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Table of contents

Highlights

  • SAO's first arc received the most appreciation from fans.
  • Black Summoner and Reincarnated as a Sword are good choices for SAO fans.
  • Log Horizon and Overlord have similarities to SAO in storytelling and world-building.

Sword Art Online debuted as a visual novel series in 2002, and Reki Kawahara's story was adapted into a smash-hit anime in 2012. It has since received many seasons and spinoffs, each tackling a new MMO or gaming genre. Yet for all its storylines, fans tend to appreciate the first arc the most.

In SAO's original story, an MMO traps players within its walls. There is seemingly no escape, and if players die in the game, then they die in real life. Some gamers decided to live their lives peacefully in the world of this fantasy MMO, while others looked for a way out. Concepts like these have appeared in anime before and since, in scenarios from deadly games, to video games, to isekai anime and everything in between. For those who loved the premise of Sword Art Online, these are good choices to watch next.

Updated February 11, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Sword Art Online has faded slightly into the background as its anime output has slowed down to an extent, although a movie is in the works. Fortunately, fans looking for something that can scratch a similar itch can check out the following isekai anime like SAO.

10 Black Summoner

Quick Harem & Straightforward Protagonist

Black Summoner anime kelvin
Black Summoner
Action
Fantasy
Isekai

Japanese Title
Kuro no Shoukanshi
Release Date
July 9, 2022
Studio
Satelight
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Novel & Light Novel
Creator
Doufu Mayoi
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll
MyAnimeList Score
7.08

Even though it aired alongside series like Overlord and Uncle from Another World, Black Summoner still managed to stand out from the crowd, even if it did not ultimately go down as an all-time great. Reincarnated into a new world by a goddess, Kelvin focuses on becoming a summoner, which allows him to utilize an array of allies in battle. While he could just let others handle battles for him, Kelvin absolutely loves to get his hands dirty in fights, and he is also strong enough to handle the vast majority of encounters without relying on his summoner ability.

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Black Summoner tells a very straightforward story. Except for a lingering desire to summon the goddess who reincarnated him, Kelvin does not have any real motive beyond just searching for a new person to duel. He is overpowered like most isekai protagonists, and he seems to enjoy indulging in his abilities more than the bulk of his peers. Similar to Sword Art Online, Black Summoner is also something of a harem, although it is not emphasized all that much in the show's first and only season.

9 Reincarnated As A Sword

Fran – Reincarnated as a Sword
Reincarnated as a Sword
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Isekai

Japanese Title
Tensei shitara Ken deshita
Release Date
October 5, 2022
Studio
C2C
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Novel & Light Novel
Creator
Yuu Tanaka
Streaming Service(s)
HIDIVE
MyAnimeList Score
7.54

As a theme, isekai is quite broad, and it has a couple of sub-categories. For instance, light novels have been dominated by villainess stories for a while, and that trend has crossed over into anime in recent years. Another isekai subtype involves protagonists being reincarnated as unusual things, be it a vending machine, a spider monster, or slime. Amazingly, all those concepts have produced fun shows (to different extents), although they are not necessarily the greatest picks for SAO fans. However, Reincarnated as a Sword is a whole other story.

A human finds himself stuck as a sentient sword, albeit one that is quite powerful. Despite being capable of movement, the blade realizes he needs a wielder to be complete, and he finds that person in Fran, a beastkin orphan who has been through hard times. The two develop a charming friendship and mentorship that benefits both of them. While having a very different premise from SAO, Reincarnated as a Sword delivers action that is very close in quality to the more popular series. Fran and Shishou's father-daughter dynamic is also not far removed from Kiryu and Asuna's relationship with Yui, although the former is arguably handled better than the latter.

8 Ixion Saga DT

Underrated Isekai Comedy With A Very Non-Kirito Protagonist

Ixion Saga DT
Ixion Saga DT

Release Date
October 8, 2012
Studio
Brain's Base
Number of Episodes
25
Based On
Game
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll
MyAnimeList Score
7.14

Debuting just a few months after the original season of Sword Art Online, Ixion Saga DT very much comes across as a show that predates Kirito's rise in popularity in the anime world. For better or worse, Brain's Base's series has a unique voice that sets it apart from not just SAO but most isekai stories on the market. Basically, the show revels in its stupidity, arguably even more so than something like KonoSuba.

