One of the many reasons the fantasy genre is so popular is because people can escape to new, magical worlds and live in the author's creativity. It's new, exhilarating, and sparks a sense of adventure in people. This is why the isekai trope is particularly popular. It allows readers to see what it would be like to be reincarnated into another world filled with magic, elves, monsters, or even magical beasts.
Reincarnating into one of these alternate worlds as a commoner or monster would take away the joy of experiencing this new world. This is why there are many isekai manga series about protagonists reincarnating into nobility, being afforded more options without worrying about money, education, or opportunities.
Updated on January 27th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: With isekai manga seemingly continuing to grow in popularity, it's not surprising to see a lot more series with similar seeming ideas. There are plenty of great series that contain protagonists who were commoners in their past life, only to be reincarnated as some form of nobility. We've updated this list to meet CBR's current publication standards, adding more info on some of the many isekai protagonists reincarnated into nobility.
10 Best Reincarnation Isekai Anime, Ranked
Isekai anime are ripe for reincarnation stories, and series like Ascendance of a Bookworm, Mushoku Tensei, and My Next Life as a Villainess deliver.20 Cid Kagenou Becomes A Powerful Noble In A World Of His Design
Eminence in Shadow
The Eminence In Shadow
Cid Kagenou creates an elaborate plot to fight the Cult of Diabolos and builds his organization, the Shadow Garden.
- Release Date
- October 5, 2022
- Creator
- Daisuke Aizawa
- Cast
- Seiichiro Yamashita , Rina Hidaka , Kana Hanazawa , Yoko Hikasa , Haruka Shiraishi , Asami Seto
- Main Genre
- Action
- Seasons
- 1
- Franchise
- The Eminence in Shadow
- Production Company
- Nexus
- Story By
- Daisuke Aizawa
- Writers
- Daisuke Aizawa
- Number of Episodes
- 32
Before he was reincarnated, Cid Kagenou wanted two things: to be the most powerful person around, and for no one to be aware that he's the most powerful person. This desire in his past life led to him being hit by a truck, as he tried to discover ways to learn magic. When he was reincarnated though, Cid got his wish. He was born into a world of magic, as the son of a nobleman.
In this new world, Cid has done everything he can to master a variety of powerful magic abilities. With those powers, he thinks he's waging pretend battles against a dangerous group known as the Cult of Diablos. However, his battles with the Cult have all been real, and Cid's "Shadow Garden" organization is the only thing keeping the Cult from taking over.
19 Aileen Lauren Dautriche Sets Her Sights On The Infamous Demon King In Order To Avoid A Gruesome Fate
I'm The Villainess, So I'm Taming The Final Boss
I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss Delivers on a Villain Turned Hero Story
- WRITER
- Sarasa Nagase
- Artist
- Mai Murasaki
- Letterer
- Taylor Engel
- Publisher
- Yen Press
- Price
- 15.00
- Release Date
- September 28, 2021
Once a sick young girl who spent all her time recuperating and playing video games, everything changed for Aileen when she reincarnated. In her new world, she was the daughter of a noble, and engaged to be married to the prince. However, when her engagement is suddenly annulled after Prince Cedric reveals his love for a classmate, things quickly go poorly for Aileen.
At that moment, Aileen regains her memories of her past life, and realizes the path her life is on. To stand any chance of having a decent life, Aileen decides to marry Claude, the Demon King who was the former heir to the throne.
18 Ernesti Echevalier Gets To Experience His Love Of Mecha First Hand In A New World
Knight's & Magic
Knight's & Magic
Ernesti, a programmer and mecha fan in his previous life, is reincarnated in a fantasy world where he sets out to pilot a humanoid weapon.
