Isekai is a genre of anime that has gathered a large following for its exciting possibilities when a protagonist is transported to another world and must now try to survive by new rules. Fans flock to explore a medieval world where swords and sorcery are dominant fixtures in society or when the main character is sucked into their favorite video game with extraordinary abilities. Isekai is a genre that offers a large amount of variety that keeps each series in the genre feeling new and fresh.

While most characters that are dropped into another world set off on a journey to be the hero, there are several isekai anime that have characters walking different paths. A recent addition that falls under this example would be The Eminence in Shadow. The main character, Cid Kagenou, has grander ambitions than being celebrated as a hero and seeks to gain a powerful position in the new world he now lives in. Here are some more anime to watch if fans like The Eminence in Shadow.

Updated on January 4, 2024, by C.M Edwards: The Eminence in Shadow continues to be one of the most talked about isekai anime series as thousands of fans follow Cid in his journey of conquest. Murdered while taking on thugs on the street as a vigilante, Cid found himself in a new world where magic and might rule. Cid is unlike many isekai protagonists as he has a more selfish desire than most, and doesn't care about the lives of those who get in his way. With his high intellect and exceptional physical and magical abilities, Cid forged a plan to conquer and become the overseeing power of the land with the use of his subordinates, Black Garden. Thankfully, there are many anime series with similar stories that fans can enjoy now that the second season of Eminence in Shadow has wrapped up. Here are some of the best anime series to watch for those who loved Eminence in Shadow.

16 Tsukimichi

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.7

Promised at birth to a goddess, Makoto is cast aside like unwanted trash when the goddess he is made to serve revokes his heroic title for being physically unappealing. Instead of rising to glory, Makoto is banished to the middle of a wasteland away from human society, where only Demihumans and other mythical creatures reside. Similar to Eminence in Shadow, Tsukimichi's main character possesses unparalleled power but keeps it hidden in his everyday life.

Makoto makes the best of a bad situation and finds a new home and a new family with the many races he encounters. However, his new world comes under threat very quickly, and the kind-hearted Makoto must reveal the devastating magical power he has developed from his harsh life up until now.

15 Black Summoner

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.0

Kelvin has the opportunity to be reincarnated into a magical fantasy world. Even more so, he is able to sacrifice the memories of his past life in exchange for more powerful abilities, stats, and even a title to start off in his new life.

Kelvin shares a similar trait to Cid from Eminence in Shadow and disregards his old life and seeks to charge forward with his goddess by his side in this new world. However, to summon his goddess into the world, he must become strong and face some of the most sinister threats of this dangerous new world. Kevlin goes through many trials and tribulations, meeting numerous allies and enemies along the way.

14 Working For God In A Godless World

MyAnimeLists Score: 6.7

Being the son of a cult leader sends Yukito to his death when, during a ritual, the god his cult worships does not show up to save his life which results in him drowning and dying. In his final moments, he wishes to be reborn into a world without god, and his wish is granted by the god, who left him to die.

Yukito awakes in a brazenly different world than his own, surrounded by a slew of oddballs that quickly become his second family. However, there is more to this world than just simple days, and the God Mitama has big plans for him in this world untouched by deities or religion. Fans of Eminence will appreciate the similar humor in the series.

13 I Got A Cheat Skill In Another World And Became Unrivaled In The Real World Too

MyAnimeLists Score: 6.3

Yuuya went through his early life dealing with hardship after hardship. While receiving disdain and resentment from everyone who crossed his path, Yuuya still faced each day being the best person he could be. When the most important person in Yuuya's life passes away he nears the end of his rope.

However, Yuuya discovers a mystical door in his bathroom that transports him into a fantasy world, and instantly he is granted powerful abilities and amazing skills. Now, Yuuya's once gloomy days are filled with adventure and excitement. Fans of main protagonists with extremely high power levels will find this series entertaining.

