16 Best Reverse Isekai Anime, Ranked

Many anime involve humans going to fantasy worlds, but these shows do the opposite. What are the best reverse isekai series?

Isekai anime have been near inescapable over the last decade. Sword Art Online, Overlord, Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, and KonoSuba are just a handful of the shows that cemented the subgenre as a staple in the industry. The core premise of someone being whisked to a fantasy world to start anew is innately intriguing and leaves a lot of room for creators to play around with unique settings, quirky characters, and tones.

A human being sent to an MMO is pretty common, but the same cannot quite be said for the direct opposite. Reverse isekai involves a character from another world coming to Earth, and while these anime are not impossible to find, they make up a tiny portion of the overall isekai genre. From the shows that fit the bill, which are the best reverse isekai anime?

Note: GATE has been left out since it leans more towards isekai than the reverse version; however, the anime is a good shout for those seeking a military-themed show.

Updated April 25, 2023 by Mark Sammut: As always, the Spring 2023 anime season has plenty of isekai stories. Shows like My One-Hit Kill Sister, The Aristocrat’s Otherworldly Adventure: Serving Gods Who Go Too Far, and The Reason Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke’s Mansion are relatively traditional examples of the genre, while KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World injects a big dose of degeneracy to the standard isekai formula. Meanwhile, I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too shakes things up by focusing on a protagonist who can travel back and forth between Earth and a fantasy realm. Surprisingly, the season also includes two reverse isekai anime, which is two more than is usually the case. Are they worth checking out?

Spring 2023: Otaku Elf

Otaku Elf is a wholesome anime about a shrine maiden and an immortal being. Hundreds of years prior to the story’s commencement, Elda was summoned to Earth, where she grew to be seen as something of a goddess due to her immortality. Living at Takamimi Shrine, the elf is taken care of by the Koganei family, with a new shrine maiden taking charge when she turns 16 years old. Koito has just assumed this responsibility, and while she finds some of Elda’s eccentricities frustrating, the teenager cares about her charge. Also, as the show’s title suggests, Elda is heavily into otaku culture, and she also generally tries to avoid interacting with people as much as possible.

Otaku Elf is a slice of life that just happens to be built upon a reverse isekai situation, although Elda has been on Earth for so long that she is almost fully acclimatized to her new home. The anime still has a fish-out-of-water element, but it primarily stems from the elf’s reluctance to leave her shrine rather than her world-traveling origins. Although not the most existing show out there, Otaku Elf is relaxing and charming.

Spring 2023: Dead Mount Death Play

On the verge of death, a Necromancer uses a reincarnation spell to send himself to a new world, which happens to be modern Earth. Naturally, he takes over the corpse of a recently murdered boy (Polka), which quickly attracts the attention of the organization that had commissioned said murder. While powerful compared to normal humans, Polka has limited access to his magic and is also deeply confused about everything around him, paving the way to an unexpected alliance.

Dead Mount Death Play‘s strongest component so far is its protagonist, who is fairly sympathetic while still coming across as someone who is not necessarily “good.” In fact, most of the characters walk that line, which makes for an entertaining change of pace from most reverse isekai anime.

Dead Mount Death Play could be a reincarnation anime rather than a traditional reverse isekai; regardless, the worlds are different enough to justify an inclusion.

GAMERANT VIDEO OF THE DAY

SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

16 Aesthetica Of A Rogue Hero

Aesthetica Of A Rogue Hero has a fantastic premise, one that seems tailor-made for either comedic shenanigans or a psychological character study. Akatsuki has already ended his isekai adventure by defeating a fantasy world’s Dark Lord, so he returns to Earth accompanied by his former foe’s daughter.

This is a great concept for a reverse isekai anime, but Aesthetica Of A Rogue Hero only scratches the surface of this idea’s potential. Akatsuki is a bit too overpowered and flawless to be an entertaining protagonist, but the side characters fair much better.

15 Mirmo Zibang!

Except for the absolutely biggest shows from the era, most early 2000s anime have been largely forgotten to time, and Mirmo Zibang! is a prime example. This anime lasted for over 150 episodes, producing four seasons across a three-year span. Kaede is a likable girl who is desperately in love with a boy who doesn’t particularly notice her.

Long story short, Kaede winds up summoning a fairy, Mirumo, from another world. While Mirumo is meant to help Kaede find love, the fairy is way more interested in goofing off while making sure he stays as far away from his fiance as possible. Mirmo Zibang! isn’t anything to write home about, but it is a cute, lighthearted anime with mostly enjoyable characters. The type of show that works well as a distraction.

14 Dropkick On My Devil!

Quite a number of reverse isekai anime start with a human summoning a being from another world, usually to ask for some assistance. So, in terms of premise, Dropkick On My Devil! is about as predictable as they come; however, the show is anything but typical.

Dropkick On My Devil! is a slapstick comedy that generally involves Yurine, a human, deep frying Jashin-chan, a demon, in quite graphic displays of violence. It’s gloriously over-the-top, and the anime does also expand its cast to include other mythological beings. Although repetitive at times, Dropkick On My Devil! works well as an unhinged alternative to an anime like Gabriel Dropout.

13 Magical Witch Punie-Chan

An OVA series that came out in 2006 and 2007, Magical Witch Punie-Chan is a parody of, as its name suggests, the magical girl genre. Inline to rule Magical Land, Punie heads off to spend a year in Japan, enrolling in a high school in the process.

Punie might seem like an angel at first glance but the magical witch has a temper, and she does not hesitate to get gleefully violent when necessary. Magical Witch Punie-Chan is a short and funny anime, even if it does generally reuse the same punchline.

12 Zatch Bell!

Although not as inescapable as some other battle shonen properties, Zatch Bell! was quite popular during its initial run. The anime holds up reasonably well too, permitting a viewer enjoys these types of shows. Unbeknownst to humans, the Mamodo world exists alongside Earth. Every so often, this realm sends over a couple of its strongest fighters to Earth so they can take part in a tournament to determine their world’s next ruler. To compete, they must partner up with a human who will be granted a book with the Mamodo’s spells.

Zatch Bell is one such candidate, and he winds up teaming with the reluctant Kiya. Zatch Bell! follows an enemy of the week format during its opening chapters, before eventually expanding into longer arcs. Packed with humor and battles, the series does a solid job of balancing comedy and action.

11 Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World

While overshadowed by another anime with a similar premise that came out a year before it, Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World is nevertheless an intriguing take on the reverse isekai formula. The anime centers around a restaurant that welcomes guests from other worlds, and the focus is chiefly on the food.

No action or tension, Isekai Izakaya is a delightful and relaxing fantasy show with likable characters, gorgeous meals, and a chipper attitude. The episodes are also on the short side, so this is a pretty quick watch.

10 Kuromukuro

Released through Netflix, Kuromukuro has robots, aliens, and pretty good animation. Following the discovery of a dormant giant robot, humanity built a research center that eventually constructed a few mecha. As it so happens, these mecha prove to be valuable when alien ogres attack Earth. Also, the main character is a samurai who travels hundreds of years into the future through a cube.

Kuromukuro is an entertaining action show that incorporates plenty of anime conventions in satisfying ways. At 26 episodes, it does feel a touch stretched at times, but the content is of high quality.

9 Uncle From Another World

Uncle from Another World is a special case that exists somewhere in the middle between isekai and its reverse counterpart. When he was young, the eponymous Ojisan was sent to a fantasy world where he got to experience his dream life, albeit one that quickly turned into a nightmare. In the real world, his body spent 17 years in a coma, only to awaken when he randomly returns home.

Set after his comeback, Uncle from Another World focuses on Ojisan’s attempts to adjust to the modern world while he simultaneously bewilders his nephew with heroic tales filled with orcs, dragons, and tsunderes. An isekai parody, this anime hilariously pokes fun at the genre’s tropes, archetypes, and protagonists.

8 Ya Boy Kongming!

Ya Boy Kongming! is technically not isekai since the titular tactician merely travels through time rather than swaps worlds. However, China’s Three Kingdoms era is so far removed from modern Tokyo that they might as well be different universes. This anime is delightfully bizarre since it throws Kongming into the entertainment industry as he becomes an advisor to an aspiring singer named Eiko.