- Release Date
- July 2, 2017
- Creator
- Michiko Yokote, Noboru Kimura
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 4 Seasons
- Characters By
- Rie Takahashi, Shinsuke Sugawara, Ayaka Ohashi
- Producer
- Ryutaro Kawakami, Ryota Ozaki, Emi Kashimura
- Production Company
- Eight Bit
- Number of Episodes
- 13 Episodes
10 Series That Restored Our Hope In Isekai Anime
Select successful anime have restored the fans' faith in the isekai genre, from Overlord to The Rising of the Shield Hero.Ernesti was originally a programmer and mecha fan in the real world, before being reincarnated after an accident. In the new world, Ernesti is the child of a noble family. Retaining memories of his past life from the very beginning, Ernie walked through life disinterested in the new world...until he discovered the existence of giant robots.
After realizing this new world allowed him the chance to pilot giant robots, Ernie decided to do everything he could to prepare for that day. Every year leading up to his time in middle school saw him training to become the best pilot and robot builder he could.
17 Wendelin Von Benno Baumeister Is The Young Son In A Large Family Of Nobles
The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?
The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?
Shingo Ichinomiya, a 25-year-old man working at a firm company reincarnated as the youngest child of a poor noble family living in a back country. He is blessed with a very rare talent, but in his situation it only brought disaster.
- Release Date
- April 2, 2020
- Cast
- Junya Enoki , Mao Ichimichi , Komatsu Mikako
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 1
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Production Company
- Shin Ei Animation
Wendelin is proof that not every noble has an easy life. After reincarnating in a new world, Wendelin becomes the latest member of a noble family. Unfortunately for him, this family's nobility awards them little besides a land of their own and a few servants. With Wendelin being the eighth son for them, his inheritance is literally non-existent.
Fortunately for Wendelin though, he has the ability to read, and discovers a special magical orb. After training and learning to use magic, Wendelin manages to raise his own standing in the eyes of his country.
16 Pride Ivy Uses Her Power & Status To Protect Others
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
A girl is reborn as the villainess of a fantasy game she once played, and now seeks to avoid her doom by carrying out heroic deeds.
- Release Date
- July 7, 2023
- Creator
- Deko Akao
- Cast
- Fairouz Ai , Maaya Uchida , Junya Enoki
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 1 Season
- Production Company
- OLM
- Number of Episodes
- 12 Episodes
Like many villainess characters, Pride Royal Ivy regained her memory years before learning her true fate. Originally a gamer who loved otome games, when Pride regained her memories her entire personality changed. The person she was becoming was destined to destroy her country and harm countless in the process. With her knowledge of in-game events though, she vowed to protect as many people as she could.
As the future queen of her nation, Pride has the power of foreknowledge which allows her to pretend much of her information comes to her in dreams. As she continues to predict things, she alters her nation's future for the better.
15 Princess Elise Rights Her Past Wrongs By Becoming A Doctor
Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady With The Lamp
Doctor Elise
Elise gets a second chance to avoid her disastrous fated marriage to an emperor in Doctor Elise.
- Release Date
- September 18, 2017
- Author
- Yuin
- Artist
- Mini
- Genre
- Manhwa
Doctor Elise: The Royal Lady with the Lamp is a unique reincarnation isekai. Unlike most series in the genre, the protagonist's royal life is actually their past life. The story stars Dr. Song, a brilliant young professor teaching at the leading medical university in Korea.
In Dr. Song's past life, she was known as Princess Elise, a spoiled and bratty royal who got everything she wanted. After meeting her untimely demise in her new life, Dr. Song reawakens as Princess Elise, much to her shock. However, this time, she's armed with the knowledge she obtained in her next life, and she plans to use it to right the wrongs she committed as a spoiled princess.
14 Princess Anisphia Is Born Powerless In A World Where Magic Is Common
The Magical Revolution Of The Reincarnated Princess And The Genius Young Lady
The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady
Despite her supposed ineptitude with regular magic, Princess Anisphia defies the aristocracy's expectations by developing "magicology," a unique magical theory based on memories from her past life. One day, she witnesses the brilliant noblewoman Euphyllia unjustly stripped of her title as the kingdom's next monarch. That's when Anisphia concocts a plan to help Euphyllia regain her good name. Little do these two ladies know, however, that their chance encounter will alter not only their own futures, but those of the kingdom...and the entire world.
