Underrated Isekai Anime That Are Flawless from Beginning to End (2024)

The isekai genre is very popular, not to mention successful, but it isn't always beloved. For as big as some entries in the genre have gotten, many of these are rather criticized by those who don't quite like how ubiquitous reincarnation anime have gotten. Thankfully, there are some isekai works that are consistently incredible examples of the genre, both to fans and critics.

Avoiding the traps of the isekai genre, these anime are must-watch shows through and through. This is largely due to them not being strung along for multiple seasons, with the best of these being more concise works. Regardless of their length, these isekai are fantastic anime from start to finish, especially compared to other isekai.

10 Escaflowne Is One of the Best Isekai for People Who Hate Isekai

Streaming On: Crunchyroll

The Vision of Escaflowne is constantly suggested to those who hate isekai, and for good reason. It was released in the 1990s, long before isekai became what the genre now is. For that reason in particular, the series doesn't feel tropey or blasé, despite its age. Focused on a young lady named Hitomi as she's transported to an alternate, almost medieval world, Escaflowne is a unique mix of mecha, fantasy and isekai.

The entire series is 26 episodes long, making the whole thing feel a lot more contained compared to modern isekai. The characters actually develop throughout the show, ending at different points than how they started. This is far more than can be said for many later entries in the genre, and given its fantasy angle, it's a great series to watch for those who love epic medieval action - albeit with giant suits of mech armor.

The Vision of Escaflowne

TV-14

Action

Adventure

Hitomi is a girl with psychic abilities who gets transported to the magical world of Gaea. She and her friends find themselves under attack from the evil Zaibach empire, and the Guymelf Escaflowne provides the key to it all.

Release Date

April 2, 1996

Cast

Kirby Morrow , Kelly Sheridan , Brian Drummond , Paul Dobson , Michael Dobson

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1

Studio

Sunrise

Creator

Hiroaki Kitajima, Shōji Kawamori, Ryōta Yamaguchi, Akihiko Inai

Producer

Yumi Murase, Masahiko Minami

Production Company

BEI, Bandai Visual Company, Sunrise

Number of Episodes

26

Network

TV Tokyo

9 Abenobashi Is the Anti-Isekai

Streaming On: N/A

Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi isn't usually mentioned in the annals of the isekai genre, which is a shame. The underrated Gainax anime features two young children who find themselves transported to a variety of strange worlds, from a sword and sorcery fantasy world to one based on a dating sim game. In regard to the latter in particular, it foreshadowed the popular dating sim otome isekai subgenre of today. While this might sound like well-worn territory, the show is far from what some might expect.

Many modern isekai anime are criticized for being power fantasies with overpowered protagonists, but that's not the case in Abenobashi. In many ways, its central message is to reject the frivolity of escapism and thus come to terms with reality. In this regard, it's arguably a call back to The Wizard of Oz, which is seen by many as one of the first "isekai" in all fiction. At just 13 episodes, it's definitely worth the watch, especially for those who want a quick anime binge.

8 Now and Then, Here and There Is One of the Darkest Isekai Ever Made

Streaming On: N/A

Now and Then, Here and There isn't at all like modern isekai, but this only makes the journey it takes all the more satisfying. The plot sees a young boy named Shu transported to a harsh, post-apocalyptic world that features child soldiers and other societal ills. He's one of many characters who are absolutely put through the wringer, with the story being a brutal and dark fantasy that's anything but cheerful.

​​​​In the end, Now and Then, Here and There represents a sort of unexpected hope, with its characters making it through the show's events by way of their triumphant will. This makes their "victory" feel like a satisfying conclusion, and it's not just an exercise in torture and sadness. Thus, fans who are initially put off by its harrowing events should watch until the end for a more than welcome farewell.

Now and Then, Here and There

TV-14

Action

Adventure

A young boy named Shuzo rushes to the defense of a stranger who is being attacked for her magic pendant, only to find himself transported into another world where water is a scarce commodity and he is forced to join an army of children.

Release Date

October 14, 1999

Cast

Crispin Freeman , Dan Green , Lisa Ortiz , Akemi Okamura , Kaori Nazuka

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

1

Studio

WOWOW

Number of Episodes

13

7 Fushigi Yugi Is a 1990s Classic Isekai

Streaming On: Crunchyroll

Beloved by a generation of anime fans, Fushigi Yugi was the first isekai series for many older fans. Focused on Miaka Yuki and Yui Hongo, the series sees the two young students falling into the world of a mysterious book, with the fantasy setting inside based on Chinese mythology. Running for 52 episodes and adapting the manga of the same name, the series is still a trendsetter among similar shows of that era and now.

Many who go back and watch Fushigi Yugi will note how archetypal it was for other isekai, and shows made in the same mold are still being produced today. It was a major hit in its day, and this gives it a strong sense of nostalgia for those who didn't even grow up with it. A great example of isekai comfort food, the show is worth revisiting as an old-school gem and simply a colorful fantasy romp.

