The trope of the OP main character destroying all opponents is always a hit. Characters like Goku and Saitama are perfect examples of why these types of series are so popular.
And luckily, there are tons of isekai anime that make use of this narrative device too. Some of the best examples include Overlord, with its cool anti-hero protagonist, and The Rising of the Shield Hero.
So don’t waste any more time, check out this list of the best isekai anime with an OP protagonist and find some great anime to add to your watchlist.
This list is based on our personal opinion and experience.
Table of Contents
20. Fantasy World Cheat Magician – Taichi and Rin
Fantasy World Cheat Magician is a 2019 isekai anime based on a light novel, adapted into 12 episodes.
The story follows Taichi and Rin, two ordinary high school students who are suddenly transported to an unknown world on their way home from school.
Once there, they are immediately attacked by a mysterious creature, but they are saved by adventurers who advise them to join their guild. However, they soon discover that they possess incredible powers!
Unfortunately, Fantasy World Cheat Magician starts with a lot of potential but fails to deliver in the end. The plot is quite underwhelming, the characters are poorly developed and lack depth, and the animation is mediocre at best.
Watch it only if you have nothing better to do and don’t expect too much.
19. In Another World with my Smartphone – Touya Mochizuki
In Another World with my Smartphone is a 2017 isekai anime that is underrated compared to other titles in its genre. It’s a comic adventure that combines harem and fantasy themes.
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 smartphone and all its modern capabilities.
You can easily tell why he’s overpowered and above the average, given that he has access to modern technology.
In Another World with my Smartphone is a good isekai anime, which manages to be enjoyable and entertaining due to its lighthearted atmosphere and fun premise.
18. Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? – Mamako Oosuki
Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? is a 12-episode isekai anime that features a mix of action, comedy, ecchi, and harem elements in its storyline.
The main character, Masato Oosuki, is transported to a fantasy world along with his mother, who unexpectedly turns out to be overpowered with high damage-dealing attacks.
The anime follows the relationship between Masato and his mother and includes comedic moments, but overall the plot is lackluster and lacks significant development.
This anime is average at best, and while it may provide some simple entertainment and humor, it’s not one of the better isekai anime out there. You can still watch it for some laughs, but don’t expect much.
17. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord – Diablo
How Not to Summon a Demon Lord is a lighthearted isekai anime that focus on ecchi and comedy.
The protagonist, Takuma Sakamoto, is the most skilled player of Cross Reverie, an online MMORPG, where he’s known as Diablo, the King of Demons.
At one point he is transported in the form of his avatar, to another world where 2 girls try to make him their slave through magic. But when Diablo casts reflex magic at just the right moment, the girls will instead become his slaves in the conquest of that new world.
While this anime is not revolutionary in its plot, it provides a fun and easygoing viewing experience for fans of the isekai genre, especially those who enjoy ecchi and harem themes.
So, if you’re in the mood for a simple and entertaining anime, you might want to give it a try, even if we warn you that it’s not that good.
16. Tsukimichi – Moonlit Fantasy – Makoto Misumi
Tsukimichi is a 2021 isekai anime based on a light novel with 12 episodes.
It follows the story of Makoto Misumi, a normal student who suddenly finds himself transported to a new world. Summoned by a goddess, he learns that his parents had made a pact to make him the hero of this world.
But Makoto is betrayed by the goddess who deems him aesthetically unqualified for the task.
But here begins his rise, and despite starting as an outcast in a foreign world, Makoto will soon develop strong powers with the help of another god.
While Tsukimichi offers a straightforward isekai experience, it falls short in terms of plot, soundtrack, animations, and character development. It can be an enjoyable series if you don’t expect much.
15. The Fruit of Evolution: Before I Knew It, My Life Had It Made – Hiragi Kazumi
The Fruit of Evolution: Before I Knew It, My Life Had It Made is a 2021 light novel-based isekai anime with 12 episodes.
The protagonist is Hiragi Seichi, a boy who has been bullied by his classmates for his eating disorders and appearance.
One day, he hears the voice of a goddess who reveals that he and his classmates will be transported to a video game-like world.
Excited to begin his new existence, his classmates will betray him leaving him alone, and ending up being the only one teleported alone to a strange area.
But despite this a great revenge awaits Seichi. In this area, Seichi will find a fruit that will give him tremendous powers.
This anime is a classic isekai based on harem and character development, it is not a masterpiece but still offers enjoyable moments.
14. Arifureta – From Commonplace to World’s Strongest – Nagumo Hajime
Arifureta is a highly entertaining anime series that was released in 2019.
