The Most Underrated Isekai Anime Movies Ever (2025)

Isekai's rise to dominance has been the most noticeable anime trend of the last decade. Not an anime season goes past without a new isekai series launching, be it a new original show or a sequel to an existing one. The same is true for isekai anime movies, as they have become increasingly common since the early 2000s, with several new isekai movies arriving at the box office every year.

The downside of this isekai ubiquity is that many good movies get overshadowed by projects with bigger marketing budgets, leading to them getting lost in the shuffle. However, this does mean that anime fans looking for a new isekai experience have a lot of great films to choose from if they don't mind digging a little deeper into the genre's overlooked corners. From passionately delivered classic isekai narratives to creative twists on the usual format, there is an isekai anime movie for every taste.

Updated by Timothy Blake Donohoo on November 29, 2024: When it comes to the concept of underrated isekai anime, many fans ignore movies. Despite this, several isekai films are more than worth a watch. Some of these underrated isekai anime movies even tie into popular shows, making them a must-watch for fans of their corresponding series.

15 Road to Ninja: Naruto the Movie Goes to Another World to Ask What If?

Available on Crunchyroll

The action-packed Naruto: Shippuden is one of the most beloved anime series of all time, and this remains the case following the release of the sequel series Boruto. However, despite this popularity, 2012's Road To Ninja is frequently overlooked when anime fans talk about great isekai movies. After seeing his friends celebrate with their parents after a successful mission, Naruto becomes depressed, leading to him lashing out at his friends. At the same time, Sakura becomes deeply embarrassed by her parents and wishes they were not around, leading to her arguing with Naruto.

When the villainous Madara Uchiha appears and attacks the pair with a strange light, they are whisked to an alternative world where Sakura's parents died and Naruto's parents survived, utterly changing the course of history. While the pair enjoy this at first, they soon realize they must find their way home, forcing them to work out what happened to them. Road to Ninja is a unique isekai movie that puts a fun twist on the Naruto characters fans know and love, satisfying isekai fans and Naruto lovers.

Naruto: Shippuden

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Naruto Uzumaki, is a loud, hyperactive, adolescent ninja who constantly searches for approval and recognition, as well as to become Hokage, who is acknowledged as the leader and strongest of all ninja in the village.

Release Date

February 15, 2007

Creator(s)

Masashi Kishimoto

Cast

Alexandre Crepet , Junko Takeuchi , Maile Flanagan , Kate Higgins , Chie Nakamura , Dave Wittenberg , Kazuhiko Inoue , Noriaki Sugiyama , Yuri Lowenthal , Debi Mae West

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

21

Creator

Masashi Kishimoto

Main Characters

Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, Madara Uchiha, Obito Uchiha, Orochimaru, Tsunade Senju

Production Company

Pierrot, TV Tokyo, Aniplex, KSS, Rakuonsha, TV Tokyo Music, Shueisha

Number of Episodes

500

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll , Hulu

14 Belle Was an Isekai Take on a Disney and Fairy Tale Classic

Available on Max, Hulu and the Roku Channel

Released in 2021, Belle is a unique and unexpected take on the classic Beauty and the Beast concept. It follows a young woman named Suzu who logs onto an online game called "U," where she rediscovers her talent and passion for singing. There, she runs afoul of the Dragon/the Beast, a roguish user who's seen as a troublemaker. Through these experiences, she comes to terms with her present feelings and past traumas while learning that the Dragon isn't such a beast.

Belle uses the online game formula of other isekai, but it's not content to simply follow in their footsteps. It deals with a lot of deeper ideas, namely traumatic pasts and even abuse. When combined with the movie's beautiful and colorful art style, it more than breaks the mold for the genre. Acclaimed by many, it's sadly not immediately mentioned as a great example of the genre, making it an underrated isekai anime movie.