- Release Date
- January 4, 2023
- Cast
- Sayaka Senbongi , Manaka Iwami , Ai Kakuma
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Diomedéa
- Number of Episodes
- 12
20 Isekai That Are Slice Of Life Instead Of Action Based
Slice of life isekai anime explore new worlds in a relaxed & comforting way that highlights characters, their relationships, and development.Princess Anisphia, or "Anis" for short, was once a regular girl living on Earth until one day, she reincarnated into a princess in a magical realm. But sadly, despite living among magic, Anis has no magic of her own to speak of.
Despite Anis' lack of abilities, she's determined to develop powers of her own and creates a new form of magic she names "magicology." using the knowledge and skills she picked up in her previous life. After a chance encounter with a genius magician named Euphyllia, Anis decides to team up with the brilliant girl. Together, they work on perfecting magicology, bringing Anis' dreams one step closer to reality.
13 Raeliana McMillan Plans To Marry A Powerful Duke In Order To Prevent Her Death
Why Raeliana Ended Up At The Duke's Mansion
Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion
Eunha Park is sent into a fictional world to become Raeliana, a character destined to be murdered, but she gets a second chance to avoid her fate in Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion.
- Release Date
- September 3, 2017
- Author
- Milcha
- Artist
- Milcha
- Genre
- Manhwa
After meeting a sudden end in her previous life, the heroine of Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke's Mansion is reborn as Raeliana McMillan, the beautiful eldest daughter of a baron in a fairytale novel. Though she lives a charmed new life, Raeliana's only role in the story is to die.
In order to prevent this fate, Raeliana plans to marry someone with great power, hoping his influence will protect her. Using the knowledge of her previous life and the book she read, Raeliana works to change the story's events in her favor.
12 Athanasia De Alger Obelia Attempts To Gain Her Cruel Father's Favor
Who Made Me A Princess?
Who Made Me A Princess
Athanasia, executed for treason in her past life, wakes up reborn as a child princess in the very kingdom she threatened. Now, she must navigate a treacherous court, filled with hidden agendas and deadly secrets, all while maintaining the innocent facade of a princess.
Who Made Me a Princess? begins after a modern-day woman wakes up to find herself in the infant body of Athanasia de Alger Obelia, a secondary character from the story "The Lovely Princess." In this book, Athanasia is subjected to horrific cruelty at the hands of her father, Emperor Claude, which ultimately leads to her death.
Knowing what terrible fate now awaits her, Athanasia attempts to change the story, doing everything she can to gain the tyrannical ruler's favor. However, her plan isn't easy, as a young girl claiming to be her sister steps forward, leading to more shocking developments far out of Athanasia's control.
11 Katarina Claes Is Determied To Change Her Fate By Avoiding Doom Flags
My Next Life As A Villainess
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
A young girl dies and is reincarnated into a video game. But when she finds out that her role is the villainess destined for doom, she takes measures to change the game and avoid that fate.
- Release Date
- April 4, 2020
- Creator
- Satoru Yamaguchi
- Cast
- Maaya Uchida , Tetsuya Kakihara , Shouta Aoi , Miho Okasaki
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 2
- Studio
- Silver Link
- Number of Episodes
- 24 +OVA
My Next Life as a Villainess is one of the most popular examples of a reincarnation isekai where the protagonist is reborn into nobility. The story follows the adventures of Katarina Claes, a spoiled noble who plays the part of the villainess in a fantasy-based otome game called Fortune Lover. In just about every route within the game, Katarina is punished with a doom-filled end, from being exiled to execution at the hands of her own fiancé.
After an accident as a child brings back memories of her previous life, Katarina soon becomes aware of her hopeless situation. Determined to survive this time around, she does everything she can to change her fate, avoiding "doom flags" at every turn.