Kon finds himself teleported into his favorite MMORPG, where he is quickly tasked with protecting a princess. Unlike the Black Swordsman, Ixion Saga DT's protagonist is not a cool customer, and he handles this newfound responsibility with all the grace of, well, a teenager who suddenly finds himself in a life-or-death situation. If someone is searching for an isekai comedy, Ixion Saga DT is a great place to start.

7 The Rising Of The Shield Hero

Power Fantasy With Extensive Harem & Some Dark Content

child raphtalia, naofumi and rishia
The Rising of The Shield Hero

Japanese Title
Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari
Release Date
January 9, 2019
Studio
Kinema Citrus, DR Movie
Number of Episodes
50
Based On
Novel & Light Novel
Creator
Aneko Yusagi
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll
MyAnimeList Score
7.96 (Season 1)

Very few isekai anime can claim to be anywhere near as polarizing as Sword Art Online, but The Rising of the Shield Hero is one such exception. The story follows Naofumi, a guy who is summoned to a fantasy world to serve as one of its heroes. Whoever, he is falsely accused of a crime and shunned by the world, starting him down a path of both revenge and redemption. Before long, he starts forming his own party that leans into harem territory without really committing to it (similar to SAO).

The Rising of the Shield Hero is a mixed bag due to its underwhelming second season which can be a real slog to get through; however, season 1 and Fall 2023's third cour are both considerably better. Naofumi is a much more forceful protagonist than Kirito, which makes him both divisive but also interesting. While the storytelling can be a bit messy in places, the anime generally handles its action sequences well.

6 Log Horizon

Deep Immersion In An MMORPG World

log horizon anime
Log Horizon

Release Date
October 5, 2013
Studio
Satelight, Studio Deen
Number of Episodes
62
Based On
Novel & Light Novel
Creator
Mamare Touno
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll
MyAnimeList Score
7.92 (Season 1)

On the surface, Log Horizon and Sword Art Online seem cut from the same cloth. Both anime have plotlines involving players who become trapped in MMORPGs, forcing them to adapt to the cultures of their games. Both anime have "overpowered" protagonists in a sense, although SAO's Kirito is mostly a physical threat while Log Horizon's Shiroe is a thinker.

The shows differ in their exploration of their respective worlds, as Log Horizon dedicates far more time to showcasing the societies that grow in Elder Tale, the MMORPG. While Shiroe is the main character, the isekai anime has an almost ensemble cast since it dedicates a lot of time to its supporting figures.

5 .hack//Sign

Classic Isekai Set In A Game

Promo art featuring characters from .hack//Sign
.hack//Sign
Adventure
Fantasy
Mystery

Release Date
April 4, 2002
Studio
Bee Train
Based On
Game
Number of Episodes
26
Streaming Service(s)
Tubi
MyAnimeList Score
6.95

The .hack series launched as a global branding effort across all forms of media. There were games, books, manga, and this first anime adaptation, .hack//Sign.

All stories in this series take place in a fictional MMO called "The World," which runs on VR headsets. The players don’t get trapped in it, unlike Sword Art Online. The only exception is a mage-like character named Tsukasa. Why can’t he leave? That’s the core mystery, which he seeks to resolve.

4 Overlord

Isekai With An Evil Protagonist & Great World-Building

Momonga from Overlord
Overlord
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Isekai

Release Date
July 7, 2015
Studio
Madhouse
Number of Episodes
52
Based On
Novel & Light Novel
Creator
Kugane Maruyama
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu
MyAnimeList Score
7.91 (Season 1)

Overlord is another game-based anime. It started out as a novel in 2010 which then led to a light novel followed by a manga and then this anime. In this anime, the MMO is about to shut down. The show's protagonist, Momonga, is the leader of his own guild.

He decides to hold a party online to count down the servers shutting down, but no one comes. When the clock reaches zero, he discovers he can’t leave, and the plot thickens from there. Unlike SAO, Overlord very much focuses on an "evil" protagonist, albeit one that is initially playing a part rather than fully malicious. Momonga steadily expands his reach over the kingdom, exerting his overwhelming power over the ill-prepared humans. He is also backed by a few extremely loyal and powerful subordinates.

