10 Classic Isekai Anime That Are Still Worth The Hype (2024)

Since the mid-2010s, the isekai genre has been one of the most successful in anime. Every season at least a few characters get transported from the "real" world into a cool fantasy world. Isekai anime has come so common that now niche ideas have become their own sub-genres, as Villainess anime and series based on virtual reality games continue getting new series.

Yet there was a time when isekai anime didn't quite have the chokehold on anime it does today. The series were more sparsely released, yet they often turned into legendary classics. While some fans might think they know all the genre has to offer, there are some classic series that are worth all the excitement fans have for them.

10 Aura Battler Dunbine Was The First True Isekai Series

Available on AppleTV

Aura Battler Dunbine is the first isekai anime series to air on television. From Mobile Suit Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino, the series focuses on a young man named Sho Zama, who lands in the mystical world of Byston Well. Byston Well is a world at war, where knights who wield the power of "aura" wage war in Aura Battler. Thanks to Sho's own power, it isn't long before he finds himself pulled into a conflict he doesn't even fully understand.

Aura Battler Dunbine is more than just an artifact of isekai history; it's a genuinely enjoyable series from a superstar director. It's full of unique ideas and some awesome mecha designs for fans of that genre. That said, this is from Tomino's depressed period, so don't expect anything approaching a happy ending.

Aura Battler Dunbine

TV-14

Animation

Action

Adventure

A young man named Shō Zama is transported from Earth to the magical world of Byston Well. He becomes a pilot of the powerful mecha known as Aura Battlers, joining a struggle between kingdoms.

Release Date

July 15, 2003

Creator(s)

Yoshiyuki Tomino , Hajime Yatate

Cast

Norio Wakamoto , Mika Doi , Shigeru Nakahara , Maria Kawamura , Makoto Ataka , Show Hayami , Yumi Takada , Shôji Ôki

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1

9 Magic Knight Rayearth Combined Magical Girls And Giant Robots

Streaming on Crunchyroll

It seems strange now, but there was a time when isekai anime often involved fantasy mecha mixed with giant robots. Magic Knight Rayearth is set on Cephiro, a fantasy world held together by the continued prayer of their Pillar, Princess Esmeralda. When Esmeralda is kidnapped, Cephiro's best chance comes from three middle-school girls brought to their world. Fortunately, the three girls also have the power of the Rune Gods, three massive magical robots, to back them up.

Magic Knight Rayearth is some of CLAMP's best work, and it's worth going back to for that alone, but it's also worth watching for fans of magical girl anime. The relatively small cast also gives the series plenty of time to flesh each member of the group out, and despite a basic plot there are plenty of twists to keep viewers invested. Magic Knight Rayearth was one of the most beloved series of the '90s, which is why it isn't a surprise it's receiving a remake in 2025.

Magic Knight Rayearth

TV-PG

Fantasy

Adventure

Mecha

Magical Girl

Shoujo

Lucy, Anias and Marina, three girls from different schools are transported to the world of Zephyr as well as their mission to become Magical Warriors to rescue the captured Princess Esmeralda.

Release Date

October 17, 1994

Cast

Yuri Shiratori , Megumi Ogata , Jûrôta Kosugi , Satomi Kôrogi , Yuka Imai , Miki Itō , Yukimasa Kishino , Chinami Nishimura , Jun'ichi Kanemaru , Atsuko Takahata , Aya Hisakawa , Kikuko Inoue , Kiyoyuki Yanada , Kôhei Miyauchi , Takkô Ishimori , Hekiru Shiina , Hiroko Kasahara , Konami Yoshida , Hideyuki Tanaka , Akio Otsuka , Tessyo Genda , Emi Shinohara , Minami Takayama , Nozomu Sasaki , Takumi Yamazaki , Yuko Nagashima , Yuri Amano , Ryôtarô Okiayu

Main Genre

Fantasy

Seasons

Characters By

Creator

Production Company

Character(s)

Primera , Mokona , Eagle Vision , Emeraude , Lantis , Zagato , Sang Yung , Mira , Nova , Lafarga , Lady Aska , Zazu Torque , Debonair , Tarta , Tatra , Geo Metro , Chang Ang , Hikaru Shidou , Fuu Hououji , Umi Ryuuzaki , Rayearth , Windam , Celes , Presea , Ascot , Clef , Ferio , Caldina , Alcyone , Inouva

See Also

Anyone into the manga "Red River" aka "Anatolia Story"?Watch Tactical Force Online Free 2016The Invincible Iron Man Movie Watch OnlineAQ : The Lemures Files

8 Fushigi Yuugi Presented A Fairy Tale Version Of Ancient China

Streaming on Crunchyroll

There was a time when Fushigi Yugi was considered must-watch for fans of shoujo anime. While the franchise still continues in manga form, the lack of anime adaptations has caused the series to fade from pop culture in the West. This is truly a shame, as Fushigi Yugi is still just as good of a series now as it was decades ago.

