Few genres in anime have received the acclaim in recent years that isekai has. Bringing a protagonist into an unknown world, these masterpieces are known for their sophisticated usage of world-building and mystery.
However, unlike other genres of anime, isekai anime tend to start their stories purely from light novels and manga rather than visual novels. For fans of isekai looking to find the best visual novels in the medium, this can pose itself as a bit of an issue. Nonetheless, despite the lack of anime sources, there is an abundance of wonderful isekai visual novels in the industry.
10 Crystalline
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Isekai is largely exciting because of its fantasy elements and extensive worlds. In the world of visual novels, Crystalline offers perhaps the most balanced viewing experience. The world is diverse but not to the point of over-extension. The themes offer both light-hearted fun and serious moments.
Following the story of a protagonist transported to the knight-centric fantasy world of Terra, the player must work with the Mage-Knight Leanna to understand the meaning of the world and how to return home. Compared to most visual novels, Crystalline is among the most similar to standard isekai plotlines, making it a good starting point for beginners.
9 Kotonoha Amrilato
Quite honestly, Kotonoha Amrilato is the most unique visual novel around. Not only that, but the game is certainly the most educational; it was designed in collaboration with the Japanese Esperanto Institute to encourage the learning of Esperanto.
The story focuses on a high schooler named Rin, who is suddenly transported to a world where everybody speaks Esperanto (called Juliamo in the game.) To progress in the game, players must learn a little bit of Esperanto at a time, eventually growing more emotionally close to an inhabitant named Ruka. In the end, Kotonoha Amrilato is a perfect game for players looking to learn something new.
8 Wonderful Wonder World Series
Alice in Wonderland makes for one of the most common motifs in isekai history. Many fans may not notice the subtle hints and nods to the story, but the reason they exist is self-evident; Alice in Wonderland is an isekai, in which Alice travels to a different world than her own. The Wonderful Wonder World series explores this trend in particular.
The series takes a more serious, realistic perspective to the world of Alice in Wonderland. While the series most certainly follows a lot of the mechanics that the old folk tale sets, it is a very fresh version; the biggest allure of the series is its complex set of characters.
7 MYTH
Most isekai visual novels have a more light-hearted plot. However, players shouldn't discredit the allure of visual novels with dark themes; MYTH is a visual novel that proves that isekai doesn't need to be happy-go-lucky all the time.
The visual novel creates a universe consisting of two worlds: a world full of light home to the protagonist Meito Tanabe, and a world of shadows home to a mysterious girl named Shimon. The game explores the philosophical differences of these worlds, as Shimon brings Meito to her own world. MYTH is perfect for players that enjoy the darker themes of mystery and horror visual novels.
6 BlazBlue Series
Although well-known as a series, BlazBlue isn't well-known for its visual novels. It is ultimately a fighting series, with most games having visual novel elements. While most games in the series will be enjoyable for most isekai fans, the series has only one game that is fully a true visual novel, XBlaze Code: Embryo.
Regardless, the BlazBlue series offers a lot of the elements that make isekai anime enjoyable. The world becomes more expansive the more players play on throughout the series, as the player learns more about Ragna the Bloodedge's vampiric origins and the organization NOL. Generally speaking, BlazBlue makes for a good choice for players that enjoy a more skill-based game with visual novel elements.
5 Dot Kareshi
While isekai's more melancholic titles hold high esteem, sometimes a more lighthearted approach is best. This is the kind of experience that audiences receive from Dot Kareshi ~We're 8-bit Lovers~.
Unlike with other isekai visual novels, Dot Kareshi focuses on the heroine being sucked into her own video game rather than into a fantasy-like world. During the game's events, the player will make connections with the fictional members of their own party. In general, Dot Kareshi ~We're 8-bit Lovers~ is a great series for players that love humorous scenarios and beautiful linework.
4 Our Battle Has Just Begun!
Oftentimes, stories follow the basic structure of beginning then middle then end; some would even say that it's a necessity for any basic story. However, few stories begin at the end of another story altogether, something that the visual novel, Our Battle Has Just Begun!, does very well.
Rather than focusing on a story about defeating the demon king, this visual novel focuses on the Hero after the king has already been defeated. Having saved the people, he is hailed as a hero of the people aside from one twist; he has amnesia and doesn't know about his own achievement. The story is a breath of fresh air from a narrative standpoint, making for a unique experience for new and old players.
3 The Familiar of Zero
Granted, it has been a long time since The Familiar of Zero anime finished airing in 2012. However, many fans of the isekai series are yet unaware that the series has had multiple visual novels released.
Focusing on the story of a boy named Saito Hiraga summoned by the mage Louise, the two explore the continent of Halkeginia, utilizing a relationship meter to measure the relationship between the two. As such, these visual novels are ideal for players that enjoy the relationship-building mechanics of dating simulators and other such video games.
2 Andromeda Six
To be fair, Andromeda Six isn't technically an isekai; the protagonist doesn't come to its universe from another world. However, despite this, the visual novel does a lot to preserve the elements that make isekai anime so appealing.
Isekai doesn't tend to move into the sci-fi genre often, but Andromeda Six does as it brings the amnesiac protagonist onto the spaceship Andromeda Six. The game explores the pasts of both the crewmates and the protagonists themselves, as they explore the expansive universe. An ideal visual novel for isekai fans looking to explore more science fiction elements.
1 The Spirit Of Eternity Sword Series
For players that enjoyed the Final Fantasy and Fire Emblem series, The Spirit of Eternity Sword series will fill every want they could want in an isekai-esque visual novel. In all fairness, the series may be better classified as an RPG, however, it offers the same features that make a visual novel.
The entry novel in the series, Aselia the Eternal -The Spirit of Eternity Sword-, focuses on the story of Takamine Yuuto who has been summoned to the world of Phantasmagoria to save his sister Kaori. Throughout the game, players will be given the opportunity to explore the characters and world around them, all while enjoying a fair amount of turn-based combat. Truly, an ideal series for isekai fans looking for a JRPG-style visual novel.