The isekai anime genre, renowned for its captivating tales of characters in parallel universes or fantasy worlds, continues to thrive in 2023, presenting diverse narratives exploring themes of redemption, growth, and meaning. The top 20 isekai anime of the year showcase this genre's creativity and power.
The isekai anime genre has taken the world by storm, with its captivating tales of characters finding themselves in parallel universes or fantasy worlds. From wielding extraordinary powers to embarking on epic quests, these stories offer an escape into realms beyond our imagination. In 2023, the isekai genre continued to thrive, presenting a wide range of narratives that entertained and resonated with audiences on a deeper level.
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Exploring themes of redemption, growth, and the search for meaning, these anime showcased the creativity and power of this genre. As we look at the top 20 isekai anime of the year, it’s evident that this genre remains a force to be reckoned with, providing viewers with an unforgettable journey into the fantastical.
20My Unique Skill Makes Me OP even at Level 1
Start & End Date: Jul 8 to Sep 23, 2023
Genres: Adventure, Isekai Episodes: 12 Studios: Maho Film My Unique Skill Makes Me OP even at Level 1 follows the story of Satou Ryouta, a salaryman who works for a company that takes advantage of its employees. One day, he finds himself trapped in a mysterious dungeon filled with monsters that drop valuable loot. Despite having the weakest stats and being at level 1, Ryouta’s spirits are lifted when he discovers his unique skill, “Drop Skill: All S.” This skill allows him to obtain the best loot from every monster he defeats. Get ready for an epic adventure as Ryouta embarks on a journey filled with excitement and challenges. The anime consists of 12 episodes, each running for approximately 23 minutes. You can catch all the action by streaming it on Crunchyroll. Enjoy!
19In Another World With My Smartphone 2
Start & End Date: Apr 3 to Jun 19, 2023
Genres: Adventure, Isekai, Comedy, Romance, Romance Episodes: 12 Studios: J.C. Staff In Another World With My Smartphone 2 we follow the story of Touya Mochizuki, a guy who unfortunately met his demise but was given a second chance in a magical realm by a repentant god. Surprisingly, the god allows Touya to keep his smartphone, which has the ability to connect to the magical internet. This time around, Touya’s adventures become even more epic as he delves deeper into the enigmatic aspects of this world, all while accompanied by a group of formidable allies. The anime comprises 12 episodes, each lasting around 24 minutes. If you’re interested, you can catch this anime on Crunchyroll.
18Chillin’ in My 30s after Getting Fired from the Demon King’s Army
Start & End Date: Jan 7 to Mar 25, 2023
Genres: Isekai, Romance, Slice of Life Episodes: 12 Studios: Encourage Films Chillin’ in My 30s after Getting Fired from the Demon King’s Army Following his dismissal from the Demon King’s army, the main character embarks on a fresh start in a tranquil village. Opting to abandon the tumultuous life of battle at the age of 30, he welcomes a simpler existence replete with everyday joys and obstacles. This series seamlessly combines elements of slice-of-life and fantasy, illustrating the ups and downs of embarking on a new journey. With 12 episodes, each lasting around 24 minutes, viewers can enjoy streaming this anime on Crunchyroll.
17Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
Start & End Date: Jul 5 to Sep 20, 2023
Genres: Adventure, Isekai, Comedy Episodes: 12 Studios: Studio Gokumi, AXsiZ Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon follows the story of a man who finds himself reincarnated as a vending machine in a fantasy world. Unable to move on his own, he meets a young girl named Lono who possesses the ability to move him around. Together, they embark on a journey through the dungeon, facing various challenges and making new friends along the way. What sets this anime apart is its unique concept of turning an ordinary vending machine into the main character of an exciting adventure. It’s a heartwarming tale of teamwork, friendship, and finding one’s place in a world filled with unusual circumstances. With a total of 12 episodes, each running for approximately 24 minutes, you can catch “Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon” on Crunchyroll.
