Jidou Hanbaiki ni Umarekawatta Ore wa Meikyuu wo Samayou

Surprisingly good series from an oversaturated genre. For people who are interested in isekai but are tired of generic, cliché, trope-filled stories.

(one entry per franchise)

Entries meet 4 or more of these criteria:
1. Unique protagonist(s) (either in background, goals, personality, or dynamics)
2. Unique magic / power system (aka no "He's casting without incantations?!?!") (also no generic 4-6 element systems)
3. Unique in-setting religion (aka no "Hello protagonist, I am the Goddess™ of this world")
4. No JRPG / video game mechanics (aka inventory, stats screen, skill list, levels, etc.)
5. Major plot elements do not revolve around an adventurers' guild (generic place that gives quests)
6. No demon king / demon lord / demon army
7. Minimal to no fanservice / nudity
8. Not in the harem / reverse harem subgenres (as in revolving around the main character's many love interests)
9. Protagonist has friendships with both male and female characters (not just as subordinates or love interests)
10. Has a reason to be an isekai
11. Consistently funny comedy

Format:
Description

[isekai type(s)]
(list of criteria met)

Tags: Unique Isekai, Worthwhile Isekai, Great Isekai

Shousetsuka ni Narou, “Let’s become a novelist!”, is Japan's novel publishing website where anyone can publish and read novels free of charge. These animes are the anime of Shousetsuka ni Narou origin.

Part 1 -> https://myanimelist.net/stacks/5026
Part 2 -> https://myanimelist.net/stacks/5031
Part 4 -> https://myanimelist.net/stacks/31489
Part 5 -> https://myanimelist.net/stacks/49254

A list of action anime where the main fighting protagonist is female.

The following will be excluded -

1. Magical girl anime. There are too many of them. Besides there is a dedicated tag for them on MAL so they are easy to find. If an anime despite feeling like magical girl, doesn't have this tag, then I will add them.

2. Gender-bender anime. For example, a lot of Isekai anime where a male is reincarnated in a female body and vice-versa.

3. Anime where the protagonists are mainly female. For example, Lycoris Recoil, Release the Spyce etc. There are too many, so deserves their own list.

4. Anime where all combat is done by controlling something. For example, mecha or vehicular combat anime.

Continued.

𝙍𝙀𝙂𝙐𝙇𝘼𝙍 𝙐𝙋𝘿𝘼𝙏𝙀𝙎 | 𝙌𝙐𝘼𝙇𝙄𝙏𝙔 𝙎𝙀𝙇𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 | 𝙑𝙄𝙎𝙄𝙏 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙁𝙄𝙇𝙀 𝙁𝙊𝙍 𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙀
Anime where the main character already has overpowered skills from the start. (Spoiler)

one of my favorite tropes is having friends come together, form beautiful relationships, accomplish a similar goal, and actively encourage and praise each other's improvements and accomplishments

Continuation of https://myanimelist.net/stacks/12544

Continuation of my previous interest stack.

A list of anime that I find relaxing and perfect to watch after work. No focus needed, just sit down and enjoy the calm moments.


The list is obviously subjective. Your taste might differ and that's totally fine.

I am only adding the first seasons of each longer series!


PART 1: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/13836
PART 3: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/46073

The main character gets (or already is), reincarnated into something new.
No Kirito looking protagonist's here.

Anime that are so interesting/unusual that they could've only come from Japan.

Animes featuring tough girls with boyish qualities.

Main character uses modern knowledge and/or technology in another world, often to achieve great success, or at least impress the people living in that world.

(Some are technically time travel)

Derived from AniFem's seasonal recommendations and top picks for 2023

See the website for their pros and cons per title:
https://www.animefeminist.com/anime-feminist-recommendations-of-winter-2023/
https://www.animefeminist.com/anime-feminist-recommendations-of-spring-2023/
https://www.animefeminist.com/anime-feminist-recommendations-of-summer-2023/
https://www.animefeminist.com/anime-feminist-recommendations-of-fall-2023/
https://www.animefeminist.com/anime-feminists-top-picks-for-2023/

Scott Pilgrim Takes off was also among the top picks, but is not listed on MAL

See also:
Parts 1-6
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/17514
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/17515
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/18757
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/18755
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/18995
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/18999
Manga Recs
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/17520
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/28358
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/28535
Chatty AF
Anime
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/22027
Manga
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/25862
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/25883
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/26994
https://myanimelist.net/stacks/27949

Low rated but popular isekai.
Not all trashy isekai are trash isekai.
Some on this list were enjoyable for me, others were unbearable.

Trashy Isekai Scale:
Above 7.00 = Really Good
7.00 - 6.50 = Good
6.49 - 6.00 = Okay
Below 6.00 = Bad

Ratings below 6 I usually skip.
Scale applies only if you're an enjoyer of the copy paste isekai formula.
Good isekai are listed on my other stack, Best Isekai Watchlist.

