Within the anime industry, there are many genres, each focusing on a different type of story, and it goes without saying that one of the most popular ones is definitely the Isekai anime genre. Isekai series feature a main character who's usually transported to another world, and while this genre has definitely received a bad reputation over the years, it seems that, thanks to some high-quality anime adaptations, it is picking up again.
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Recently, the top 9 most-streamed Isekai anime series of Japan were revealed via ABEMA, and the number one pick might come as a surprise to many. That Time I Got has officially been revealed as Japan’s most popular Isekai anime, beating the likes of Re:Zero and Mushoku Tensei. In the next few years, fans might see a bigger influx of Isekai as they’re getting more popular all over the world.
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Is Japan’s Biggest Isekai Anime
Isekai is definitely a very interesting genre of anime. The concept is quite simple, where the character is transported into a new, wholly different world, and from there, the options for building exciting stories are almost endless. Japan is quite fond of Isekai series, and their popularity has remained high for years now. That said, the Isekai genre is quite oversaturated, but some series definitely stand out among the rest.
To determine the most popular Isekai out of the bunch, ABEMA, a huge streaming service in Japan, has revealed the 9 most-streamed anime that fall under the Isekai category. This was for the “Good Other World Day,” an event that fell on November 12. Thus, ABEMA’s "Final Ranking for Isekai Anime" has been unveiled, and the best Isekai anime is none other than ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.’ This result might surprise some, but it makes sense. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is popular overseas, but in Japan, it has become a monumental anime.
The story of ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime,’ as the name implies, follows the story of a man from the real world who died and was reincarnated as a slime in a whole different world. He then takes up the name of Rimuru Tempest. This anime premiered in 2018 with its first season, and at the moment, it has three seasons, with the latest one being released in 2024.
Japan’s Other Top 9 Isekai Anime Have Been Revealed As Well
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime finished in the top spot for the ABEMA platform. However, the rest of the top 9 is made up of interesting series as well. Here’s the full list for the final ranking for Isekai anime:
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
- Overlord
- The Eminence in Shadow
- Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
- Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In a Dungeon?
- Re:Zero -- Starting Life in Another World
- KonoSuba: God's Blessings On This Wonderful World
- The Rising of the Shield Hero
- Sword Art Online
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All these series have been monumental in the Isekai genre, and even fans abroad should easily be able to recognize the vast majority of them, especially the likes of Re:Zero or Sword Art Online.
Isekai Anime Are Gaining Popularity Again All Over the World
Isekai series have always been huge in Japan, but overseas, it’s definitely not the most popular, especially due to how overdone it is. Most series in the genre are quite similar and feature low-grade comedy. Some others cover weird or rather bizarre topics that are not appealing to the fans at all.
Still, it seems that the Isekai genre has been growing in popularity again, as seen with some 2025 hits. Lord of the Mysteries was one of the biggest Isekai anime this year, and it certainly lived up to the hype. Fans are definitely excited for more. Solo Leveling is also one of the most popular anime series outside of Japan right now, and while it isn’t an Isekai, many of its elements are taken from the genre, and thus, it can’t be wholly separated from it.