While not necessarily the most universally loved genre, isekai anime is pretty much inescapable nowadays. Each new season tells a couple of stories that involve protagonists traveling (or reincarnating) in another world, and a few of them tend to be pretty good or even great.
As the definitive anime streaming service in North America, Crunchyroll includes the largest (legal) selection of isekai series. While not exhaustive, the platform's library is expansive and potentially overwhelming, particularly for beginners who just want to dip their toes into these types of shows. Therefore, to help streamline the process, let's highlight Crunchyroll's best isekai anime.
While ranked by their overall quality to an extent, the highlighted Crunchyroll anime were chosen to represent isekai subgenres. Each section also includes a few honorable mentions.
Please click on an anime's title to go to its Crunchyroll page.
8 Hinamatsuri
Best Reverse Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll
Hinamatsuri
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018
- Directors
- Masashi Ishihama
- Writers
- Masashi Sogo, Yûsuke Kishi
- Studio
- feel.
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Masao Ohtake
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.12
Reverse isekai anime are almost considered a separate genre from the standard variant since they flip the formula in more ways than just the obvious. As the name suggests, these shows send fantasy characters to Earth, typically telling a fish-out-of-water story. While humor is often prioritized, reverse isekai has produced more than its fair share of action or dramatic stories.
Best Isekai Anime With Protagonists Who Are Parents
It's uncommon for an isekai protagonist to become a parent after they arrive in a new world, but these anime do just that, and to great effect.
Hinamatsuri represents this concept at its absolute best, delivering both hilarious and surprisingly poignant moments. Nitta, a yakuza member, suddenly finds a girl in a strange pod in his apartment. A powerful esper who escaped from another dimension, Hina convinces Nitta to let her stay with him, starting an unorthodox father-daughter dynamic that brings out the best in both of them.
Other Great Reverse Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll:
- Dead Mount Death Play
- The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (Season 1 is particularly good)
- Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid
7 Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun
Best Isekai Anime Set In A School On Crunchyroll
Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2019 - 2022
WHERE TO WATCH
- Japanese Title
- Mairimashita! Iruma-kun
- Studio
- Bandai Namco Pictures
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Osamu Nishi
- Number of Episodes
- 65
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.74 (Season 1)
Isekai anime has become such a staple that even oddly specific categories are over-represented. Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun follows a mistreated boy who is adopted by a demon, a situation that ends up being a substantial improvement from his Earthly life. However, Iruma has to attend Babyls Demon School while keeping his humanity a secret, at least if he wants to avoid being eaten.
For the most part, Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun is a pretty conventional shonen action-comedy. While not doing anything too novel, the anime gets the basics right and, for the most part, is just constantly amusing. The characters are generally lovable and have great banter, along with small but decent development. The action is above-average and benefits from a flashy presentation, particularly in the sequel seasons. More importantly, Iruma-kun takes place almost entirely in Babyls and emphasizes the protagonist's school life.
Other Great School-Based Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll:
6 Log Horizon
Best Trapped-In-A-Game Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll
Log Horizon
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2013 - 2021
- Studio
- Satelight, Studio Deen
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Mamare Touno
- Number of Episodes
- 62
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.90 (Season 1)
If someone wants to get into isekai, they will need a tolerance for MMORPGs since seemingly every other show takes stats, progression systems, and concepts from the gaming genre. Despite these tropes being so common, most anime are not specifically set in a video game, opting only to borrow a few mechanics. That said, "trapped in a game" stories come around every once in a while, and they are often among the more popular isekai releases.
One of the best entry-level isekai anime in general, Log Horizon emphasizes teamwork and cooperation far more than nearly any of its contemporaries. After thousands of gamers become trapped in an MMO, they decide that to survive, they will need to embrace their situation and try to genuinely fit into the world. While not devoid of action or slow-life episodes, Log Horizon is primarily concerned with the political and social sides of the equation, demonstrating the core group's efforts to create a world that can allow them and NPCs to prosper.
Other Great Trapped In A Game Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll:
5 Overlord
Best Dark Fantasy Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll
Overlord
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2015 - 2022
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Kugane Maruyama
- Number of Episodes
- 52
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.91 (Season 1)
Dark fantasy isekai anime are surprisingly rare, and there are not all that many great options on Crunchyroll. However, Overlord is pretty much the poster child of "evil" isekai protagonists, and it is quite a unique example of a dark fantasy story. As his favorite game is about to shut down, the protagonist decides to spend the last few minutes with his guild's NPCs, who are all powerful entities who are subordinate to his mage character, Momonga. However, rather than logging off, he finds himself trapped as his OP character in a world similar but not identical to the game.
The Best Isekai Anime To Watch If You Like Overlord
Overlord sets itself apart from other Isekai by having its protagonist be an outright villain. Series fans will likely enjoy these other great anime.
Overlord chronicles Momonga's somewhat accidental march toward world domination, and his presence drenches a medieval fantasy world in darkness. Although pretty hilarious at times, the anime can be downright vicious and cruel to its weak "normal" characters, and the protagonist gradually has his humanity stripped away as he fully becomes this world's final boss.
