As a Dungeon Master, inspiration can be a powerful tool if used wisely. When watching television, or catching up on our fantasy novels, you can’t help but want to use this or that in your next game. From what we have watched of the anime genre that is isekai, we have continually learned and been influenced by it.
What is there not to love about it? Whether the format you take it in is manga, manwha, or the animated format – there are a thousand different systems out there. We hope to shine a light on some of our favorites.
What is an Isekai?
Anyone that is remotely familiar with isekai storylines will be very familiar with the infamous truck trope. Nicknamed “Truck-kun“, this is a scenario where the main character or characters get hit by a truck and die on impact. Upon death some entity or force transports them to an isekai world.
Isekai roughly translates to “alternate world” in Japanese. Whenever a genre references to Isekai, be prepared for someone to be reincarnated into an alternate universe. One that will most likely be imbued with magic and mystical forces at play.
Although death is probably the most common way to get isekaied*, you don’t actually have to die. There have been a wide range of shows and literature that have such characters transported to these phantasmal lands, without the need of a speeding truck. This occurs most of the time through a third party.
*To get Isekaied refers to the act of getting transported to an alternate world*
Top Isekai Anime of 2024
We are only counting the Isekai anime that have been released in 2024, including subsequent seasons that were released during this time. The rankings that follow will be our personal favorites, with the must see of the year at the very end!
Now lets get the absurdly long titles rolling!
Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything with Low-Level Spells
Failure Frame immediately gives us a great example of being transported to another world instead of getting one-shotted by truck-kun.
Plot of Failure Frame
We are introduced to the main protagonist, Touka Mimori. With a troubled life before being taken in by his aunt and uncle, the story takes place on a bus filled with his classmates and teacher. We instantly see their hierarchy as Touka himself understands that he is at its lowest tier.
After a confrontation with one of his classmates, soon after they are summoned to the alternate world of the Alion Kingdom. The one who called them is the Goddess of the empire, who has called the group to become heroes who will defeat the reawakened demon lord.
They are then assigned their hero class level, with some undeserving and cruel bullies of Touka receiving high rankings (S-rank) with special powers. To Touka’s dismay, he soon finds out that he is the lowest and weakest level (E-rank) out of everyone tested.
The Goddess declares that he must be killed instantly or banished to a dungeon that no one has ever returned from. Touka has been branded a threat to the others due to how weak he is. He then shouts curses to his fellow classmates as they all but watch as the Goddess sends him away.
Why You Should Watch Failure Frame
As you can infer from the title, there seems to be more than the MC being sent to the dungeon and never being heard from again. The first season has been fully released so don’t hold back from binging it. With the end of the season, we saw a release of 12 episodes.
This is truly and underdog story, and we think that is why it is so appealing. Building up from the ground up takes work. The characters thus far also show an intelligence to their actions. If you like revenge stories and OP characters, then this is the anime for you.
The only thing truly holding this anime back is the animation. An overuse of 3D models takes you out of the moment. This would be reason enough to drop such a show, but the worldbuilding, power system, and story overall make up for it.
Demon Lord 2099
This series is one of our most anticipated isekai releases of the 2024 fall season. Cyberpunk and fantasy have been done countless times, but this rendition combines the two. Creating a unique outlook of life for some of these immortal characters.
Plot of Demon Lord 2099
Starting 500 years before the current story takes place, we see the defeat of Demon Lord Veltol. An immortal king of immortals who was finally taken down by the legendary hero. Vowing to be back, Veltol fades away, knowing he will be back one day.
Flash forward 500 years, we see the reincarnation of the famous Demon Lord Veltol. Brought back to life by one of his loyal immortals, Machina, who had in waiting for centuries to be able to revived. During this time, much has changed in the lands that they once knew. Machina becomes the one to try to teach Vetol about the alternate world they live in now.
Sometime in the last hundred years or so two worlds, one of earth and one of fantasy, were combined. Magic and technology were introduced to each other, and immortals became enemies of the land.
We now follow Demon Lord Vetol as he tries to regain his power and dominance in this strange land. Through betrayals and a new world, he must take everything he lost back by force and influence.
Why You Should Watch Demon Lord 2099
The reason we enjoy this isekai would be the refreshing take on the topic at hand. So many isekai have the person die in the modern day and get whimsically transported to this alternate land that seems medieval and full of magic.
Now, there is nothing wrong with this trope that we have become so familiar with. On the opposite, as long as the animation and storyline come together, it can be a very interesting and exciting watch. But to take what we know and flip it, have someone from the far past thrown into the far future gives it a comedy aspect.
We the viewers are not watching and learning with them, more watching them realize what we already know. While there are only a few episodes out at the moment, it will keep us as a viewer for the rest of the season.
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
The Isekai that has inspired countless others, this one is a must-see. While not originally released in 2024 (releasing in 2018), we finally got the long-awaited season three. This is one of the more large-scale isekai that others try to replicate, with the whole continent being affected by the presence of what most would consider as a low-level slime on first appearance.
Plot of That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Satoru Mikami was a regular 37-year-old businessman living in modern Japan. While off the job and with a few friends, he was randomly stabbed, dying on the scene.
Moments later, he awakens in an alternate world. While most animes flavored as isekai have their MC wake up as a superhero with unmatched powers, this was not the case for Satoru Mikami. He has just awakened to find himself deep in a cave as…. a simple slime monster.
