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The Great Isekai Review List
What is isekai?
According to Mangarock's definition of the genre:
"Isekai translates to "another world." This genre typically has a narrative where a protagonist somehow gets transported to a different world. The new world is more often than not in a fantasy setting, occasionally with traits pulled from JRPG games."
TV Tropes also goes further indepth into the idea, putting it under the trope name of "Trapped In Another World", which is basically just what "Isekai" means. Some people genre savvy to the idea might immediately think of a high school boy arriving in a JRPG fantasy world where they're super overpowered when it comes to combat, whereupon they get the attention of a stunning beautiful woman (or five). It's the definition of a power fantasy, especially for cis straight guys. However, even western works such as "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", "Alice in Wonderland", and "The Wizard of Oz" could all theoretically count as "isekai".
For this post, however, I'll be focusing mainly on isekai series that have gotten a manga adaption of some sort, often from Japan or occasionally China and Korea, which have also started to lean into the trend. That means they'll be falling into a lot of Japanese tropes and cliches, although these aren't necessarily bad things.
All of the isekai I've read through and even vaguely enjoyed are included down below in the comments section, and all of them will be utilizing this same form:
Some of these categories are self explanatory even to people unfamiliar with the genre (Title, Main Character), but a few deserve some particular notice or explanation.
Cheat: A "cheat ability" is basically a power uniquely granted to the Main Character (MC) that allows them to have the upperhand in the world they've been transported to. That sort of thing isn't entirely unusual for many stories, as it is a handy way of making a MC notable, but it is a quality that is inherent to the power fantasy aspect that isekai series often at least nod to. However, the nature of that cheat can take on quite a variety of forms depending on the series. Some do a very basic sort of ability such as access to a never before seen magic, or simply a lot of magic. Others take a more subtle approach, such as a character using their knowledge of a modern world to improve a more medieval one. Seeing the different types of "cheats", how characters use them, and how it affects the setting is one of the things that I find charming about the isekai genre.
Transport: In other words- how did the MC arrive in another world/life? Sometimes, it's because a character was summoned, either by a god or a powerful magician. Other times, it's left as a mystery. Lots of isekai even have the MC die, and their soul is reincarnated in another world with memories of their past life. Depending on how the MC got there, and the whims of the author, it can have quite an impact on the MC's goals or emotions.
Pros and Cons: While they're named as that, these categories could more accurately be called "what I did and didn't like about this series", which means they're completely subjective and from my point of view. The summary will cover what the series is about, sure, but this goes more into my personal opinions.
General Warnings: This will be a simple list of general things to watch out for, such as gore, murder, rape, or sexual assault, along with anything else I think people might appreciate a heads up on.
Fanservice: This one is fairly self explanatory, with fanservice often being women scantily clad or men getting to be in sexy positions with them. Considering how much of a range fanservice can be, I'll be listing this rather in a scale of 1 to 5.
1 - No fanservice whatsoever
3 - Some fanservice, but no so much as to be describing
5 - Hope you like tits and ass, because there's going to be a lot of that
I'll give my reasons and some examples for this category, so that people have a slightly more substantial idea of what will happen.
Harem: Power fantasies don't only include having super amazing powers, but they also dabble in areas of romance, where the (often male) MC will have a bunch of women falling for him and sometimes even having multiple wives.
According to Mangarock's definition of the genre:
"Isekai translates to "another world." This genre typically has a narrative where a protagonist somehow gets transported to a different world. The new world is more often than not in a fantasy setting, occasionally with traits pulled from JRPG games."
TV Tropes also goes further indepth into the idea, putting it under the trope name of "Trapped In Another World", which is basically just what "Isekai" means. Some people genre savvy to the idea might immediately think of a high school boy arriving in a JRPG fantasy world where they're super overpowered when it comes to combat, whereupon they get the attention of a stunning beautiful woman (or five). It's the definition of a power fantasy, especially for cis straight guys. However, even western works such as "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", "Alice in Wonderland", and "The Wizard of Oz" could all theoretically count as "isekai".
For this post, however, I'll be focusing mainly on isekai series that have gotten a manga adaption of some sort, often from Japan or occasionally China and Korea, which have also started to lean into the trend. That means they'll be falling into a lot of Japanese tropes and cliches, although these aren't necessarily bad things.
All of the isekai I've read through and even vaguely enjoyed are included down below in the comments section, and all of them will be utilizing this same form:
Some of these categories are self explanatory even to people unfamiliar with the genre (Title, Main Character), but a few deserve some particular notice or explanation.
Cheat: A "cheat ability" is basically a power uniquely granted to the Main Character (MC) that allows them to have the upperhand in the world they've been transported to. That sort of thing isn't entirely unusual for many stories, as it is a handy way of making a MC notable, but it is a quality that is inherent to the power fantasy aspect that isekai series often at least nod to. However, the nature of that cheat can take on quite a variety of forms depending on the series. Some do a very basic sort of ability such as access to a never before seen magic, or simply a lot of magic. Others take a more subtle approach, such as a character using their knowledge of a modern world to improve a more medieval one. Seeing the different types of "cheats", how characters use them, and how it affects the setting is one of the things that I find charming about the isekai genre.