Genres: Comedy, Isekai, Romance, Mystery Episodes: 12 Studios: TYPHOON GRAPHICS Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion depicts the journey of Raeliana McMillan, now known as Rinko Hanasaki, who grapples with her uncertain feelings towards her destiny following the death of her fiancé, Lord Francis Brooks. Turning to Duke Noah Wynknight for assistance, she finds herself in a situation that may exceed her expectations. Consisting of 12 episodes, each lasting around 23 minutes, you can watch this anime on Crunchyroll.
15Summoned to Another World for a Second Time
Start & End Date: Apr 9 to Jun 25, 2023
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Isekai Episodes: 12 Studios: Studio elle Summoned to Another World for a Second Time Anime series there was a hero who got summoned to a different world and saved it. But then, he got tricked and sent back to his own world, starting life all over again as a baby. This anime follows the story of the ex-hero who lived a dull life as a high school student, only to be summoned back to that same world in a surprising twist. It’s a 12-episode series, with each episode running for about 23 minutes. Check it out on Crunchyroll!
14Handyman Saitou in Another World
Start & End Date: Jan 8 to Mar 26, 2023
Genres: Comedy, Adventure, Slice of Life, Isekai Episodes: 12 Studios: C2C Handyman Saitou in Another World Anime tells the tale of a regular guy named Saitou who has always felt ordinary. However, when he suddenly finds himself in a medieval fantasy realm, he forms a group of extraordinary individuals to survive. With a tough warrior, a forgetful wizard, and even a divine fairy princess by his side, Saitou longs to be of assistance. And when he saves everyone during a daring raid, it becomes clear that having a handyman on an adventure is not just helpful, but absolutely necessary! You can catch this exciting anime on Crunchyroll, with a total of 12 episodes, each lasting around 24 minutes.
13Am I Actually the Strongest?
Start & End Date: Jul 2 to Oct 1, 2023
Genres: Comedy, Isekai, Ecchi, Romance Episodes: 12 Studios: Staple Entertainment Am I Really the Strongest? is a hilarious fantasy anime that tells the story of Haruto, who gets reincarnated as a baby. Surprisingly, this baby happens to be a prince! However, due to his low magic level, he is abandoned in a forest on the day of his birth. But little does anyone know that the goddess of reincarnation has secretly granted him 1000 times the normal amount of magic. What will happen to Haruto? You can catch this amazing anime on Crunchyroll, with 12 episodes airing from July to October 2023. Each episode lasts around 23 minutes.
12The Devil is a Part-Timer! Season 2 Part 2
Start & End Date: Jul 13 to Sep 28, 2023
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Isekai, Romance, Slice of Life Episodes: 12 Studios: Studio 3Hz The Devil is a Part-Timer! Season 2 Part 2 is an awesome fantasy anime that tells the story of the Dark Lord Satan and his evil forces being defeated by the Hero Emilia Justina. After their defeat, Satan and his trusty Demon general Alciel find themselves transported to modern-day Japan through a portal. In this strange new world, they must adapt to being regular humans as their magical powers slowly fade away. Surprisingly, Emilia also follows them through the portal and faces the same challenges. Despite Emilia’s initial resentment towards Satan, they form an unlikely alliance to survive. This anime has a total of 24 episodes split into two parts. The second part of Season 2 aired from July 13 to September 28, 2023, with each episode lasting around 23 minutes. If you’re interested, you can catch this exciting anime on Crunchyroll and Hulu.
11Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill
Start & End Date: Jan 10 to Mar 28, 2023
Genres: Adventure, Isekai, Comedy Episodes: 12 Studios: MAPPA Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill, we follow the story of Mukouda Tsuyoshi, a regular salaryman who gets transported to a different world out of the blue. Upon arriving, he acquires a unique skill known as “Online Grocery,” which seems pretty useless at first. However, Mukouda soon discovers that the modern foods he can bring to this new world using his skill have some incredible effects! You can catch this anime on Crunchyroll, with a total of 12 episodes airing from April to July 2023. Each episode runs for about 24 minutes.
10KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World
Start & End Date: Apr 6 to Jul 6, 2023
Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Ecchi, Fantasy, Harem Episodes: 12 Studios: Studio Palette KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World is a hilarious fantasy anime where Yukito’s life revolves around the enigmatic goddess Mitama. However, everything takes a turn when he meets his demise in a failed ritual. To his amazement, Yukito is reincarnated into a world devoid of any belief in gods! In this reality, life and death are determined by the Imperial State. Join Yukito as he battles to safeguard his newfound village, with a familiar face from his past life offering assistance. You can catch this entertaining anime on Crunchyroll, featuring 12 episodes airing from April to July 2023, each lasting around 23 minutes.
09Dead Mount Death Play (Part 1 & 2)
Start & End Date: Apr 11 to Dec 26, 2023
Genres: Action, Isekai, Supernatural, Thriller Episodes: 13 (Part 1), 12 (Part 2) Studios: GEEKTOYS Dead Mount Death Play (Part 1 & 2) tells the captivating story of a powerful necromancer, known as the Corpse God, whose legendary battle ends with his demise. However, he is given a second chance at life as Polka Shinoyama, a young boy residing in modern-day Tokyo. As Polka adjusts to his new existence, he finds himself targeted by various supernatural factions. Armed with his unique abilities, he must navigate this unfamiliar world and confront unexpected obstacles. Dead Mount Death Play is split into two parts, consisting of 13 episodes in the first part and 12 episodes in the second part. Each episode has a duration of approximately 23 minutes. You can watch Dead Mount Death Play on Crunchyroll, Disney, and Prime Video.
08I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too
Start & End Date: Apr 4 to Jun 29, 2023
Genres: Action, Adventure, Isekai, Romance, Harem Episodes: 13 Studios: Millepensee I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too is a fantasy comedy anime that follows Yuuya, a boy who has faced bullying at school and neglect from his parents, who stumbles upon a mysterious door in his late grandfather’s home. Upon entering, he is whisked away to a magical world filled with treasures and powerful skills. Returning to Earth with newfound abilities, Yuuya sets out to turn his life around. You can catch this fantasy comedy anime, I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too, on Crunchyroll. The series spans 13 episodes, airing from April to June 2023, with each episode running for about 24 minutes.
Genres: Slice of Life, Isekai Episodes: 12 Studios: Zero-G Farming Life in Another World is an anime that takes us on a journey with Hiraku, a man who experiences death and rebirth in a different realm as a farmer. Hiraku understands the value of simple blessings and doesn’t take them for granted. When a divine being grants him a second chance at life, all Hiraku desires is good health, a peaceful existence, the ability to communicate with the locals, and the opportunity to spend his days on a serene farm. With fresh air, sunshine, fulfilling work, and great company, Hiraku’s dream of a happy and tranquil life finally comes true. You can catch this delightful anime on HIDIVE, featuring 12 episodes that will be aired from January to March 2023. Each episode lasts around 23 minutes.
06The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 3
Start & End Date: Jan 6 to Mar 26, 2024
Genres: Action, Adventure, Harem, Isekai Episodes: 12 Studios: Kinema Citrus The Rising of the Shield HeroSeason 3 a fantasy adventure anime following Naofumi Iwatani, delves deeper into his struggles with past demons while protecting his loved ones and the world he holds dear. As new allies and foes emerge, the lines between good and evil become increasingly blurred. This season focuses on character development, challenging their beliefs and relationships amidst growing dangers. You can catch the anime on Funimation, with 12 episodes lasting around 23 minutes each. Mark your calendars for the premiere on January 6, 2024!
