The Iskekai anime genre has really blown up in the last few years that it’s kinda crazy! Isekai in Japanese literally means “another world,” so it’s a type of anime where the main character is usually taken from Japan and dragged to another world by being reborn or summoned (sometimes there’s other means as well, but they’re not as common).

Below are my favorites listed in alphabetical order! I included links to stream online for free or to find copies in our catalog.

Ms. Ashe’s Top Isekai Anime, Fountaindale Public Library

GATE

Episodes: 24
Genre: Action/Fantasy
Where to watch: Stream for free on Crunchyroll
Suggested Age Rating: 14+

Synopsis:  On August 20XX, a gate suddenly appears in Tokyo’s Ginza district, unleashing a portal where monsters, medieval knights and other fantasy beings come from another world and wreak havoc on Tokyo. The Japanese Defense Force take action against these monsters and push them back into the “Gate.” Third Reconnaissance Team is dispatched to the “Special Region” lead by officer (and otaku) Youji Itami. On their travels, they are joined by a beautiful elf girl who is a survivor from the dragon’s rampage and guide the group across the dangerous new world.

Ms. Ashe’s Top Isekai Anime, Fountaindale Public Library

Re:Zero

Episodes: 25
Genre: Action/Fantasy/Horror
Where to watch: Get it from the library, or stream for free on Crunchyroll
Age Rating: 14+

Synopsis: Natsuki Subaru, an ordinary high school student, is on his way home from the convenience store when he finds himself transported to another world. As he’s lost and confused in a new world where he doesn’t even know left from right, the only person to reach out to him was a beautiful girl with silver hair. Determined to repay her somehow for saving him from his own despair, Subaru agrees to help the girl find something she’s looking for…

Ms. Ashe’s Top Isekai Anime, Fountaindale Public Library

The Rising of the Shield Hero

Episodes: 25+ (getting an additional season in the future)
Genre: Action/Fantasy
Where to watch: Stream for free on Crunchyroll
Age Rating: 13+

Synopsis: Iwatani Naofumi, a run-of-the-mill otaku, finds a book in the library that summons him to another world. He is tasked with joining the sword, spear and bow as one of the Four Cardinal Heroes and fighting the Waves of Catastrophe as the Shield Hero. Excited by the prospect of a grand adventure, Naofumi sets off with his party. However, merely a few days later, he is betrayed and loses all his money, dignity and respect. Unable to trust anyone anymore, he employs a slave named Raphtalia and takes on the Waves and the world. But will he really find a way to overturn this desperate situation?

Ms. Ashe’s Top Isekai Anime, Fountaindale Public Library

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

Episodes: 24+ (getting an additional season in the future)
Genre: Comedy/Fantasy
Where to watch: Stream for free on Crunchyroll
Age Rating: 12+

Synopsis: Corporate worker Mikami Satoru is stabbed by a random killer and is reborn to an alternate world. But he turns out to be reborn a slime! Thrown into this new world with the name Rimuru, he begins his quest to create a world that’s welcoming to all races.