Transport: In other words- how did the MC arrive in another world/life? Sometimes, it's because a character was summoned, either by a god or a powerful magician. Other times, it's left as a mystery. Lots of isekai even have the MC die, and their soul is reincarnated in another world with memories of their past life. Depending on how the MC got there, and the whims of the author, it can have quite an impact on the MC's goals or emotions.
Pros and Cons: While they're named as that, these categories could more accurately be called "what I did and didn't like about this series", which means they're completely subjective and from my point of view. The summary will cover what the series is about, sure, but this goes more into my personal opinions.
General Warnings: This will be a simple list of general things to watch out for, such as gore, murder, rape, or sexual assault, along with anything else I think people might appreciate a heads up on.
Fanservice: This one is fairly self explanatory, with fanservice often being women scantily clad or men getting to be in sexy positions with them. Considering how much of a range fanservice can be, I'll be listing this rather in a scale of 1 to 5.
1 - No fanservice whatsoever
3 - Some fanservice, but no so much as to be describing
5 - Hope you like tits and ass, because there's going to be a lot of that
I'll give my reasons and some examples for this category, so that people have a slightly more substantial idea of what will happen.
Harem: Power fantasies don't only include having super amazing powers, but they also dabble in areas of romance, where the (often male) MC will have a bunch of women falling for him and sometimes even having multiple wives.
Skeleton Knight, In Another World
Title: Skeleton Knight, In Another World
Other Titles:
Author: Hakari Enki, Akira Sawano
Main Character: "Arc"
Gender: Male
Cheat: Game transferred everything (appearance, skills, weapon)
Transport:
Summary: One day, a gamer finds himself wakening up in a random forest in the middle of nowhere, wearing the same armor as his favorite MMORPG character, and has no idea how this has happened. Rolling with the punches surprisingly well, he aims to make a living for himself "without attracting any undue attention". Easier said than done... especially when his MMORPG character was a skeleton underneath the armor. As the dubbed 'Arc' begins to live a new life, he begins to get caught up in various things while simply trying to do good.
Pros: Likable Protagonist, Interesting MC Issue, Background Politics
Maybe it's just because of the turbulent, frustrating, and uncertain times I live in right now, but there's something really comforting and nice about a MC who both just wants to live a quiet casual life but also won't hesitate in the slightest to do good. The MC for this series fits the bill perfectly, while being just humorous enough to take advantage of the light moments. He's the kind of guy who bought a limited game skin of a skeleton but had to have his friends point out that it's kind of pointless when he's just wearing big bulky armor all the time. It's a light hearted kind of silliness that helps make the story palatable, because it can go in some really dark directions at times.
One of my favorite scenes is right in the beginning, with the first mercenary job our MC takes. It's just a simple herb gathering mission with a little girl that, of course, ends up being something more. When that's finished, he stumbles upon a different beast that's been terrorizing the local farms. He doesn't really have to deal with it, it's not in his contract or even in his way... but he does so anyway. More than that, he takes the enormous creature back to town with a simple offer: the whole village can take all the delicious meat and anything else, but he only asks for its mana stone and tusks, and that the hide be given to the little girl he just helped.
It's really just a small moment within the whole story, nothing that has any relevance to the tale at large... but it felt good to read, the equivalent of having some hot chocolate. It might not be a full meal, it might not be anything impressive... but that little bit of warmth feels so special. Moments like that help to stand out in the dark aspects of the series, proving that, no matter what happens, good things can still happen. Good people can still help, and be helped.
That's when it comes to the overall story. On a more individual level, the MC's own situation is both interesting and kind of funny in a way. The MC is acutely aware that a skeleton can't just go wandering around freely, so he's essentially stuck hiding his his bulky armor most of the time. However, one always has to be prepared for the unexpected, right? So he's made the decision that, if anyone finds out, his excuse is that he as a paladin cursed into a skeleton. Yet what could happen if that cursed could be broken...? It's only "roleplay" at the start, but, when offered as an excuse, one has to wonder what would happen if a solution was pursued...
In addition to the personal goals of the MC, interesting background events are underway as well, sometimes independent of his own adventure and sometimes spurred on by what he's doing. The story hasn't gone too much into detail on that yet... but there's no doubt that the gears of the world are turning, no matter what the MC is doing.
Cons: None
This story really has its hooks in me as it is, and I'm interested to see where it goes next in both the good moments and the more suspenseful dramatic ones. I could use some of the slightly possessive crushing that I get very vague hints of in the later chapters, but that hasn't shown up much besides one time, so I'm hoping it doesn't become a habit.
General Warnings: Sexual Assault, Rape Threats, Implied Rape, Forced Pregnancy, Violence Against Children, Mild Body Horror
Slavery: Yes
Fanservice: 3 - There are a rare couple of near naked scenes, and the outfits on some women aren't exactly practical.
Harem: No