A lot of fans loveisekai animeprimarily for the appeal of being transported into a new world and away from a mundane existence. However, another hidden gem inside isekai stories are tales of romance, where a character manages to find true love in another realm. Compared to usual isekai stories where travelers save the world, these kinds of isekai stories demonstrate the ever-enduring qualities of love despite coming from different origins.
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Fans who want a change of pace from typical adventure-heavy isekai stories may want to consider looking into some of thebest romances isekai anime offers. However, just what isekai stories contain the best couples and romantic adventures?
10Accel World (2012)
When Haruyuki Arita ofAccel Worldfinds himself constantly bullied and body-shamed for his weight, he spends much of his time honing his video game skills in the school’s local cyberspace. However, his skills immediately catch the attention of the school’s student council vice president, Kuroyukihime, who introduces Haru to the secret program known as Brain Burst. Initially, just a program that enhances a person’s cognitive function in cyberspace, it turns out to be an ARMMO (augmented reality MMO) that groups Brain Burst users into gangs that fight for supremacy and chances to use Brain Burst in the real world.
Although not necessarily a direct “isekai” anime, much of thestories inAccel Worldtake place in Brain Burst, which has become Haru’s equivalent of a space where he belongs. On the romance end, Kuroyukihime initially only wanted to use Haru for her ends in Brain Burst, seeing as he has a crush on her. However, when Haru proves his attraction has become love, his constant heroism and care for the Black Snow Princess would slowly make her more attracted to him.
9Sword Art Online (2012-Present)
Despite contention on how Kirito is positioned as an OP protagonist inSword Art Online, his continuous efforts to go above and beyond whatever difficulties a VRMMO throws at him have gathered the attention of various female friends. While he begins as a loner soloist in his days in the world of Aincrad in the VRMMO death gameSword Art Online, his efforts saving various people and slowly opening up to them have revealed more depth to his character.
Such depth is also heavily explored in his relationship with Asuna, his fellowSAOsurvivor and a competent combatant herself. Asuna’s version of self-confidence and hardwork will harmonize withKirito’s quiet self-determination. And despite Kirito’s supposed “harem” seeing these qualities as reasons to like him, Kirito and Asuna will repeatedly prove that their love for each other is unconditional - especially throughout the series’ many life-threatening dangers.
8Wise Man’s Grandchild (2019)
At first glance,Wise Man’s Grandchildlooks like the typical isekai anime with an OP protagonist, especially with protagonist Shin Wolford who died as a Japanese salaryman before being reborn into a family of mages. Having been raised by the legendary hero Merlin, Shin developed extreme magical prowess at the expense of his lack of social skills. When he enrolls in Earlshide Kingdom’s Magic Academy, saving Maria von Messina and Sizilen von Claude from thugs would slowly convince Shin to lead the school’s Ultimate Magic Research Society.
DespiteWise Man’s Grandchildhaving its fair share of magical threatsfor Shin and his friends to overcome with ingenuity, Shin’s overcoming his awkwardness and developing his social skills shine throughout the series. Moreover, the series eventually shows a growing romance between him and Sizilen, wherein various trials would constantly have them slowly open up and have their own love story.
7The Rising Of The Shield Hero (2019-Present)
One of the more controversial isekai stories to grace anime fandom would beThe Rising of the Shield Hero, which is a unique take on the fantasy world savior trope in the isekai genre. When Naofumi Iwatani gets transported to a parallel fantasy kingdom alongside three other individuals, a mishap with the Princess leaves Naofumi without his belongings and falsely accuses him of assault. Despite being one of the warriors destined to protect the world from inter-dimensional monsters called Waves, the rest of the land shuns him due to these events.
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Equipped withthe Legendary Shield, Naofumi spends much of his days training alone until he buys a slave named Raphtalia and an egg that becomes a bird-like creature he names Filo. As he trains the two to become formidable fighters, his initial fatherly care toward Raphtalia soon blossoms into a romance that tests their spirits throughout their increasingly-difficult adventures. Although Naofumi and Raphtalia’s romance can tug heartstrings, controversies about the portrayal of slaves, slavery apology, and framing of assault have madeShield Heroa contested series among viewers.
6In Another World With My Smartphone (2017)
Viewers of isekai anime who want to see an ending where the protagonist gets all the waifus in his harem may want to check outIn Another World With My Smartphone. Set after the mistaken death of Touya Mochizuki, a remorseful God tries to rectify his mistake by reincarnating Touya to a fantasy world with potent abilities as well as a magically-charged smartphone that has a camera and Earth’s internet.
