10 best Isekai manga that you need to read

Isekai manga, transporting ordinary people from Earth to magical parallel worlds, continues enrapturing readers. These tales offer imaginative escapades into fantastical realms, populated with powerful figures and expansive lands waiting to be explored.

By inserting commoners into extraordinary fantastical settings, isekai manga provides vicarious adventures where anything seems possible. Readers can experience journeys alongside protagonists as they discover mystical gifts and embark on epic quests.

Some isekai manga titles have even influenced modern fantasy storytelling within their subgenre. For any fan of magical realms and thrilling exploits beyond our own, these 10 best isekai manga are not to be missed.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Mushoku Tensei, and 8 best isekai manga

1. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime by Fuse (Image via Kodansha)

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime follows Satoru Mikami, a 37-year-old man who is stabbed by a robber on the streets and dies. He suddenly finds himself reincarnated as a Slime monster in an unfamiliar world of swords and magic.

As a small, squishy blob, Mikami discovers he has a unique ability to mimic the skills and traits of anything he swallows. He befriends the Storm Dragon Veldora and, after liberating him from imprisonment, receives the new name "Rimuru Tempest." As Rimuru builds a monster city for his new allies, his legacy grows.

With engaging adventure and a likable protagonist, this isekai manga subverts expectations by initially making the transported human seem weak, only for him to quickly gain power through wits and abilities. Rimuru is an easy hero to root for.

2. Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World

Re:Zero- Starting Life in Another World by Tappei Nagatsuki (Image via Media Factory and Yen Press)

When Subaru Natsuki leaves a convenience store, he is transported to a fantasy world. While seemingly a dream come true, he soon gets wrapped up in various deadly encounters, eventually becoming involved in the royal selection process.

Every time he dies, he resurrects where he started, while retaining memories of what occurred. This dark, violent isekai manga series puts a time-loop twist on the classic transported-to-another-world trope.

The mental toll of the repeating deaths on Subaru gives this fantasy adventure a psychological depth beyond simple escapism. Watching Subaru struggle to understand and overcome the brutal challenges he faces makes for a unique isekai tale.

3. The Rising of the Shield Hero

The Rising of the Shield Hero by Aneko Yusagi (Image via Media Factory and One Peace Books)

Naofumi Iwatani is one of four heroes summoned to defend a fantasy realm beset by monster invasions known as Waves. However, as the Shield Hero, Naofumi faces undeserved accusations of wrongdoing, instigated by Princess Malty.

Despite his innocence, her false claim leaves him an outcast, stripped of resources and initial allies. Though constrained to rely solely on his shield, Naofumi possesses resilience of spirit. Where others see only limitations, he finds possibility through creativity and study.

As deeper conspiracies emerge, he grows in strategic prowess and understanding of the world's turmoil. With confrontations ingeniously mediated through his solitary tool, and an intricate mystery unfolding with rising stakes, the manga offers a compelling spin on the isekai genre.

4. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation by Rifujin na Magonote (Image via Media Factory and Seven Seas Entertainment)

Mushoku Tensei follows an unemployed 34-year-old otaku as he dies trying to save a group of teenagers and gets reborn as Rudeus Greyrat— the child of a former adventurer and swordsman— while retaining memories of his past life.

This gives Rudeus tremendous potential to excel in combat and magic within his new fantasy home. Seeing Rudeus leverage his extensive anime/manga knowledge makes for clever satire about otaku culture, while also delivering thrilling adventure scenes.

Combined with a sprawling story about Rudeus seeking personal growth and bettering himself and those around him, this isekai manga balances humor and riveting drama.

5. Overlord

Overlord by Kugane Maruyama (Image via Enterbrain and Yen Press)

When the online game Yggdrasil shuts down, guildmaster Momonga finds himself transported inside the MMO as his avatar, the powerful skeleton mage Ains Ooal Gown. He discovers the computer-controlled NPCs from the game have come to sentient life and pledge loyalty to him as the master of the Great Tomb of Nazarick.

With extensive RPG lore built up over several seasons and volumes, it is satisfying to see Ains tactically wield the tomb's resources to slowly strengthen his name and legend within this vivid new world.