3 The Devil Is A Part-Timer!

A Reverse Isekai With A Demon Lord Twist

The Devil Is A Part-Timer!
The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (2013)
Isekai
Fantasy
Comedy
Romance

Japanese Title
Hataraku Maou-sama!
Release Date
April 4, 2013
Studio
White Fox, Studio 3Hz
Number of Episodes
37
Based On
Light Novel
Creator
Satoshi Wagahara
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu , Tubi , Funimation
MyAnimeList Score
7.74 (Season 1)

Most isekai anime involve humans being sent to another world, be it a video game or just a fantasy realm that incorporates RPG elements; however, exceptions exist. While not as inescapable as the standard version, reverse isekai anime are not uncommon either, and arguably the most famous is The Devil is a Part-Timer! The original 2013 season introduces Demon Lord Satan, who escapes to Earth while on the verge of defeat at the hands of the hero Emilia. Alongside his right-hand man, a weakened Satan is left with no choice but to lie low while trying to pass as human, which involves getting a job at a fast-food restaurant.

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Although not lacking in drama or well-choreographed fight sequences, SAO often shines the brightest when it slows down the pace and focuses on immersing the characters (and the audience) in their new surroundings. The Devil is a Part-Timer! accomplishes the same thing, albeit with extraordinary characters forced into normal and mundane circumstances. The anime's handling of fast-food work is both hilarious and relatable, while the characters are quite likable. The first season is fantastic, and it is worth watching on its own; unfortunately, the sequels are more of a mixed bag.

2 KonoSuba: God's Blessing On This Wonderful World!

The Ultimate Isekai Parody

konosuba statistics chart characters
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World!
Isekai
Comedy

Japanese Title
Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo!
Release Date
January 14, 2016
Studio
Studio Deen
Number of Episodes
20
Based On
Novel & Light Novel
Creator
Natsume Akatsuki
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu
MyAnimeList Score
8.11 (Season 1)

KonoSuba is the definitive isekai parody anime. The show's comedy casts a fairly wide net, so while it does not specifically satirize Sword Art Online, tropes from the latter are part of the equation. After living an unspectacular life, Kazuma meets a sad end, which leads him to a face-to-face with a goddess named Aqua. While she does offer the human the chance at a second life, she also does not hesitate to mock him; consequently, when he is allowed to take one thing into the new world, Kazuma picks Aqua.

KonoSuba centers around perhaps the most dysfunctional party in isekai history. Even though all four main characters are awful people, they are also hilarious, well-written, and likable. Unlike Kirito, Kazuma is not particularly powerful or charming (in-universe), but he is not incompetent either. Now, KonoSuba is, ultimately, a very different show than SAO, but the former is still recommended for fans of the latter since it rewards viewers' familiarity with isekai tropes.

1 Skeleton Knight In Another World

Quite Similar To SAO In Tone, Action, & Protagonist

Skeleton Knight in Another World Arc
Skeleton Knight in Another World
Action
Fantasy
Isekai

Japanese Title
Gaikotsu Kishi-sama, Tadaima Isekai e Odekakechuu
Release Date
April 7, 2022
Studio
Studio Kai, HORNETS
Number of Episodes
12
Based On
Novel & Light Novel
Creator
Ennki Hakari
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll
MyAnimeList Score
7.16

Despite enjoying a decent run during Spring 2022, Skeleton Knight in Another World has already started to fade from memory, a consequence of there being roughly a million isekai anime released per year. Similar to SAO, Skeleton Knight is also set in a fantasy video game world inspired by MMORPGs. In this case, only one human finds himself stuck in this realm, and to make matters worse (or better), he is stuck as his skeleton avatar. On the one hand, he is fairly powerful; conversely, he is literally a walking skeleton.

Although not a masterpiece, Skeleton Knight in Another World gets a lot of things right. The anime generally nails its action sequences. While Arc (the protagonist) often takes center stage, the show does not neglect its supporting characters, especially the main female lead. Arc is a solid MC as well, even if he lacks drive. Also, like SAO, Skeleton Knight sometimes struggles with tonal whiplash.

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