Isekai is one of the biggest genres in modern anime. Though it's been around for decades, it exploded in popularity in recent years, with new series coming out every season. With such an expansive library of titles, many isekai series are hit-or-miss among fans. And with such oversaturation, the most popular titles have become overhyped as they've gained success.
Though many are well-deserving of praise, these titles are far too popular these days, overshadowing new series and hindering their potential. But just because the popular isekai have become overrated doesn't mean they aren't worth a watch. Though they get more hype than they deserve, these popular series still have a lot to offer for isekai fans and are a fun watch for newcomers.
10 Overlord Has A Cliché Premise, But It Manages To Keep Fans Coming Back For More
Overlord is a typical "players trapped in an MMORPG" isekai series, and on the surface, it's nothing special. But despite this overused premise, fans can't help but love this anime. The story follows Momonga, a powerful wizard player in the popular virtual reality game, Yggdrasil. After the game ends and the servers shut down, he finds himself left in the world of Yggdrasil with the NPCs.
Now trapped inside the closed game, Momonga uses his power to take control of the world and investigate this strange new situation. While this plot has been done before, it's still an enjoyable story with a few twists to keep things interesting. Though overrated, Overlord keeps its fans coming back for more each season and is worth checking out for those who haven't watched.
9 Inuyasha Is A Beloved Classic That Still Has Its Fair Share Of Problems
Inuyasha is a classic isekai series and one of the most popular anime of all time. Adored by fans for decades, it still has a thriving fanbase to this day. However, even the biggest Inuyasha fans know it isn't without its problems. From its many filler episodes that seem never ending to its problematic relationships, there's plenty wrong with this series.
Though much of Inuyasha no longer holds up, fans still can't help but love it. It's a huge part of anime history and still impacts series today, making it a worthwhile series for old and new fans.
8 Spirited Away Isn't The Only Great Ghibli Film, But It's Worthy Of Praise
Anime fans everywhere love Studio Ghibli's iconic films, and Spirited Away is easily one of their most beloved films of all time. Many praise it as Ghibli's masterpiece and claim that no other anime movies can compare. While Spirited Away is a breathtaking work of art, it's only one of many great films to come from them.
Ghibli fans often hype this film up far more than it deserves, forgetting the many other great Ghibli classics. Spirited Away is a beautiful story that deserves praise, but its popularity overshadows many great films that fans are missing out on.
7 That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime Is A Cliché Yet Fun Series
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime has the same typical start that most isekai are famous for, involving the main character's sudden death and reincarnation into a magical world where he's the hero. It's a premise that many isekai fans have seen before, but it's done in such a fun and interesting way that it feels like fresh new take on the genre.
While there are many who claim that Slime is a boring series with the usual overpowered main character, it still manages to be an enjoyable series nonetheless. It may be cliché and overhyped, but it's still a great watch that anyone can enjoy.
6 No Game No Life Is A Typical Virtual Reality Game Series That's Still Worth Watching
Throughout the genre, there are plenty of series where a cast of gamers start a new life in a virtual world, and that's exactly the type of series fans can expect from No Game No Life. It's got a pretty generic storyline, following two shut-in siblings who find themselves transported into the virutal world known as Disboard.
Like all isekai like it, the pair decide to start a new life in Disboard, all while dominating as the top players in the realm. It's a story fans have seen many times over, but No Game No Life still manages to be a fun and exciting watch for fans of the genre.
5 Sword Art Online Is Overrated, But It Gets Too Much Hate
When anime fans think of overrated isekai, many immediately think of Sword Art Online. It's one of the most overrated and overhated series of all time, and it's sparked countless online arguments since its debut. There's a lot about Sword Art Online that's cliché and even mediocre.
It has all the usual isekai tropes, with overpowered main characters, a harem of girls following the protagonist, and generic virtual world plotlines. However, despite its many flaws, Sword Art Online isn't all that bad. It's still an enjoyable watch, and it deserves more credit than it's usually given.
4 KonoSuba Is The Poster Child For Generic Isekai But Fans Love It Anyway
KonoSuba is yet another isekai series filled with tropes, clichés, and an unoriginal story. It's the epitome of generic isekai, but fans still seem to adore it anyway. But what KonoSuba lacks in originality, it makes up for in comedy.
It's easily one of the funniest isekai series out there, and its humor is a big reason why so many love it. While the characters aren't very interesting on their own, together they make for a hilarious dynamic that makes the series a lot of fun.
3 My Next Life As A Villainess Stands Out Among An Oversaturated Genre
Within the isekai genre, there are different subgenres that have each become their own trends. One of the most overrated of these subgenres is the "reincarnated into the villainess" trope that plagues many webcomics and manga series. While it's become a generic storyline, some titles still stand out. My Next Life as a Villainess is probably one of the most popular examples of this trope.
When it first came out, it was a breath of fresh air within the isekai genre, giving fans something they'd never seen before. Even as the subgenre has exploded with new titles, My Next Life as a Villainess continues to stand out and captivate fans.
2 The Rising Of The Shield Hero Doesn't Completely Fit The Mold, And That's Why Fans Like It
The Rising of the Shield Hero has the similar generic isekai plot fans all know by heart by now. An otaku named Noafumi Iwatani finds himself transported to a kingdom of Melromarc, where he becomes the fated Shield Hero. As with most isekai, he's accompanied by a group of cute girls, and together, they fight to protect the kingdom.
However, unlike most isekai, this hero is cast aside by the very people he's meant to save, making for an interesting twist. While the premise is nothing special overall, it does give fans a refreshing new spin on the genre that makes it stand out.
1 Re:Zero Is One Of The Most Overrated Isekai, But It's Still A Great Series
Of all the overrated isekai out there, Re:Zero is probably the most overrated by far. Since its release, it's become one of the most popular series in the genre, surpassing even isekai giants like Sword Art Online in popularity. However, as with all popular series, Re:Zero receives a lot of backlash and criticism, with many claiming it's just another boring, generic isekai.
While it's true that much of the series is generic or cliché, Re:Zero still manages to stand out and feel unique among the many series of the genre. With a lovable cast of characters and an emotionally impactful storyline, it feels like much more than just another isekai, making it a worthwhile watch for anyone.