Blending dark fantasy action with political intrigue, Overlord makes full use of the limitless creative possibilities a virtual world transition enables.

6. No Game No Life

No Game No Life by Yuu Kamiya (Image via Media Factory and Yen Press)

Step-siblings Sora and Shiro are legendary gamers, dominating any game they play under the collective gaming identity "Blank."

After they collectively beat a mysterious chess program calling itself "God," the gaming addicts get transported into a strange fantasy nation called Disboard— a world where all conflicts are settled through high-stakes games.

A wildly imaginative isekai manga playing out almost like a high-stakes tournament arc, No Game No Life features elaborate strategies employed by the genius Blank duo. With unique gaming-inspired magic systems and vibrant fantasy nations, this series offers a thrill-a-minute journey for strategy fans.

7. Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!

Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World! by Natsume Akatsuki (Image via Kadokawa Shoten and Yen Press)

When Kazuma Satou dies embarrassingly on Earth, he gets to choose one item to take with him for his reincarnation and, out of spite, picks the goddess Aqua.

Unfortunately, Aqua causes far more chaos than help within the fantasy world. The two gather other quirky, dysfunctional allies— explosion-obsessed mage Megumin and masochistic crusader Lalatina Dustiness Ford (Darkness).

Konosuba sets itself apart from more action-focused isekai manga by delivering laugh-out-loud comedy, usually stemming from its cast of eccentric misfits bumbling their way through saving the kingdom. Their clueless blunders and combative banter make for ongoing hilarity.

8. Saga of Tanya the Evil

Saga of Tanya the Evil by Carlo Zen (Image via Enterbrain and Yen Press)

A ruthless Japanese corporate executive gets murdered, but rather than face divine judgment, he gets reincarnated by Being X (a supposed god) as Tanya Degurechaff— a young girl born into a magical world resembling World War I, embroiled in trench battles enhanced by magical warfare.

Tanya resolves to climb the military ranks while pursuing a safe, comfortable life. This alt-history magical warfare isekai manga mixes WWI-style trench battles with explosive magical duels.

Watching the calculating, cold-hearted Tanya manipulate friends and foes alike, while unleashing devastating spells, makes Saga of Tanya the Evil a one-of-a-kind military isekai story.

9. The Eminence in Shadow

The Eminence in Shadow by Daisuke Aizawa (Image via Kadokawa Shoten and Yen Press)

Cid Kagenou is obsessed with shadow organizations in fiction. When he gets reincarnated in a magical world, he aspires to create and lead his own secret society behind the scenes.

By leveraging knowledge from his previous life, he pulls off schemes— often accidentally— while building up his reputation as an unparalleled mastermind.

This comedic isekai manga dispenses with standard hero tropes, instead putting Cid in the driver's seat, manipulating events through an elite team carrying out missions in his name. Seeing this clandestine order grow more fearsome cements Cid's legend as The Eminence in Shadow.

10. Log Horizon

Log Horizon by Mamare Touno (Image via Enterbrain and Yen Press)

When a mysterious phenomenon called the Apocalypse hits the virtual world of Elder Tale, more than 30,000 players find themselves transported to the very game they were just playing.

Now permanently stuck in the MMORPG realm with no immediate way to log out, Shiroe and his friends must learn to survive using the game and character-building skills they had developed. Log Horizon thrives on exploring the social and political challenges that would arise from such a situation.

Shiroe and his fellow experienced players utilize their in-depth game knowledge to solve problems and combat threats. Perfect for any fan of strategic game mechanics blended into a richly realized setting, this isekai manga proves why it has ascended as a beloved classic in the genre.

Conclusion

Beyond escapist wish fulfillment, compelling isekai manga empowers readers to reflect on what really matters to them— be it redemption, protecting others, or defying corrupt systems. These 10 isekai manga series showcase the vast creativity possible when unrestricted by reality.

With intricate world-building, multifaceted characters, and imaginative plots driving captivating storylines, this selection of isekai manga offers something to enthrall any fantasy fan.