--Others Not on This List--
Movie:
‣ Ni no Kuni

Trashy Reincarnation, but not Isekai: (Reborn into the same world or time travel)
‣ The Misfit of Demon King Academy (2 Seasons) [Watched]
‣ The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody [Dropped]
‣ The Strongest Sage with the Weakest Crest [Watched]
‣ Reborn to Master the Blade: From Hero-King to Extraordinary Squire ♀ [Dropped]
‣ I'm Quitting Heroing (Kinda) [Watched]
‣ Redo of Healer [Watched]
‣ Level 1 Demon Lord and One Room Hero
‣ The Demon Sword Master of Excalibur Academy
‣ A Returner's Magic Should Be Special
‣ Tearmoon Empire
‣ I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability


Otome Game/Villainess Isekai: (Some may consider them trashy, I enjoy them)
‣ Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs [Watched]
‣ I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss [Watched]
‣ My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (2 Seasons) [On Hold]
‣ Endo and Kobayashi Live! The Latest on Tsundere Villainess Lieselotte [On Hold]
‣ The Reason Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke's Mansion [Maybe]
‣ The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
‣ I'm in Love with the Villainess
‣ Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord
‣ 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy! (Time Travel)

Older Isekai:
‣ Girls Bravo: First Season (2004)
‣ Girls Bravo: Second Season (2005)
‣ MÄR (2005)
‣ Kiba (2006)
‣ Dog Days (2011)
‣ Battle Girls: Time Paradox (2011)
‣ Astarotte's Toy (2011)
‣ Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero (2012)

New Trashy Isekai:
‣ Summoned to Another World for a Second Time
‣ The Aristocrat's Otherworldly Adventure: Serving Gods Who Go Too Far
‣ KamiKatsu: Working for God in a Godless World
‣ Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement
‣ My One-Hit Kill Sister
‣ Sweet Reincarnation
‣ My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1
‣ Reborn as a Vending Machine, Now I Wander the Dungeon
‣ The Great Cleric
‣ The Devil is a Part-Timer! Season 2 (Sequel)
‣ Am I Actually the Strongest?
‣ Butareba -The Story of a Man Who Turned into a Pig-
‣ A Playthrough of a Certain Dude's VRMMO Life
‣ I Shall Survive Using Potions!
‣ The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash
‣ Tales of Wedding Rings
‣ Fluffy Paradise
‣ Sasaki and Peeps
‣ My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered, No One in This Other World Stands a Chance Against Me!
‣ Chillin' in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers
‣ As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World
‣ Re:Monster
‣ The New Gate
‣ Salad Bowl of Eccentrics

The worst isekai I've watched:
‣ Soukou Musume Senki (Wouldn't call it trashy, just trash)

Updated as of the Spring 2024 Season.
Many new trashy isekai are coming out every season.

Some of the out of the box ideas for isekai anime. titles so ridiculous but good.

some fresh and unconventional ideas that challenge common sense.

Although isekai smartphone idea was quite ridiculous I think the anime that set the trend with the most creative offering was Tensura.

Reincarnated as a Slime
Reincarnated as a Skeleton
Reincarnated as a Spider
Reincarnated as a Sword
Reincarnated as a Vending Machine
Reincarnated as a Pig
Reincarnated as a Bird
Reincarnated as a Goblin

Isekai Anime from 2023 - present.

For 2020, 2021 & 2022: https://myanimelist.net/stacks/32506

More Coming 2024:
> Seirei Gensouki 2nd Season
> Lv2 kara Cheat datta Motoyuusha Kouho no Mattari Isekai Life
> As a Reincarnated Aristocrat, I'll Use My Appraisal Skill to Rise in the World
> Rekishi ni Nokoru Akujo ni Naru zo: Akuyaku Reijou ni Naru hodo Ouji no Dekiai wa Kasoku
suru you desu!

Updates:
-- started Post-season
-- added Clockwork Dandy Noodles awards
-- added Otaku Spirit best of

Updates:
-- Mid-season update: Otaku Spirit, ViniiTube, Echidnut, AH Brandon Reviews
-- added Chibi Reviews discussion of ZOM 100 production problems

=-=-=

This stack consolidates watch recommendations for Summer 2023 from several YouTube critics/commentators. URLs are frowned upon in stacks so go to YouTube and search if you want to watch the videos. Or you can watch them at this blog post:
https://myanimelist.net/blog.php?eid=900154

Mother's Basement (Geoff Thew) 1.32M subs: "Beat the Summer heat (and smoke) with the best new anime of the season!" MB only mentions his top 10 recommendations but includes a "bargain bin" with what amount to runners-up. In this stack, if MB is not in the description, then the show did not make his list. Returning or continuing shows are not included in his review. If you want to see his tier list for all shows, look for the Basement Life video noted below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YwoExo6hi4

Glass Reflection (Tristan Gallant) 582K subs: GR provides his first reaction to all the new seasonal anime in terms of whether he will be watching them: "Toss" those he is not interested in; "Hold" pending further judgment; "Keep" the ones to watch. GR watches at least the first episode of each show. Returning or continuing shows are not included in his review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZiu3gHb-eA

Garnt 477K subs: "I Watched EVERY Anime in Summer 2023". Garnt's rating system: "Must watch" for shows he will be watching for sure; "three episodes" for shows that catch his eye but don't yet rate a full season commitment; "one episode" for shows he will give a chance; "skip" for those shows he is not planning to watch. