With the May 30th, 2022 reveal that the popular comedy series Konosuba would soon be returning with its long-awaited third season as well as a Megumim-centered spin-off, Konosuba and Isekai fans alike have yet another series installment to look forward to.
While Konosuba's manga is unfortunately underrated in comparison to its novel and anime adaptations, there are nonetheless quite a few Isekai manga that have earned ranks amongst the most popular manga ever based upon their worldbuilding and character writing components.
Re: Zero Kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu: Dai- 3 Shou - Truth Of Zero (2015 - 2019) - 8.10
After being randomly transported to the Kingdom of Lagunica, Subaru Natsuki must learn to survive in this new land with no food, money, and dangers around every corner. After meeting the beautiful half-elf "Satella," Subaru learns that not everyone in this new land can be trusted as he is killed on his very first day in this new world.
Re:Zero has become synonymous with psychological and body horror which Subaru is subjected to constantly through his skill "return by death." The tragedy Subaru experiences by dying in increasingly horrific ways, and being betrayed by those he thought friends, has made this one of the darkest series in recent times. Yet, despite his circumstances, Subaru's determination to find the best solution to avoiding his horrible fate is surprisingly powerful, as his will to not give up shows readers that perseverance is key.
Mushoku Tensei: Isekai Ittara Honki Dasu (2014 - ) - 8.15
After tragically being killed by a truck after he was banished from his home for being a parasite on the family, the unnamed main character is reborn as Rudeus Greyrat and given a second chance to redeem his life in this new world. Mushoku Tensei follows Rudeus' life and shows his gradual, but astounding rehabilitation into someone he can be proud of.
Rudeus' story, because of his flaws, is one of the most realistic portrayals of a person earnestly working towards their goal of making something of their life. Mushoku Tensei's setting, willingness to cover sensitive subject matter, and sensational character writing have made it potentially the best-written Isekai ever. Though it has faced criticism for its perverted main character, as he does make a real effort to correct this, his character arc is amazing to witness.
Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden (2003-2013) - 8.18
After best friends Miaka Yuuki and Yui Hongo are transported into a book reminiscent of ancient China, Yuuki receives the title of Priestess and is tasked with finding the Celestial Warriors. Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden serves as a prequel to the original Fushigi Yuugi series and expands the lore of how the priestesses came to be.
Fushigi Yuugi: Genbu Kaiden's existence as a proper prequel is exceptionally rare in the manga community. Both series were released during peak years of Shoujo's growth in the mid to late 2000s, which when coupled with a female-led Isekai, its story was able to be appreciated by all manga lovers and contains some of the saddest moments in Isekai history.
Kage No Jitsuryokusha Ni Naritakute! (2018- ) - 8.25
Previously leading a mundane life where he was unable to fulfill his goals, Cid Kagenou, after being reborn in another world, begins his recruitment of those he believes will be vital to his plans of becoming the mastermind and leader behind powerful organizations and potentially the entire world.
One of Kage no Jitsuryokusha's main draws is its large cast of beautiful human and demi-human women, and the comedic interactions between Cid and these women. As Isekai is defined by escapist fantasy tropes, Cid's ability to get into ridiculous situations with the women he purposefully gathers around him in one of the funniest Isekai ever written, is an excellent draw for male readers who wish to project themselves onto him and vicariously live the "ideal" life he has.
Silver Diamond (2003-2012) - 8.26
While peacefully tending to his garden, Rakan Sawa is threatened by a man named Chigusa who mysteriously crash lands into his garden. Upon learning Rakan is a "sanome," those who can cultivate and manipulate plant life, Chigusa asks Rakan to travel to his world and save it from the plant-killing creatures known as "ayame."
Silver Diamond is a one-of-a-kind manga, both an Isekai manga and Boys Love manga. This unique classification made up for its lackluster writing and crafted a genre pairing no one had previously attempted. While female-led Isekai series were popular, Isekai geared towards the Shoujo style hadn't been attempted before and led to the rising popularity of both BL and Isekai among Shoujo fans.
Mairimashita! Iruma-kun (2017- ) - 8.31
Often hindered by his complete inability to say no, Iruma Suzuki does everything his good-for-nothing parents ask of him, even when they sell his soul in exchange for a contract with the demon Sullivan. Luckily, Sullivan's only wish is to act as Iruma's grandfather; however, Iruma must now enroll at a demon school where he has to hide his identity as a human from his classmates.
Mairimashita! Iruma-kun expertly utilizes its demon world setting by showcasing the artist's talent of drawing multiple demon species with highly diversified characteristics. Its more playful and cartoonish characters allow for them to be more animated, which leads to jokes and comical situations becoming far more entertaining, boosting the overall comedic element of the series.
Youjo Senki (2016- ) 8.32
Denying god's existence even with his dying breath, an unnamed salaryman is challenged by the being, "Being X," that if he acknowledges god's existence he will send him to heaven. Being X then reincarnates him into the body of the young girl Tanya Degurechaff, who, by using his past knowledge, enlists in the army and quickly rises within the ranks by earning countless victories against enemy forces.
Youjo Senki's gritty war-torn setting is the perfect accompaniment to its brutal story and borderline psychotic main character, who makes Youjo Senki one of the best female-led Isekai series. By utilizing war as a subject, Youjo Senki's backgrounds are drawn in such exquisite detail that the only way readers are pulled away from it is by the amazing character designs.
Sora Wa Akai Kawa No Hotori (1995-2022) - 8.32
After being transported to the Capital of the Hittite Empire from ancient Anatolia, Yuri Suzuki is put in drastic danger as the woman who summoned her, Queen Nakia, wishes to offer her as a sacrifice in order to rule the kingdom. Luckily, she is saved by Prince Kail though Queen now fervently hunts them both in her attempts to kill them.
While Sora Wa Akai received criticism for its lackluster characters, its Anatolian setting led to beautiful backgrounds and character art with its Middle East-inspired architecture and dress. The intricate and detailed clothes alone made it a standout series even among other historical fantasy anime.
Kanata Kara (1991-2003) - 8.36
After being thrust into a fantasy world, Noriko is now lost and alone with immense fear of being stranded with no way back setting in. She is soon saved by the courageous Izark, though her relief does not last as she learns of her power to unlock the dark and dangerous powers sealed within Izark, making her former hero potentially her greatest enemy.
Kanata Kara ingeniously utilized its main characters to draw the attention of both male and female readers. By having Noriko be the only one who could aid Izark, it secures the female reader's attention by having a female character who isn't solely a damsel in distress like many early manga series. The male readers as well are granted a complex character in Izark who is morally gray and allows for discussion about whether he truly deserves to be aided by Noriko.
Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken (2015 -) - 8.40
After begrudgingly joining his colleague for a meal and then being stabbed by a passing mugger, Satoru Mikami is reborn as a slime after his innate ability (Great Sage) analyzes his dying thoughts and revives him with abilities born from those thoughts. Now reborn as the cute slime Rimuru, he must do everything possible to survive in a world where monsters like himself are hunted.
That Time I Got Reincarnated As a Slime takes a unique approach to Isekai, primarily focusing on the worldbuilding aspect with Rimuru's attempts to build a nation of monsters. The fight scenes interspersed throughout the story ramp up the action and serve as end caps for significant story arcs are both visually appealing with the series' intricate art style and serve to deepen the lore of this series while its comedic characters and writing also make it one of the funniest recent Isekai anime ever written.