Belle

PG

Anime

Adventure

Drama

Original title: Ryû to sobakasu no hime
Suzu is a shy high school student living in a rural village. For years, she has only been a shadow of herself. But when she enters "U", a massive virtual world, she escapes into her online persona as Belle, a globally-beloved singer.

Director

Mamoru Hosoda

Release Date

January 14, 2022

Cast

Kaho Nakamura , Ryô Narita , Shôta Sometani

Runtime

2 hours 1 minute

Main Genre

Anime

Production Company

Studio Chizu, BookWalker, Dentsu

13 No Game No Life: Zero Is the Best Part of the Franchise

Available on: N/A

No Game No Life is a popular isekai, with most considering it a slight cut above most other examples of the genre. Its movie takes these elements and makes them better than ever, being one of the best parts of the property. No Game No Life: Zero was an adaptation of the light novel's sixth volume, and it focuses on a completely new set of characters in the form of Riku and Schwi. Set long before the events of the main series, the prequel movie is a standalone classic that anyone would enjoy.

No Game No Life: Zero boasts incredible animation, but the visuals aren't the only thing good about it. The general writing quality is also a cut above the more fanservice-laden show, and the plot feels more thorough and efficient. This allows it to tell its story better than the show does, and it helps that it can be viewed in any order related to that series. Thus, even those who've never watched the No Game No Life series can enjoy this underrated isekai anime movie.

No Game No Life

TV-14

Adventure

Comedy

Siblings Sora and Shiro make up the most feared team of pro gamers in the world, The Blank. When they manage to beat God himself in a game of chess, they are sent to a world where all disputes are settled with games.

Release Date

April 9, 2014

Cast

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka , Yoko Hikasa

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1 Season

Creator

Jukki Hanada

Producer

Yōhei Hayashi, Shō Tanaka, Mika Shimizu, Satoshi Fukao, Asako Shimizu

Production Company

Madhouse

Number of Episodes

12 Episodes

12 The Isekai Quartet Movie Is the Ultimate Isekai Crossover

Available on Amazon Prime Video and Crunchyroll

Isekai Quartet was already a dream come true for fans of the genre, as it mashed up characters from Overlord, KonoSuba, Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World and The Saga of Tanya the Evil. Isekai Quartet: The Movie – Another World adds The Rising of the Shield Hero to the mix, with the movie featuring the class being transported to a desolate world. After becoming separated, they all go on to encounter new characters in an uproarious set of events that put the overpowered heroes in hilarious situations.

The plot of the Isekai Quartet movie is simple enough, and it's mainly just a vehicle to see the characters from different franchises interact with each other. Of course, there are also movie-exclusive heroes, making it even more interesting, especially for fans. Even if viewers haven't seen the corresponding shows, the movie is hilarious enough to make it work for newcomers and existing fans alike.

Isekai Quartet

TV-14

Fantasy

Comedy

The worlds of isekai sagas collide and cross over, resulting in comical chaos.

Release Date

April 9, 2019

Cast

Satoshi Hino , Saori Hayami , Aoi Yuki

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

2

Studio

Studio Puyukai

Number of Episodes

24

11 Sword Art Online Progressive Was the Best Version of the Story

Available on Crunchyroll

Sword Art Online began the modern isekai craze, and it's the quintessential example of what the genre has become in the past two decades. Based on the corresponding light novels, the Sword Art Online Progressive movies expand upon events skimmed through or skipped entirely in the main story. Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night focuses on Asuna as she first becomes trapped in the virtual world of the series' titular video game.

Aria of a Starless Night is probably the best way to view the story of the first season of Sword Art Online, namely for what it adds to the characters. Even somewhat disliked characters like Mito are much better handled in the film, and there's generally a better version of the same story. Some might still scoff at the series' overall popularity and what it did to the genre, but there's no denying that, due to this and its own quality, the Sword Art Online film is an underrated isekai anime movie.

9

10

Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night

Action

Adventure

Original title: Gekijôban Sword Art Online Progressive Hoshi naki yoru no Aria.
High school student Asuna struggles to survive with a young swordsman after its revealed that she is trapped inside the game of Sword Art Online, where if your HP drops to zero, your brain will be destroyed in real life.

