life, a man dies and is reincarnated as Rudeus Greyrat in a magical world, keeping all his memories, with a second chance, he decides to redeem himself and live without regrets, facing his dark past and the mistakes of his new life, the story stands out for its animation, emotional depth and well-built world. Although it has been praised as an isekai gem, it has also generated controversy for the behavior of the protagonist, its plot encompasses personal growth, family, magic and redemption.
Overlord
Momonga, the leading player of a powerful guild, is trapped inside the game Yggdrasil when the servers close, reincarnated as his undead avatar, Ainz Ooal Gown, with an army of loyal followers, he decides to conquer this new world while searching for other players. The anime offers a unique perspective from the point of view of a protagonist considered a villain, mixing tactical action, politics, magic and moments of dark humor, its gothic aesthetic and oppressive protagonist have earned it a solid fan base.
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!
Kazuma Satou dies in an absurd way and receives the opportunity to be reborn in a fantastic world, taking with him Aqua, a self-centered goddess, what seemed like a new life full of adventures, turns into a series of comic disasters. Kazuma joins a group of dysfunctional companions, facing ridiculous missions and everyday problems, the series is a satire of the isekai, full of humor, irony and absurdly endearing moments, despite its light tone, is one of the most beloved comedies of the genre.
Sword Art Online
In the near future, thousands of players are trapped in the virtual world of Sword Art Online, where dying in the game means dying in real life. Kirito, a lone player, must make his way through different floors to reach freedom, as he progresses, forms deep bonds, faces moral dilemmas and experiences painful losses, the series combines science fiction, romance and epic action in virtual worlds, was one of the main drivers of the modern isekai boom worldwide.
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
Catarina Claes wakes up as the villain of her favorite otome video game and remembers that her fate is doomed, to avoid bad endings such as exile or death she decides to use her knowledge of the game to survive, unwittingly, her kind and clumsy attitude conquers all the characters who previously had to reject her. The series combines humor, romance and slice of life elements with a charming approach, it is a light-hearted story that satirizes isekai clichés from a female point of view.
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Naofumi Iwatani is summoned as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes to save a world from waves of destruction, but is betrayed from the start, marginalized and falsely accused, he is forced to survive armed only with a shield, the most defensive tool. With the help of unexpected allies, Naofumi begins to strengthen himself and seek justice, the anime stands out for its more serious tone and its focus on the redemption of the protagonist, it is a story of overcoming in a hostile and corrupt environment.
Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World
Subaru Natsuki is transported to a fantasy world with no apparent explanation, where he discovers he has a unique ability to go back in time whenever he dies, however, this power comes with immense emotional pain as he tries to protect those he loves. Subaru faces tragedy, despair and impossible decisions, the series mixes psychological drama, emotional horror and romantic moments, and is known for breaking the traditional isekai mold with an intense and somber narrative.
No Game No Life
Sora and Shiro, two video game prodigy brothers, are transported to a world where everything is solved through games, in this universe, wars, power and political decisions are won with games of logic, strategy and creativity, together they seek to challenge the god of this world to become the new rulers, visually dazzling. The series stands out for its wit, geeky comedy and a world full of unique rules, although it has not been continued, it remains a favorite among fans of the genre.
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Tanya Degurechaff is the reincarnation of a ruthless atheist, forced by a divine entity to live as a child in a world of magical war, despite her appearance, Tanya is a cold and calculating military commander who seeks to rise in the imperial army to defy God. The series combines elements of alternate history, magic, war strategy and theological philosophy, with a protagonist as complex as she is fearsome, it is one of the most original proposals of modern isekai.
This anime ranking not only puts into perspective the current preferences of Japanese audiences in anime, but also serves as a guide for new viewers interested in discovering the best of the genre, with more than 230 titles listed, there are options for all tastes, from epic adventures to light comedies, philosophical dramas and romantic fantasies.
The complete list of anime series can be consulted directly on the Minna no Ranking site, and is a useful tool for both anime veterans and those seeking to enter the isekai world for the first time. This ranking confirms that the genre not only remains relevant, but continues to evolve with increasingly varied and creative proposals, in a landscape where anime continues to conquer a global audience, the parallel worlds of isekai anime remain an open door to new adventures.