The series focuses on Miaka Yuki, a teenager who gets transported to ancient China after reading "The Universe of the Four Gods". While in the distant past, Miaka's goal becomes to collect the seven Celestial Warriors to summon a god capable of granting her wish of going home. Of course, it doesn't take long before Miaka is surrounded by a cast of gorgeous gentlemen helping her with her goal. However, what could've easily been a basic reverse-harem with an isekai twist is elevated into an anime classic thanks to Yuu Watase's talented script-writing.

Fushigi Yûgi

TV-14

Drama

Adventure

A girl named Miaka Yuuki and her friend Yui Hongo are taken into the book called The Universe of the Four Gods. There they battle many hardships including each other in order to become the priestess of Suzaku and Seiryuu and summon them. What they didn't expect was to fall in love and watch their comrades die.

Release Date

April 6, 1995

Cast

Takehito Koyasu , Shin'ichirô Miki , Nobuyuki Hiyama , Tomokazu Seki

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

5

Studio

Pierrot

Franchise

Fushigi Yuugi

Number of Episodes

52

7 El Hazard: The Magnificent World Showed High Schoolers Changing An Alternate World

Available on DVD

El Hazard: The Magnificent World is far from the first isekai anime, but it went a long way towards popularizing the genre in the '90s and the 2000s. The series was popular enough in Japan to get multiple sequels and retellings, and popular enough in America to be a recommendation for anyone looking for a good fantasy series to get into. Looking back, El Hazard experiments with the genre enough to be worth a watch even for masters of modern isekai stories.

The original El-Hazard series centers around three high school students and their history teacher randomly getting transported to a new world. Though one student, Makoto Mizuhara, was brought there with the hopes of saving humanity, things don't quite go as planned. Instead, all of El-Hazard's new inhabitants begin changing the world around them in ways no one could've imagined.

El-Hazard: The Magnificent World

TV-14

Fantasy

Adventure

Isekai

Comedy

Romance

Makoto Mizuhara, Katsuhiko Jinnai, Nanami Jinnai, and their history teacher, Masamichi Fujisawa, stumble upon a mysterious artifact during a science experiment. Suddenly, they're transported to the magical world of El-Hazard, a land ravaged by war between the human kingdoms and the insectoid Bugrom tribe. Mistaken for the legendary heroes prophesied to save El-Hazard, each student acquires unique magical abilities, thrusting them into the conflict. As they navigate this unfamiliar world, forge alliances, and battle ferocious enemies, they grapple with their newfound powers, personal desires, and the responsibility placed upon them.

Release Date

April 6, 1995

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

1

Studio

AIC

Artists

Makoto Mizuhara: Tetsuya Iwanaga (Japanese), Johnny Yong Bosch (English)Katsuhiko Jinnai: Ryōtarō Okiayu (Japanese), Dan Green (English),Nanami Jinnai: Rio Natsuki (Japanese), Jennifer Hale (English),Masamichi Fujisawa: Yutaka Hirose (Japanese), Bob Papenbrook (English),Princess Rune: Aya Hisakawa (Japanese), Wendee Lee (English),Ifurita: Nana Mizuki (Japanese), Amanda Winn-Lee (English),

Creator

Ryoe Tsukimura (Manga Author)

Main Characters

Makoto Mizuhar, Katsuhiko Jinnai, Nanami Jinnai, Masamichi Fujisawa, Princess Rune, Ifurita

Number of Episodes

26

6 Amatsuki Gives A Glimpse Of Ancient Japan Through A Virtual Reality

Available on DVD

In the future, students learn as much through virtual reality as they do through traditional learning. For Tokidoki Rikugou, his only chance of passing Japanese history is by taking a special virtual reality lecture that takes him back to the Edo Period. While engaging in that lecture though, Amatsuki finds himself attacked by a strange character that takes his eye, and locks him inside the simulation. With no way out, Rikugou has to acquaint himself with this recreation of ancient Japan, one which also appears to have its fair share of supernatural beings.

Amatsuki is the perfect example of an old-school isekai, one where the protagonist doesn't instantly gain awesome powers that makes him superior to everyone else. Instead, Rikugou has to struggle to stay alive while learning the rules of an alternate history version of Edo-era Japan. Amatsuki will appeal to viewers who enjoy a heavy dose of mythology with their fantasy, as it revels in showcasing as much ancient Japanese mythology as possible. It's also a short runtime, so viewers could theoretically finish watching it in a weekend.

Amatsuki

Animation

Fantasy

Release Date

April 4, 2008

Cast

Kenichi Suzumura , Kenji Nojima , Romi Park , Jun Fukuyama , Yuki Matsuoka

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1

5 Digimon Adventure Popularized Isekai In The West

Streaming on Hulu

Digimon Adventure is likely responsible for most millennial anime fans' introduction to the concept of traveling to another world for adventures. The series dragged a group of young kids from summer soccer camp into the Digital World, where they made friends with monsters made out of digital code, Digimon. With the help of their partner Digimon, the kids battle to save the Digital World...and eventually, their own.

Even years later, following the escapades of the Digidestined feel just as much fun as they did over twenty years ago. It's impossible not to get through the series without finding a favorite Digimon to root for, thanks to all their distinct, quirky personalities. While other franchises never rose above being more than a mere clone to Pokémon, Digimon Adventure laid the foundation for a franchise that lasted decades, and is seen by some as the GOAT isekai.

