17 Isekai Anime That Are Better Than Real Life

Whether you dream of being reborn as a slime, hacking your way out of a digital dungeon, or ruling an empire with your overpowered stats, the isekai genre has something for every kind of escapist. Here's a one-of-a-kind deep dive into the 17 best isekai anime that have transported fans across dimensions, timelines, and realities.

1. Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World

• Storyline: Subaru Natsuki is suddenly transported to a fantasy world where he discovers he has the ability to return from death, reliving the same events repeatedly. This power, however, comes with emotional and psychological tolls as he strives to protect those he cares about.

• Total Episodes: 66 (as of Season 3)

• Seasons: 3

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2016), Season 2 (2020–2021), Season 3 (2024–2025) (Wikipedia)

2.
No Game No Life

• Storyline: Siblings Sora and Shiro, undefeated gamers, are transported to a world where all conflicts are resolved through games. They aim to challenge and defeat the mysterious god of games to become the new rulers.

• Total Episodes: 12

• Seasons: 1

• Release Date: 2014

3. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

• Storyline: After being killed, salaryman Satoru Mikami is reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world. Embracing his new form, he acquires unique abilities and sets out to build a society where all creatures can live peacefully.

• Total Episodes: 72 + 5 OADs

• Seasons: 3

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2018–2019), Season 2 (2021), Season 3 (2024) (Wikipedia)

4. Sword Art Online

• Storyline: Players of a virtual reality MMORPG find themselves trapped in the game, with death in the game meaning death in real life. Kirito, a skilled player, strives to clear the game and free everyone.

• Total Episodes: 96

• Seasons: 4

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2012), Season 2 (2014), Season 3 (2018–2020), Season 4 (2020–2021)

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

• Storyline: After dying, Kazuma Satou is given the choice to be reborn in a fantasy world. Choosing to bring the goddess Aqua with him, he quickly realizes that life in this new world is far from ideal.

• Total Episodes: 20 + 2 OVAs

• Seasons: 2

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2016), Season 2 (2017)

6. The Rising of the Shield Hero

• Storyline: Naofumi Iwatani is summoned to a parallel world as the Shield Hero. After being falsely accused of a crime, he must rise from disgrace to become a true hero.

• Total Episodes: 50

• Seasons: 3

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2019), Season 2 (2022)

7. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

• Storyline: A jobless and hopeless man reincarnates in a fantasy world with the resolve to live his new life to the fullest. He grows from infancy, learning magic and facing numerous challenges.

• Total Episodes: 23

• Seasons: 1

• Release Dates: Part 1 (2021), Part 2 (2021)

8. Overlord

• Storyline: When a popular MMORPG is shut down, one player remains logged in and becomes his character, the powerful skeletal overlord Ainz Ooal Gown. He sets out to understand this new reality and assert his dominance.

• Total Episodes: 52

• Seasons: 4

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2015), Season 2 (2018), Season 3 (2018), Season 4 (2022)

9. Log Horizon

• Storyline: Thirty thousand Japanese gamers are trapped in the MMORPG Elder Tale. Shiroe, a strategist, works to navigate this new reality and bring order to the chaos.

• Total Episodes: 62

• Seasons: 3

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2013–2014), Season 2 (2014–2015), Season 3 (2021) (Wikipedia)

10. The Devil is a Part-Timer!

• Storyline: Demon Lord Satan escapes to modern Tokyo after being defeated in his world. To survive, he takes a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant, blending into human society.

• Total Episodes: 37

• Seasons: 2

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2013), Season 2 (2022–2023) (Wikipedia)

11. Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious

• Storyline: Seiya Ryuuguuin is summoned to save a world from destruction. Despite his overwhelming power, he is excessively cautious, preparing for every possible scenario.

• Total Episodes: 12

• Seasons: 1

• Release Date: 2019 (Wikipedia)

12. Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions

• Storyline: A group of strangers awakens in a fantasy world with no memories of their past. They must learn to survive in this harsh environment, facing the realities of combat and loss.

• Total Episodes: 12

• Seasons: 1

• Release Date: 2016

13. The Saga of Tanya the Evil

• Storyline: A salaryman is reincarnated as a young girl in an alternate war-torn world. Possessing magical abilities, she rises through the military ranks, driven by a desire to defy the god who cursed her.

• Total Episodes: 12

• Seasons: 1

• Release Date: 2017

14. Gate: Thus the JSDF Fought There!

• Storyline: A portal from another world opens in Tokyo, leading to an invasion by fantasy creatures. The Japan Self-Defense Forces counterattack, entering the new world to secure peace.

• Total Episodes: 24

• Seasons: 2

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2015), Season 2 (2016)

15. Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun

• Storyline: Iruma Suzuki is sold to a demon and enrolled in a school for demons. Despite being human, he adapts to his new environment, making friends and facing various challenges.

• Total Episodes: 65

• Seasons: 3

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2019–2020), Season 2 (2021), Season 3 (2022–2023)

16.
How Not to Summon a Demon Lord

• Storyline: Takuma Sakamoto, a gamer, is transported to a game-like world where he assumes the identity of his character, the Demon Lord Diablo. He navigates this new world with his summoned companions.

• Total Episodes: 22

• Seasons: 2

• Release Dates: Season 1 (2018), Season 2 (2021)

17. The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat

• Storyline: A legendary assassin is reincarnated in a fantasy world with the mission to prevent its destruction. He uses his modern knowledge and skills to fulfill his destiny.

• Total Episodes: 12

• Seasons: 1

• Release Date: 2021