A lot of the best Isekai anime are some of the best anime ever made in general, and keeping that in mind many more Isekai anime are set to be released with new seasons or brand-new shows in 2023, so to make it easier why don’t we accompany you on this list detailing some of the few absolutes must watches this year. Let’s take a look at them, shall we?
Note that the list contains some of the titles that have already begun release. So do interpret the article title in the sense of (Anime that are yet to finish being released in the year 2023).
1. Jobless Reincarnation (Season 2)
- Japanese name – Mushoku Tensei
- Studio – Studio Bind
- Season – Summer 2023
One of the oldest Isekai series and one of the best Isekai anime to release this decade. Mushoku Tensei follows the story of Rudeus Greyrat as he struggles to live a better life in the new life that he has been granted.
The plot is a story rooted in the human psyche, with world-building that is second to none in the industry and characters that sadden us, make us laugh, anger us and just feel like a part of our lives. In hindsight, it’s just a beautiful tale about growing up and facing the challenges that come with it. As we speak, the anime has already started. Although it is yet to wrap up, hence why it makes a cut in our top 6 list of Isekai Anime yet to be released.
2. The Devil is a Part-Timer (Season 3)
- Japanese Name – Hataraku Maou-sama!!
- Studio – Studio 3Hz
- Season – Summer 2023
One of the few Reverse Isekai on this list, the story revolves around Sadao Maou, who is the Devil King from another dimension, who is now living in the real world and is working as a part-timer in Mcronald (yes it’s not a spelling mistake) along with living with his subordinate Alciel, after they were forced to leave their dimension by the hero Emmilia. The story is unexpectedly heartwarming with a lot of feel-good moments, it’s not thematically deep rather it’s just a really fun series to invest yourself in.
3. The Rising of the Shield Hero (Season 3)
- Japanese Name – Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari
- Studio – Kinema Citrus
- Season – Fall 2023
A very revered Isekai series, the Shield Hero follows the story of Naofumi Iwatani, a Japanese student who got summoned against his will in order to defend a kingdom against the waves of catastrophe as the “Shield Hero” alongside with 3 other heroes summoned alongside him. The series delves into some heavy themes about segregation, slavery and racism.
While the response to the previous season was less than ideal, people are still very optimistic about the direction that the anime is heading in, and this for sure will be at least a good time.
4. Shangri-La Frontier
- Japanese name – Shangri-La Frontier: Kusoge Hunter, Kamige ni Idoman to su
- Studio – C2C
- Season – Fall 2023
An Isekai in the same vein as Sword Art Online and Log Horizon, in which we follow pro gamer Rakurou Hizutome in his quest to hunt down every trash video game in the world and complete them. His quest soon landed him in the world of Shangri-La Frontier, where he must yet again max out his character and find everything there is to see and experience in this VR Isekai adventure. The series is yet to gain mainstream appeal, but the trailer seems promising. We would suggest keeping an eye out for this sleeper hit.
5. A Playthrough of a Certain Dude’s VRMMO Life
- Japanese Name – Toaru Ossan no VRMMO Katsudouki
- Studio – Maho Film
- Season – Fall 2023
Probably the most standard Isekai adventure on this list, VRMMO Life follows a run-of-the-mill middle-aged office job worker Taichi Tanaka, who lives a pretty simple life working and playing video games. Taichi likes to outshine in skills that are usually seen as mundane by other players such as potion-making, cooking and weapon crafting. The series is nothing too outrageous nor groundbreaking, it is just a simple feel-good anime that will get a few chuckles out of you and keep you entertained throughout your day.
6. Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon
- Japanese Name – Jidou Hanbaiki ni Umarekawatta Ore wa Meikyuu wo Samayou
- Studio – Studio Gokumi and AXsiZ
- Season – Summer 2023
Easily the most parody-worthy series on this list, most people would think of this as a bad April fool’s joke but Chigau! this is a real anime alright. The story follows a nameless protagonist who got crushed under a vending machine and then reincarnated into another world as a vending machine himself.
Unable to move on his own, the protagonist decides to become a support machine for the adventurer’s guild by providing them with equipment, potions, food and much more in exchange for money. The series is as outrageous as it sounds, and we wholeheartedly recommend you watch it.
Conclusion
With even more Isekai and Anime, in general, to look forward to in 2024, This year’s catalogue has started off strong and stayed consistently so. This was our best upcoming Isekai Anime list of 2023 and let’s hope for the best when it comes to the quality of these shows.