5 Images

5 Images

Digimon Adventure

RPG

Dungeon Crawler

Franchise

Digimon

Platform(s)

PlayStation Portable

Released

January 13, 2013

Developer(s)

Prope

Publisher(s)

Bandai Namco Entertainment

How Long To Beat

36 Hours

How Long To Beat (Completionist Runs)

44.5 Hours

4 Marchen Awakens Romance Presents Isekai Through Battle Shonen

Available on DVD

MAR is the best example of battle shōnen anime going into the world of isekai. Its lead protagonist is Ginta Toramizu, a nerdy kid who dreams of a fantasy world his father told him about. When Ginta actually visits this new world, though, he realizes it's under attack by a twisted group known as the Chess Army. To protect the world his father loved, Ginta has to assemble a group of warriors on his own and challenge the Chess Army in a tournament known as the Chess Games.

Also known as Marchen Awakens Romance, MAR is as traditional a battle shōnen as anyone could imagine. Still, the series is saved by Nobuyuki Anzai's strong character designs and creative fight scenes. If anything, this is an underrated battle shonen, given it aired on Toonami at the same time as other popular 2000s shonen like Naruto and One Piece.

3 Kiba Presents Characters Exploring A Grim Fantasy World In Search Of Freedom

Available on DVD

Kiba might be the last great isekai series to release before Sword Art Online changed everyone's idea of what isekai could be. The series follows Zed, a young man trapped in an oppressive society who one day gets to travel to a new world. In this new world, Zed gets the chance to realize his potential, and begins chasing after the chance to finally achieve true freedom.

Kiba is one of the most underrated anime of the 2000s, often going overlooked because it never aired on major television. It's a shonen-styled anime which means plenty of fights, yet it maintains a dark, almost bleak tone while exploring some pretty deep themes. At 51 episodes, it's also a lengthy show, though that only means there's plenty of time to flesh out Kiba's vast world and cast of characters.

2 The Twelve Kingdoms Presents Viewers With A Vast Fantasy Epic

Streaming on Crunchyroll

It's hard enough to learn the rules of survival in high school; its even harder when suddenly the fate of an entire kingdom is put on one's shoulders. Yet that's what happens with Yoko Nakajima, who's living a boring life until she's confronted by a man from another world. Declaring her the monarch of his home country, the man drags Youko into the world of the Twelve Kingdoms, where she's suddenly forced to learn an entirely new set of rules if she wants to survive.

In the 2000s, The Twelve Kingdoms was widely considered one of the best fantasy anime available. Though Youko starts out as hard to like because of how ineffectual she can be, the series excels in showing her growth from cowardly student into a wise heroine. Meanwhile, the Twelve Kingdoms' world building is unmatched, with the series taking the time to acquaint the viewer with the political aspects of the world and all its various kingdoms. It's a truly epic fantasy series the likes of which most isekai series in the modern era don't even try to be.

The Twelve Kingdoms

Anime

Adventure

Drama

High school student Youko Nakajima is approached by a strange man who claims he's been searching for her and that she is the rightful ruler of his kingdom.

Release Date

April 9, 2002

Cast

Mari Devon , Kate Higgins , Houko Kuwashima , Aya Hisakawa , Mela Lee , Dorothy , Elias-Fahn , Ai Satô , Kappei Yamaguchi

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

1

1 Vision Of Escaflowne Proves Mecha And Fantasy Belong Together

Available on DVD

Vision of Escaflowne never got much of a shot on cable television, yet it still turned into a massive hit just off word-of-mouth alone. Another series from Macross creator Shoji Kawamori, Escaflowne combined fantasy, romance, and mecha to create a hit that could appeal to all audiences. The main storyline focuses on Hitomi, a high-schooler dragged to the world of Gaea by a young boy named Van. As one might expect, Gaea is a world torn apart by war thanks to the constant attacks from the villainous Zaibach Empire. To stand a chance at stopping Zaibach, Van relies on the power of his mech Escaflowne, and Hitomi's special fortune-telling powers.

Vision of Escaflowne being a smash hit shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, given the talent involved. Shoji Kawamori gave the series its iconic mecha designs, while Yoko Kanno handled the soundtrack, making the series a treat for viewers to listen to. A beautiful fantasy romance, Escaflowne is another top-tier series that serves as a reminder to how great '90s anime truly was.

The Vision of Escaflowne

TV-14

Action

Adventure

Hitomi is a girl with psychic abilities who gets transported to the magical world of Gaea. She and her friends find themselves under attack from the evil Zaibach empire, and the Guymelf Escaflowne provides the key to it all.

Release Date

April 2, 1996

Cast

Kirby Morrow , Kelly Sheridan , Brian Drummond , Paul Dobson , Michael Dobson

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1

Studio

Sunrise

Creator

Hiroaki Kitajima, Shōji Kawamori, Ryōta Yamaguchi, Akihiko Inai

Producer

Yumi Murase, Masahiko Minami

Production Company

BEI, Bandai Visual Company, Sunrise

Number of Episodes

26

Network

TV Tokyo