A plentiful and diverse genre, isekai takes audiences, along with usually unsuspecting and perfectly ordinary heroes, on exciting adventures to fantastical other worlds. Tales about escaping mundanity by traveling to realms of magic and mystery have been around in anime for decades. Yet, isekai became mainstream and fully established itself as a genre quite recently. Around the same time, isekai anime earned a rather unfortunate reputation—“another world” stories in anime are commonly dismissed as too repetitive and trope-reliant, leading to countless incredible isekai series flying under the radar.
Few other anime genres feature as many underrated shows as isekai, including both series that don’t get enough attention from fans and over-hated titles undeserving of their poor notoriety. From forgotten hidden gems to criminally undervalued modern shows, these overlooked isekai series have a claim to shine in the spotlight.
10. Cop Craft
At first glance, the buddy cop format and the magical shenanigans of the reverse isekai genre don’t seem like they would mix well. However, Cop Craft proves that such an unorthodox premise can work wonderfully. The detective partnership of hard-boiled policeman Kei Matoba and his companion, Tilarna, from the fairy world that spontaneously appeared above the Pacific Ocean and brought an influx of magical crime, is incredibly dynamic and reminiscent of buddy cop film classics.
Yet, the series’ unconventional appeal, as well as criticisms aimed at its somewhat dull characterization and repetitive plot structure, prevented it from finding mainstream success. Despite the series’ flaws, those tired of conventional isekai tropes will see Cop Craft as a breath of fresh air, for which it deserves more recognition.
9. By the Grace of the Gods
Although most popular isekai anime pride themselves on the grandness of their adventures and the explosiveness of their action, there’s a place in the genre for all types of stories—including cozy slice-of-life. By the Grace of the Gods is an isekai iyashikei that follows Ryouma Takebayashi, a man who, after a life of hardship, reincarnated with a gift to tame slimes—his favorite creatures.
A peaceful, slow-paced fantasy, By the Grace of the Gods sees Ryouma savor life’s smallest pleasures and make new friends in a low-stakes magical world. While lacking the impactfulness and flair of more over-the-top isekai titles, By the Grace of the Gods excels at getting its audiences to relax and lose themselves in the series’ comforting atmosphere.
8. The Twelve Kingdoms
While isekai stories didn’t gain much popularity until the 2010s, “another world” anime has been around long before the power fantasies of Sword Art Online and Overlord. Released in 2002, The Twelve Kingdoms follows a timid schoolgirl, Youko, who gets whisked away to the titular fantastical dimension as one of its rightful rulers, exploring the kingdoms’ unique cultures and learning to survive in this unfamiliar world of magic.
An isekai with one of the most thorough and rich worlds in the entire genre, The Twelve Kingdoms is a real treat for all fans of epic fantasy and grand adventure storytelling. Yet, due to the series’ age and lack of resemblance to modern isekai, it often gets overlooked.
7. Now and Then, Here and There
Another older isekai classic, Now and Then, Here and There, was released in 1999. However, it remains one of the genre’s most unorthodox exemplars even in today’s overcrowded market. The story starts off as a pretty traditional isekai tale with an ordinary boy, Shuu, chasing a mysterious girl into another world.
Yet, the dimension Shuu ends up in while trying to save his new enigmatic acquaintance is not a magical fantasy world one would expect from an isekai. Instead, Shuu locates himself in a desolate dystopian warzone filled with torture, suffering, and desperation. A haunting take on the “another world” premise, Now and Then, Here and There would still be able to shock modern audiences with its darkness.
6. To Be Heroine
An incredibly unorthodox Chinese animation (donghua) series, To Be Heroine sucks the audience into a ridiculous and gag-filled story of Yuye Hua, a teen girl transported to another world of mysterious naked boys, mafia assassins, and bizarre clothing spirits. Yet, beyond the series’ absurd premise hides a heartfelt, dramatic story about the turbulent time of coming-of-age.
A spiritual sequel to To Be Hero, a slapstick comedy by the same creators with a lesser focus on isekai elements, To Be Heroine didn’t connect with the fans of its predecessor quite as well. At the same time, new fans were partially turned off by the show’s initially surreal tone and over-the-top storytelling. Yet, those skeptical of To Be Heroine’s oddities should consider sticking with the show till the end to discover its surprisingly tender, complex heart.
5. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord
Whether a demon lord or king is an anti-hero protagonist, love interest, or villain, they are powerful characters. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord is guilty of the common criticisms the isekai genre receives—repetitive tropes, unimaginative fantasy settings, and an overabundance of fan service. A seemingly generic story of an overpowered Demon King, Diablo, summoned into his favorite MMORPG to gradually acquire a sizable harem and dominate his enemies with his superior skills, Isekai Maou doesn’t break new grounds when it comes to isekai storytelling.
However, what it does succeed at is crafting an endlessly enjoyable, entertaining adventure that never takes itself too seriously. An isekai that knows exactly what it needs to be to keep the viewers engaged, Isekai Maou doesn’t deserve the hate it gets.
4. Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
No anime genre gets more hate for over-relying on cheap gimmicks than isekai. However, when done right and with just the right amount of humorous self-awareness, even the oddest concept can bloom into a great story.
Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon, like many modern isekai anime, makes its premise obvious in the title—its unorthodox hero, Boxxo, becomes a vending machine in a fantasy world and inexplicably turns into an essential asset for the local mages and adventurers. While it’s easy to dismiss this series as yet another superficial isekai with an absurd twist, Reborn as a Vending Machine is extremely endearing in its goofiness and emphasizes the obvious comicality of its scenarios, which makes it much more entertaining than most gimmick-driven isekai.
3. Sonny Boy
While technically meeting the sole criteria for being an isekai anime—featuring characters traveling to another world—Sonny Boy has none of the elements that make a typical isekai story. A surreal, experimental mystery that finds a group of thirty-six students transported to a void dimension together with their school building, Sonny Boy is a mind-warping exploration of adolescence that uses the “another world” concept in a distinctively refreshing way.
Appreciated among fans of more obscure and experimental anime, Sonny Boy was mostly overlooked in the mainstream due to its experimental nature and lack of established source material. However, with more exposure, this unique masterpiece of blending dreamlike fantasy with hard-hitting, realistic themes could’ve become a modern cult classic.
2. Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement
With how oversaturated the modern isekai scene is, it’s incredibly easy to miss out on great shows that don’t stand out at first glance. Despite its discouragingly generic title, Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement offers a unique take on the isekai genre, following a young woman who skillfully navigates the intricacies of her new world while aiming to secure her future through clever strategies.
This series may not be a game-changer in terms of plot, but it embraces its light-hearted premise and delivers an entertaining journey filled with clever humor and unexpected twists.
1. The Devil Is a Part-Timer!
The Devil Is a Part-Timer! takes a different approach to the isekai genre by flipping the script. Instead of the typical hero embarking on an epic quest, it follows Satan himself, who, after being defeated in his own world, finds himself in modern-day Tokyo. Stranded in a new world with no magic, he takes on a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant to make ends meet.
This comedic twist on the genre has gained a loyal following but often gets overlooked in discussions about isekai. Its unique premise, memorable characters, and clever humor make it a standout that deserves more recognition in the isekai landscape.
These underrated isekai anime showcase the genre’s diversity and depth, highlighting how stories can go beyond typical tropes and cliches. For fans willing to explore beyond the mainstream hits, these hidden gems offer exciting adventures and fresh perspectives that are well worth a watch!
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