5 Underrated Isekai Anime You Shouldn’t Miss
Quite recently, the Isekai genre has exploded in popularity, but while some anime series like Re: Zero and That time I got reincarnated as a slime got immense attention, often many get overlooked so here are the top five underrated Isekai anime :
The Vision of Escaflowne was released in the 1990s, which was a long time ago and long before isekai became what genre it is now. The series does not feel tropey or blase, despite its age. It focuses on a young girl named Hitomi as she is transported to an alternative, almost mediaeval world. It is a unique mix of mech, fantasy and obviously isekai.
The entire series is only 26 episodes, making the whole thing feel more contained compared to modern isekai. Its characters develop throughout the show, often ending at different points than how they started at the starting of the show. Given its fantasy angle, it is a great show to watch especially for those who love epic mediaeval action.
Magical shopping arcade Abenobashi is not usually mentioned in the isekai genre, which is an absolute shame. This underrated anime features two young children who find themselves transported to a wide variety of strange worlds, from a sword and sorcery fantasy to something based on a dating sim game.
Read more: Top 5 Anime Shows Of All Time
Now and Then, Here and There is not exactly like modern isekai, but this only makes its journey all the more satisfying. The plot sees a young boy named Shu transported to a harsh, post apocalyptic world that features child soldiers and other societal ills.He's one of many characters who are absolutely put through the wringer, with the story being a brutal and dark fantasy that's anything but cheerful.
In the end, Now and Then, Here and There represents a sort of unexpected hope, with its characters making it through the show's events by way of their triumphant will. Their ‘victory’ feels like a satisfying conclusion rather than an exercise in torture and sadness. Fans who are initially put off by its harrowing events should watch until the end for a more than welcome farewell.
Beloved by a generation of anime fans, Fushigi Yugi was the first isekai series for many older fans. The series sees the two young students falling into the world of a mysterious book, with the fantasy setting inside based on Chinese mythology. Running for 52 episodes and adapting the manga of the same name, Fushigi Yugi went on to inspire many anime.
Many who go back and watch Fushigi Yugi will note how archetypal it was for other isekai, and shows made in the same mold are still being produced today. It was a major hit in its day, and this gives it a strong sense of nostalgia for those who didn't even grow up with it. A great example of isekai comfort food, the show is worth revisiting as an old-school gem and simply a colorful fantasy romp.
Also known as Digimon: Digital Monsters, the original Digimon anime is still one of the best in the series. While it's similar to other monster-raising anime from the same time period, it's a step above all of them. Likewise, its place in the isekai genre is something that many fans overlook, despite it featuring elements later seen in shows such as Sword Art Online.
Jumping on the growth of the internet at that time, Digimon Adventure was a show of its era without being entirely dated. The DigiDestined and their Digimon actually had character development, and there was a sizable amount of stakes for a kids' show. Best of all, the series wasn't purely episodic, meaning that each story built upon the events of the last, making the show a must-watch all around.
Escaflowne
The Vision of Escaflowne was released in the 1990s, which was a long time ago and long before isekai became what genre it is now. The series does not feel tropey or blase, despite its age. It focuses on a young girl named Hitomi as she is transported to an alternative, almost mediaeval world. It is a unique mix of mech, fantasy and obviously isekai.
The entire series is only 26 episodes, making the whole thing feel more contained compared to modern isekai. Its characters develop throughout the show, often ending at different points than how they started at the starting of the show. Given its fantasy angle, it is a great show to watch especially for those who love epic mediaeval action.
Abenobashi
Magical shopping arcade Abenobashi is not usually mentioned in the isekai genre, which is an absolute shame. This underrated anime features two young children who find themselves transported to a wide variety of strange worlds, from a sword and sorcery fantasy to something based on a dating sim game.
Read more: Top 5 Anime Shows Of All Time
Now and Then, Here and There
Now and Then, Here and There is not exactly like modern isekai, but this only makes its journey all the more satisfying. The plot sees a young boy named Shu transported to a harsh, post apocalyptic world that features child soldiers and other societal ills.He's one of many characters who are absolutely put through the wringer, with the story being a brutal and dark fantasy that's anything but cheerful.
In the end, Now and Then, Here and There represents a sort of unexpected hope, with its characters making it through the show's events by way of their triumphant will. Their ‘victory’ feels like a satisfying conclusion rather than an exercise in torture and sadness. Fans who are initially put off by its harrowing events should watch until the end for a more than welcome farewell.
Fushigi Yuki
Beloved by a generation of anime fans, Fushigi Yugi was the first isekai series for many older fans. The series sees the two young students falling into the world of a mysterious book, with the fantasy setting inside based on Chinese mythology. Running for 52 episodes and adapting the manga of the same name, Fushigi Yugi went on to inspire many anime.
Many who go back and watch Fushigi Yugi will note how archetypal it was for other isekai, and shows made in the same mold are still being produced today. It was a major hit in its day, and this gives it a strong sense of nostalgia for those who didn't even grow up with it. A great example of isekai comfort food, the show is worth revisiting as an old-school gem and simply a colorful fantasy romp.
Digimon
Also known as Digimon: Digital Monsters, the original Digimon anime is still one of the best in the series. While it's similar to other monster-raising anime from the same time period, it's a step above all of them. Likewise, its place in the isekai genre is something that many fans overlook, despite it featuring elements later seen in shows such as Sword Art Online.
Jumping on the growth of the internet at that time, Digimon Adventure was a show of its era without being entirely dated. The DigiDestined and their Digimon actually had character development, and there was a sizable amount of stakes for a kids' show. Best of all, the series wasn't purely episodic, meaning that each story built upon the events of the last, making the show a must-watch all around.
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