Release Date

October 30, 2021

Cast

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka , Haruka Tomatsu , Inori Minase

Writers

Reki Kawahara

Runtime

1 hour 37 minutes

Main Genre

Anime

Production Company

A-1 Pictures, Aniplex, Bandai Namco Entertainment

10 Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution - Kizuna Was a Fond Farewell

Available on Apple TV+

The original Digimon Adventure anime was one of the first isekai many anime fans ever watched. Thus, the nostalgia for the show is still strong, which is why it was given a grand finale in 2020. Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution – Kizuna was the final movie featuring the original version of the Digi-Destined, and it's a fantastic film overall. Though it was overshadowed somewhat due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie is more than worthy of praise for handling the final goodbye to these beloved characters.

The final Digimon Adventure movie shows that moving forward isn't necessarily a bad thing, and it uses nostalgia to great effect without solely relying on it. The message is particularly powerful for those who've grown up with these characters, and the visuals bring home how much everything has changed. While most might not immediately think of it as an isekai movie, Last Evolution – Kizuna is one of the best isekai anime movies in years and a fantastic showcase of how anime show tie-ins can be far more than just cheap cash-grabs.

8

10

Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna

TV-G

Animation

Action

Adventure

The team discovers that when they grow up, their relationship with their Digimon will come closer to an end. They realize that the more they fight, the faster their bond breaks and the time to choose is approaching fast.

Director

Tomohisa Taguchi

Release Date

February 21, 2020

Cast

Natsuki Hanae , Yoshimasa Hosoya , Suzuko Mimori , Mutsumi Tamura , Hitomi Yoshida , Junya Ikeda

Writers

Akiyoshi Hongo , Jeff Nimoy , Akatsuki Yamatoya

Runtime

94 minutes

Main Genre

Animation

9 Birthday Wonderland Is a Whimsical Adventure

Available on Crunchyroll

2019's The Wonderland (also known as Birthday Wonderland in some countries) was animated by Signal.MD and directed by Keiichi Hara, the director behind many of the most beloved Crayon Shin-chan movies. The day before her birthday, Akane is told to go to her Aunt Chi's shop to pick up her present. When Chi goes to fetch the present from the shop's storeroom, Akane browses the store. While browsing, Akane touches a slab with a hand-shaped indent, only to realize that her hand perfectly fits inside the hole.

Before Akane can question this further, a man calling himself Hippocrates appears in the store, informing Akane that she is the Goddess of the Green Wind. He explains that he is from an alternative world, the entrance to which is in the shop's basement.Alas, this world is in danger, and only the Goddess of the Green Wind can save it, forcing Akane to go on an epic quest.Birthday Wonderland combines a solid story with surreal and whimsical worlds, creating a memorable experience.

Birthday Wonderland

PG-13

Adventure

Family

A girl without self-confidence meets a mysterious alchemist Hippocrates and his student Pipo who are on a mission to save the world. Together, they laid the groundwork for "Wonderland" and Akane is labeled as Wonderland's savior.

Director

Keiichi Hara

Release Date

April 26, 2019

Cast

Anne Watanabe , Kumiko Asô , Nao Tôyama , Keiji Fujiwara , Akiko Yajima

Writers

Sachiko Kashiwaba , Miho Maruo

Runtime

115 Minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Producer

Yoshiyuki Chônan, Fuminori Honda, Yoshinori Takeeda

Production Company

2019 Birthday Wonderland Production Committee, Aniplex, Dentsu, Fuji Animation Studio, Fuji TV, Signal MD, Warner Bros.

8 The Boy and the Beast Is About the Pain of Mentorship

Available on Crunchyroll

Directed by Mamoru Hosoda and animated by Studio Chizu, 2015's The Boy and the Beast follows Ren, a 9-year-old boy whose mother has recently passed away. As he doesn't know his father and is disliked by the rest of his family, Ren starts living on the streets of Shibuya, surviving by stealing food from nearby stores. One day, Ren bumps into Kumatetsu, a giant bear-like creature. Kumatetsu offers to take Ren to the beast kingdom, where the young boy can become his disciple and trainee, an offer Ren cautiously accepts.

However, when he arrives in the beast kingdom, Ren realizes that Kumatetsu is locked in a battle to become the next grandmaster, a task that is easier said than done.The Boy and the Beast stands out against other isekai movies thanks to its well-realized characters and plot that touches on many relatable themes, including loneliness, the power of friendship, and what it means to be a teacher.

The Boy and the Beast

PG-13

Action-Adventure

Fantasy

When a young orphaned boy living on the streets of Shibuya stumbles upon a fantastic world of beasts, he's taken in by a gruff warrior beast looking for an apprentice.

Director

Mamoru Hosoda

Release Date

July 11, 2015

Studio

Studio Chizu

Cast

Kôji Yakusho , Aoi Miyazaki , Shôta Sometani , Kappei Yamaguchi , Mamoru Miyano

Runtime

120

Main Genre

Anime

7 Escaflowne: The Movie Puts a New Twist on a '90s Classic

Available on: N/A

The Vision of Escaflowne is one of the most famous mecha isekai series and one of the most beloved anime series of the '90s. While many anime fans love the show, most overlook the movie despite it offering a unique twist on the Escaflowne world and storyline. Released in 2000 and animated by Studio Bones and Sunrise, Escaflowne: The Movie (sometimes called Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea) follows Hitomi Kanzaki. Hitomi has lost all her passion and hates her life, a feeling made worse by the strange dreams that plague her whenever she tries to sleep.

One day, Lord Folken appears before her and sends her to the land of Gaea. When Hitomi comes too, she is introduced to the Escaflowne, a doomsday weapon that, according to legend, will come alive when the Wing Goddess arrives. At first, Hitomi is unsure, but when the people of Gaea tell Hitomi that the Black Dragon Clan plans to wipe them out, Hitomi is forced to pick a side. A darker take on the established Escaflowne lore and an underrated isekai anime movie,Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaeais an atmospheric slice of classic isekai.

The Vision of Escaflowne

TV-14

Action

Adventure

Hitomi is a girl with psychic abilities who gets transported to the magical world of Gaea. She and her friends find themselves under attack from the evil Zaibach empire, and the Guymelf Escaflowne provides the key to it all.

Release Date

April 2, 1996

Cast

Kirby Morrow , Kelly Sheridan , Brian Drummond , Paul Dobson , Michael Dobson

Main Genre

Animation

Seasons

1

Studio

Sunrise

Creator

Hiroaki Kitajima, Shōji Kawamori, Ryōta Yamaguchi, Akihiko Inai

Producer

Yumi Murase, Masahiko Minami

Production Company

BEI, Bandai Visual Company, Sunrise

Number of Episodes

26

Network

TV Tokyo

6 Drifting Home Is About Coming to Terms With the Past

Available on Netflix

Animated by Studio Colorido, 2022's Drifting Home was directed by Hiroyasu Ishida, the man behind the widely beloved Penguin Highway. The plot follows Kousuke Kumagaya, a young boy struggling to deal with the death of his grandfather. Because of this, he has become isolated and has stopped hanging out with Natsume Tonai, his former best friend.

When Kousuke learns that the apartment building he and Natsume grew up in is scheduled for demolition, he and his friends decide to visit it one last time. However, a fight starts when Kousuke learns that Natsume is also exploring the building. Before Kousuke and Natsume can finish their argument, a strange rainstorm surrounds the building. In the blink of an eye, the kids realize that the building is now floating in a seemingly endless ocean, forcing them to work together to get home. A unique twist on the isekai format,Drifting Home is a memorable tale of grief and friendship amid strange circumstances.

