Anime takes place in all kinds of settings, from the cold and silent reaches of space to fantasy metropolises in which species of every variety rub shoulders and cut deals. Yet many of these worlds are little more than cardboard cutouts: they may have the right look, but there's no depth beneath the surface.

World-building is the process of creating a setting and fleshing it out in all the detail that it needs to be believable. Economics, geography, flora and fauna, and politics are only some of the most important considerations. Successful world-building is even more important in isekai anime since the show must successfully contrast the new world with the old. Here are some isekai that have built phenomenal worlds.

Updated March 21, 2024, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: The world-building of any anime series is crucial to how fans will receive it. Isekai shows, in particular, must deal with merging the ideals of both worlds or effectively showing a change in lifestyle and environment as the main character transverses from their old world to a new one. While trying to portray the idea of adjusting to another world, these shows have found a way to still develop the world these protagonists find themselves in. These shows, and more, have managed to portray a world that makes fans want to explore what they have in store.

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21 Drugstore In Another World: The Slow Life Of A Cheat Pharmacist

MyAnimeList Score: 6.47

Drugstore in Another World Reiji, Noela, and Mina opening up shop
Drugstore in Another World
Isekai
Fantasy
Comedy
Harem
Release Date
July 7, 2021
Studio
EMT Squared
Number of Episodes
12
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

This anime series follows the adventures of Reiji Kirio, a polite young man who is suddenly transported to another world. In this new world, Reiji decides to put his medicinal skills to use, rather than fall into the slave-like corporate cycle he was in his old world. With his medicinal skills, Reiji opens up a drugstore and comes across various individuals of different races who have the most surprising ailments.

In terms of building the world in which it takes place, Drug Store In Another World does well by allowing Reiji's skills to be useful in a fantasy world. Rather than having magic solve everything, good medicinal skills are portrayed alongside dragons, elves, and even ghosts, making it believable and relatable for those watching.

20 Gate

MyAnimeList Score: 7.68

Gate cast
Gate
Isekai
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Release Date
July 4, 2015
Studio
A-1 Pictures
Number of Episodes
24
Streaming Service(s)
HIDIVE , Hulu

Even among various isekai anime series, Gate stands out because it allows its characters to go back and forth between worlds. In this anime series, a portal to another world opens up in Japan, and both sides attack each other.

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Luckily, the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) managed to repel the invading forces, establish a base in the fantasy world, and enter peace negotiations with the empire ruling the fantasy world. The world-building in Gate manages to balance the elements of both worlds, as it brings the modern and medieval elements of both worlds together.

19 The Eminence In Shadow

MyAnimeList Score: 8.30

Eminence In Shadow
The Eminence In Shadow
Isekai
Fantasy
Action
Comedy
Release Date
October 5, 2022
Studio
Nexus
Number of Episodes
20 (Season 1); 12 (Season 2)
Streaming Service(s)
HIDIVE

Cid Kagenou has always dreamed of becoming the Eminence in Shadow. Luckily, he is given the opportunity when he is reincarnated into a fantasy world. Humans dominate this world just like Cid's old world, but the presence of magic changes everything.

The new world where Cid is reincarnated is well-structured, with kingdoms, varying associations, and magic schools present to regulate magic. With magic, many more things have been made possible. Thanks to Cid’s knowledge of his old world, his underlings manage to incorporate some of the technology in Cid’s old world with magic, making the world in which the series is portrayed more well-structured.

18 Overlord

MyAnimeList Score: 7.91

Overlord
Overlord
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Isekai
Release Date
July 7, 2015
Studio
Madhouse
Number of Episodes
52
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu

The Overlord anime series depicts the adventures of Ainz Ooal Gown, who is suddenly trapped in the DMMMO-RPG (Dive Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) YGGDRASIL. With Ainz Ooal Gown trapped in YGGDRASIL, the game serves as the world in which the series takes place, and its world-building is very well-thought-out.

As a game, YGGDRASIL was widely popular. With the freedom of choice it granted players, it seemed like a world on its own rather than a game to Ainz Ooal Gown after he was trapped in it. As a world, YGGDRASIL functioned as one with nine different worlds in it, allowing for a rich diversity of races and jobs. It's a fascinating setting for any viewer to lose themselves in.

17 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

MyAnimeList Score: 8.37

Mushoku-Tensei
Mushoku Tensei
Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation
Isekai
Action
Adventure
Drama
Release Date
January 11, 2021
Studio
Studio Bind
Number of Episodes
36
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu

The isekai anime series Mushoku Tensei stands out from its counterparts in various ways. The show portrays a 34-year-old NEET who is reincarnated into another world. Planning to make use of his reincarnation, Rudeus strives to do his best and ends up in a world with different practices from Earth as he knows it.