As silly as this premise sounds, Ya Boy Kongming! sells it through sheer personality. Kongming and Eiko are fantastic characters who complement each other beautifully, and the story’s minor players help flesh out the anime’s world. The show’s soundtrack serves as the icing on the cake, and this goes beyond just Eiko’s songs.

7 Gabriel Dropout

Gabriel Dropout is not traditionally seen as an isekai, but it does have all the trappings of one. Two angels and two demons are sent to Earth from Heaven and Hell respectfully, and they don’t quite act as their backgrounds indicate they might. An angel with a lot of potential, Gabriel becomes enamored with Earth’s offerings, particularly video games, and turns her back on Heaven.

Gabriel Dropout is a “cute girls doing cute things” anime with a reverse isekai twist. Its characters are funny, particularly the demon Satanichia, and the anime doesn’t overuse “fish out of water” humor.

6 Sugar Sugar Rune

Even if they are largely seen as their own thing, plenty of magical girl anime are essentially reverse isekai. Ultra Maniac and Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha both have reverse isekai elements, but the best of the bunch is Sugar Sugar Rune. A classic 2000s show, this anime follows two witches who are competing for the Witch World’s throne.

In order to pick a winner, they head to Earth and engage in a contest to see who can collect more human hearts. Rather than action, this shoujo series focuses primarily on the friendship between the two leads, Chocolat and Vanilla, and some romance. Clever, hilarious, and featuring a great art style, Sugar Sugar Rune is a blast.

5 The Devil Is A Part-Timer!

Probably the first show that comes to mind when people think of reverse isekai, The Devil is a Part-Timer! drops a mighty Demon Lord in Tokyo, zaps him of most of his power, and then sends him to work at a fast-food joint. The premise is genius, and the anime makes full use of its characters’ lack of familiarity with human conventions.

Sadao Maou is great as the Demon Lord, while Emi Yusa is a fun foil to the lead as the hero. However, the anime’s show-stealer is Shirou Ashiya, a demon dragged along with Sadao who is left the take care of the house while the Demon Lord flips burgers.

4 Restaurant To Another World

Similar to Isekai Izakaya: Japanese Food From Another World, Restaurant to Another World is, well, about a restaurant that serves customers from other realms. Western Restaurant Nekoya dedicates one day a week to its fantasy clientele, many of which experience personal growth through their time at the establishment.

The anime also touches upon some of the issues that would arise if such different worlds were to be linked, mainly through Aletta, a server from the devil race. Restaurant to Another World 2 will start in the Fall 2021 season.

3 Re:Creators

In this universe, every fictional story exists in its own world, and problems arise when some of these characters find themselves on Earth. Re:Creators might just have the strongest premise out of any reverse isekai series, one that opens a whole cosmos of possibilities when it comes to character types, abilities, and themes.

While the two leads, Souta Mizushino and Selesia Upitiria, are somewhat bland, the rest of the characters are pretty strong, particularly the main antagonist Altair and Meteora Österreich. Re:Creators‘ animation is also stunning.

2 Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid

While out on a drunken escapade, Kobayashi winds up sharing a moment with a hurt dragon. Yes, a dragon. The next morning, said dragon shows up at Kobayashi’s place and asks to repay the favor by working as her maid. Oh, and the dragon can transform into a human girl with a tail and horns.

Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid is a warm and fuzzy anime, the type that inspires constant smiles and more than a few giggles. Although predominantly a comedy, Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid‘s content is undercut by genuine emotion and surprisingly deep themes, particularly in season 2.

1 Hinamatsuri

On a random day, Nitta, a yakuza member, finds a strange pod with a girl’s face in his living room. This object holds Hina, a powerful telepath who escaped from her world to get away from those who regard her as little more than a tool.

Hinamatsuri is brilliant. Hina’s deadpan demeanor juxtapositions perfectly with Nitta’s over-the-top reactions, and it is a pleasure to watch their parent-daughter dynamic flourish as the series progresses. The side characters are also excellent and go on widely unpredictable journeys.

Fuente: successacademy.edu.vn
Categorías: Anime