10 best action isekai anime that you should watch

Isekai anime, where characters are transported to parallel fantasy worlds, is hugely popular nowadays. Many of the top-rated and most-watched anime series fall into the isekai genre. If you enjoy fantasy anime with action-packed adventures, then action isekai anime is perfect for you.

They provide thrill rides to enchanting new universes filled with wonder, danger, and intrigue lurking around every corner. If you also find the premise of traversing into the unknown and gaining unbelievable new abilities exhilarating, then strap yourself in.

This list covers 10 action isekai anime guaranteed to ignite your imagination and satisfy any craving for interdimensional fun and action.

10 must-watch action isekai anime

1) Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World

Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World (Image via White Fox)

Re:Zero chronicles the travels of Subaru Natsuki after he mysteriously ends up transported to a fantasy world called Lugunica. At first, he's overjoyed, believing this to be the fresh start he's always wanted.

But his optimism soon fades after a brutal series of deaths and revived loops reveal a terrifying truth – for Subaru, every fatal mistake results in a traumatic return to zero. Despite the mental anguish, Subaru presses on in hopes of uncovering the reason for his inexplicable respawning curse.

With each time loop bringing new shocking twists and battles, this action isekai anime captures both the ultimate wish fulfillment and the darkest nightmare of being trapped in an alternate realm. It's a white-knuckle psychological thriller disguised as an isekai romp.

2) That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (Image via 8bit)

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime puts a comedic spin on the reborn-in-a-fantasy-world premise by transforming protagonist Satoru Mikami into a benign yet dangerously powerful, gelatinous blob.

While bereft of his human senses, this slime retains his memories and slowly acclimates to survival using unique mechanisms like "Predator" to analyze his surroundings and mimic his abilities. Despite lacking limbs or strength, this blob-like hero fends off beasts many times his size.

With sharp wit, new allies, and an ever-escalating list of skills, the possibilities remain endless for this mucus-based wonder. It's the ultimate zero-to-hero underdog story stained with sticky monster ichor.

3) Sword Art Online

Sword Art Online (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Considered by many to be a classic of the genre, Sword Art Online depicts gamers who become trapped in a virtual MMORPG.

Protagonist Kirito enters the fantasy realm of Aincrad, filled with medieval weapons and dangerous monsters. Players can escape by clearing all 100 floors. As one of the first hugely popular modern isekai anime, SAO features a virtual game world that serves as great wish fulfillment coupled with life-or-death stakes.

Whether it's one-on-one duels or large-scale battles, there are plenty of outstanding animated fight scenes. Watching characters grow stronger and forge bonds despite being stuck in-game avatars is also fun.

4) No Game No Life

No Game No Life has a very catchy concept – Sora and Shiro are genius gamer siblings who dominate every video game they play.

After being whisked away to a parallel realm ruled by games, they aim to challenge Tet, the One True God, by collecting all chess pieces representing the 16 races. With high-stakes competitions instead of direct combat, this action isekai anime mixes up the action compared to typical isekai.

Whether facing gods at chess or battling complex game challenges, Sora and Shiro dazzle with clever strategies. Combining ecchi elements with brilliant yet overpowered protagonists, NGNL is a thrill ride from start to finish.

5) Overlord

When a popular virtual MMO gets shut down, player Momonga finds himself as his avatar in a world where the game has become reality. He begins exploring this new reality – where immensely powerful magic and minions from his guild obey his every command.

Fans of power fantasies will love Overlord's premise of a max-level player with cheat abilities dropped into a medieval realm. With an ever-growing, fanatically loyal army of high-level NPCs and monsters, Momonga steadily carves his name into legend as the ultimate anti-hero villain.

Whether it's facing the region's adamantine champions or trampling armies, there's never a dull moment.

6) The Rising of the Shield Hero

The Rising of the Shield Hero (Image via Kinema Citrus)

The Rising of the Shield Hero stands out among fantasy isekai thanks to establishing a relentlessly unfair world order designed to crush protagonist Naofumi's hopes and dreams at every turn.