12 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Incarnation

MyAnimeLists Score: 8.3

Rudeus Greyrat dies in a past life as a NEET with a very disappointing life. Now reincarnated in a new world, he has a second chance to make more of himself. By gaining skill with magic, Rudeus finds himself enthralled in a centuries-long conflict between god and man. The similarities between Jobless Incarnation and The Eminence in Shadow are the way they subvert the hero trope in many isekai anime, providing a fresh take on the genre.

Rudeus goes on epic journeys all over the world and makes friends and enemies as he deals with his own emotional trauma and tries to better himself along the way. Jobless Incarnation tells a very different type of Isekai story with real stakes and serious emotional moments that many fans will enjoy.

11 Overlord

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.9

Overlord follows an anime NEET who wakes up in another world with the appearance and the abilities of his character in his favorite MMO. Along with that, the clan that he built with his friends and the NPCs they created together have also joined him in their base in the middle of this new world. While Overlord starts very tamed, both series feature the main character lusting for more power.

Taking the form of a monstrous undead, the main character is seemingly unfazed and decides to take on the persona of his character as the sorcerer king of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Ainz Ooal Gown. As such, he sets out on an expedition to become ruler of this new world and begins to assert his dominance over its inhabitants.

10 Rising Of The Shield Hero

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.9

Naofumi is excited to begin a new life when he and three other heroes are equipped with legendary weapons and summoned to a new world. Naofumi is gifted the shield, much to his dismay. Naofumi and the others are transported to another world to aid with an impending threat. Unfortunately, things become tragic as Naofumi is set up for a crime he did not commit, and the entire kingdom turns on him, including the heroes he was summoned with.

Naofumi decides to turn his back on the kingdom and the task he was summoned for and live for his own needs. Over time Naofumi gathers a small group of trusted friends that aid him on his adventures and try to heal him from the deep wounds inflicted on him mentally by the abuse and disdain that follows the shield hero. Rising of the Shield Hero presents similar main characters, with the key difference being Naofumi being pushed to act more selfish and egocentric, while Cid is that way from the start.

9 Saga Of Tanya The Evil

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.9

Challenging an omnipotent self-proclaimed god to a fight causes the soul of a man to be reincarnated as a twelve-year-old girl. The man adopts the identity of Tonya Degurechaff and quickly becomes a powerful threat in the new world she now resides.

In a war between nations, utilizing magic as a weapon, Tanya’s reputation grows for her exceptional ruthlessness and tactical prowess. She is a monster on the battlefield that can destroy entire battalions effortlessly. The Saga of Tanya the Evil is a unique spin on the isekai genre, and like The Eminence in Shadow, both main characters are maniacal individuals with no regard for the damage they cause.

8 No Game No Life

MyAnimeLists Score: 8.0

Brother and sister, Sora and Shiro, arrive in a higher plane of existence and engage in a battle of games to reshape the hierarchy that is the foundation of Disboard. Tet is the one true god that rules over Disboard, and the adversary that Sora and Shiro must overcome. Fans of the power scaling in The Eminence in Shadow and intense battles will enjoy No Game No Life.

Sora and Shiro begin to aid a young girl in gaining independence for her kingdom. In contrast, usually very lazy and indifferent to the problems of others, the siblings are inspired by the girl's dedication. Now with everything on the line, Sora and Shiro must take their excellent gaming skills into battle and fight for their new friend, Dola.

7 Uncle From Another World

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.8

Ojisan was teleported to a fantasy world while his original body was hospitalized, expecting to finally live the adventurous life he had always dreamed of while playing his favorite RPGs. Ojisan was instead met with grave reactions from the people he encountered because of his appearance. Time after time, Ojisan was attacked, nearly sacrificed, and even shunned for his appearance.

However, granted a unique and powerful ability, he was able to become one of the most powerful beings in the new world. Finally, Ojisan wakes up in his original body back in the everyday world but is still able to use his magical powers. Adjusting back to a normal life may prove more difficult than surviving in another world. Looking back on Ojisan's history during the series, it paints him as more as an all-powerful force of nature rather than a hero, very similar to Cid from The Eminence in Shadow.

