Beyond the Classics—Step Into Worlds Less Travelled. If you’ve ever dreamed of suddenly waking up in another world, sword in hand, a prophecy hanging over your head, then the transported isekai anime genre is for you. While shows like No Game No Life and Fushigi Yûgi are genre staples, there’s a whole multiverse of other titles out there waiting to pull you through the portal.
Here are 10 transported isekai anime you need to add to your watchlist
—excluding the usual suspects you already know and love!
The Rising of the Shield Hero
Studio: Kinema Citrus | Year: 2019 | Stream: Crunchyroll
Naofumi Iwatani is summoned alongside three others to a parallel world as legendary heroes. Wrongfully accused and cast out, he becomes the “Shield Hero” in a society that distrusts him. With dark political themes and strong character progression, this is one of the genre’s most iconic modern entries.
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
Studio: White Fox, Asread | Year: 2019 | Stream: Crunchyroll
Hajime and his classmates are summoned to a fantasy world, but betrayal leads him into the abyss. He claws his way out, armed with new powers and zero patience. A dark, gritty twist on the “summoned hero” trope.
The Twelve Kingdoms (Juuni Kokuki)
Studio: Studio Pierrot | Year: 2002 | Stream: Crunchyroll
Youko Nakajima, a timid high school student, is transported to a richly built world of kingdoms, spirits, and moral challenges. This is peak political fantasy with strong character development.
The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
Studio: Studio Add | Year: 2024 | Stream: Crunchyroll
Usato is summoned along with classmates but ends up with a healing magic skill—and a terrifying drill sergeant of a mentor. A refreshing focus on the often-overlooked healer class, with intense training arcs and dark humour.
Aura Battler Dunbine
Studio: Sunrise | Year: 1983 | Stream: HIDIVE
A young man is summoned from Tokyo to the mystical world of Byston Well to pilot a mecha in an ancient war. This is one of the earliest true transported isekai series and blends high fantasy with retro mecha charm.
Magic Knight Rayearth
Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha (TMS) | Year: 1994 | Stream: Crunchyroll
Three schoolgirls are summoned to the world of Cephiro and tasked with saving a kidnapped princess. A magical girl + mecha fusion, Rayearth is a foundational shojo isekai that’s both whimsical and emotionally powerful.
Pst, Magic Knight Rayearth is getting a remake that will be airing soon.
Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy
Studio: C2C | Year: 2021 | Stream: Crunchyroll
Banished by a goddess right after being summoned, Makoto Misumi is forced to forge his own path in a strange new land. Sarcastic, world-savvy, and packed with subversion, this one flips isekai power tropes on their head while keeping the fun intact.
How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom
Studio: J.C.Staff | Year: 2021 | Stream: Crunchyroll
Kazuya Souma is summoned not to fight, but to govern. A brilliant twist on the genre where strategy, diplomacy, and economics take centre stage. Think more policy than power levels, but still compelling.
I’m Standing on a Million Lives (100-man no Inochi no Ue ni Ore wa Tatteiru)
Studio: Maho Film | Year: 2020 | Stream: Crunchyroll
Three students are summoned to a fantasy realm for time-limited quests. The protagonist is apathetic and logical, creating interesting contrasts with more idealistic isekai leads.
Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill
Studio: MAPPA | Year: 2023 | Stream: Crunchyroll
Mukouda is accidentally summoned with heroes but opts out of battles to live the slow life, using his unique skill to buy food from modern Japan. Heartwarming and low-stakes, this is a wholesome isekai for foodies and chill seekers alike.
Next in the Series:
Stay tuned for:
- 12 Transported Isekai Reads – featuring manga, manhua, manhwa & webtoons with official English releases and zero repeats from this post.
- And don’t forget to check out our in-depth post: Transported Isekai Explained for history, themes, and tropes.
What is your favourite transported isekai anime?
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