Drifting Home

PG

Adventure

Drama

Follows two childhood friends who drift into a mysterious sea with an entire housing complex.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Director

Hiroyasu Ishida , Yô Watanabe

Release Date

September 16, 2022

Cast

Mutsumi Tamura , Asami Seto , Ayumu Murase , Daiki Yamashita , Yumiko Kobayashi

Writers

Hiroyasu Ishida , Hayashi Mori

Runtime

119 Minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Producer

Kôji Yamamoto

Production Company

Studio Colorido Co., Twin Engine

5 Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror Is About Lost Toys

Available on: N/A

Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror is a frequently overlooked 2009 computer-animated anime movie made by Production I.G. and Polygon Pictures. Growing up, Haruka cherished a hand mirror that her mother gave her a short while before she passed. But as time passes, Haruka forgets about the mirror and eventually loses it completely. When she realizes this, Haruka is distraught and prays to Inari Ōkami, asking for the mirror to be returned to her.

At first, she thinks her prayer did nothing. But when Haruka spots a strange pig-like creature, she follows it into the woods and finds herself transported to a world built out of forgotten items. In this world, Haruka embarks on a dangerous but magical quest to find her missing mirror. Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror features a memorable visual aesthetic that perfectly captures the feeling of a world of lost objects and toys. This is combined with an exciting, action-filled plot, making Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror a must-watch movie for isekai fans and an underrated isekai anime movie.

4 Children Who Chase Lost Voices Is a Moving Story of Loss

Available on Crunchyroll

Animated by CoMix Wave Films and arriving on screens in 2011, Children Who Chase Lost Voices follows the somewhat tragic young girl Asuna Watase. Asuna lost her father at a young age, a blow she has never been able to overcome. Doubly so because her mother works long hours and is rarely home, meaning she spends most of her time alone. One day, when walking to her favorite hangout spot, Asuna is attacked by a creature — only to be saved by Shun, a strange young boy who tells her that he is from Agartha, a country Asuna has never heard of.

When substitute teacher Mr. Morisaki teaches Asuna's class that Agartha is the land of the dead, Asuna vows to learn the truth about Shun and embarks on an epic quest. While Children Who Chase Lost Voices is structured like an isekai series, it's much more than the genre usually showcases. Over its 116-minute runtime, the film weaves a moving tale about life and loss, asking questions about how we can move on from the past while still holding those we have lost in our hearts.

Children Who Chase Lost Voices

TV-14

Anime

Adventure

Drama

A coming of age story involving young love and a mysterious music, coming from a crystal radio left as a memento by an absent father, that leads a young heroine deep into a hidden world.

Where to Watch

• stream
• rent
• buy

Not available

Not available

Not available

*Availability in US

Director

Makoto Shinkai

Release Date

May 7, 2011

Studio

CoMix Wave

Cast

Hisako Kanemoto , Miyu Irino , Kazuhiko Inoue , Junko Takeuchi , Fumiko Orikasa , Sumi Shimamoto , Tamio Ôki , Aki Kaneda

Writers

Makoto Shinkai

Runtime

116 Minutes

Main Genre

Anime

3 Brave Story Is a New Take on the Classic Format

Available on Crunchyroll

Based on the novel written by Miyuki Miyabe, 2006's Brave Story is a unique take on isekai that follows a main character named Wataru Mitani. Wataru is like any other Japanese fifth-grader, living a quiet but regular life. One day, Wataru sees a man going into an unfinished building near his school and decides to follow him, only to find himself in the magical world of Vision. He is quickly informed that the portal between his world and Vision only opens for 90 days every 10 years. Alas, people from Wataru's world can only explore Vision if the gatekeeper allows it, forcing Wataru to return home.