The story follows a group of high school students who are transported to a parallel world where they must save it from destruction.
While all the students seem to have gained powerful abilities, the main character, Nagumo Hajime, is reincarnated with poor statistics.
This leads to him being discriminated against by his peers and abandoned in a seemingly endless dungeon.
However, when he comes across a 300-year-old vampire in a cave, things begin to change.
Arifureta tells the story of Nagumo’s rise from a weak, discriminated character to an overpowered one. With many plot twists and psychological elements, this anime is not to be underestimated.
13. The Wiseman’s Grandchild – Shin Wolford
The Wise Man’s Grandchild is an underrated isekai anime, released in 2019. The series is based on a light novel and spans over 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 fantasy world.
He is adopted and raised by the legendary wizard Merlin Crawford, who trains him in magic.
As Shin grows up, he becomes a skilled magician but struggles to fit into society as he was raised in a forest. That’s how begins Shin’s adventure as he discovers the world and the people in it.
Overall, The Wise Man’s Grandchild is a great isekai that doesn’t rely on typical fantasy world tropes or rescuing princesses. Instead, it focuses on the main character’s evolution and growth.
12. The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat – Lugh Tuatha Dé
The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat is a 2021 isekai anime with 12 episodes.
The main character, Lugh Tuatha Dé, is a legendary assassin known as the strongest in the world.
However, after his death, he is offered the chance to be revived in a new world by a goddess.
The condition? He must kill the hero of that world.
This anime offers an innovative perspective on the genre, featuring some good action scenes and a unique twist on the classic isekai story from the villain’s point of view. It’s worth giving it a chance.
11. Sword Art Online – Kirito
Sword Art Online, for better or for worse, is one of the most talked about isekai anime.
It consists of multiple seasons, each set in a different alternate world. The protagonist, Kirito, is a highly skilled op MMORPG player, and he must navigate different challenges in each world.
It’s difficult to discuss Sword Art Online as a whole, as the first two seasons are quite bad for their cliché situations, poorly written characters, and weak plotlines.
However, the third season, Alicization, has received praise for its improvement and is a super good product.
If you have the patience to stick through the first two seasons, then watching Sword Art Online could be worth it. However, if you’re looking for a more consistent experience, you might consider reading the light novel instead.
10. Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious – Seiya Ryuguin
Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious is a 2019 isekai anime released in 12 episodes.
The story follows Seiya Ryuguin, a hero summoned by the Goddess Rista to save her world from certain doom.
Despite Seiya’s immense strength, he is overly cautious in his approach to battles and tends to be ruthless with his enemies, even the weakest ones.
This causes problems not only for his enemies but also for innocent people who get caught in his devastating attacks.
This anime balances its elements well, such as comedic scenes, action, drama, and a unique anti-hero protagonist. While it may not be a masterpiece, it is an enjoyable and innovative take on the isekai genre.
9. Saga of Tanya the Evil – Tanya Von Dugerechaff
The Saga of Tanya the Evil is a highly-rated 2017 isekai anime that offers a unique and innovative take on the genre.
It follows the story of Tanya, a young blonde girl who appears innocent but is actually a merciless warrior on the battlefield, leading the Imperial Army.
Tanya was previously a Japanese bureaucrat, who was reincarnated as a child in a war destroyed by war due to his cynicism and blasphemy.
Instead of being desperate, he chose to conquer this new world too.
The anime is a must-watch for fans of the isekai genre, with a captivating plot, a standout anti-hero protagonist, and an innovative setting that is grounded in reality.
In fact, you won’t see any magic but rather the use of actual weapons, and for this reason, we consider it one of the best isekai anime featuring firearms.
8. BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense – Kaede Honjou
BOFURI, released in 2020, is an isekai anime with a long name and consists of just 12 episodes filled with comedic and fantasy elements.
Kaede Honjou, who’s new to online MMORPGs, joins the virtual reality game at the invitation of her friend Risa Shiromine.
As a beginner, Kaede chooses a large shield as her weapon and levels it up, much to everyone’s surprise. The tactic proves to be incredibly effective, and she quickly becomes incredibly op and a legend among the players.
BOFURI offers a pretty unique take on classic MMORPG anime, breaking away from the typical mold of a strong, sword-wielding hero.
Despite its comedic nature, there’s no shortage of action, making it a fun and entertaining watch.
7. The Devil is a Part-Timer – Sadao Maou
The Devil is a Part-Timer is an interesting and underrated isekai anime that goes out of its way to twist the canons of the genre. It was released in 2013 in 13 episodes.