10 Lean Olgott Is Given A Blessed New Life For His Past Good Deeds
The Child Loved By God
The Child Loved By God
A good person reincarnated into another world as a grandson of the king?! On top of that, now he's a handsome young boy with tremendous magical power and cheat-like abilities! He has silver hair and blue eyes that are said to be characteristics of a God, and he is also given the mysterious title of "The Child Loved by God." The first volume of a relaxing, saving-the-world fantasy about the child loved by the world!
Lean Olgott was reincarnated into a magical world as the grandson of a king, due to all the good deeds that he accumulated in his past life and was given the title "The Child Loved By God."
From a young age, Leon was an overpowered protagonist, but due to his sweet and kind nature, he would rather use his powers to save rather than fight. Along with the three Sacred Beasts and his new friends, Leon continues to learn and grow at his school while overcoming obstacles that come with being the King's grandson and The Child Loved By God.
9 Alicia Williams Embraces Her Newfound Villainess Status
I'll Become A Villainess That Will Go Down In History
I'll Become a Villainess That Will Go Down in History
This is the story of a young girl who aspires to become a villainous noble girl who’s capable of growing stronger through every confrontation that she is faced with.
- Release Date
- 2024-00-00
- Creator
- Izumi Okido
Alicia Williams is the eldest daughter of the noble Williams family and was reincarnated after being killed in her previous life. Upon waking, she realizes that she is the villainess of an otome game that she loves.
Knowing that she is supposed to be the villain, Alicia vows to become the greatest villain of all time. To everyone else, however, she is kind and caring and has strong opinions about the state of their world, and works hard in both her magical studies and swordsmanship lessons. She has no desire to romance the love interests like she's supposed to because her dreams are much larger than that.
8 Cain Von Silford Uses His New God-like Powers To Set Out On Adventures
Chronicles Of An Aristocrat Reborn In Another World
Chronicles of an Aristocrat Reborn in Another World
Shiinya Kazuya died while saving young girls attacker, only to reincarnated into a world of swords and magic. It was a dream come true. He remembers his life and knowledge of Earth, now Cain von Silford, the third son of an aristocrats.
- Release Date
- April 3, 2023
- Creator
- Yashuu
- Main Genre
- Isekai
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Magic Bus, EMT Squared
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Artists
- Nanjou, Yoshino Uchida, Aya Iwami, Manaka
- Main Characters
- von Silford, Cain von Santana, Silk Esfort, Telestia Terra
Kazuya Shiina died while trying to protect his friends from a knife-wielding assailant. After waking up in a strange bed, he soon discovers that he was reincarnated as Cain von Silford, the third son of a noble family. He learns from Silvia, the maid, that the world he was reincarnated into is filled with magic, sword fighting, and monsters.
Blessed by the gods of his new world, Cain now has incredible powers beyond his wild imagination. And as any isekai hero would, he uses these over-the-top powers to go off on adventures, discovering more about this new world while doing the bidding of the Gods.
7 Ars Louvent Uses His Past Life Skills To Become Unstoppable
Reincarnated As An Aristocrat With An Appraisal Skill
Reincarnated as an Aristocrat with an Appraisal Skill
An ordinary salaryman dies one day and is reborn as Ars Louvent, the son of a noble. Although he isn't talented in magic or swordplay, he does have one skill that no one else possesses: Appraisal. Using this ability, Ars can determine a person's current strength, how much potential they hold, and where their talents rest.
This skill is especially useful in the present situation of the country. The government is corrupt, revolts occur more often than not, and nobles far and wide are strengthening their fortifications in preparation for an all-out war. With this in mind, Ars realizes he too must prepare by gathering talented people.
A persecuted foreigner unparalleled with the sword, a slave with an unknown talent for magic, and a timid boy with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge—such talents lend Ars their support as he aims to create the most powerful territory.
