6 of the best: isekai anime that just hit different

Isekai media can be a bit of a mixed bag, but there’s no denying its inherent charm – they are escapist fantasies writ large, and usually involve some seductive video-game logic that any RPG fan would appreciate.

If you’re looking for the crème de la crème of isekai anime, you’re in the right place!

6. Isekai Shokudou – Restaurant to Another World

Western Restaurant Kekoya is a popular establishment on the streets of Tokyo – but it’s not closed every Saturday as regular diners have come to believe. Instead, it opens its doors to inhabitants of different worlds – dragons, elves, fairies and then some – who end up finding treasures far greater than food.

This gourmet anime gives the isekai genre the slice-of-life twist it deserves! Check it out now on Crunchyroll.

5. In Another World With My Smartphone

Fifteen-year-old Touya Mochizuki is killed by God – but as an accident. Apologetically, God allows him to be resurrected in a different world, alongside any special requests he might have. Touya chooses his smartphone, and while it can’t contact anyone from his original world, its modern features give him quite the leg-up in a fantasy setting. Oh, and he also requests to become massively OP.

In Another World With My Smartphone is a classic isekai romp, complete with no less than nine lovely waifus. There are two seasons now available to watch on Crunchyroll.

4. Ascendance of a Bookworm

Cute bookworm Motosu Urano is reborn as Main, daughter to a poor soldier, just as she was about to become a librarian in her previous life. Books aren’t common amongst her new class, so she sets out on a journey to create her own.

This adorable anime is perfect for any and all book-lovers, and is currently available as one 36-episode series. Take a look for yourself here!

3. Yashahime: Princess Half-Demon

This anime is an Inuyasha spin-off that follows Sesshomaru and Rin’s daughter Towa as she is stranded in the modern era and adopted into Kagome Higurashi’s family. She is able to escape, but then has to fight to restore her sister Setsuna’s memories after they are stolen by a mythical Dream Butterfly.

If you’re an Inuyasha fan or want to sink your teeth into a whole new franchise, you can check out Yashahime here!

2. I’m Standing On A Million Lives

Logically-minded middle schooler Yusuke is transported to a video game-ish alternate world alongside two of his classmates – with his calculating and analytical prowess, he is able to strategize his way through the game, albeit by sometimes putting other lives into danger. Nonetheless, he aims to pull his party through to victory!

With a sizeable amount of lore and epic quests, I’m Standing On A Million Lives packs a punch for any fan of fantasy. Check out the 24-episode season here.

1. Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles

This unique isekai features a main character with memories of two separate lives, not realising that he has been reincarnated in a new and spectacular world. The anime follows his exploits as he makes new friends, attends the Beltrum Royal Academy and begins his quest to find out where he really came from.

Spirit Chronicles is a high-quality production that examines many of the popular tropes of isekai – I think any fan of the genre would enjoy this show! You can check it out on Crunchyroll here.

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