Isekai Anime & Manga with main characters reincarnated as merchants

Usual isekai blueprint revolves around the concept of escape, with the protagonists abandoning their previous existence to live a life of adventure. However, some isekai anime and manga deviate from this standard premise by taking a slightly more mundane narrative where the main character takes on the role of a trader or merchant.

From starting businesses in new worlds to acquiring cheat skills suitable for merchants, these anime and manga present a whole new story in the isekai landscape. These stories are perfect for viewers looking for a digestible and light premise, as they represent a side of isekai anime and manga that is not usually explored.

Updated on October 1, 2024 by Ahmed Rehan Nasir: The isekai genre has branched out into all sorts of absurd themes and premises, so the idea of ​​reincarnating as a trader or merchant seems rather tame. However, this theme goes beyond the very concept of isekai escapism, as these protagonists end up taking on roles that reflect actual professions. Nevertheless, this subgenre within the isekai theme has its own charm, the audience is awakened by the idea of ​​a slow existence in another world. For fans of this dynamic niche, this list has been updated with a few more anime and manga.

10 Sweet reincarnation

Anime-Planet rating: 3.52/5

True to its namesake, Sweet reincarnation follows the rebirth of a promising confectioner in a fantasy world. A prodigal chef, reborn as a child named Pastry, embarks on his baking endeavors while bringing prosperity to his country through his ingenious desserts.

While the assumption Sweet reincarnation may sound appealing, the anime falls behind due to the lack of direction. The series delves into topics such as political and royal drama, cooking, nation-building and even romance, all within twelve episodes. Without a clear identity, the anime ends up coming across as another generic isekai story with nothing to offer. On the other hand, the Sweet Reincarnation manga ties the plot together without feeling like a convoluted mess. This is largely due to the manga having more room for character fleshing out, coupled with a focus on specific plot points such as Pastry's cooking endeavors.

9 Cafe In Another World Station

Anime-Planet rating: 3.68/5

Cooking stories tend to fit well into the isekai format, though that's no surprise given the warm emotions these light-hearted stories evoke. Station Cafe in another world offers a similar premise of cooking in another world, but with a setting kawaii cafe. Takumi and Nyaachi suddenly find themselves in another world where they take refuge in a station building.

The duo decide to set up a cafe in this station building with an elaborate two-part afternoon and morning menu with all kinds of baked treats. As the cafe has become successful, both have regulars, which makes room for healthy interactions and interesting dynamics. Station Cafe in another world is a unique manga that diverges from the norm and offers readers a more relaxed isekai experience.

8 The reincarnated prince becomes an alchemist and brings prosperity to his land

Anime-Planet rating: 3.76/5

The reincarnated prince becomes an alchemist and brings prosperity to his land is a kingdom building manga that packs in a fair amount of crafting and economy. After being reincarnated as a prince from a lowly kingdom, Hiro is charged with the unsurmountable responsibility of bringing his nation back on track.

While Hiro does not cast himself as a merchant in the traditional sense, he has managed to capture the essence of the craft by using alchemy and modern knowledge to bring economic prosperity to his nation. With business, trading and macroeconomics, the manga hits all the right notes when it comes to presenting an engaging story.

7 The daily life of a middle-aged online shopper in another world

Anime-Planet rating: 3.77/5

Kenichi is a middle-aged man who suddenly finds himself in a new world, albeit with no apparent reason behind this isekai setup. While trying to survive the monsters found in this new world, he discovers a cheat ability that only he has access to: “online store”.

By earning money in this new world, Kenichi has the power to purchase modern items from his online store. Through this peculiar business model, Kenichi quickly rises to the top and becomes a successful businessman. The daily life of a middle-aged online shopper in another world is a casual isekai manga that doesn't have a definitive plot, although the narrative itself is pretty fun. Kenichi's cheating is also a common element in most isekai, though the manga puts a new spin on the concept by having him find a job in this fantasy world.

6 Another World Foundation

Anime-Planet rating: 3.78/5

Another World Foundation begins on a somewhat somber note, with the main character being reborn as an orphaned child abandoned at a young age. However, Almus manages to turn things around with the knowledge he has retained from his previous life and gives way to a small farming village run by orphans.

