By Stefania Ikeda Stavridi
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Isekai anime has surged in popularity, captivating the hearts of fans far and wide, and with it, the dawn of characters who defy traditional notions of heroism. In their exhilarating journeys through otherworldly dimensions, the protagonists are no longer the knights in shining armor or the pure-hearted saviors everyone's accustomed to.
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Instead, the heroes have taken a darker path, steering the narrative in unprecedented directions. Whether they embark on a quest for vengeance, inadvertently become the very menace they seek to defeat, or momentarily lose themselves to the allure of wickedness, the isekai realm now hosts a diverse roster of characters and tales that challenge the conventions of heroism.
***SPOILER ALERT: This list contains MAJOR SPOILERS on isekai anime plots and characters' affiliations and goals!!! ***
10 Demon Lord, Retry!
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 6.55
Why Watch Demon Lord, Retry!?
- Entertaining Action And Adventure
- Tyrannical Main Protagonist
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Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
Human | Demon Lord | Lawful Evil | Understand And Rule The New World |
After making the decision to shut down his MMORPG's servers, Akira Oono finds himself transported into a fantasy world. Upon his arrival, he discovers that he now inhabits the body of his game's final boss, the demon lord. This world, though, is nothing like the one he once managed, brimming with unfamiliar monsters and characters.
As he embarks on a journey to unravel the mysteries of this strange realm, Akira begins to gradually embrace the role of a demon lord. Realizing the immense strength he holds, he is marked by an insatiable greed for power and wealth. With a tyrannical personality, showing little regard for the opinions of others, Akira does not hesitate to exploit those around him.
Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
July 4, 2019 | 12 | Finished | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai |
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9 The Executioner And Her Way Of Life
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 6.79
Why Watch The Executioner And Her Way Of Life?
- Nice Twist On Who's The Villain And Who's The Hero
- Compelling Moral Dilemmas
Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
Human | Priestess, Executioner | Lawful Evil | Help The Weak |
Menou is not the typical isekai heroine, rather she is a priestess and executioner, tasked with a grim responsibility. She takes care of the Lost Ones, individuals who've been summoned to her world but are deemed irredeemable or dangerous. Instead of aiding them, though, Menou ends their lives.
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The heroes who find themselves isekai'd into her world often experience a descent into madness as they realize they can't return to their realms or grapple with their newfound powers. In their most vulnerable moments, Menou finds them, offering salvation. She ingeniously tricks them into believing she will assist in their plight, only to quickly betray them. While Menou's actions serve to protect her country, she shows no trace of remorse.
Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 2, 2022 | 12 | Finished | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai, Yuri |
8 Trapped In A Dating Sim: The World Of Otome Games Is Tough For Mobs
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.34
Why Watch Trapped In A Dating Sim: The World Of Otome Games Is Tough For Mods?
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- Cocky Protagonist Who Defies Norms
- Lighthearted And Does Not Take Itself Too Seriously
Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
New Human | Student, Adventurer | Chaotic Neutral | Live Comfortably |
When the protagonist of Trapped In A Dating Sim gets reincarnated into the world of an otome game, instead of finding himself in the expected role of a villain or a main character, Leon is placed in the shoes of an ordinary mob. Frustrated by the sheer injustice of his lot, he becomes the embodiment of cynicism and self-centeredness.
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Armed with knowledge of the game's mechanics, he takes full advantage of his unique position and acquires a powerful ship, and weaponry. His prowess enables him to save his classmates and the world from multiple threats, earning him recognition and a noble status along the way. However, his cruel and self-centered behavior, and his sadistic tendencies of humiliating his opponents, place him among the villains.
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Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
April 3, 2022 | 12 | Finished | Action, Fantasy, Romance, Isekai, Harem, Mecha |
7 The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.35
Why Watch The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat?
- Engaging Protagonist And Character Development
- Unique Take On Justice
Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
Human | Assassin | Chaotic Neutral | Eliminate The Hero |
The title alone of The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat tells much about the series' premise. The anime follows the journey of an assassin who was once the best in the modern world, only to find himself reincarnated into a fantasy realm at the behest of the world's goddess.
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The assassin, now known as Lugh, is given a simple, unyielding objective; eliminate the world's hero who threatens to plunge the realm into chaos. To achieve his goal, Lugh is willing to employ any means necessary, including manipulating and taking advantage of those around him. As the narrative unfolds, however, it becomes unclear whether it's Lugh, the hero, or even the goddess herself who stands on the morally ambiguous ground.
Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
October 6, 2021 | 12 | Finished | Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Isekai |
6 So I'm A Spider, So What?
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.45
Why Watch So I'm A Spider, So What?
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- Hilarious Heroine And Her Jokes
- Rich World-Building And Plot Twists
Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
Taratect Spider Monster (Originally) | Demon Army Commander | Chaotic Neutral | Destroy The System |
So I'm A Spider, So What? is a great example of the isekai genre's ever evolving narrative landscape. What sets it apart is the intriguing premise of a protagonist who, unlike the traditional hero, is born as a lowly monster in a perilous world. Reincarnated as a humble spider, Shiro's initial goal is simple as it is relatable - survival.