Fushigi Yûgi

TV-14

Drama

Adventure

A girl named Miaka Yuuki and her friend Yui Hongo are taken into the book called The Universe of the Four Gods. There they battle many hardships including each other in order to become the priestess of Suzaku and Seiryuu and summon them. What they didn't expect was to fall in love and watch their comrades die.

Release Date

April 6, 1995

Cast

Takehito Koyasu , Shin'ichirô Miki , Nobuyuki Hiyama , Tomokazu Seki

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

5

Studio

Pierrot

Franchise

Fushigi Yuugi

Number of Episodes

52

6 Digimon Adventure Is Still the Franchise's Main Claim to Fame

Streaming On: Hulu, Crunchyroll

Also known as Digimon: Digital Monsters, the original Digimon anime is still one of the best in the series. While it's similar to other monster-raising anime from the same time period, it's a step above all of them. Likewise, its place in the isekai genre is something that many fans overlook, despite it featuring elements later seen in shows such as Sword Art Online.

Jumping on the growth of the internet at that time, Digimon Adventure was a show of its era without being entirely dated. The DigiDestined and their Digimon actually had character development, and there was a sizable amount of stakes for a kids' show. Best of all, the series wasn't purely episodic, meaning that each story built upon the events of the last, making the show a must-watch all around.

Digimon Adventure

TV-Y7-FV

Animation

Action

Adventure

Release Date

March 7, 1999

Creator(s)

Akiyoshi Hongo

Cast

Joshua Seth , Wendee Lee , Lara Jill Miller , Colleen O'Shaughnessey , Michael Reisz , Philece Sampler , Mona Marshall , Tom Fahn , Jeff Nimoy , Laura Summer , Kirk Thornton , R. Martin Klein

Seasons

2

Writers

Satoru Nishizono

Franchise(s)

Digimon

Directors

Hiroyuki Kakudō

5 Those Who Hunt Elves Is Over the Top and Epic

Streaming On: N/A

Released in the 1990s, Those Who Hunt Elves is as much a parody and satire as it is a straight isekai anime. The titular Elf Hunters are normal people from Japan who've found themselves in a medieval-esque fantasy world, and they're tasked with hunting down elves in their gigantic tank in order to return to their normal lives. Said tank is a real-world Type-47 tank, but the silly series sometimes has it meow, amid other comedic elements.

The series is very comical, and Western DVD covers warned of its flagrant "elf abuse." It frequently went on hilarious tangents, and the idea of being in a different world, beyond leaving it, wasn't really the focus. Both of the anime's "seasons" were merely 12 episodes, and the show never drags on or draws out the story beyond what's necessary. It's definitely not a traditional fantasy series, but rather, one that humorously and almost violently turns them upside down.

Those Who Hunt Elves

TV-PG

Animation

Adventure

Comedy

Three unlikely heroes are transported to a magical world and must hunt for enchanted tattoos on the bodies of elves to return home. With a mix of humor and action, they embark on a wild adventure, facing various magical creatures and challenges.

Release Date

October 4, 1996

Cast

Andrew Klimko , Kelly Manison , Rozie Curtis , Kotono Mitsuishi , Tomokazu Seki , Yûko Miyamura , Michie Tomizawa , Eriko Kawasaki

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

2

4 The Twelve Kingdoms Is Isekai Epic Fantasy at Its Finest

Streaming On: Crunchyroll

The Twelve Kingdoms isn't to be ignored due to the similarity of its plot to other isekai, and it's actually one of the finest in the genre. The story focuses on Yoko Nakajima, an unhappy young lady whose life takes a turn for the bizarre when a random man pledges his loyalty to her. Afterward, she's transported and transformed in a new world where she and others like her are hunted down due to being literal outsiders.

The Twelve Kingdoms is somewhat similar to Escaflowne and Fushigi Yugi, but it's truly its own thing and an absolute masterpiece. The worldbuilding, characters and epic sense of majesty abound in the show, with the animation not missing a beat even decades later. Adapting most of the source material, the anime from the early 2000s showcases how deep the isekai genre can be. Highly deserving of a remake, the show is one of the best anime of its era, especially among isekai.

The Twelve Kingdoms

Anime

Adventure

Drama

High school student Youko Nakajima is approached by a strange man who claims he's been searching for her and that she is the rightful ruler of his kingdom.

Release Date

April 9, 2002

Cast

Mari Devon , Kate Higgins , Houko Kuwashima , Aya Hisakawa , Mela Lee , Dorothy , Elias-Fahn , Ai Satô , Kappei Yamaguchi

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

1

3 Rayearth Mixed Magical Girls, Mecha and Isekai

Streaming On: Crunchyroll

Somewhat overshadowed by other Magical Girl anime, Magic Knight Rayearth is a retro anime that mixes isekai with other genres. The story sees three young girls sent to another world that's desperate to have its princess saved, but the heroines' actions end up having major ramifications. As a result, it upends isekai and Magical Girl expectations, namely in terms of reversing the "chosen one prophecy" trope.

Magic Knight Rayearth obviously features elements of epic fantasy and Magical Girl anime such as Sailor Moon, but it also features giant mechs in its story. All of these aspects blended well with each other and never felt out of place, making the show more well-rounded as a result. Given how the story evolved over time, the entirety of the anime is great, and what at first seems like a simple adventure is much more than that in the end.