This new fantasy world he finds himself in has similar practices to those on Earth; however, the inclusion of magic spices things up. Because of magic, some Herculean tasks are easily sorted, and the level of technology available is limited. Regardless, the new world comes with its own unique history and culture, and Rudeus must learn to adapt.

16 No Game No Life

MyAnimeList Score: 8.07

Best Anime like Dr Stone- No Game No Life
No Game, No Life
Isekai
Comedy
Fantasy
Release Date
April 9, 2014
Studio
Madhouse
Number of Episodes
12
Streaming Service(s)
HIDIVE , Hulu

Of the many isekai anime out there, No Game No Life has a unique world-building like no other. Despite following a unique concept where the protagonists Shiro and Sora are reincarnated into a fantasy world where everything is decided through games, the fantasy world is portrayed in a structured manner with various cultures and practices present. The world in which they are reincarnated into—Disboard—consists of 16 different races with a laid-down hierarchy.

At the bottom of this hierarchy lies Imanity, a race of humans with no affinity for magic. To change the status quo, Shiro and Sora involve themselves in a bid for power after they get transported into Disboard.

15 The Devil Is A Part-Timer!

MyAnimeList Score: 7.74

The Devil Is a Part-Timer! argument
The Devil Is a Part-Timer!
The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (2013)
Isekai
Fantasy
Comedy
Romance
Release Date
April 4, 2013
Studio
White Fox, Studio 3Hz
Number of Episodes
37
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu , Tubi , Funimation

As a reverse isekai series, this anime takes place not in a fantasy world but in modern-day Tokyo after the Demon Lord Satan retreats into the human world. Now in the human world, Satan’s magic power is weak and diminishing, and he must get a job to cater for himself and pay the rent.

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The way this anime series manages to combine the fantasy elements of its characters with modern-day Tokyo is what makes it shine. As Satan is not from Tokyo, he must learn the practices of the people while using his already diminishing magic abilities to fight off his pursuers.

14 The Rising Of The Shield Hero

MyAnimeList Score: 7.97

Rising of the Shield Hero Naofumi Companions Spirit Tortoise
The Rising of The Shield Hero
The Rising of The Shield Hero
Isekai
Action
Fantasy
Release Date
January 9, 2019
Studio
Kinema Citrus, DR Movie
Number of Episodes
50
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

Naofumi Iwatani is summoned to a fantasy world alongside four other individuals to be the cardinal heroes of the world they are summoned to. Firstly unsure of what to do and how to proceed, Naofumi researches the world he must now accept as his duty to protect.

Meanwhile, this fantasy world does not lack a rich cultural heritage, and Naofumi realizes his set of cardinal heroes is not the first, and many others have been summoned from other versions of Japan. As the series goes on, fans realize that many things up to Naofumi’s summoning were not simply by chance but follow certain conditions the world already follows to preserve itself.

13 Darwin's Game

MyAnimeList Score: 7.23

Darwin's Game Sudou Kaname
darwin's game
Darwin's Game
Mystery
Action
Suspense
Release Date
January 4, 2020
Studio
Nexus
Number of Episodes
11
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Funimation , Hulu , Netflix

This video game Isekai exists in a world not that much different from reality, but because everything is dripping in dread (and often blood-soaked, too), it changes one's perception entirely. Every building turns into a potential hideout or the safe house of a deadly threat. Each alleyway transforms into a target practice site. A simple cellphone becomes a vital lifeline, possibly containing the only means of escape.

Enduring Darwin's Game is not all that bad, as players are handsomely rewarded for any successful killing sprees, regardless of the fact that the murdered users never return to reality. Each unsuspecting (or occasionally, willing) participant gets blessed with an Isekai bonus called a Sigil, granting them superhuman talents perfectly adapted for survival or assassination.

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

MyAnimeList Score: 8.11

Konosuba Megumin stands before a large castle
Konosuba
KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World!
Isekai
Comedy
Release Date
January 14, 2016
Studio
Studio Deen
Number of Episodes
20
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu

When this NEET-in-denial gets the fright of his life and comes face to face with the Goddess, Aqua, he is not terribly keen on enduring round two of life and decides to drag the blue-haired girl along for the ride. In desperate need of some finances, the pair sign up to be adventurers in the Fantasy World and quickly realize it will take some effort (and some serious coin) to increase their skill sets.

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After teaming up with some equally useless quirky characters, Kazuma and his Harem battle against some of the strangest beasts imaginable, ranging from unicorn bunnies to flying cabbages (or lettuce heads in disguise) and much more. Great attention to detail is also applied to the unconventional feasts set before Kazuma and his gal pals (ones which viewers would struggle to find anywhere else)!

