The 15 Isekai Anime Where The MC Uses Modern Knowledge

Are you a fan of Isekai anime looking for a different twist in the genre to experience something innovative and different? You have come to the right place.

That is why today we are here to bring you our list of the best isekai anime with modern knowledge in their plot.

This particular approach can bring a new perspective on the genre, giving room for new and interesting narrative choices.

Just remember that this list is written according to our personal experience and taste.

15. The Wise Man’s Grandchild

The Wise Man’s Grandchild is a good and underrated isekai released in 2019 in 12 episodes.

The story follows an overworked office worker named Shin who, after being hit by a car, finds himself reincarnated as an infant in a mysterious fantasy world.

Here he’s adopted and raised by the legendary wizard Merlin, who trains him in magic.

As Shin grows up, he becomes an incredibly skilled magician, combining his great talent with his knowledge of the modern world.

But on the other side of the coin, he struggles to relate with people, as he was raised in a forest. That’s how begins Shin’s adventure as he discovers the world and the people in it.

The Wise Man’s Grandchild combines a coming-of-age story as Shin discovers the world around him with good action scenes accompanied by an apt soundtrack.

14. Arifureta – From Commonplace to World’s Strongest

Arifureta is a good isekai released in 2019 that focuses on psychological and romance themes in addition to the classic isekai elements.

A group of high school students is transported to a parallel world as the heroes supposed to save it from destruction.

But while all the students seem to have exceptional skills, the protagonist Nagumo Hajime is the exception, as he is weak and has low stats.

After being betrayed and abandoned in a seemingly bottomless dungeon, Nagumo meets a blonde vampire. Here things will start to change, and Nagumo’s revenge will start.

These are the premises of Nagumo’s evolution from weak and betrayed protagonist to OP and anti-hero.

And one of the factors that will make him incredibly strong is his great intelligence and knowledge of modern technologies, which he will use to build weapons and armor of great workmanship.

13. Knight’s & Magic

Knight’s & Magic was released in 2017 and combines isekai, war, fantasy, and mecha in its 13 episodes.

The protagonist this time is an otaku with a great passion for mecha, who unexpectedly dies in a car accident.

But instead of dying, he is reincarnated in an alternate world in the guise of Ernesti Echevarria, a silver-haired little girl.

And her goal will be to become a pilot of Silhouette Knight, the huge and surprisingly modern mecha that are used in this world.

Knight’s & Magic is unmissable if you are looking for an anime that combines isekai and mecha.

Its action scenes are entertaining, and the characters are well-written.

12. Familiar of Zero

Familiar of Zero is an underrated isekai gem released in 2006 that combines the classic elements of the genre with romance and fantasy.

Saito is an ordinary Japanese boy who one day is unexpectedly summoned to a fantasy world unknown to him, keeping all his memories and modern knowledge.

He soon discovers that he was summoned by mistake by Louise, a sorceress with poor magical abilities, who wanted to summon her familiar.

Saito would like to return home, but the contracts of that world don’t allow him to do so. That’s how begins the adventure of the two protagonists, who initially will not get along at all.

Familiar of Zero is an entertaining isekai with a good dose of comic scenes combined with action, adventure, and a few tender moments between the two main characters.

11. Outbreak Company

Outbreak Company is a 2013 isekai anime released in 12 episodes that would benefit from more popularity.

The story stars Shinichi Kano, a boy with enormous knowledge of the nerdy world inherited from his parents.

Because of this, the Japanese government entrusts him to be a missionary in the Holy Empire of Eldant, an alternate world, with the mission of bringing his modern knowledge there.

Outbreak Company is an anime based on the Japanese nerd and otaku culture and what would happen if brought into fantasy worlds, almost as if it were a tribute to it.

It’s a fun series that doesn’t take itself seriously, great if you are looking for something light-hearted.

10. High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World!

High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World! is a 2019 isekai anime released in 12 episodes that has flown fairly under the radar compared to other titles.

The story follows seven high school students who survive a tragic plane crash and find themselves in a fantasy world filled with all sorts of creatures.

The twist? All seven are true prodigies and masterminds, rising to power and gaining the highest offices in their respective fields of expertise soon with their incredible modern world knowledge.

High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World! is a good choice if you like OP MCs because of their superior intelligence.

All of this in a great fantasy setting and featuring fleshed-out characters.

9. Drifters

Drifters is an incredibly underrated isekai from a manga written by the same author of Hellsing.

Its story is about a Sengoku-era samurai named Shimazu Toyohisa who finds himself transported to another world after his death on the battlefield.

In this new world inspired by medieval Europe, Shimazu encounters both humans and fantastical creatures like elves and dragons, as well as famous warriors from other eras with modern weapons who are ready to fight.

What will happen from now on?

Drifters is an excellent isekai, with unique and distinctive animation and character design, accompanied by excellent action scenes and a well-crafted soundtrack.

Give it a chance and you won’t regret it if you are a fan of action-focused series.

8. No Game No Life

No Game No Life is one of the most popular isekai in recent years, released in 2014 in 12 episodes.

