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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.
Tensei Shitara Ken Deshita
Title: Tensei Shitara Ken Deshita
Other Titles:
Author: Tomoo Maruyama, Yuu Tanaka
Main Character: "Master" and Fran
Gender: Male and Female
Cheat: He's Literally A Magical Sword
Transport: Death (Traffic Accident)
Summary: Taken in by slavers, a nameless cat child frantically runs away from a beast which tries to slaughter the entire caravan. Helpless and restricted by magic, she thinks this might be the end... until she stumbles upon a magic sword. One that speaks to her! And, coincidentally enough, one that used to be a human in another world before suddenly awakening here... Thus begins a unique and powerful bond.
Pros: Heartwarming Parental Relationship, Duo-tagonist Development, Fun Side Characters (Murder Secretary), Dungeon Lore (Good Chaos god)
Sometimes a family can just be a girl and her talking sword.
Unique spins on isekai protagonist placements are forever and always one of my favorite things that pop up in this genre, because there's a lot to explore with it. So when I saw that this story had the MC becoming a magical sword, of course I was intrigued. What I wasn't expecting was that this story would have the potential to be so heartwarming... or that it would have two protagonists, with one of them already having existed in the isekai world before a magical sword even faintly entered her life.
Initially, their relationship is born completely from necessity. Our Sword MC (SMC) got himself stuck in a position where he 100% needed another person to get out of. Our Wielder MC (WMC) needs a weapon to defend herself against a vicious monster. Yet that only lasts for the briefest of moments before the pair become immediately fond of each other, each viewing the other as the benefactor who ultimately saved their life. Our WMC is still, ultimately, a child, so it's little wonder that the SMC becomes so protective over her immediately... but the sweet paternal feelings quickly begin to ooze out of him as the pair begin to navigate the world together. In turn, she finds him to be a reliable guiding figure whose advice she constantly listens to even while she sometimes shows off her childish side with her boredom of mundane busy work or the need to be bribed for certain things. While many others soon begin to care for the duo (mostly the WMC because of her age), it's very clear that the two of them rely on each other the most out of anyone else in the entire world.
While it would be easy to do this and focus most of the actual power and character development on the SMC, the series actually makes sure to put our WMC on the same level as him. She has her own goals, goals that the SMC quickly dedicates himself to as well, and that primary goal is becoming stronger. Because of the SMC's magical status, any of the skills he gains from killing monsters are skills that he can share with her. Yet, while that's useful and an important aspect of their bond, it's not all the WMC wants. She needs to get stronger on her own as well, as an individual, and the story makes sure to put just as much value and focus on her as much as anything, making the reader invested in her journey and growth.
Side characters also tend to be extremely fun, although not all of them gain even a fraction of the kind of attention that our MCs do. It helps lend a colorful feeling towards the rest of the world. You have some good staple characters, such as a loud and boistrous but ultimately well meaning large oni warrior, the wise elf guildmaster.... But then you have some of the other oddballs that all give to the story. The first one that made me laugh was the beautiful and sweet ~star secretary~ for the guild... who thinks aggravated and murderous thoughts towards anyone else, mostly those who make her job more difficult than it ever needs to be. We also have the A-ranked ace adventurer, who is maybe too much of a wannabe mother figure, or the fearsome necromancer whose claims that he's just a researcher using his abilities for good would land a little more solidly if he didn't act like such a damn weeb about it. Hardly any of the side characters really take the spotlight away from the MC, but they are all a delight to watch and really lend a fun depth to the setting.
Finally, while it's a minor thing, I really do like the bit of lore this series offers to its ideas of dungeons. At one point, a mythical explanation is offered to our MCs on the in-universe lore of their creation. For most people, dungeons are created by the God of Chaos- a sentence that would sound worrying or villainous in some stories. However, the tale goes on that they're made as a trial for humans that, if they succeed in, are granted rewards. This has lead some in-universe to view her as really a 'Good Guy' god, with the real bad apple of the ten gods being the God of War from whom monsters spawn. It's a little thing, but it's the little things that I often like in the things I read!
Cons: Loli Jokes
Unfortunately, with a young girl protagonist, there are a couple of loli jokes sprinkled in here and there. Fortunately, there are two things to counter it: the SMC getting fatherly and "hell no" over the idea and, better (???), lack of true fanservice when more... buxom characters show up. In a bathing scene that pops up, for example, we don't really see any "fanservicey" scenes with our WMC even while naked, but we do see outright nipples drawn (a rarity in even a lot of other fanservicey series) on the more endowed adult women characters who join her.
So, you know. Up to the individual reader on what's manageable for them and what's not.
General Warnings: Loli Fanservice, Violence/Dismemberment, Giant Spider Monsters, Torture, Child Experimentation,
Slavery: Yes - The WMC starts out as one.
Fanservice: 4 - There are adult female presenting nipples, plus a bathing scene. So, yeah.
Harem: No