"Isekai" is an unofficial subgenre of anime describing a scenario where an ordinary person finds themselves in a magical new world— often a fantasy realm of wizards and monsters, or even the afterlife or a virtual game. But this can go both ways: Reverse isekai protagonists are magical beings who visit Earth as guests, and they often enjoy their stay.
Some notable examples include Tohru the dragon maid or the Devil himself as a part-timer, but there are many more anime characters who, given the chance, would love to be a reverse isekai protagonist, too. Whether their visit to real-life Earth is temporary or permanent, they'd have a great time. In particular, these characters are powerful, clever and proactive, and thus would be exciting to watch as the protagonist of an all-new reverse isekai anime show.
10 Renji Abarai Can Fight Hollows While Posing As Human (Bleach)
In the story of Bleach, several characters already had a reverse isekai adventure, starting with Rukia Kuchiki who spent much of Season 1 in Karakura Town. She even attended Ichigo's high school and made friends there. Other Soul Reapers could pull this off, too.
Rangiku Matsumoto would have fun waltzing around the world of the living, but Lieutenant Renji Abarai would be a truly shonen-style reverse isekai hero who'd fight powerful Hollows and try to figure out human life as he goes. The latter part would be amusing to see, since he's only half-decent at it.
9 Souei Could Work As A Rogue Assassin (That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime)
Reverse isekai protagonists are more exciting to watch if they have particular skills, hobbies, or interests to offer, and Souei the ogre ninja is like that, too. He inhabits the fantasy realm Rimuru Tempest was reborn into, and he is an elite assassin with remarkable magical abilities.
If Souei got teleported to our real world, he would have to reconcile his old-fashioned ninja lifestyle with the modern world, and probably work for crime families or other rogues until he can get his bearings and save up some cash. He'd make a compelling and dark reverse isekai hero, a ninja in a new era. Can he handle guns and the Internet?
8 Aqua Would Become The New Yato (Konosuba)
The goddess Aqua is often mocked for being useless and annoying, though she does have some legitimate skills to her name, and she thrives on worship. If Aqua got reverse isekai'd to the real world, she would end up a bit like Yato from the Noragami series.
Aqua would struggle at first, and her bratty attitude wouldn't help. She would become a homeless goddess who needs worshipers STAT, and her comedic adventure would involve trying to get part-time work and build up a new church of followers. Let's see if she can pull it off.
7 Asmodeus Alice Would Learn Humility (Welcome To Demon School, Iruma-Kun!)
Among all the demons at the Babyls school, Azazel Ameri would enjoy a reverse isekai adventure the most, but such a story is better of as an omake than a 12-episode series, since there would be little conflict. For the sake of tension and character growth, Asmodeus Alice should be the actual protagonist.
Alice is used to wealth and prestige as an elite demon in high society, but a reverse isekai adventure would knock him down a few pegs, and he would grow as a person while getting used to this new life. He'd be challenged to use his own two hands to get everything he wants.
6 The Original Katarina Claes Must Learn Humility, Too (My Next Life As A Villainess)
In the original Villainess series, the wicked Katarina Claes is reborn when a Fortune Lover fan steps into her expensive shoes. However, this adventure could go the other way, and send the original, cruel Katarina Claes to real-life Japan.
Like Asmodeus Alice, the pampered and wealthy Katarina must start over with nothing, and she must quickly learn to adjust and humble herself, or face some all-new doom flags. She faces the ultimate challenge: To let go of her spoiled, bratty ways and become a modern, independent young woman— or else.
5 Sanji Vinsmoke Can Launch A Restaurant In France (One Piece)
Sanji Vinsmoke is a loyal Straw Hat pirate, but he's not just a fighter. He is also a chef who loves his trade, and he dreams of opening his own restaurant. Fortunately for him, a variety of isekai and reverse isekai series are based on food, such as Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits.
Sanji might awaken in modern-day Paris, and if he can get over the shock, this could become a dream come true. He'll do his best to open a restaurant and earn a few Michelin Stars, and if anyone tries to dine and ditch, he can punt them across the street with his kicks.
4 Mavis Vermillion Would Launch A Real-Life Fairy Tail Guild (Fairy Tail)
In the original Fairy Tail, Mavis Vermillion grew up on Tenrou Island, and tirelessly read every book she could find in the local library. Then, she met some treasure hunters and formed the Fairy Tail guild as a brand-new wizard guild where everyone can get along as friends. Given the chance, she would do it again.
Things went south for Mavis sometime after that, but if she got born again in the real world, she would adjust quickly with her brilliant mind, then launch a real-life Fairy Tail guild. Instead of a wizard guild, it would be a philanthropic organization or an orphanage. Anything to help people in need.
3 Rock Lee Would Open His Own Dojo (Naruto)
Reverse isekai protagonists need distinct skills and goals, and Rock Lee the taijutsu specialist has both. In his own world, he's determined to prove how great taijutsu can be, and in so doing, prove his own worth. If he ended up in real-life Japan, he'd be in for a treat.
Here in the real world, there's no jutsu at all, which evens the playing field in Rock Lee's favor. He could become a vigilante hero in troubled areas, and open his own dojo to train another generation of taijutsu heroes, too. The work never ends, but it's always worth it.
2 Merlin Would Explore The World Around Her With Great Interest (The Seven Deadly Sins)
Merlin the wizard is also a bit of a scientist, and she will never stop pushing the boundaries of magical research. This makes her a powerful support wizard for the Seven Sins squad, but even if she ended up in the real world without any magic to discover, she would have plenty to do.
Merlin would view modern technology and science as the new magic, and happily wander around from one project or lab to another. The real world has a huge variety of biomes and species waiting to be discovered in them, and Merlin would make it her mission to find, catalog and understand them all.
1 Halkara Can Run An Apothecary Or Drugstore (I've Been Killing Slimes For 300 Years And Maxed Out My Level)
Halkara the elf girl isn't much of a fighter. Instead, she takes pride in collecting ingredients and turning them into useful potions and energy drinks, and there are already some isekai series with such a premise. Anything can serve as a fun reverse isekai plot if the main character is enthusiastic enough.
Halkara must say goodbye to the land of elves and magic, but in the real world, she can challenge herself to open a proper business and drum up business with a brand-new apothecary. She would probably decorate it elf-style to make it stand out a bit more.