05Shangri-La Frontier
Start & End Date: Oct 1, 2023 to Mar, 2024
Genres: Action, Adventure, Isekai, Comedy, Sci-Fi Episodes: 25 Studios: C2C Shangri-La Frontier takes us on a wild ride with Sunraku, a skilled high school gamer, as he immerses himself in the treacherous world of a renowned VRMMORPG. This anime brilliantly blends the excitement of gaming with the allure of isekai, weaving a captivating story that delves into the realms of escapism, adversity, and the search for purpose within virtual universes. The first season of this anime comprises 25 thrilling episodes, each lasting around 23 minutes. Catch all the action on Crunchyroll!
04The Aristocrat’s Otherworldly Adventure: Serving Gods Who Go Too Far
Start & End Date: Apr 2 to Jun 18, 2023
Genres: Action, Isekai, Romance, Harem Episodes: 12 Studios: Magic Bus, EMT Squared The Aristocrat’s Otherworldly Adventure is a fantasy adventure anime about a Shiina Kazuya is killed while protecting a young girl at a convenience store, leading him to reincarnate as Cain von Silford. He becomes interested in magic and swords, and on his fifth birthday, he is baptized and granted divine blessings. However, his chaotic life in another world leads to overkill in battles, romance, and studying. The anime is available to watch on Crunchyroll. It consists of 12 episodes and airs from April to June 2023. Each episode is approximately 23 minutes long.
03The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World
Start & End Date: Jan 8 to Apr 2, 2023
Genres: Action, Adventure, Romance, Supernatural, Isekai Episodes: 13 Studios: Studio Blanc The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World tells the tale of Haruyoshi Kuga, a brilliant exorcist who, after being betrayed and facing death, uses a reincarnation spell to transport himself to a new world. Reborn as Seika Lamprogue, he becomes part of a prestigious wizard family and strives for happiness. However, his extraordinary magical skills and onmyō art bring about unexpected challenges. The first season of the anime consists of 13 episodes, each lasting around 23 minutes. You can catch this series on Crunchyroll.
02Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2
Start & End Date: Jul 3 to Sep 25, 2023
Genres: Adventure, Isekai, Drama, Ecchi, Harem Episodes: 13 Studios: Studio Bind Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation Season 2 continues the story of Rudeus Greyrat, a man who gets a fresh start in a magical world. This season focuses on his quest for redemption and personal growth. Rudeus, a man who had a lonely life and dies, is reborn in a fantasy realm with his memories intact. Determined to seize this second chance, he sets out on a journey to locate his missing mother as a teenager. The second season is divided into 25 episodes, split into two parts. The first segment aired from July 3 to September 25, 2023, with the second part scheduled to debut on April 8, 2024. Catch this anime on Crunchyroll.
01The Eminence in Shadow Season 2
Start & End Date: Oct 4 to Dec 20, 2023
Genres: Action, Comedy, Isekai Episodes: 12 Studios: Nexus The Eminence in Shadow Season 2 Continues the story of Cid Kagenou, a young man determined to pull the strings from the shadows and shape the world as a brilliant strategist. Things have been going as planned, but the time for awakening is getting closer. Cid Kagenou and Shadow Garden are exploring the Lawless City, a filthy place where the red moon hangs low in the sky and three mighty rulers control the streets. However, what truly captivates Cid is someone who can spill blood – the Blood Queen, a vampire who has been sleeping in her coffin for countless years. Her awakening is imminent, and Cid might finally have to face the consequences of his actions. The series comprises 12 episodes, each running for about 24 minutes. Catch this anime on Crunchyroll and HIDIVE.
The isekai genre has truly shined in the year 2023, offering a diverse range of captivating stories that have delighted and comforted audiences worldwide. From thought-provoking tales of reincarnation and redemption to lighthearted adventures in fantastical worlds, this year’s isekai anime lineup has something for everyone. Our top 20 picks not only mesmerized viewers with their original concepts and compelling characters but also pushed the boundaries of the genre by incorporating innovative storytelling techniques and themes.