With this discovery and the realization that he has newfound abilities, he starts to absorb magic crystals and the monsters of the cave. Soon thereafter he encounters a strong being (and first friend) Veldora the Storm Dragon.
Eventually, he is able to leave the cave and officially start his life in this new world. Now with the name Rimuru Tempest. Throughout he will gain friends and strengths with his abilities, creating a legacy with and through them.
Why You Should Watch That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
There is honestly a lot we are leaving out, just because we want you to enjoy it as much as we did. The storylines, power leveling, and overall world Rimuru lives in is something you want to keep learning about. The show has such a large following and three seasons for a solid reason.
The series has a great mix of humor, action, and a freshness to isekai that makes it an enjoyable watch. Using his wisdom from another life, he is able to grow his empire and the viewers root for what’s next all the while.
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Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
This is where the isekai genre really gets a jump in realism for us. Well, as realistic as being reincarnated into a world full of magic and monsters can be. While sometimes anime has “the power of friendship” in its corner, anime like Jobless Reincarnation do not follow that rule as much.
If this anime were a Dungeons & Dragons game, then the DM of this universe definitely keeps track of luggage capacity and spell components.
Plot of Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
This was also an earlier released season (2021) with their latest ending in July of this year. This storyline is familiar to That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime but for not as happy-go-lucky reasons.
Described as a 34-year-old, obese, shut-in NEET (jobless man), who has so far lived a disappointing and lonely life shut off from everyone he knows. After finally going outside, he uncharacteristically pushes a girl out of the way of Truck-kun, sacrificing himself in her place.
He then dies and is actually reincarnated, not into Japan but into a world of fantasy as Rudeus Greyrat. This is all due to the scheming of what we know as the Mangod. Unlike most reincarnations, where your memory is wiped, Rudeous has the full knowledge of his past life.
Rudeus soon learns that magic is part of this world. He then, from a very young age, starts practicing magic from his mother’s belongings. He soon discovers that he has an incredible aptitude for it. Not only that, but his father was a very skilled swordsman, and he also chose to be trained in that art form.
We end up meeting very important people in his life. The Greyrat name (which is more known than previously thought) opens him to many opportunities. We meet his master, Roxy. A powerful mage who helps train his gift. His cousin Eris and his childhood friend, Sylphitte, are some of those important members who help and encourage him.
Rudeous will face many challenges and bizarre events, but with these new sources of support, he will be able to face them all as he grows and gains power.
Why You Should Watch Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Watching a person go from someone who feels more than hopeless to a leader who has the support of friends and family is always a good show, in our opinion. On top of this, we watch as Rudeous grows from a small child to what he is today currently in the series.
While not overpowering, Rudeuos’ character shows that putting the time and effort in proves to be worth it. The world-building, mechanics, storyline, and overall animation are some of the best you will find in animation.
Not too long ago, we wrote an article ( Delicious in Dungeon: Gygaxian Naturalism Done Right) detailing what Gygaxian Naturalism is. This isekai is on a similar level to Delicious in Dungeon. While not an isekai, Delicious shows what type of world-building is needed to make a show’s environment feel real. Jobless Reincarnation reinforces this concept, in terms of ecosystems and ways of living in general.
This show would rank higher on my list, but the reason it is second from the bottom would have to be how lewd it is. It can sometimes be a bit too much and come off as not needed, even if it builds on Rudeous as his character (most likely brought on from his life as a NEET).
Overall, give this one a watch and you are for sure going to want to build a world just as vast as this one.
Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World
Re: Zero is what we would consider the pinnacle of the isekai world. We looked upon it can not be considered anything less than that. It does not only have a loyal fanbase but the time and effort of the show speaks for itself in the animation and storytelling.
This is at the top of the list, not just our own, but more than likely anyone who enjoys watching isekai.
Plot of Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World
Without any explanation, Subaru Natsuki has been transport to the fantasy world of Lugnica. Ready to start his new isekai life, Subaru leans into this experience. That is to find out he does not have any special powers or features that would make him special.
Not only that, he has no wealth to his name, no prestige, and no way to get back home. We watch as he runs into a few less-than-favorable encounters. Watching this normal person go through it, we can’t help but feel sorry for him. This is until Subaru Natsuki dies.
Return by Death. It could probably be considered one of the most overpowered and sought-after powers you would want if randomly sent to a land that you have no knowledge of. Would you still want it if you could experience the pain and mental torture of dying over and over?
This is the new life of Subaru Natsuki. Once Return by Death is activated, Subaru will be transported back to a random “save” point. While the whole dying part is probably not the best part, being able to try and try and try again is where Return by Death is most handy.
We watch as Subaru not only dies horribly, but his newfound friends die as well due to not having any knowledge of the situation beforehand. Only being able to fix said mistakes through loops, slowly inching forward to the desired outcome. All to try and protect his friends and his dear Emilia, who he developed feelings for.
Oh and did we mention that if he tells anyone, they will instantly die?
Why You Should Watch Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World
Just like those before, first and foremost, worldbuilding and storytelling are top-tier. The magic in this world is interesting and is not immediately obvious. No yelling out your moves in this universe. Mix that in with lovable characters and amazing animation, then you have yourself a binging session right at the click of a button.
Moreover, watching the themes of love, self-worth, and sacrifice being presented in such a way is captivating. While watching, you can’t help but still feel sorry for the character and Subaru goes through what feels like endless turmoil. In that regard, you feel the opposite when Subaru wins his battles through sheer determination.
Out of all of these shows, Re: Zero should be the first watch for any inspiration in your next game.
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