For better or worse, isekai has been one of the biggest anime genres over the last decade. It showcases stories of normal people getting transported to fantastical worlds, where they're often granted some sort of power that allows them to save the world they've been thrown into.

With such a large catalog of anime to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which isekai is the best to invest time in, especially when so many series within the genre can have similar-sounding plot lines on the surface. Regardless, there are plenty of isekai worth binge-watching that offer a fun, refreshing spin on the genre.

10 Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill

Animated by the legendary studio MAPPA, Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill is a gorgeously produced series that provides a cozy, refreshing spin on isekai. The series follows Tsuyoshi Mukouda, a salaryman who accidentally gets summoned into another world to defend the Kingdom of Reijseger against their foes. In a twist, Mukouda talks his way out of being the Kingdom's hero because his out-of-battle skill, "Online Supermarket," is deemed virtually useless.

As a result, Mukouda takes up life as a merchant and adventurer, discovering that his skill is anything but useless. He's able to whip up a variety of dishes which eventually catches the attention of a mythical wolf named Fel, and the pair negotiate a partnership wherein Fel will become Mukouda's familiar in exchange for more food. While nothing groundbreaking, Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill is immensely entertaining from start to finish and never takes itself too seriously.

9 Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion

Providing a unique twist on the concept of "being born into another world," Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion follows Rinko Hanasaki after being reborn as a minor character from a novel named Raeliana McMillan, the eldest daughter of a baron who lived a relatively carefree life until she is eventually killed by her fiancé, Francis Brooks. With this knowledge, Raeliana is determined to break off her engagement with Lord Brooks and seeks help from the main protagonist of the novel – Duke Noah Wynknight.

Remembering everything about him from the book, she proposes a deal to the Duke: she won't reveal his secrets if he takes her as his fiancé. A romance with an intriguing mystery surrounding its male lead, Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion succeeds in delivering a heart-pounding story that forces audiences to keep him at arm's length up until the very end.

8 The Eminence in Shadow

The Eminence in Shadow follows Minoru Kageno – a young man obsessed with the idea of becoming stronger than anybody else. This need for power doesn't stem from a desire for recognition or a feeling of inadequacy, in fact, Minoru does everything he can to blend in with the crowd. After a tragic truck accident, Minoru is convinced in his dying moments that his ambitions have been thwarted, that is, until he wakes up as a noble child named Cid in a world where magic is commonplace.

The Eminence in Shadow's storyprides itself on being edgy as a means to elevate its comedic moments and succeeds in every possible way. With his ability to use magic, Cid finally has the power he so longed for in his previous life. He dons the moniker "Shadow" and forms a group called the Shadow Garden that fights back against the fictional Cult of Diablos – a group that Cid has seemingly made up. Intriguing while never taking itself too seriously, The Eminence in Shadow is the perfect tongue-in-cheek comedy isekai for fans of traditionally "edgy" content.

7 Uncle from Another World

Technically classified as a reverse isekai, Uncle from Another World is an underrated comedy series that gives a glimpse into what happens when somebody who's been transported to another world comes home. After being in a coma for seventeen years, Takafumi Takaoka's uncle, Yosuke "Ojisan" Shibazaki, regains consciousness and begins to recount his adventures in the magical world of Granbahamal. Takafumi dismisses his uncle's stories until he witnesses him use magic, which inspires the pair to start a YouTube channel showcasing his abilities from his other life.

Additionally, Takafumi is tasked with getting his uncle caught up on everything that's changed in the world in the last seventeen years. Everything from the modern internet to the results of the infamous '90s console war are treated as earth-shattering world developments. While absurdist at times, Uncle from Another World's fresh look on what could potentially happen when an isekai protagonist's journey comes to an end is nothing short of hilarious, making it the perfect summer binge-watch.

6 My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!

Growing up as a young noble, Catarina Claes suddenly regains all her memories from her past life after an accident in her family's home. She realizes that she's been reborn as the main antagonist of her favorite dating sim, Fortune Lover, and that she's fated to die in every possible ending of the story. Using her knowledge of the game's events, Catarina is determined to try and change her fate, unaware that the choices she's making are having an effect on everyone else's stories, too.