6 How Not To Summon A Demon Lord

MyAnimeLists Score: 6.8

When two rag-tag adventurers attempt to summon a powerful ally to aid them in their quest, they never expect to reach all the way across to another plane and grab a Takuma, a young video game addict.

Takuma is snatched from his everyday life and is dropped into a fantasy world in the form of his all-powerful demon lord character in his favorite video game with all his abilities. Takuma takes full advantage of his new position and begins asserting his incredible power for his own selfish gain. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord is a comedic and exciting series that all types of fans can enjoy. How not to Summon a Demon Lord's harem aspects and magical abilities will appeal to fans of The Eminence in Shadow.

5 Arifureta: From Commonplace To World's Strongest

MyAnimeLists Score: 6.7

Hajime was a simple otaku living a normal life until he and his classmates were all teleported to a dangerous new world and gifted with powerful abilities. Unfortunately, Hajime drew the short stick and received a somewhat ordinary power which earned harassment from some of his classmates.

Out of fear that he will hold them back, several of Hajime’s classmates trick him, and he falls into a pit filled with bloodthirsty beasts. Hajime fears for his life, but through extreme effort, he fights his way out of the hole and becomes incredibly powerful. Now Hajime sets out to find a way to return home with his new companion, Yue, at his side. Areifureta is a fun introduction anime for fans looking for something easy to watch. Fans of Cid's character traits will enjoy Hajime as a main character.

4 The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.3

Lugh was the greatest assassin in the world until the organization he gave his entire life to betrayed him. Lugh was given another chance by a goddess who took a liking to him and was reincarnated in a fantasy world to a prominent family. Now Lugh lives a life of leisure and quickly gains notoriety with the use of the skills from his former life.

This aids him greatly as the goddess gives Lugh a critical mission to save the new world he’s been born into by killing its most famous hero. The World's Greatest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat is filled with exciting adventures and tells an interesting story among most isekai anime. What makes it a good watch for fans of The Eminence in Shadow are the intellectual similarities of the main characters and their tactics.

3 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

MyAnimeLists Score: 8.1

When an average office worker is killed during a mugging, life should end, and he should be allowed to move on to the next plane of existence. Instead, the would-be hero finds himself reincarnated in another world with a body lacking the usual extremities.

Stuck in the body of a slime with all his memories, in his new life, he befriends a legendary dragon of destruction that blesses him with great power and a new name: Rimuru Tempest. Rimuru sets out on the journey of his new life and finds himself as one of the most powerful beings in the world and the leader of an entire nation. That time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime shares common goals with that of The Eminence In Shadow, although both main characters use different methods.

2 KonoSuba

MyAnimeLists Score: 8.1

KonoSuba is a more whimsical anime with similar character aspects to The Eminence in Shadow. Kazuma was a recluse on his way home from buying his new favorite game when he met a rather unspectacular end. Instead of moving on, he found himself before a beautiful goddess who granted him the chance to be reincarnated in a fantasy world.

Kazuma jumped at the chance and dove head-first into a world filled with swordplay and magic. What Kazuma didn't account for was the negative aspects of adventure, like money and a place to sleep. Finding himself a party, Kazuma lives his new life with the same questionable morals he had when he was alive. Konosuba has recently released a spin-off starring Megumin dubbed Konosuba: An Explosion On This Wonderful World! where Megumin and her childhood friend turned rival set out in search of the most powerful magic. Fans of the previous season of the series will highly enjoy the spin-off. The raunchy and comedic tone of KonoSuba will appeal to fans of The Eminence in Shadow.

1 The Devil Is A Part Timer

MyAnimeLists Score: 7.7

While taking part in a brutal war to conquer a kingdom in another dimension, Satan himself is forced to retreat after being defeated in battle. Jumping through a magical portal, he finds himself in the human world. With his magical abilities missing, Satan realizes he is stuck and must get by as a human until he can find a way to return to his army.

Adopting the name Sadao Maou, he decides to get a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant, where he goes through hilarious hijinks trying to move up in the company, giving up his dreams of dominating his previous dimension. Fans of The Eminence in Shaodow's protagonists living a double life will enjoy this series.