As the story unfolds, Shiro quickly grasps the intricacies of the world and the system at play, deciding to take on the very system that governs everyone's existence. She makes the radical choice to confront anyone who stands in her way, whether friend or foe, and does not show any remorse in taking on her old classmates.
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Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
January 8, 2021 | 24 | Finished | Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery, Isekai |
5 GATE
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.69
Why Watch Gate?
- Blend Of Action And Politics
- Cultural Clashes
Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
Human | Japan Self-Defense Forces | Lawful Good | Eat, Sleep, Play, Repeat |
Gate stands as a unique and unconventional addition to the isekai genre, as it defies the typical formula of characters being transported to a fantasy world. The anime opts instead to explore a scenario where Japan invades and attacks other worlds, after initially being attacked once.
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At the epicenter of the narrative is Youji Itami, a character whose moral alignment as good or evil remains a subject of perpetual debate among fans. His actions and decisions throughout the series leave plenty of room for interpretation. While the early episodes portray him as a defender of Earth against an invading force, his motives become increasingly muddled as the series progresses, with Itami showing no remorse when it comes to taking lives.
Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
July 4, 2016 | 12 | Finished | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai, Military | Hulu, Amazon |
4 Overlord
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.91
Why Watch Overlord?
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- Intricate World-Building And Lore
- Diverse And Engaging Cast
Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
Undead, Overlord | Guild Master, Adventurer, Overlord Of Nazarick, King Of Sorcerer Kingdom | Lawful Evil | Rule Over The World |
Ainz, once a mere player in an online game, finds himself trapped in a new reality as the game world becomes a reality of its own. The shift from an ordinary human player to a powerful skeletal overlord marks the beginning of his journey. However, as his dark reign unfolds, Ainz's intentions are consistently misunderstood by his loyal minions.
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Ainz's path takes a truly unique turn as his guild's goal evolves from its original aim to conquer dungeons to the far more ambitious aspiration of ruling over the entire world. The Overlord himself declares his grand ambition to become an eternal legend, surpassing and replacing all known heroes.
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Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
July 7, 2015 | 52 | Finished | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai |
3 Saga Of Tanya The Evil
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.96
Why Watch Saga Of Tanya The Evil?
- Hilarious And Relatable Heroine
- War Tactics And Politics
Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
Human | Aerial Mage/ Wing Commander | Lawful Evil | Destroy Being X, Live In Peace |
Tanya Degurechaff is a character whose very essence embodies the notion of an evil protagonist. Her path to reincarnation was a consequence of her own despicable and manipulative behavior in the modern world, a punishment from god.
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Reborn in a war-torn realm, Tanya joins the military, earning praise for her exceptional skills, but beneath the facade of a hero lies a power-hungry, sadistic individual. Her every move is driven by a ruthless desire to secure a cushy position in the back offices, far from the frontline dangers she so despises, and most importantly far from the mysterious Being X.
Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
January 6, 2017 | 13 | Finished | Action, Fantasy, Isekai, Military | Crunchyroll, Funimatoin, Amazon |
2 The Rising Of The Shield Hero
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.97
Why Watch The Rising Of The Shield Hero?
- Complex Character Relationships
- Underdog Protagonist
Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
Human | Shield Hero | Chaotic Good | Originally Revenge |
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The Rising of the Shield Hero introduces a main character whose journey straddles the fine line between hero and anti-hero. After getting transported into another world, Naofumi's story takes a distinctive turn as he is falsely accused of heinous crimes.
This betrayal from a person he thought he could trust and the subsequent isolation harden him, giving rise to cynicism. For a considerate period, Naofumi prioritizes only his own survival and the welfare of his small group, driven by an understandable distrust of others. However, he does not linger in the path of evil for too long, and his character undergoes remarkable development.
Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
January 9, 2019 | 38 | Finished | Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Isekai | Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimatoin, Amazon |
1 The Eminence In Shadow
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.31
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Why Watch The Eminence In Shadow?
- Meta Take On Isekai
- Hilarious And Delusional Protagonist
Race | Occupation | Alignment | Goal |
---|---|---|---|
Human | Student, Leader Of Shadow Garden | Lawful Neutral | Eight-Grader-Sydrome Dream of Being A Big Power In The Shadows |
The Eminence in Shadow redefines the isekai genre with a delusional protagonist, Cid, driven by chūnibyō fantasies. Seeking strength, he reincarnates into a magical world after mistaking a truck's lights for magic. Concealing his powers, Cid inadvertently becomes a savior, all while sharing his eccentric delusions with those he saves.
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The people he saved in the new world come to believe in and rely on him, even forging a secret organization, unaware that Cid sees everything as mere play. While he does not bring any harm to his subordinates, and most of his delusions are actually real, Cid takes lightly the lives of others, and only wants to focus on his own fantasies.
Release Date | Episode Count | Status | Genres | Where To Watch |
---|---|---|---|---|
October 05, 2022 | 20 | Finished | Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Isekai |
NEXT: Best Isekai Villains, Ranked
- Anime
- Isekai
- Overlord
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