Framed for sexual assault and saddled with only a defense-oriented shield, Naofumi perseveres against discrimination, betrayal, and overwhelming odds using sheer resourcefulness and the help of a few staunch allies.

With the kingdom spiraling into chaos and destruction looming on the horizon, Naofumi gradually unlocks his equipment's hidden potential to tank colossal attacks and retaliate against hordes of enemies during the waves of calamity. It’s a gripping underdog tale as the disgraced Shield Hero rises to legend.

7) Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation (Image via Studio Bind)

Mushoku Tensei has a second-chance-at-life premise – an unemployed adult otaku dies and gets reborn into a fantasy world as a baby named Rudeus Greyrat. Blessed with formidable magical talent and the mind of an adult, Rudeus decides to live to the fullest rather than waste his fresh start in life.

This action isekai anime has already garnered much acclaim for its incredible production quality and captivating story. While it has plenty of perverted comedy, Mushoku Tensei also delivers impressive action sequences.

With god-tier animation and effects bringing Rudeus' explosive magic to life, it's a visual spectacle demonstrating how overpowered a gifted mage can become.

8) Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest

Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest (Image via Asread, White Fox, Studio Mother)

Arifureta starts with a familiar premise – Hajime Nagumo is summoned to a parallel realm with his high school class to become heroes and fight demons. But unlike his ultra-powered classmates, he possesses an underappreciated synergist ability and is quickly left weak at the bottom.

However, after falling into the abyss and going through hellish torment, Hajime emerges incredibly strong and ready to unleash vengeance. Arifureta displays Hajime's transformation from zero to badass through action-packed monster slaying.

Tapping into abilities like transmutation, creation magic, and crafting modern weapons using alchemy, he has no shortage of ways to demolish foes. Combined with fluid battle animation and gratifying payoffs as he settles scores, it hits all the right notes for an enjoyable power fantasy.

9) Log Horizon

Log Horizon (Image via Satelight, Studio Deen)

Log Horizon shares similarities with Sword Art Online – it focuses on players who physically became their avatars in a world similar to the MMORPG Elder Tale. However, Log Horizon distinguishes itself with its expansive game mechanics and worldbuilding.

Protagonist Shiroe relies on wit rather than brute force, uniting guilds and factions to unlock the secrets behind their predicament. As a treat for gamers and fans of strategy, it's great watching Shiroe analyze complex game systems and turn them to his advantage.

While not as combat-focused as other action isekai anime, when Log Horizon features large-scale raid battles, it excels at capturing MMO dynamics translated into a living, breathing realm.

10) Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious

Cautious Hero: The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious (Image via White Fox)

Cautious Hero sets itself apart with its comedic take on isekai fantasy. When the goddess Ristarte summons hero Seiya to defend her S-rank difficulty world, he has unusually high stats perfectly suited for the challenge in both good and ridiculous ways.

While his combat abilities and magic are overpowered, he takes "cautiousness" to such extremes it often causes more trouble. From preparing to battle low-level monsters for weeks to abandoning his party regularly, Seiya constantly hilariously defies RPG hero norms.

Yet he still unleashes amazingly animated magical onslaughts in each fight. Seeing tropes exaggerated for comedic effect and killer action makes Cautious Hero a solid pick.

Conclusion

Action isekai anime continues growing in popularity thanks to tapping into fantasies of escaping into new worlds and gaining awesome abilities. This list features the top action isekai anime covering a variety of plots – from protagonists stuck in video games to more traditional magic realms.

Whether you prefer strategic game mechanics, overpowered weapons and magic action, against-all-odds underdog stories, or comedic parodies, you'll find an entertaining isekai anime to suit your tastes.

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About the author

I am an expert article writer and data analyst with two years of experience in the field. In my free time, I enjoy watching a lot of anime, movies, and web series. Currently, my favorite anime is Naruto.

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Edited by Toshali Kritika