The demon king is finally one step away from conquering his world when he’s suddenly mysteriously transported to Tokyo.
Instead of getting discouraged, he decides to conquer this new world too.
But first, he needs to conform to society and make some money. So, he starts working part-time at a fast-food restaurant.
This is the story of how Satan himself became a part-timer. It’s a parody of the classic isekai and a unique anime in the genre.
Seeing the incredibly OP king of demons working in a restaurant is definitely something worth watching.
6. Overlord – Momonga
Overlord is one of the best isekai anime with a villain MC in recent years, bringing a fresh take on the genre with a cool dark-fantasy setting.
Momonga is the strongest player in Yggdrasil, an online MMORPG that’s about to shut down its servers.
Momonga decides to log in one last time before saying goodbye to the game, but he’s surprised to find himself trapped in the game world.
But the protagonist isn’t shaken by this and decides to become the ultimate king of the world. And that’s exactly why we consider this show as one of the best isekai anime with an anti-hero MC.
Another thing we love about this show is that it’s one of the most striking examples of isekai anime where the protagonist is not human.
Overlord’s premise may not seem super original, but it’s still worth watching thanks to its OP and villainous protagonist.
5. No Game No Life – Sora and Shiro
No Game No Life is one of the most popular isekai anime in recent years, released in 2014 with 12 episodes.
The story follows Sora and Shiro, two hikikomori 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 to defeat every opponent they come across.
This beloved isekai is a must-watch for fans of all types of games, from traditional to gambling. Its great success is undoubtedly due to its focus on compelling games that drive the plot and its charismatic characters.
4. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime – Rimuru Tempest
One of the most popular fantasy anime of recent times, animated in various series by Studio 8-Bit and based on Fuse’s light novel of the same name in one of the best isekai anime with a royal MC.
The protagonist is a 37-year-old man who a robber in the real world kills, but instead of dying, he is reincarnated into a fantasy world as a blind and weak-looking slime.
Under the name Rimuru Tempest, he begins his new life.
And don’t let Rimuru’s appearance fool you though, he’s an incredibly powerful character and one of the strongest in the medium.
The story takes you on a journey through a rich and detailed fantasy world, with interesting characters and an engaging plot. It’s definitely worth checking out, with an animated adaptation still in progress.
3. The Rising of the Shield Hero – Naofumi Iwatani
The Rising of the Shield Hero is a super successful isekai that’s won the hearts of viewers with its captivating story.
It’s based on a light novel of the same name and there are 25 episodes so far, with a second season recently released.
The protagonist, Naofumi, is just a regular Japanese guy who loves reading fantasy books and light novels. One day, he comes across a mysterious white-page book at the library, which takes him to a fantasy world.
He soon finds out that he’s one of four heroes chosen to save the world and he’s the Shield Hero, the weakest and most discriminated against. But, he’s determined to rise up and become a strong and respected hero. Here starts his rise.
This is a solid isekai, with fleshed-out characters, a smooth plot, and epic action scenes that we absolutely recommend.
2. Log Horizon – Shiroe
Log Horizon is a 2013 anime series that has 25 episodes. We consider it one of the best isekai anime with experience levels set in a MMORPG world.
The story revolves around the fantasy world of Elder’s Tale, where all the players get trapped and unable to log out for mysterious reasons.
The main character, Shiroe, along with Naotsugu and Akatsuki, decides to form a guild called Log Horizon to survive in this new world.
Log Horizon is an excellent isekai anime that features an evocative fantasy world and mature and realistic themes, compared to the typical isekai genre. Plus, it’s also one of the best isekai anime with no ecchi or harem.
As the plot progresses, the main characters, particularly Shiroe, become more skilled, powerful, and super op.
1. Mushoku Tensei – Rudeus Greyrat
Mushoku Tensei is, without a doubt, one of the best isekai anime in recent years. It has some fantastic animations, well-written characters, and an engaging plot.
The story follows a 34-year-old, unemployed Japanese man who, after being evicted from his apartment, realizes the meaninglessness of his life.
He then dies saving high school students from a truck, only to be reincarnated in a new world as a baby with amazing magical powers.
If you’re a fan of the isekai genre, it is a must-watch. It’s truly a rare gem that hasn’t been seen in a while, and its 23 episodes (+1 OVA) will prove it.
It’s also one of the best isekai available on Hulu, so you can watch it without any issues if you’re subscribed to the service.