Magic Knight Rayearth

TV-PG

Fantasy

Adventure

Mecha

Magical Girl

Shoujo

Lucy, Anias and Marina, three girls from different schools are transported to the world of Zephyr as well as their mission to become Magical Warriors to rescue the captured Princess Esmeralda.

Release Date

October 17, 1994

Cast

Yuri Shiratori , Megumi Ogata , Jûrôta Kosugi , Satomi Kôrogi , Yuka Imai , Miki Itō , Yukimasa Kishino , Chinami Nishimura , Jun'ichi Kanemaru , Atsuko Takahata , Aya Hisakawa , Kikuko Inoue , Kiyoyuki Yanada , Kôhei Miyauchi , Takkô Ishimori , Hekiru Shiina , Hiroko Kasahara , Konami Yoshida , Hideyuki Tanaka , Akio Otsuka , Tessyo Genda , Emi Shinohara , Minami Takayama , Nozomu Sasaki , Takumi Yamazaki , Yuko Nagashima , Yuri Amano , Ryôtarô Okiayu

Main Genre

Fantasy

Seasons

Characters By

Creator

Production Company

Character(s)

Primera , Mokona , Eagle Vision , Emeraude , Lantis , Zagato , Sang Yung , Mira , Nova , Lafarga , Lady Aska , Zazu Torque , Debonair , Tarta , Tatra , Geo Metro , Chang Ang , Hikaru Shidou , Fuu Hououji , Umi Ryuuzaki , Rayearth , Windam , Celes , Presea , Ascot , Clef , Ferio , Caldina , Alcyone , Inouva

2 Knight's & Magic Is One of the Genre's Only Mecha Shows

Streaming On: Crunchyroll

The mecha anime genre and isekai rarely mix, with the formerly not being nearly as prominent as it once was. Nevertheless, there are retro and modern combinations of both sets of tropes, with Knight's & Magic being one of the newer ones. Featuring a protagonist who finds himself in a world where his greatest pipe dreams can be achieved, the underrated expertly gave both elements of its premise their due.

​​​​​Fans of fantasy anime, isekai and mecha should definitely check the show out, especially due to its inventive ideas. There are several unique mecha in the series, and the show keeps building upon its different technological advances. While it only has one season so far, this short length made Knight's & Magic a crowdpleaser from start to finish.

1 Uncle from Another World Was Sadly Overlooked

Streaming On: Netflix

Based on a manga that's still being produced, Uncle from Another World was an isekai masterpiece. It was based around the premise of someone actually coming back from their reincarnated world, albeit after a long period of time. Tinged in 1990s Sega nostalgia, Uncle from Another World transcends the isekai genre while upending several tropes.

For one, the uncle/Ojisan gets to keep his magical powers from the other world. Likewise, he and his supporting cast members actually react to the incredible situation they find themselves in. Despite the premise, it feels a lot more realistic and down to Earth than most isekai, namely because it's mostly set in the "real world." The somewhat overlooked anime was plagued with delays, but its 13 episodes are some the best in modern isekai anime.

Uncle From Another World

TV-MA

Comedy

Animation

Fantasy

Uncle From Another World (Isekai Ojisan) is a story aboutYōsuke Shibazaki, also known as Uncle, who has recently awoken from a 17-year coma after being hit by a truck. Moving in with his nephew, Uncle has a hard time adjusting to modern society for obvious era-shifting reasons. However, he also has another reason for the culture-shock; his time spent in a coma was also spent in a fantasy world. In that world, he learned magical spells and was constantly treated as an orc for his "ugly" appearance. Now with his magic retained and returned to the real world, Uncle will work with his nephew to become a part of a new society while regaling tales of his fantasy life to others. Uncle From Another World is a Fantasy anime adapted from the manga of the same name and exclusively streams on Netflix.

Release Date

July 6, 2022

Cast

Takehito Koyasu , Jun Fukuyama , Mikako Komatsu (Japanese) , Haruka Tomatsu , Aoi Yuki , Aki Toyosaki , Kenichi Suzumura , Nobuhiko Okamoto , Hisako Kanemoto

Main Genre

Comedy

Seasons

1

Studio

AtelierPontdarc

Characters By

Hotondoshindeiru

Cinematographer

Kentarô Minegishi

Creator

Hotondoshindeiru

Distributor

Netflix

Main Characters

Uncle / Yōsuke Shibazaki, Takafumi Takaoka, Sumika Fujiyama, Tsundere Elf, Mabel Laybelle, Alicia Edelsia, Edgar, Raiga, Sawae

Producer

Taiki Akasaka, Sotokawa Akihiro, Sojiro Arimizu, Aya Iizuka, Jotaro Ishigami, Shingo Kunieda, Yuichi Tada, Ken'ichi Tokumura

Production Company

Atelier Pontdarc, Kadokawa, Netflix

Story By

Hotondoshindeiru

Writers

Hotondoshindeiru , Kenta Ihara

Number of Episodes

10