The story follows Sora and Shiro, two hikikomori brothers who spend their days playing videogames. They are so skilled that they’ve become urban legends, scaring anyone who happens to end up in the same online lobby as them.

One day, they receive an invitation from God himself to enter the world of Disboard, an alternative world based on various types of games.

Sora and Shiro begin a new life in this world, using their incredible abilities learned from modern videogames to defeat every opponent they come across.

No Game No Life is a fun isekai that entertains a lot with its matches in different games that will keep you on your toes until the end.

The characters also are fun and charismatic, and the animations good and with a great style.

7. Parallel World Pharmacy

Parallel World Pharmacy is an isekai from the summer of 2022 in 12 episodes.

The main character is a young doctor so committed to his research that he unexpectedly dies from overwork.

He will be reincarnated as a young court apprentice court healer in a fantasy world and will use his knowledge of modern medicine to save many lives.

Parallel World Pharmacy as you can well understand from the plot does not focus at all on action, plot twists or the like.

Rather, it tells a simple and entertaining story with good animations and good characters, as if it was a slice-of-life anime.

6. In Another World With My Smartphone

In Another World With My Smartphone was released in 2017 in 12 episodes from the light novel of the same name.

Touya Mochizuki is an ordinary 15-year-old student who is unexpectedly struck by lightning and killed.

But when he arrives in front of the god of thunder, since it all was an unlucky mistake, he is offered a chance to be reincarnated in another world, with the added bonus of being able to keep his beloved smartphone.

That’s how begins Touya’s new life in a medieval fantasy world, armed with his trusty and smartphone and all its modern capabilities.

In Another World With My Smartphone is an entertaining isekai, which except for the innovative and fun premise does not excel in anything in particular.

We recommend it if you are looking for something simple to watch without following complex plots.

5. The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat

The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat is a cool isekai anime released recently with only one season released so far.

Lugh Tuatha Dé is a legendary assassin, considered the deadliest in the world. That is until he is killed, and awakens before a goddess who proposes that he be revived in another world as a wealthy aristocrat.

The condition? Killing the hero of that new world.

This is a fun and entertaining isekai, centered on action scenes and a protagonist who literally is the villain of the events.

And a special feature of it is that it has super modern and technological weapons while being set in a fantasy world typical of the isekai genre.

4. GATE: Thus the JSDF Fought Here

GATE is an isekai released between 2015 and 2016 in 24 episodes taken from a light novel that was in turn adapted from a web novel.

We are in a modern Tokyo, which one day is shocked by the opening of a mysterious portal from which all kinds of entities emerge, from knights to orcs, and dragons.

As a countermeasure, Japan decides to send a group of elite soldiers led by Youji Itami to the other side of the portal for a political negotiation, and in case it fails, the use of force.

GATE is a good choice if you are looking for an isekai that is different from the usual, with some cool and quirky characters.

Its premise is innovative and well executed, and the story starts from the modern world, making it an excellent entry on this list.

3. How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom

How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom is a 2021 isekai released in 25 episodes from the light novel of the same name.

Kazuya Souma is summoned to another world as its hero, and his adventure begins in a quite strange way. After presenting his wise plan to strengthen the country economically and militarily, the king suddenly hands over the throne to him, putting Souma in a difficult position.

The country is indeed at war with neighboring states and the whole situation is everything but easy. Helped by five generals and his previous modern world knowledge, Souma must save the kingdom for which he is now responsible.

How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom is a good isekai, focusing its plot and worldbuilding on politics and cunning over action.

2. Saga of Tanya the Evil

Saga of Tanya the Evil is a unique and unmissable isekai released in 2017 in 12 episodes.

It follows the story of Tanya, a young blonde girl who appears cute but is actually a merciless and strong warrior on the battlefield, leading the Imperial Army.

Tanya was previously a Japanese bureaucrat, who was reincarnated as a child in a world destroyed by war as a punishment for his cynicism and blasphemy.

But instead of being desperate and humbled, he chose to be a cynical and selfish ruler of this world too.

The strengths of this anime are definitely the excellent protagonist, one of the best evil MCs in isekai, but also its modern and realistic setting, with the use of firearms and other modern knowledge.

1. Ascendence of a Bookworm: Stop at Nothing to be a Librarian

Ascendence of a Bookworm is in our opinion one of the best underrated isekai you can find right now. It comes out in 2019 in multiple seasons and is still ongoing.

The protagonist is Urano Motosu, a young college student with an infinite passion for books. She reads literally anything and has a dream of working as a librarian, but she sadly dies in an accident just as she’s close to achieving her dream.

Her last wish is to be able to read more books in her next life, and that’s how she reincarnates as Myne, a five-year-old girl living in a medieval era when books were just beginning to be created.

Her new life begins from here, but problems like revolutions, political entanglements and more will soon emerge.

Being without action scenes, Ascendence of a Bookworm relies entirely on its world-building and characters, especially the protagonist, a nice example of a strong woman.

And it is she who will make a difference in the course of events with her modern knowledge of books and literature.