When it comes to Isekai anime, there are a lot of them out there, and it seems like everyone is making one of these days. But then again, there are many different kinds of Isekai out there, so what makes one stand out from the rest? Well, for starters, most of the top Isekai anime is old.
It goes without saying that new anime come and go without making a huge impact, but the ones that have been around for a while tend to be the ones that have managed to keep their viewers. If you want to watch some of the best OG classic isekai anime, then we bring you the top 10 best OG isekai anime of all time.
Here are the 10 best classic OG isekai anime
There are so many isekai anime out there, and it can be hard to find a good one. Luckily, isekai is an old genre that has been perfected over the years, so even old classics are still fantastic. Some of the best isekai shows ever made have been around for years but still, manage to gain a dedicated fan base. Here are the top 10 classic isekai anime that are still great today. These isekai anime are over a decade old and still packing a punch.
10. Amatsuki
Let’s start with Amatsuki, when our main character donned a set of virtual reality glasses and entered a museum’s Bakumatsu-era exhibit. He had no idea how profoundly his life would alter. While walking across a bridge in the fabricated reality, he ran across a monster and was promptly attacked.
His eye was damaged, but more important, he learned that he was now trapped inside the virtual reality world surrounded by warriors and spirits. I feel the overall plot is really interesting. If character development is something you look highly, while picking a particular show, then this one’s for you.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable show, yet somehow it fell into that underrated category. I highly recommend you to try this if you’re looking for these elements.
09. Hack//Sign
In ninth place, we have Hack//Sign. Our protagonist awakens in the world, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game. With minor amnesia and unable to log out of the game, he wanders around hunting for answers while avoiding the knights and other players he encounters along the way. Along with several other players who were familiar with him.
They set out to figure out why he can’t log out and get to the bottom of the situation before it gets out of hand. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with this show. It has hardly any action contrary to what it may seem like and the main focus of this story is on the characters.
Overall, this is one of the best anime amongst many others, and I recommend watching it at least once. You won’t regret it.
08. Kiba
In eighth place, we have Kiba. Two buddies dream of freedom in a dystopian future. Our main character is on the run from the authorities, while his brilliant friend Noah is dealing with his own battered body. They are tired of life in this hellhole and are looking for a way out into another world.
After being transferred to another world filled with never-ending conflicts. They quickly learn that their life’s mission has only just begun. This show has a diversified number of characters, each having their own development. This is one of the few original anime that don’t have other sources than the anime itself.
Overall, it is an excellent original anime to watch that illustrates numerous faces of its world. I think you should give it a try. As I feel it deserves more attention.
07. Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi
Coming in seventh place, we have Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi. Satoshi and Arumi have been friends since childhood, but now Arumi’s family is relocating to Hokkaido, which has profoundly distressed her lifelong friend. When Arumi’s grandfather unintentionally damages the pelican statue above his restaurant, the duo’s lives is flipped upside down.
They can’t figure out where they are, from a fairy tale realm to kung fu China to the prehistoric. You will want to check out this anime if you enjoy parodies of famous movies and other anime. It makes you laugh and smile, but some episodes might make you cry and leave you with chills because of the jumping from world to world. This anime has a little bit of something for everyone.
Overall, the show is paced perfectly, comedy is spot on, and it is all just a generally fun ride throughout.
06. MAR
Our hero would rather fantasize about fancy worlds than do his homework, but when he dreams about the same place 102 times in a row, he suspects something is wrong. His fantasy becomes a reality for the 103rd time when he is swept away to the mystical kingdoms of Mar heaven.
A location where magic and monsters coexist. Before he can return home, he must defeat the queen with the help of his companions. Together, they may be Mar’s best hope of stopping the evil. I feel this anime is underrated.
I know some people say this show is unoriginal and doesn’t do anything new, but the problem with anime is that there’s so much different anime and manga that it’s hard for any show to stick out. I think you’ll definitely enjoy this anime. It can make you laugh, think, and it can be depressing as well.
05. The Vision of Escaflowne
Coming in fifth place, we have the Vision of Escaflowne. Our main character was just a normal high school girl until she was taken by the mysterious van panel and dropped into a world of romance, magic, and giant sword-wielding armor suits. They must now work together to defeat Zaibach’s superior technology.
A force that wants to shape Kia to their visions of peace. I feel it has a pretty simple story structure of being chased by groups of people from one action scene to another. Complemented by a love triangle, which all builds up into a perfect storm of plot contrivances and twists.
To conclusion, this was an enjoyable anime to watch, with a well-thought-out narrative and a compelling plotline. It starts as an empty jigsaw, but as the story goes on, it reveals exciting pieces to fill in the jigsaw, and at a pace, you’ll be satisfied with.
04. Kyou kara Maou!
In fourth place, we have Kyou kara Maou. Our main character washes up to a magical world upon trying to save a friend from bullies. In this unfamiliar world of flying skeletons and magic, he is informed by a group called the Masuku that he is to be the next demon king. His arrival is met with skepticism by some of the demons who view him as unworthy to be their king.
However, once Yuri wins a combat using his magical abilities, the demons gradually recognize him as their monarch. I found it to be an excellent balance of humor and fantasy.
It’s a silly, happy, and hilarious adventure, set in a fantasy medieval-like kingdom. Vibrant colors from 2000 style animation and silly songs contribute to the series appropriately. If you’re looking for something enjoyable, funny, and light, you must undoubtedly pick this one.
03. The Familiar of Zero
Coming in at third place, we have the Familiar of Zero. In a world where magic is a reality, the young Louise is at the bottom of her class. She studies magic at the prestigious Tristein Academy, where everyone gave her the nickname Zero. One day, her summoning ritual results in a catastrophic explosion, but a boy named Sado appears when the smoke clears. She treats him as her slave and forces him to clean her clothes.
This show follows Sado, who gets transferred to this magical world and Louise, who wants to prove that there is more to her than her nickname suggests. Despite all the negative things, I seriously feel this show is well made.
Each episode is entertaining. Also, the show is pretty big to keep you occupied for a while. Many of you must be familiar with this already, but I highly recommend you try this if you are not.
02. The Twelve Kingdoms
In the second place, we have the Twelve Kingdoms. Our main character is an ordinary 16-year-old student. She has been considered an outcast throughout her life due to her bright red hair color. When a mysterious man named Keiki arrives and claims to be her empress, everything changes for her. She and her two companions are then sucked into a vortex and dropped into a world of demons and magic.
These ordinary youngsters, alone in this strange new land, must learn to fend for themselves. I feel it’s one of the finest and solid shows out there, but unfortunately, it’s highly underrated.
I seriously think viewers should not judge the show by its animation and art. The storyline that it showcased is one of the best. It is one of the classics and I highly recommend watching this anime.
01. Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari
In the first place, we have Isekai no Seikishi Monogatari. A mysterious group kidnaps and takes our hero to the world of Geminar. To get back home, he agrees to assassinate the newly crowned princess of the empire. As her army fights them off, the princess notices his abilities and orders to catch our hero alive.
She finds out the pilot is male, which is extremely rare in Geminar. She appoints him as her attendant and orders him to accompany her to the academy, but he’s unaware that something sinister is brewing within the academy, which could plunge the entire world into war.
With an original plot outside of the Tenchi Muyo universe, I felt the characters were molded well to fit the scenarios and minimal references borrowed from the franchise. For hardcore fans out there to conspire more theories, I feel this is a solid anime and everyone should try it.
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