11 Parallel World Pharmacy

MyAnimeList Score: 7.30

Parallel World Pharmacy Elements and Deities Panactheos God of Medicine Crunchyroll Isekai

Japanese Title

Isekai Yakkyoku

Genre

Isekai, Medical

Studio

Diomedéa

It's easy for anime fans to get excited when the lead protagonist is reincarnated into a realm that has pre-established and intricate lore, as it adds significantly more depth to the alternative reality. With Panactheos arguably receiving the most praise from society, the various elemental Deities are fondly worshipped in the San Fleuve Empire, and as a reward, Divine Arts are handed out to their patrons (only to those of Noble blood, of course).

What is unique to Parallel World Pharmacy's worldbuilding is how predominant Science is to the storyline (which also lines up with real-life facts and theories, to keep the boffins satisfied). Falma de Médiciss lands in this archaic kingdom with his bum in the butter but is thankfully using his extensive medical knowledge and powers of elemental manipulation to create life-changing medications for those in need.

10 I'm The Villainess, So I'm Taming The Final Boss

MyAnimeList Score: 7.23

Im A Villainess So Im Taming The Final Boss Aileen Lauren d'Autriche and Demon Lord Claude
I'm the Villainess So I'm Taming the Final Boss
Comedy
Fantasy
Isekai
Studio
Maho Film
Creator
Sarasa Nagase
Number of Episodes
12
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

The recently reincarnated Aileen d'Autriche has to learn how to navigate her way through not one, but two separate societies within her Isekai nightmare, as humans and demons generally tend to steer clear of each other. As a Villainess who is destined to die, Aileen quickly makes an ally out of the Demon Lord, Claude, and her shadow subsequently becomes a portal of sorts, where demonic creatures (usually of the adorable variety) can pop in and out at will.

The medieval-styled terrain is not the most unique set-up in the Isekai genre; however, the strong Otome element and assortments of mythological creatures, magic items, folklore, and political structures more than makeup for any lack of originality. The picturesque scenery perfectly encapsulates the feel of a classic dating-sim scenario, while the spooky woods are foreboding enough to encourage most travelers to avoid its depths.

9 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

MyAnimeList Score: 8.14

reincarnated into a slime anime
That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Action
Adventure
Isekai
Release Date
October 2, 2018
Studio
Eight Bit
Number of Episodes
48+
Streaming Service(s)
Hulu , Crunchyroll

Getting to experience the world as a Slime would make most things appear relatively amazing, and That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is the perfect example of how simply changing the audience's point of view can have a significant effect on the success of its worldbuilding. Combining the spiritual, demonic, and human realms is another fail-safe way to entertain fans while following the process of a Slime's evolution in an RPG format creates enough intrigue to keep fans glued to their screens.

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Reborn in the chaotic universe of Tensura World, created by the first of its kind, the Star-King Dragon Veldanava, Rimuru has to navigate through a complex landscape (and its equally multifaceted political system) while surviving increasingly more difficult tasks along the way. Interestingly enough, Tensura World gives the strong impression of only being a small element of the larger picture, suggesting that there is much more out there to explore!

8 Drifters

MyAnimeList Score: 7.89

Drifters anime funny Olminu
Drifters
Action
Adventure
Fantasy
Release Date
October 7, 2016
Studio
Hoods Entertainment
Number of Episodes
12
Streaming Service(s)
Netflix

History is a far deeper, more complex, and more confusing subject than most people give it credit for, and it's not until history buffs begin to rattle off names, dates, and incidents that the scope of the subject begins to reveal itself. That's one reason that most anime shy away from incorporating real people into their world-building: it's simply too complex. Drifters tackles this challenge head-on.

A mixture of fantasy isekai and what-if biopic, this underrated isekai anime imagines many of history's most fascinating figures thrown together and then forced to fight a war against one another. Coming from the creator of Hellsing Ultimate, Drifters has quality writing and a great aesthetic, but it's the depth of its world-building that's the ultimate draw.

7 Ascendance Of A Bookworm

MyAnimeList Score: 7.99

Ascendance of a Bookworm Myne Making Paper in the woods
Ascendance Of A Bookworm
Ascendance of a Bookworm
Isekai
Fantasy
Release Date
October 3, 2019
Studio
Ajia-do Animation Works
Number of Episodes
36
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

World building can be grand--and to an extent, it has to be, since it's a whole world that's being dealt with, after all--but it's okay if the process starts small. One of the best world-building techniques is to choose a single element of the world and then flesh it out until it is thoroughly believable, then use that element as the foundation for everything else.