- Release Date
- 2024-04-00
- Creator
- Nanahiko Seigein, Shin'ichi Ito
- Main Genre
- Adventure
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- studio MOTHER
- Artists
- Fujiwara, Natsumi Ban, Taito Okasaki, Miho Kaho, Narum
- Main Characters
- Louvent, Ars Muses, Rietz Keisha, Rosell Reis, Charlotte
Ars Louvent was reincarnated into a magical world after working himself to death, a very common way for heroes to be isekai'd. As his physical strength and intelligence were deemed mediocre, he was supposed to live as a weak aristocrat.
With his appraisal skills, however, Ars can see a person's potential. So, Ars begins to make friends and surrounds himself with powerful people who can help him transform his territory into one of the strongest. But the road is a long one, filled with many obstacles that Ars must overcome in order to survive.
6 Iris Is Determined To Make A Nice Life For Herself
Accomplishments Of The Duke's Daughter
Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter
Iris, an otome game addict with no time for romance, gets hit by a truck after getting out of work–but instead of dying, she finds herself in the world of a game she'd played just hours earlier. However, she's not reborn as the game's protagonist, the main heartthrob of the harem. Instead, she starts her new life as the antagonist, right at the moment she's being sent to live in a nunnery–for the rest of her life!
- Release Date
- February 7, 2015
- Author
- Reia
- Artist
- Suki Umemiya
- Genre
- Fantasy
- Chapters
- 41
- Volumes
- 8
- Publisher
- Kadokawa Shoten
Iris was a hardworking office lady who was obsessed with otome games. One night after leaving work, she is killed after being struck by a truck. However, instead of dying, she is reincarnated as the daughter of a duke in the otome game that she was playing only hours earlier.
The problem, however, is that Iris was reincarnated as the villainess at the very moment that she is ridiculed and banished from her school in front of her peers. To avoid embarrassment, her father makes her the acting Fief lord due to her shrewd assessment skills. With a faithful team by her side, she vows to live her life the way she chooses to.
5 Isabella Ali Rottenstein Strays From Her Predestined Fate
The Villainess Wants To Marry A Commoner!!
The Villainess Wants to Marry a Commoner!!
Before reincarnating as the villainess Isabella Ali Rottenstein, she was just one of the many fans of the game Love☆Magical. While most fawned over the handsome and charming love interests, in her eyes, none could hold a candle to her most beloved Ursch Schneiver. Sure, he was somewhat plain and a mere supporting character running the gacha store, but even so, she invested all her money just to see his bright expressions.
Now, they are no longer separated by a screen. While Isabella's role in the story would normally be to commit evil deeds and obstruct the heroine, she wants nothing to do with it! Ursch is just too cute... well, she might as well marry him!
20 Best Isekai Manhwa
Readers seeking isekai manhwa recommendations will enjoy titles like The Villainess Is A Marionette and FFF-Class Trashero.Isabella Ali Rottenstein is the youngest daughter of a duke and was once a normal office lady who worked at a call center. However, after falling down a flight of stairs, she died and was reincarnated into the otome game that she was obsessed with as the villainess.
Now in her new life, Isabella decides that, instead of playing her predestined role of the villainess, she will live her life as she chooses. Despite being surrounded by many beautiful and tempting love interests, Isabella has her sights set on one character only — Ursch Schneiver, a lesser-known NPC commoner.
4 Serafiona Granzeus Is A Noble Girl Training To Become A Warrior
The Reincarnated Young Lady Aims To Be An Adventurer
The Reincarnated Young Lady Aims to Be an Adventurer
When young Serephione has a fateful encounter with Lou, the cute and fluffy guardian tiger, it opens the floodgates to a torrent of memories. She realizes she had a past life as an office worker in which she loved to read fantasy books, including one featuring the infamous villainess...Serephione Granzeus! After using her immense magical power in battle, the novel's Serephione was defeated and condemned to die alone. The surest way to escape that fate is avoiding magic school altogether...so Serephione vows to hide her magic and become an adventurer instead! But what will she do when major characters from the book threaten her plans?