Other Great Dark Fantasy Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll:
- Grimgar: Ashes And Illusions
- Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells (Honestly, not a great show, but a decent dark fantasy option)
- Saga of Tanya the Evil (War isekai anime rather than dark fantasy, but close enough)
4 KonoSuba: God's Blessing On This Wonderful World!
Best Comedy Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll
KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2024-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!
- Studio
- Studio Deen, Drive
- Based On
- Novel & Light Novel
- Creator
- Natsume Akatsuki
- Number of Episodes
- 31
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.36 (Season 3)
After an exhausting day, nothing hits the spot better than a good laugh. For the most part, isekai has a decent track record with comedy, even if some of the funniest series are not on Crunchyroll. Fortunately, the streaming service has unquestionably the most famous and, arguably, the best isekai comedy anime: KonoSuba.
A parody that also works well as a standard entry in the genre, KonoSuba revolves around the most dysfunctional hero party in isekai, and the term "hero" is used loosely. After an embarrassing death, Kazuma is mocked by the goddess Aqua, who is tasked with sending him to another world. Consequently, for his one wish, Kazuma takes Aqua with him, a decision that he regularly comes to regret. Before long, they form a party with an explosive mage and a pain-loving crusader.
Irreverent, silly, but also not devoid of heart, KonoSuba is an absolute blast from beginning to end.
Other Great Comedy Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll:
3 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Best OP MC Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 5, 2018
- Japanese Title
- Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken
- Studio
- 8bit
- Based On
- Light Novel & Manga
- Creator
- Fuse
- Number of Episodes
- 72
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.14 (Season 1)
Isekai loves overpowered protagonists. Every other anime seems to revolve around a character who can bench-press a mountain or defeat a dragon without much effort. The theme is infamous for being filled with unapologetic power fantasies, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with these types of stories.
Although not featuring the most OP MC in the genre, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is arguably the best traditional isekai power fantasy. The protagonist, Rimuru, starts anew as a slime, albeit one that picks up abilities by consuming monsters. Before long, he acquires considerable strength and versatility, forms a haven for non-human races, and gets involved in his new world's political climate.
TenSura does nearly everything well, even if it does not excel in each area. The action set-pieces are consistently spectacular, and Rimuru is not so OP that he strips every encounter of tension. The anime develops a huge cast of characters who are more than capable of stepping into the spotlight, and the world-building is pretty decent as well.
Other Great OP MC Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll:
2 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Best Adventure Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 11, 2021
- Japanese Title
- Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu
- Studio
- Studio Bind
- Based On
- Novel & Light Novel
- Creator
- Rifujin na Magonote
- Number of Episodes
- 48
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.38 (Season 1, Part 1); 8.42 (Season 2, Part 2)
Isekai is overall divisive, but no anime splits viewers more than Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. That divide comes down to Rudeus, a protagonist who starts as a fairly awful person but makes gradual improvements as the series progresses. Hard as he can be to ignore, let's put Rudy aside and focus on the rest of the show, as there is a lot to love beyond the MC.
Mushoku Tensei: 5 Best Episodes So Far, Ranked
These are a few of the episodes that represent the best of the action, rich world-building, and character development that Mushoku Tensei offers.
Mushoku Tensei's world-building is deliberate, expertly paced, and shown rather than told. Although beginning somewhat small, the story fairly quickly opens up, sending the audience on an unpredictable journey that visits unique regions, a school, and dungeons. Building on each other and reflecting Rudy's state of mind at the time, every arc is different. The animation is top-notch throughout, bringing to life beautiful environments and stunning displays of magic.
Other Great Adventure Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll:
1 Re:Zero - Starting Life In Another World
Best Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
- Studio
- White Fox
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Tappei Nagatsuki
- Number of Episodes
- 65
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.77 (Season 3)
Re:Zero set the bar for isekai anime in 2016, and each new season has only raised it. While not always pleasant or satisfying, White Fox's adaptation represents the theme at its most ambitious, telling a story that puts both the characters and the audience through a harrowing journey filled with just as many lows as highs. Although frustrating at times, Subaru is a fascinating protagonist who is forced to face his insecurities, preconceptions, and arrogance, all in the hope of coming out of the other side as a better person.
Re:Zero's hook is that Subaru's main power is Return by Death, which means he revives at an early checkpoint after he is killed. And, he dies a lot, and they take their toll. This ability frames a lot of Subaru's actions, but Re:Zero has way more to offer than just neat power. The storytelling balances character development, world-building, existential horror, and politics incredibly well, creating a mix that is unlike anything else in isekai. The villains are just as captivating as the heroes, and quite a few of the latter come in shades of gray. Although action is not generally the priority, Re:Zero has its share of memorable fights as well.
Other Great Isekai Anime On Crunchyroll That Do Not Fit Into A Category:
Best Anime On Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll’s anime library changes constantly. This guide highlights the best series to watch right now, along with standout picks by genre.