While the manga begins with a focus on agriculture and farming, it eventually branches out into macroeconomics and nation-building after the village begins to flourish. With a farmer turned leader, Another World Foundation presents an interesting lesson in leadership and management. Almus could take on the role of leader, but his humble beginnings as a farmer and merchant cement him as a business protagonist.

5 Magic Craftsman Dahlia Wilts No More

Anime-Planet rating: 3.85/5

Dahlia's former life is burdened with gloom and despair, but her untimely departure gives her a second chance to live in a fantasy world. Using her knowledge of crafting items and crafting tools, Dahlia soon becomes part of the town with her otherworldly products and new inventions.

With magic in the mix, Dahlia vows to enjoy every second of her new life, spending her days crafting magical items as a merchant. Jira's positivity and enthusiasm are quite infectious, which is a surprising change from her gloomy mood in her previous life. Magic Craftsman Dahlia Wilts No More is a bit heavy on the escapist aspects of isekai manga, though the story itself is pretty wholesome as Dahlia finds her true self in this new world.

4 Parallel World Pharmacy

Anime-Planet rating: 3.89/5

Being reincarnated in a new world doesn't always equate to dangerous adventures and Parallel World Pharmacy shows this fact with a noble subtext. Kanji Yakutani is a medical researcher who died at a young age due to overwork, but reopened his eyes in another world as a 10-year-old child named Falma.

Realizing that medical care is a privilege limited to the upper echelons of society, Falma uses his noble status and past knowledge of medicine to make proper medical care accessible to all through his pharmacy business. This isekai anime alludes to the unavailability of proper medical care in the real world, making the story even more profound. Parallel World Pharmacy he was also part of the Japanese Pharmaceutical Association's campaign to raise awareness of practices in the pharmaceutical field.

3 Farm life in another world

Anime-Planet rating: 3.93/5

After living a life of suffering and succumbing to a terminal illness, God takes pity on Hiraku and gives him another chance at life. Wanting to try his hand at farming, Hiraku receives an “Almighty Farming Tool” to help him in his farming endeavors.

Much like any isekai anime with a merchant at the helm, Farm life in another world has an easy approach to storytelling. The focus remains on Hiraku's growth as a farmer, even though the anime has sidelined its harem antics. Still, the series is an enjoyable farm anime that serves as a refreshing break from the tense narratives. Farm life in another world is one of the few anime-adaptations that is better than its manga counterpart, probably due to the anime's vivid setting and relaxed tonality.

2 Cooking around a campfire in another world with my absurd skill

Anime-Planet rating: 4.06/5

True to its namesake, Cooking around a campfire in another world with my absurd skill is a slice of life cooking isekai with a protagonist who wants nothing to do with the adventure. Tsuyoshi Mukouda is summoned to the new world as a hero, though his cheating at the “online supermarket” deems him useless to the kingdom.

He soon realizes that this skill allows him to buy cheap ingredients from contemporary Japan that are considered luxuries in the new world. Mukouda seizes this opportunity and resigns himself to a quiet life of cooking meals and feeding those he meets along the way. In this comfort-packed adventure, Mukouda enjoys escaping being “isekai'd” while remaining grounded as a traveling salesman. The anime becomes all the more fun with Mukouda's list of companions, be it the mighty Fenrir or the tiny slime.

1 My lady just wants to relax

Anime-Planet rating: 4.11/5

My lady just wants to relax is an isekai villain manga with a protagonist destined for destruction, yet the story manages to set itself apart with a special twist. Instead of fighting for her place in the novel's story, Ronia accepts her condemnation and uses her newfound freedom to open a cafe in the countryside.

The manga presents a relaxed take on the theme of villainess, which surprisingly makes it a refreshing story. As Ronia spends her days drinking coffee and kissing the beasts that visit her cafe, My lady just wants to relax it's perfect for light reading. Despite its lack of complex plots and antagonistic characters, the manga has remained a fan favorite thanks to its loose premise and slow-moving isekai theme.