Polarizing and Divisive Isekai Anime

Key Takeaways

Wise Man’s Grandchild has a dull MC but great villains and no harem, offering unique plot twists in the isekai genre.
I Got A Cheat Skill In Another World! boasts beautiful visuals but lacks character growth, making it a slow power-fantasy plot.
My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered No One In This World Stands A Chance! balances humor, satire, and a quirky plot with a dumb main villain.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast who’s seen more worlds than I can count, I’ve got to say that “My Uncle Is From Another World” is quite the peculiar gem! It’s like a rollercoaster ride through a fantastical realm, with its unique narrative style and unapologetic protagonist. Some might find him crude or even distasteful, but for me, it adds to the charm of this satirical masterpiece.

Isekai anime is surely a controversial genre, with many nuances to consider when browsing for the best series to watch. While some series are timeless jewels of the fantasy genre, others are not so good, or at least, they have some things that might make the audience reconsider investing their time in them.

In this list, we explore some of the most polarizing Isekai anime that fans either love or hate, but that have some strong points that still make them worth a try. Fans will discover that some of these series that had poor reception among genre enthusiasts still have some strong points that make them special. Be it an out-of-the-ordinary villain with a clear motivation or an MC that refuses to go the Harem route and just enjoys traveling around the world, these series present some interesting proposals.

5 Wise Man’s Grandchild

Dull Main Character, But Great Villain And No Harem

In the anime “Wise Man’s Grandchild,” a Japanese businessman reincarnates in a world of swords and sorcery as Shin, the adopted grandson of Merlin Wolford, the Grand Sage. Unlike most isekai protagonists, he retains memories from his previous life. The story takes an unexpected turn when Shin embarks on a mission to blend magic with science, recreating modern Japanese technology in this magical realm and enhancing them with magic.

There’s no typical demon lord, as the main antagonist, just a group of people that have turned into “demons” and seek revenge from the society that caused them harm. From a certain point of view, the villains are fighting against a corrupted status quo where nobility is privileged and ends up destroying the people, and the few nobles who try to do good are used as scapegoats and end up suffering the consequences. But then again, the plot gets muddled with unnecessary fan service, and thankfully, there’s no harem route in this anime. The protagonist has a quite obvious crush on one of the heroines and commits to it, though there are some obvious Red Flags jumping all around when they become engaged. In other words, it’s a good story, with some great character developments among the obvious sea of flaws the Isekai genre has. You either love it or hate it.

4 I Got A Cheat Skill In Another World!

Beautiful Visuals, But The Main Character Is Too Bi-Dimensional

From the perspective of a fan of high fantasy, I Got A Cheat Skill In Another World! could be all the things that are great about the genre: A shallow though well-developed fantasy universe, with an easy-to-understand underlying subplot, some interesting fantastic creatures, and certainly visually attractive. Now then, the main character is oblivious, dull, boring, annoying, and honestly bi-dimensional. There’s no learning, no growth (besides the more than obvious physical changes and superpowers), and most definitely no sense of awareness for other people’s feelings.

Initially, I must commend the impressive overall design, boasting excellent artwork, coloring, and visual effects. These aspects are clearly strengths that fans can readily recognize. However, some enthusiasts of fantasy literature and manga might find these elements insufficient to offset the monotonous power-fantasy plot that progresses at a sluggish speed.

3 My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered No One In This World Stands A Chance!

Great Comedy, But The Main Villain Is Plain Dumb

From a devoted admirer’s perspective, this Isekai anime presents an intriguing challenge – its convoluted title aside. The narrative often leaves me perplexed due to an overabundance of flashback sequences that delve into the mysterious origin of the protagonist’s extraordinary instant-death ability. These continuous explanations, while intended to clarify, tend to confuse and disorient fans, adding complexity to an already intricate storyline.

However, isn’t it just a unique approach? This show seems to employ an unconventional humor style and leans more towards satire than the usual fantasy isekai plotline. Given that numerous characters perish as soon as they attempt to engage with the main character (MC), it’s not surprising that there’s no need for introductions. Perhaps there are further revelations in store for viewers, if a second season ever materializes. The story seems to be heading somewhere, and the MC’s presence in this world appears to have a purpose – even if it involves him slaughtering everyone en route to an inevitable showdown with the most idiotic Isekai anime villain yet. Viewers will need to decide for themselves whether this Isekai series is worth another season based on their own assessment.

2 My Uncle Is From Another World

Narrative Is Prime, But Has Some Unnecessary Scenes You Should Skip

This anime, titled “My Uncle is From Another World,” is either praised as a brilliant masterpiece or criticized as an incredibly hard-to-watch Isekai series. For some viewers, they’re captivated by the intricate world-building, the engaging storyline, and the protagonist’s heartwarming narration of his journey through this fantastical universe. However, it’s no surprise that others might find him intensely dislikable: he can be rude, crude, and lacks manners, rarely asking for permission or apologizing. In essence, he’s far from the ideal gentleman.

Although it’s clear that the main character (MC) wasn’t designed to be visually appealing, and viewers seeking a typical good-looking protagonist in an Isekai series might find his appearance off-putting due to his expressions. However, this is intentional on the author’s part, reflecting how characters in the alternate world perceive him as an Orc. The portrayal can be seen as unconventional, even bordering on dark satire at times, yet it manages to elicit laughter with its uniquely Japanese brand of humor and abundant pop culture references. Topics such as age gap, ageism, time passage, growing up, and moving past the past are addressed in a relatable manner. It may not appeal to everyone, but its heartwarming moments make it worth watching for those who aren’t fans of Isekai anime, which could be its most compelling aspect.

1 Death March

An Entourage Of Insufferable Side Characters, But A Pretty Competent MC

In every Isekai anime, there are positive and negative aspects, and Death March is no exception to this rule. On one side, the series begins much like many others: a Japanese office worker (a programmer) dies from overwork and finds himself magically transported to another world. However, instead of being sent to any random world, he ends up in the one he had created through programming. So far, the story follows a familiar Isekai pattern: the main character possesses certain cheat skills which he employs to travel across the land and amass a group of female companions that could be considered a pseudo-harem. It’s at this point where things start to get rather unusual, as this group of heroines is almost entirely made up of characters who appear underage. This raises serious concerns, as it straddles the line between “there are some heartwarming moments” and “we should probably contact authorities, this is highly inappropriate.

Fortunately, the main character openly declares his lack of interest in them, but this doesn’t improve the storyline or deceive the audience familiar with Isekai genre. The primary issue lies in the fact that the party is made up of irritating stereotypes, each vying for the protagonist’s attention in absurd ways. These characters are unnecessary to the plot and are more of a distraction, making it difficult for viewers to appreciate the storyline. Despite its flaws, Death March offers a comfortable journey through life, with the main character attempting to make the most of his new situation while trying not to disrupt the fantasy world he’s been thrown into. Fortunately, as the plot progresses, some likable and well-rounded characters (such as Liza) join the group, making the series more enjoyable overall.

2024-09-09 07:04