Isekai Anime with great storytelling

Isekai anime has become one of the most popular and dominant genres when it comes to anime. Every anime season new stories are released where an unsuspecting individual is thrown into a completely different world from the one they know by mysterious and sometimes unfortunate circumstances. Whether it's a speeding truck or a portal that appears in their living room, their normal life is over and they become the protagonists of their own journey.

These stories are much more fun and have a mission to kill the monster and save the world. But on special occasions, isekai anime can tell an incredible story of discovery and coming of age. Coupled with well-developed characters and surrounded by interesting worlds, these anime leave lasting impressions on viewers. Here are some isekai anime with the best storytelling.

8 Rising Of The Shield Hero

A unique character growth path that subverts expectations

Naofumi is the reluctant protagonist of the isekai anime because he has failed at anything since he was summoned to another world. Along with three other young men who were summoned as heroes and gifted with a sacred weapon, Naofumi is chosen as the Shield Hero. Surprisingly, Naofumi's arrival is markedly different from his peers, as he is accused of a crime on the first day, banished from the kingdom, and ostracized from society. The hero of Rising of the Shield handles Naofumi's struggle well by starting him at the very bottom with nowhere to turn and forcing him to learn about the world he inhabits on an intimate level. Furthermore, Naofumi's character is tested as he tries to cut off his attachment to people, but cannot fight his better nature of wanting to do the right thing. Each season of The Rising Of The Shield Hero makes significant progress not only in Naofumi's journey, but also in his growth.

7 That time I was reincarnated as slime

Interesting character tests for the hero of the story

Rimuro's old life ended in the blink of an eye when he was killed while protecting his friends from a bully. This single moment portrays Rimuru as a kind and caring individual, which creates a drastic contrast when he is reincarnated in another world as a monster. The series' strongest narrative revolves around Rimuru and how she adjusts to her new lifestyle.

While he maintains his kind and gentle nature, as Rimuru has evolved, he is also shown to be capable of cruel judgment regarding the safety of his people and the lives of his friends. While on the surface Rimuru appears to be an innocent young boy, the subtle change when he accepts his status as a demon lord is a stark contrast that makes the plot of the series interesting to see how much Rimuru changes over time.

6 Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions

Realistic Aspects of Fantasy Settings

Grimgar is perhaps one of the most unique isekai anime in the genre and handles teleporting to another world in a much more drastic way. A large group of sane individuals sprouts up in the fantasy world, and while most find their way immediately, a small group of rejects stumbles and becomes aimless in their pursuits. When they bond, they experience a life of hard knocks, where in order to survive and collect enough to support themselves, they have to put their lives on the line to kill a few goblins. Grimgar depicts a more realistic outcome for ordinary people who are given magic and a sword and told to live. Each character has their own troubles and sorrows as they try to adapt, fail and try again. In a world where fortune favors the brave, the meek must fight and collect scraps.

5 The Saga of Tanya the Evil

Rare Character Dynamic where the protagonist rebels against the powers that be

When a somewhat narcissistic atheist who cursed god to the last breath dies, he becomes the focus of a god who decides to place him in a world where he must acknowledge his existence or suffer. Reincarnated as a young girl in a world torn by war, Tanya decides to spit in the face of fate and push the so-called god's patience to its limit. Throwing caution to the wind, Tanya enlisted in the army and soon became the most decorated warrior among the magical infantry. Pettiness is a quality that most isekai protagonists lack; however, in Tanya's story, it is her pettiness that moves the story forward in her fight against the powers that be, who try to prove that they are not in fact all-powerful and have no dominion over her.

4 Boy And Animal

A great story of acceptance and coming of age

A young boy named Ren finds himself alone among his own family and stumbles into another world after seeking an escape from his unfortunate circumstances. He gets his wish and embarks on a new journey where he finds himself under the guidance of an animal man named Kumaketsu.

Each needs the other to move their lives forward from the mundane. Kumaketsu is trying to become the sovereign leader of the beast kingdom, and Ren wants a place to belong. However, as time progresses, the bond created by their agreement heals wounds they didn't know were present. The Boy and the Beast excels in emotional depth and also does a spectacular job of portraying the differences between individuals who come from two completely different backgrounds.

3 Eminence in the shade

A main character unlike any other

The Eminence in Shadow is one of the more recent isekai releases and has captivated fans for its drastically different take on the genre and the classic main protagonist. Cid is killed in his first life and finds a second chance after being reborn in another world. Unlike most protagonists, Cid does not dream of becoming a hero, but the ruler of this new world. Cid increases his power to ungodly levels and begins taking pillars of power from the shadows to increase his control over the kingdom. While Cid is a truly sinister character, the story portrays his methods of madness in an enticing way that creates pure entertainment. While there have been other isekai that have focused on a more villainous main character, none have achieved the aura of Cid and The Eminence In Shadow.

2 Incarnation without work

Great character development

Jobless Incarnation follows a NEET man who gets a second chance at life and is reborn into a fantasy world with his memories intact. Taking full advantage of his rebirth, Rudeus decides to do things differently from his shameful past, but it quickly becomes clear that old habits die hard.

Unfortunately, it takes real hardship for Rudeus to realize that not only is he wasting his second chance, but that the consequences of his actions are far more dire in this world than his last. Jobless Incarnation does a perfect job of showing the badass protagonist and how maturity is not a time-sensitive journey and takes as long as it takes to catch up. Rudeuse's mistakes and his journey to grow from them are exceptional character development unlike any other isekai anime of its kind.

1 Re: Zero

An extremely unique look at second life in another world

Subaru is shocked when he appears in a vibrant fantasy world. Immediately concluding that this is his chance to become a sword-wielding hero like his favorite video games, Subaru sets off to this unknown place with optimism and joy. Unfortunately, the rules aren't in his favor, as Subaru experiences the fall of a stranger in a strange place rather quickly. Just when things start looking up, Subaru stumbles upon life's universal constant: death. But to his surprise, he returns back to the fantasy world again. Subaru's concept of having the power of “last resort” is a heavy story element that adds unparalleled depth to his day-to-day adventures. While the experiences he has and the friends he makes are fun, the idea that it could be lost on second glance as the threats become more dangerous gives the story a unique tone. Re: Zero.