But, when Wataru's parent's relationship turns sour, a new student called Mitsuru Ashikawa visits Wataru's house. Mitsuru tells Wataru that he has to go to Vision to change his fate, advice Wataru obeys. Once Wataru returns to Vision, he learns he'll receive a wish from the Goddess if he collects five magical gemstones. Brave Story uses the isekai genre to tell an emotional story about overcoming difficult moments, no matter how impossible they may seem at first glance. Plus, the world of Vision is beautifully realized, making it stand out from other isekai worlds.

2 Laidbackers Is All About Laughs

Available on Crunchyroll and HIDIVE

Animated by Studio Gokumi, 2019's Laidbackers reverses the usual isekai format to comedic effect. The series follows Kumi Honamanuma, an art student who has moved to Kyoto to take over her grandmother's Dagashi store. Kumi is surprised to find that the store is not empty as Harami Mino, K Kusanagi, and Mai Haisaka are living there with their dog. Even weirder, these girls claim to be ancient heroes who have been reincarnated to fight the Demon King. But as the Demon King doesn't seem to be around, the girls do whatever they please without worry.

But when the Demon King reappears with an odd request, the girls must dust off their weapons and head off on a new mission. A fun comedy series, Laidbackers uses the difference between the fantasy world and the regular world to set up many fun fish-out-of-water comedy moments, making this an excellent movie for isekai fans looking for laughs. Usually not mentioned in the annals of the genre, it ranks as an underappreciated isekai anime movie.

Laidbackers

R

Comedy

Fantasy

A group of fantasy beings are reincarnated into the real world. They lead a quiet content life, until they are called upon to go on a quest.

Director

Kiyomitsu Satô , Hiroyuki Hashimoto

Release Date

April 5, 2019

Cast

Rina Hidaka , Yumi Uchiyama , Yumiri Hanamori

Writers

Makoto Uezu

Runtime

60 Minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Producer

Satoshi Fukao, Shôichi Horita, Miho Ichii, Shunsuke Matsumura, Fumihiro Ozawa, Tadashi Takatsuji, Yoshiki Usa, Fuminori Yamazaki, Hiroshi Yoshida

Production Company

Laidbackers Production Committee, StudioCanal, DeNA, Docomo Anime Store, Flying Dog, Good Smile Company, Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures, Klockworx Company, Studio Gokumi

1 The Cat Returns Doesn't Get Enough Attention, Despite Being Ghibli

Available on Max

The Cat Returns holds a strange position in anime history as it is one of the most underrated isekai movies ever. Likewise, it's also one of the most underrated Studio Ghibli films, rarely getting the praise it deserves despite its high quality. The movie follows Haru Yoshioka, a girl who can talk to cats. Haru's world gets turned upside down when she saves a cat that's about to be hit by a truck, only to learn that this cat is Lune, the Prince of the Cat Kingdom.

Lune offers Haru his hand in marriage, and Haru's attempt to reject the offer is taken as a yes, leading to Lune whisking her off to the cat kingdom. However, while in the cat kingdom, Haru finds that she is slowly turning into a cat, forcing her to quickly find a way home. The Cat Returns features all the visual beauty fans have come to expect from Studio Ghibli, along with something new for those tired of the isekai genre. It combines this with a gripping plot that uses the isekai format to tell a story about finding yourself and your place in the world, something that makes it stand out against other isekai films.

The Cat Returns

G

Adventure

Comedy

After helping a cat, a seventeen-year-old girl finds herself involuntarily engaged to a cat Prince in a magical world where her only hope of freedom lies with a dapper cat statuette come to life.

Director

Hiroyuki Morita

Release Date

July 20, 2002

Cast

Chizuru Ikewaki , Aki Maeda , Takayuki Yamada , Hitomi Sato , Yoshihiko Hakamada

Writers

Aoi Hiiragi , Reiko Yoshida , Cindy Davis

Runtime

75 Minutes

Main Genre

Animation

Producer

Ned Lott, Toshio Suzuki, Nozomu Takahashi

Production Company

Hakuhodo, Mitsubishi, Nippon Television Network (NTV), Studio Ghibli, Toho Company, Tokuma Shoten, Walt Disney Productions

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