17 Isekai Anime That Have Awesome World Building

World building is essential for the success of an isekai anime, and these titles succeeded in creating some of the best isekai worlds.

Anime takes place in all kinds of settings, from the cold and silent reaches of space to fantasy metropolises in which species of every variety rub shoulders and cut deals. Yet many of these worlds are little more than cardboard cutouts: they may have the right look, but there’s no depth beneath the surface.

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World-building is the process of creating a setting and fleshing it out in all the detail that it needs to be believable. Economics, geography, flora and fauna, and politics are only some of the most important considerations. Successful world-building is even more important in isekai anime since the show must successfully contrast the new world with the old. Here are some isekai that have built phenomenal worlds.

Updated on December 12, 2023, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: World-building simply means constructing an imaginary world in the setting of an anime series, video game, or show. While it seems easy, the depth of the world-building in any show greatly impacts how appealing the show ends up being. Whether one wants to include magical elements or space aliens in their series, the ability to construct a world that perfectly merges with the idea is vital. For isekai shows, their world-building is very important, as fans watch how a character goes from one world to another. If the character is isekai’d into a world with a great history and cultural heritage, then fans find the activities that go on in the world more believable and the show more intriguing.

17 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

MyAnimeList Score: 8.37

Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation Release Date January 11, 2021 Genres Isekai , Action , Adventure , Drama Studio Studio Bind Number of Episodes 36 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll , Hulu

The isekai anime series Mushoku Tensei stands out from its counterparts in various ways. The show portrays a 34-year-old NEET who is reincarnated into another world. Planning to make use of his reincarnation, Rudeus strives to do his best and ends up in a world with different practices from Earth as he knows it.

This new fantasy world he finds himself in has similar practices to those on Earth; however, the inclusion of magic spices things up. Because of magic, some herculean tasks are easily sorted, and the level of technology available is limited. Regardless, the new world comes with its own unique history and culture, and Rudeus must learn to adapt.

16 No Game No Life

MyAnimeList Score: 8.07

Of the many isekai anime out there, No Game No Life has a unique world-building like no other. Despite following a unique concept where the protagonists Shiro and Sora are reincarnated into a fantasy world where everything is decided through games, the fantasy world is portrayed in a structured manner with various cultures and practices present. The world in which they are reincarnated into—Disboard—consists of 16 different races with a laid-down hierarchy.

At the bottom of this hierarchy lies Imanity, a race of humans with no affinity for magic. To change the status quo, Shiro and Sora involve themselves in a bid for power after they get transported into Disboard.

15 The Devil Is A Part-Timer!

MyAnimeList Score: 7.74

The Devil Is a Part-Timer! Release Date April 4, 2013 Genres Isekai , Fantasy , Comedy , Romance Studio White Fox, Studio 3Hz Number of Episodes 37 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll , Hulu , Tubi , Funimation

As a reverse isekai series, this anime takes place not in a fantasy world but in modern-day Tokyo after the Demon Lord Satan retreats into the human world. Now in the human world, Satan’s magic power is weak and diminishing, and he must get a job to cater for himself and pay the rent.

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The way this anime series manages to combine the fantasy elements of its characters with modern-day Tokyo is what makes it shine. As Satan is not from Tokyo, he must learn the practices of the people while using his already diminishing magic abilities to fight off his pursuers.

14 The Rising Of The Shield Hero

MyAnimeList Score: 7.97

The Rising of The Shield Hero Release Date January 9, 2019 Genres Isekai , Action , Fantasy Studio Kinema Citrus, DR Movie Number of Episodes 50 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll

Naofumi Iwatani is summoned to a fantasy world alongside four other individuals to be the cardinal heroes of the world they are summoned to. Firstly unsure of what to do and how to proceed, Naofumi researches the world he must now accept as his duty to protect.

Meanwhile, this fantasy world does not lack a rich cultural heritage, and Naofumi realizes his set of cardinal heroes is not the first, and many others have been summoned from other versions of Japan. As the series goes on, fans realize that many things up to Naofumi’s summoning were not simply by chance but follow certain conditions the world already follows to preserve itself.

13 Darwin’s Game

MyAnimeList Score: 7.23

Darwin’s Game Release Date January 4, 2020 Genres Mystery , Action , Suspense Studio Nexus Number of Episodes 11 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll , Funimation , Hulu , Netflix

This video game Isekai exists in a world not that much different from reality, but because everything is dripping in dread (and often blood-soaked, too), it changes one’s perception entirely. Every building turns into a potential hideout or the safe house of a deadly threat. Each alleyway transforms into a target practice site. A simple cellphone becomes a vital lifeline, possibly containing the only means of escape.

Enduring Darwin’s Game is not all that bad, as players are handsomely rewarded for any successful killing sprees, regardless of the fact that the murdered users never return to reality. Each unsuspecting (or occasionally, willing) participant gets blessed with an Isekai bonus called a Sigil, granting them superhuman talents perfectly adapted for survival or assassination.

