Top 10 underrated new isekai anime

Top 10 underrated isekai anime 

Here is the list of some very good isekai anime that you must watch.

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0. Outbreak Company (2013)

Otaku shuts in, gets hired by Japanese government to “civilize” a fantasy kingdom with anime and manga culture. Equal parts comedy, culture clash, and meta‑commentary—definitely goofy, but refreshingly self‑aware and rarely mentioned alongside darker isekai. 

1. Grimgar, Ashes and Illusions (2016)

A somber, character-driven take on isekai: group of strangers struggle to survive in an RPG‑style world with no powers, just grit and growing bonds. It’s praised for its emotional realism and stunning art—but most people still treat it as a minor footnote in the genre. 

2. The Faraway Paladin (2021)

Reincarnated as a small boy raised by undead guardians in a ruined city, young Will steadily carves his destiny in faith, magic, and war. It’s thoughtful, beautifully animated, and deeply introspective—yet often missed when casual fans recommend isekai. 

3. Restaurant to Another World (2017)

Every Saturday, a Tokyo restaurant–portal opens to customers from magical realms, serving human–world cuisine to dragons, elves, and wizards. A soothing, food‑and‑fantasy hybrid; it never shows up in action‑heavy recommendations, but it’s warm, calming, and surprisingly moving. 

4. Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious (2019)

Comedy meets over‑the‑top fantasy: goddess summons Seiya to save a kingdom, only to discover he’s ridiculously powerful… yet obsesses over every buff and safety net. Dialed‑up satire on power fantasy tropes—funny enough that most seriousness gets overlooked. 

5. Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits (2018)

College student Aoi enters the spirit realm and takes over her debt and her grandfather’s cooking contract: to run an inn for yokai. A heartfelt blend of Japanese folklore and cooking anime that rarely appears on isekai rec lists—but fans of food and spirits love it. 

6. Drifters (2016)

Historical heroes like Shimazu Toyohisa and Joan of Arc get transported to a war‑torn fantasy realm. Expect gory battles, mythic stakes, and lots of “What did I just watch?”—one of the most Machiavellian, chaotic isekai ever—but because of its intensity, it stays off many mainstream rankings. 

7. Log Horizon (2013‑present)

Rather than “beat the game,” its trapped players build a functioning society while navigating politics, economics, and strategy. High world‑building and smart NPCs. At release it was compared to SAO, and since then forgot: but it’s methodical and rewarding. 

8. GATE (2015–2016)

When Tokyo’s Self‑Defense Force pushes into a magical realm through a portal, fantasy creatures get tanks and tour buses get dragons. Blends modern military, realistic world diplomacy, and fantasy politics. Appreciated by its fans but largely ignored by trendier isekai lists. 

9. Parallel World Pharmacy (2022)

Reincarnation gem with a medical twist: a pharmaceutical researcher reborn as a royal physician in a preindustrial world. Uses knowledge of modern medicine to treat plague and inequality. Calm, hopeful, and science‑driven—with charming characters—but overshadowed by louder magic titles. 

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Why these really matter

These ten shows demonstrate that isekai isn’t only about OP protagonists—sometimes it’s about survival, culture, cuisine, or philosophy instead of dungeon‑climbing or harem endings. Many summarize as “underdog tales,” but all consistently earn praise on rediscovery feeds, fan rankings, and niche anime blogs. If you’ve already seen Re:Zero, SAO, Konosuba, or Slime, these underrated titles offer new storytelling directions without losing genre thrills.

Give one (or all) a chance. Your next favorite isekai might just be a hidden gem waiting to be explored.