Given his immense knowledge and magical prowess, Touya becomes a god-like figure tomost people he meets inIn Another World. Thankfully, his generous and kind nature has led him to make positive changes almost anywhere he goes. Such is his prowess that he’s transformed from being a simple adventurer into the king of his kingdom. Interestingly enough, his interactions with the many women he meets will eventually have them attracted to him, with many hijinks and shenanigans eventually transforming all of them into Touya’s eventual fiancees.
5The World’s Finest Assassin (2021)
InThe World’s Finest Assassin,an old assassin is so skilled in his craft that a goddess reincarnated him to kill the Hero of a new world after he dies at the hands of his organization in the previous life. Now known as Lugh Tuatha De, the former assassin retains his previous life’s assassination skills and gets trained in the arts of magic and weapons in the new world. Throughoutthe story ofThe World’s Finest Assassin, viewers can see Lugh near-impossible kills courtesy of his mastery of his craft, which attracts the attention of women such as his childhood friend Dia, assassination assistant Tarte, and adopted sister Maha.
While much of the anime showcases Lugh’s assassination skills and eventual confrontations with the Hero, some time is devoted to developing his personality from the perspective of his leading ladies. Each of his prospective romances have something to offer to the table, and they all contribute to Lugh appreciating life more than his intended purpose.
4Re:Zero - Starting Life In Another World (2016-Present)
As expected of an isekai series,Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another Worldbegins when an unsuspecting individual gets transported into a fantasy world. This time around, the saidtraveler is Subaru Natsuki, a NEET who dies as soon as he attempts to befriend a half-elf named Emilia. However, things start to turn weird when Subaru resurrects in the past, as well as the discovery that his new friend Emilia is the heir to the Kingdom of Lugunica.
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ThroughoutRe:Zero, Subaru uses his powers to protect Emilia and “survive” unexpected encounters. His uncanny ability to solve these situations earned him a spot as a butler close to Emilia, who he helps fulfill her ambitions. Subaru’s initial contentious attitude slowly develops into a more heroic personality as the series progresses, and his moralities are challenged when his powers start interfering with the way romantic prospects develop feelings for him.
3The Tatami Galaxy (2022)
Sometimes, the what-ifs make for exciting romances, whichThe Tatami Galaxyembodies. Originally a 2004 novel,The Tatami Galaxytells the story of an Unnamed Junior at Kyoto University who dreams of having an enjoyable campus life and a budding romance but instead leads a rather lackluster college life. When his friend Ozu constantly manipulates the shy protagonist into making morally-questionable actions, the protagonist spends much of his time wondering what his life would be should he have chosen “another” path as a freshman.
In turn,The Tatami Galaxycontains various stories set in parallel universes, each with the character joining a different club. Most importantly, the protagonist is almost always drawn to Akashi, a rational and cold engineering student with a soft spot for the unnamed main character. While Akashi doesn’t always return the protagonist’s romantic gestures in each parallel universe, the series explores unrequited love in an interesting manner.
2Fushigi Yuugi (1995-1996)
A classic iteration of schoolgirls visiting other worlds isFushigi Yuugi, an anime adaptation of one of the most successful manga series ever. InFushigi Yuugi, friends and junior high students Miaka Yuki and Yui Hongo visit the library and encounter a strange book called “The Universe of the Four Gods.” Their encounter with the book sends Miaka to Ancient China and Yui almost immediately back, with Miaka becoming the Princess of Suzaku while Yui tries to help her get back into the real world.
In the series, Miaka is destined to gather the seven Celestial Warriors of Suzaku to summon the being above and ask for three wishes. However, she unexpectedly falls for Tamahome, one of her Warriors, who also fall in love with her. Unfortunately, jealousy over Miaka’s relationship and humiliation for not being worthy of the book will drive Yui into working against her friend, becoming the Priestess of Seiryuu. DespiteFushigi Yuugihaving quite the cast of characters, Miaka’s wit and courageous nature brings about the best in her Warriors and even their rivals through their interactions.
1InuYasha (2000-2004)
Perhaps one of the most notable isekai stories to ever grace anime,InuYashatells the tale of 15-year-old Kagome Higurashi who, after falling into a well in their family shrine, visits the Sengoku period. However, this historical era isn’t described in history books as the Sengoku version of Tokyo that Kagome visits inhabited by various monsters and foxes. After meeting a half-dog demon and half-human named Inuyasha, Kagome is thrust into restoring the Shikon Jewel before the evil Naraku uses it for world domination.
Whilemuch ofInuYashais told from the perspective of an action story, Inuyasha and Kagome’s adventures eventually blossom into a reluctant romance. Much of the anime revolves around hot-headed Inuyasha coming to terms with the death of his love Kikyo, who just so happens to look like Kagome. Meanwhile, Kagome’s upbringing in the modern world brought about a fierce spirit that manages to calm Inuyasha and serve as the “heart” of their companions throughout their adventures.