My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! is an expressive and charming romantic comedy, sporting a large cast of lovable characters and an even more lovable protagonist. Catarina, despite trying her best, is rather aloof and fails to realize just how important she is to the people around her, believing that her tragic fate could be lurking around every corner.

5 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

With season 2 currently airing as part of the Summer 2023 seasonal anime releases, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation has been heralded as one of the best isekai series to date. Following the life of Rudeus Greyrat, Mushoku Tensei tells the story of somebody who was irredeemable in his past life, born into a new world with the hopes of becoming a powerful adventurer.

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is gorgeously animated, showcasing a lush fantasy world and a robust cast of supporting characters that Rudeus bonds with throughout his life. Part of what makes this series so unique amidst similar isekai anime is that it shows every key moment from Rudeus' life, with the story beginning when he's an infant. Showcasing such a deep level of development makes it easy to connect with Rudeus despite his many flaws and immerses audiences in the world as it develops.

4 Ya Boy Kongming!

Despite its bizarre premise, Ya Boy Kongming! is an infectiously fun and unorthodox isekai that has something for everyone. Zhuge Kongming, a former chancellor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms Period, wishes to be reborn into an era of peace and finds himself in modern-day Shibuya on Halloween. He meets an aspiring musician named Eiko Tsukimi, and inspired by her music, helps her pursue her dreams.

While vastly different from a typical isekai in that it lacks magical powers or any other traditional fantasy elements, Ya Boy Kongming! is incredibly fun, taking advantage of its absurd setup to tell a genuinely heartfelt story about pursuing one's dreams. The style and charm of this series make it one of the best anime that the genre has to offer.

3 Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World

Suddenly transported to another world after leaving a supermarket, Subaru Natsuki attempts to navigate this mysterious new place, anxious and alone. He's quickly attacked by a group of thugs. He's saved suddenly by a girl named Emilia, who's searching for an insignia that was stolen from her. In their search, the pair are hunted and tragically murdered. That's when Subaru reawakens in front of the thugs once again and is suspiciously rescued by Emilia in the exact same way he was before.

As Re:Zero progresses, Subaru realizes that this mysterious power can help him just as much as it harms him. While initially presenting itself as a rather standard isekai, Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World quickly develops into something much more intriguing – and oftentimes gruesome – than audiences could ever anticipate. Subaru's endless suffering in trying to find the best outcome for each situation creates an uncomfortable tension as stakes rise, making it one of the best isekai anime for fans of the genre.

2 That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

Everyman corporate office worker Satoru Mikami is perfectly content with his mundane Tokyo lifestyle, despite never being able to get a girlfriend. After an encounter with one of his work colleagues, Satoru is stabbed on the streets. After succumbing to his injuries, Satoru wakes up as a slime monster in an unknown world. After befriending and offering aid to a Catastrophe-level monster simply named "Storm Dragon," Satoru is given the name Rimuru Tempest and sets out on an adventure.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is a relatively standard isekai, and while it doesn't break any major genre conventions, it's a fun series that follows a new life of freedom granted to somebody who was already rather content, which does give the series a humble look at the expansive fantasy world it takes place in.

1 KonoSuba: God's Blessing On This Wonderful World!

After dying on his way home from buying a video game, high school shut-in Kazuma Satou awakens to find himself sitting in front of a beautiful yet annoying goddess named Aqua. She offers him two choices: he can either move on to the afterlife or be reborn into a fantasy world. Choosing to start a new life, Kazuma is quickly swept on a typical quest to defeat the Devil King plaguing the world. Before he begins his journey, he's allowed to select any item to take with him. Believing he'd beat the system, he chooses Aqua, only to realize that she's completely useless.

With a genre that feels as oversaturated as isekai, it can be refreshing to find a series that pokes fun at everything the genre stands for. KonoSuba accomplishes this by taking every opportunity to not just poke fun at the many tired tropes that plague isekai, but by making fun of its main characters, turning them into walking parodies of isekai's most beloved archetypes.