Japan Has Officially Decided The Best Isekai Anime Of All Time

The anime world is full of different types of stories, and one of the most popular is definitely the Isekai genre. Isekai anime usually centers around a character who is transported to a different world. While it’s had a bit of a negative reputation in the past, some really good anime adaptations are helping to make it popular again.

ABEMA recently shared the rankings for Japan’s most-streamed Isekai anime, and the results might surprise you. “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” topped the list, proving more popular than series like Re:Zero and Mushoku Tensei. With Isekai anime gaining worldwide popularity, we can likely expect to see even more of this genre in the future.

That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Is Japan’s Biggest Isekai Anime

Isekai is a fascinating anime genre. It’s built around the idea of a character being transported to a completely new world, which opens up tons of possibilities for exciting storytelling. Isekai is hugely popular in Japan and has been for a long time. However, because it’s so popular, there are a lot of similar shows out there, though some really shine and stand out from the crowd.

To celebrate “Good Other World Day” on November 12th, ABEMA, a leading Japanese streaming service, released a list of the 9 most-watched Isekai anime. Topping the list was ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.’ While the show is already popular with international audiences, it’s become a massive hit in Japan, making this result unsurprising to many.

‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime’ tells the story of a man who dies and is reborn as a slime in a fantastical new world. He goes by the name Rimuru Tempest. The anime first aired in 2018, and currently has three seasons, with the most recent one released in 2024.

Japan’s Other Top 9 Isekai Anime Have Been Revealed As Well

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime was the most popular anime on ABEMA. But it wasn’t the only great show – here’s the complete list of the top 9 isekai anime that ranked highly!

  1. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
  2. Overlord
  3. The Eminence in Shadow
  4. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
  5. Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In a Dungeon?
  6. Re:Zero — Starting Life in Another World
  7. KonoSuba: God’s Blessings On This Wonderful World
  8. The Rising of the Shield Hero
  9. Sword Art Online

These shows are incredibly important to the Isekai genre, and most fans—even international ones—will likely recognize many of them, particularly popular titles like Re:Zero and Sword Art Online.

Isekai Anime Are Gaining Popularity Again All Over the World

I’ve always been fascinated by isekai, and it’s massive in Japan! But honestly, it hasn’t quite caught on as strongly elsewhere, and I can see why. A lot of series feel really samey, relying on cheap laughs. And sometimes, they just go off the rails with storylines that are… well, let’s just say they don’t always land with audiences.

The Isekai genre is seeing a resurgence in popularity, with several hits in 2025. “Lord of the Mysteries” was a standout Isekai anime this year, and it delivered on expectations, leaving fans wanting more. “Solo Leveling” is also incredibly popular internationally, and though not strictly Isekai, it borrows many elements from the genre, making it closely related.

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2025-11-22 01:46