- Release Date
- May 25, 2019
- Author
- Sakura Tasuke
- Artist
- Oda Hiro
- Genre
- Adventure , Fantasy
- Publisher
- Tokuma Shoten
Serafiona Granzeus was once a normal woman who ended up passing away and reincarnating into a fantasy novel. As a young child, she discovered a small animal who'd been hurt and rescued it. It's then that she learns it's a Holy Beast, and they form a bond together.
To change her destiny, Sera, her family, and Roux work together to trick the authorities into believing she has no magic, and they train her to become a deadly warrior and adventurer instead. All she has to do is avoid the flags and live a long and happy life — something that's much more complicated than it sounds.
3 Williams Beryl Is Reincarnated With An Endless Supply Of Powers
Accidentally Summoned (Oops, Sorry.)
Accidentally Summoned (Oops, Sorry.)
As a result of a god's mistake, Shou prematurely dies. He is reborn in to another world as the oldest son, Will, of a highly distinguished noble family. One day, he crawls into his father's library and finds out that in this world magic exists. He tries to use magic, and to his astonishment, finds out that he has a cheat skill that increases his magical abilities and enables him to use all the elements! A fantasy about a former Japanese high-school genius who can wield magic like no other!
Shou accidentally dies due to a mistake that God made and is reincarnated as the oldest son of a noble family. Now, as Williams Beryl, he begins his new life, and, thanks to the God that accidentally killed him, he has a cheat code that allows him to use magic from all the elements.
Will begins to learn to control his magic abilities with the help of a tutor. He eventually begins his life at the academy, where he makes new friends, learns about magic, and makes enemies on his first day.
2 Lugh Tuatha Dé Continues His Assassin Duties In Another Life
The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat
The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat
When the world's greatest assassin reaches the end of his life, he is sent by a goddess to be reborn in a magical world and use his skills to save that world.
- Release Date
- October 6, 2021
- Creator
- Rui Tsukiyo
- Cast
- Courtney Lin , Veronica Taylor , Kyle Hebert , Toshiyuki Morikawa , Yukari Tamura , Caitlin Glass , Cristina Valenzuela
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Seasons
- 1
- Studio
- Silver Link, Studio Pallette
- Number of Episodes
- 12
The Best Isekai Of All Time, Ranked
The best of the best when it comes to Isekai anime have otherworldly stories, epically overpowered protagonists and remarkable adventure.A legendary assassin dies after his brotherhood of assassins betrays him. Upon opening his eyes, he meets a Goddess and is given the option to be reincarnated. However, he is tasked by the Goddess to assassinate the hero of the world that he's to be reincarnated into.
Agreeing to the Goddess' terms, he is reincarnated as the heir to the assassin aristocratic family as Lugh Tuatha Dé. Lugh spends his years gaining knowledge, growing stronger, and preparing himself for the greatest assassination he's ever had to perform.
1 Camille Rhodolite Vows To Become The Greatest Magic User Of All
An Otome Game's Burikko Villainess Turned Into A Magic Otaku
An Otome Game's Burikko Villainess Turned into a Magic Otaku
The high school girl Manami who had fallen down the emergency stairs at school had, before she noticed, become a five year old in the world of an otome game. What's more, that little girl was one of the rival characters that appeared in the game; the can't-take-a-hint-burikko-type-rival daughter of a marquis family. What awaited her at the end was social obliteration. Though she did get a bad feeling about this... Manami decided not to worry! It was a dream after all, so that had nothing to do with her. For now, she's going to master magic! Hooray!
Aizawa Minami was an ordinary high school girl until she fell down a flight of emergency stairs at her school. As she awakens, she discovers that she has been reincarnated as Camille Rhodolite, the eldest daughter of Marquis Rhodolite. At first, she thinks that she's dreaming, and that everyone is cosplaying, but as time moves forward, she comes to accept her reincarnation.
What Aizawa doesn't accept, however, is that she is the villainess. Thus, she begins her quest to become the best magic user because she loves everything to do with fantasy, and she wants to protect her friends.