12 KonoSuba: God’s Blessing On This Wonderful World!

MyAnimeList Score: 8.11

KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World! Release Date January 14, 2016 Genres Isekai , Comedy Studio Studio Deen Number of Episodes 20 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll , Hulu

When this NEET-in-denial gets the fright of his life and comes face to face with the Goddess, Aqua, he is not terribly keen on enduring round two of life and decides to drag the blue-haired girl along for the ride. In desperate need of some finances, the pair sign up to be adventurers in the Fantasy World and quickly realize it will take some effort (and some serious coin) to increase their skill sets.

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After teaming up with some equally useless quirky characters, Kazuma and his Harem battle against some of the strangest beasts imaginable, ranging from unicorn bunnies to flying cabbages (or lettuce heads in disguise) and much more. Great attention to detail is also applied to the unconventional feasts set before Kazuma and his gal pals (ones which viewers would struggle to find anywhere else)!

11 Parallel World Pharmacy

MyAnimeList Score: 7.30

It’s easy for anime fans to get excited when the lead protagonist is reincarnated into a realm that has pre-established and intricate lore, as it adds significantly more depth to the alternative reality. With Panactheos arguably receiving the most praise from society, the various elemental Deities are fondly worshipped in the San Fleuve Empire, and as a reward, Divine Arts are handed out to their patrons (only to those of Noble blood, of course).

What is unique to Parallel World Pharmacy’s worldbuilding is how predominant Science is to the storyline (which also lines up with real-life facts and theories, to keep the boffins satisfied). Falma de Médiciss lands in this archaic kingdom with his bum in the butter but is thankfully using his extensive medical knowledge and powers of elemental manipulation to create life-changing medications for those in need.

10 I’m The Villainess, So I’m Taming The Final Boss

MyAnimeList Score: 7.23

The recently reincarnated Aileen d’Autriche has to learn how to navigate her way through not one, but two separate societies within her Isekai nightmare, as humans and demons generally tend to steer clear of each other. As a Villainess who is destined to die, Aileen quickly makes an ally out of the Demon Lord, Claude, and her shadow subsequently becomes a portal of sorts, where demonic creatures (usually of the adorable variety) can pop in and out at will.

The medieval-styled terrain is not the most unique set-up in the Isekai genre; however, the strong Otome element and assortments of mythological creatures, magic items, folklore, and political structures more than makeup for any lack of originality. The picturesque scenery perfectly encapsulates the feel of a classic dating-sim scenario, while the spooky woods are foreboding enough to encourage most travelers to avoid its depths.

9 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

MyAnimeList Score: 8.14

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Release Date October 2, 2018 Genres Action , Adventure , Isekai Studio Eight Bit Number of Episodes 48+ Streaming Service(s) Hulu , Crunchyroll

Getting to experience the world as a Slime would make most things appear relatively amazing, and That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is the perfect example of how simply changing the audience’s point of view can have a significant effect on the success of its worldbuilding. Combining the spiritual, demonic, and human realms is another fail-safe way to entertain fans while following the process of a Slime’s evolution in an RPG format creates enough intrigue to keep fans glued to their screens.

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Reborn in the chaotic universe of Tensura World, created by the first of its kind, the Star-King Dragon Veldanava, Rimuru has to navigate through a complex landscape (and its equally multifaceted political system) while surviving increasingly more difficult tasks along the way. Interestingly enough, Tensura World gives the strong impression of only being a small element of the larger picture, suggesting that there is much more out there to explore!

8 Drifters

MyAnimeList Score: 7.89

Drifters Release Date October 7, 2016 Genres Action , Adventure , Fantasy Studio Hoods Entertainment Number of Episodes 12 Streaming Service(s) Netflix

History is a far deeper, more complex, and more confusing subject than most people give it credit for, and it’s not until history buffs begin to rattle off names, dates, and incidents that the scope of the subject begins to reveal itself. That’s one reason that most anime shy away from incorporating real people into their world-building: it’s simply too complex. Drifters tackles this challenge head-on.

A mixture of fantasy isekai and what-if biopic, this underrated isekai anime imagines many of history’s most fascinating figures thrown together and then forced to fight a war against one another. Coming from the creator of Hellsing Ultimate, Drifters has quality writing and a great aesthetic, but it’s the depth of its world-building that’s the ultimate draw.

7 Ascendance Of A Bookworm

MyAnimeList Score: 7.99

Ascendance of a Bookworm Release Date October 3, 2019 Genres Isekai , Fantasy Studio Ajia-do Animation Works Number of Episodes 36 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll

World building can be grand–and to an extent, it has to be, since it’s a whole world that’s being dealt with, after all–but it’s okay if the process starts small. One of the best world-building techniques is to choose a single element of the world and then flesh it out until it is thoroughly believable, then use that element as the foundation for everything else.

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In Ascendance of a Bookworm, the small thing is reading. The protagonist is a little girl beginning the long journey towards literacy, and while conquering a book may not be conquering a kingdom the way other isekai protagonists do, it provides the framework for some truly inventive world-building.