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In Ascendance of a Bookworm, the small thing is reading. The protagonist is a little girl beginning the long journey towards literacy, and while conquering a book may not be conquering a kingdom the way other isekai protagonists do, it provides the framework for some truly inventive world-building.

6 Sword Art Online

MyAnimeList Score: 7.20

Sword Art Online The Movie Ordinal Scale
Sword Art Online
Isekai
Action
Fantasy
Release Date
July 8, 2012
Studio
A-1 Pictures
Number of Episodes
96
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu , Netflix

It's easy to downplay the accomplishments of Sword Art Online. The series seemed to work its way into every corner of geek culture, and overexposure grated on the nerves of some. Dismissing the series based on its popularity alone would be a mistake, however.

Sword Art Online has some of the best world-building in isekai and part of what makes it so great is its willingness to go beyond the limits of its fictional MMO. The sinister corporation and mysterious figures pulling the strings back on earth receive plenty of time and attention, letting the writers develop the politics, military activities, and logistics of two worlds at once. That the series manages to build two worlds side by side and intertwine their stories speaks for itself.

5 Now And Then, Here And There

MyAnimeList Score: 7.60

Now and Then, Here and There
Now and Then, Here and There
Isekai
Drama
War
Release Date
October 14, 1999
Studio
AIC
Number of Episodes
13

Now and Then, Here and There isn't one of the first anime most people mention when the greatest isekai are discussed, but when it comes to its world-building, it should be. The desert world into which Shuu is flung as the result of his misguided attempt to rescue a strange girl is phenomenal.

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Isekai heroics lose much of their meaning and excitement when the world in which they take place feels like every other, and the world of Now and Then, Here and There doesn't. A wasteland boiling under the light of a red giant, the world of this anime is a detailed dystopia that unabashedly examines every awful consequence of the climate crisis and military supremacy it depicts. Its world is painful to look at but brilliantly conceived.

4 The Twelve Kingdoms

MyAnimeList Score: 8.02

The Twelve Kingdoms Bowing Image
The Twelve Kingdoms
Isekai
Fantasy
Action
Release Date
April 9, 2002
Studio
Pierrot
Number of Episodes
45
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Tubi , Amazon Freevee

The Twelve Kingdoms is arguably one of the best isekai around when it comes to world-building, and part of the reason is that it acts as if it's a dozen worlds that must be built. Each of the titular kingdoms has a unique government and culture that separate them from the others. Unlike other anime which has nothing to show the viewer once they've become familiar with the central locale, The Twelve Kingdoms always has something else waiting behind the curtain.

Even anime that succeed at world-building often struggle to make their worlds feel like places that people actually inhabit: they're clever fantasy ideas and not much more. Every featured kingdom feels like a place that actual people could inhabit, going about their daily lives, and that's no small accomplishment. The Twelve Kingdoms is just long enough to do what it needs to.

3 Grimgar: Ashes And Illusions

MyAnimeList Score: 7.65

Grimgar Ashes And Illusions
Grimgar Ashes and Illusions
Isekai
Fantasy
Drama
Release Date
January 11, 2016
Studio
A-1 Pictures
Number of Episodes
12
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll , Hulu

Grimgar: Ashes And Illusions is about war, whereas most isekai are about battles. The difference may seem small, but it means everything when it comes to world-building. The protagonists here aren't the finest mages in their world, dueling other wizards for the chance at a shiny title. They're soldiers: tired, confused, and basically mediocre people who are just doing their best to make it in difficult circumstances.

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Grimgar is relatively brief, telling what story it has to tell and then calling it there. Whether one loves anime that can be binged in a day or those that run for hundreds of episodes, Grimgar can't help but win fans over thanks to the loving attention it gives to its setting.

2 Log Horizon

MyAnimeList Score: 7.92

Log-Horizon
Log Horizon
Isekai
Fantasy
Action
Release Date
October 5, 2013
Studio
Satelight, Studio Deen
Number of Episodes
62
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll

Worldbuilding can look many ways, but whatever the story, whatever the genre, one of its most important aspects is coherency. Every piece has to work together to make a unified whole. It all has to make sense together.

Log Horizon is an isekai anime about characters in an MMORPG, which puts it in good company with many other shows but doesn't immediately set it apart. Rather than let this aspect of its setting diminish it, Log Horizon makes its MMO premise one of its greatest strengths. One would need several days and a couple of flowcharts to detail the many ways that Log Horizon succeeds at developing its world. Suffice it to say, this anime approaches the pinnacle of isekai world-building.