6 Sword Art Online

MyAnimeList Score: 7.20

Sword Art Online Release Date July 8, 2012 Genres Isekai , Action , Fantasy Studio A-1 Pictures Number of Episodes 96 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll , Hulu , Netflix

It’s easy to downplay the accomplishments of Sword Art Online. The series seemed to work its way into every corner of geek culture, and overexposure grated on the nerves of some. Dismissing the series based on its popularity alone would be a mistake, however.

Sword Art Online has some of the best world-building in isekai and part of what makes it so great is its willingness to go beyond the limits of its fictional MMO. The sinister corporation and mysterious figures pulling the strings back on earth receive plenty of time and attention, letting the writers develop the politics, military activities, and logistics of two worlds at once. That the series manages to build two worlds side by side and intertwine their stories speaks for itself.

5 Now And Then, Here And There

MyAnimeList Score: 7.60

Now and Then, Here and There Release Date October 14, 1999 Genres Isekai , Drama , War Studio AIC Number of Episodes 13

Now and Then, Here and There isn’t one of the first anime most people mention when the greatest isekai are discussed, but when it comes to its world-building, it should be. The desert world into which Shuu is flung as the result of his misguided attempt to rescue a strange girl is phenomenal.

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Isekai heroics lose much of their meaning and excitement when the world in which they take place feels like every other, and the world of Now and Then, Here and There doesn’t. A wasteland boiling under the light of a red giant, the world of this anime is a detailed dystopia that unabashedly examines every awful consequence of the climate crisis and military supremacy it depicts. Its world is painful to look at but brilliantly conceived.

4 The Twelve Kingdoms

MyAnimeList Score: 8.02

The Twelve Kingdoms Release Date April 9, 2002 Genres Isekai , Fantasy , Action Studio Pierrot Number of Episodes 45 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll , Tubi , Amazon Freevee

The Twelve Kingdoms is arguably one of the best isekai around when it comes to world-building, and part of the reason is that it acts as if it’s a dozen worlds that must be built. Each of the titular kingdoms has a unique government and culture that separate them from the others. Unlike other anime which has nothing to show the viewer once they’ve become familiar with the central locale, The Twelve Kingdoms always has something else waiting behind the curtain.

Even anime that succeed at world-building often struggle to make their worlds feel like places that people actually inhabit: they’re clever fantasy ideas and not much more. Every featured kingdom feels like a place that actual people could inhabit, going about their daily lives, and that’s no small accomplishment. The Twelve Kingdoms is just long enough to do what it needs to.

3 Grimgar: Ashes And Illusions

MyAnimeList Score: 7.65

Grimgar Ashes and Illusions Release Date January 11, 2016 Genres Isekai , Fantasy , Drama Studio A-1 Pictures Number of Episodes 12 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll , Hulu

Grimgar: Ashes And Illusions is about war, whereas most isekai are about battles. The difference may seem small, but it means everything when it comes to world-building. The protagonists here aren’t the finest mages in their world, dueling other wizards for the chance at a shiny title. They’re soldiers: tired, confused, and basically mediocre people who are just doing their best to make it in difficult circumstances.

Grimgar is relatively brief, telling what story it has to tell and then calling it there. Whether one loves anime that can be binged in a day or those that run for hundreds of episodes, Grimgar can’t help but win fans over thanks to the loving attention it gives to its setting.

2 Log Horizon

MyAnimeList Score: 7.92

Log Horizon Release Date October 5, 2013 Genres Isekai , Fantasy , Action Studio Satelight, Studio Deen Number of Episodes 62 Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll

Worldbuilding can look many ways, but whatever the story, whatever the genre, one of its most important aspects is coherency. Every piece has to work together to make a unified whole. It all has to make sense together.

Log Horizon is an isekai anime about characters in an MMORPG, which puts it in good company with many other shows but doesn’t immediately set it apart. Rather than let this aspect of its setting diminish it, Log Horizon makes its MMO premise one of its greatest strengths. One would need several days and a couple of flowcharts to detail the many ways that Log Horizon succeeds at developing its world. Suffice it to say, this anime approaches the pinnacle of isekai world-building.

1 .hack//Sign

MyAnimeList Score: 6.95

.hack//Sign Release Date April 4, 2002 Genres Adventure , Fantasy , Mystery Studio Bee Train Number of Episodes 26 Streaming Service(s) Tubi

Before Log Horizon, Sword Art Online, and a hundred imitators, there was .hack//Sign. The way that an anime approaches its lore says a lot about its talent for world-building. .hack//Sign does more to develop a wide-reaching, interlocking, coherent system of lore than most anime can dream of.

Wavemaster Tsukasa and his adventures in The World go far beyond the ordinary: Chaos Gates, Root Towns, and dozens of other little pieces of jargon help build up a setting that feels like one could easily step inside it. Indeed, the world-building was deep and cohesive enough that anime fans have been able to do just that, stepping into the world of .hack//Sign by way of its excellent video game adaptations.

Fuente: successacademy.edu.vn
Categorías: Anime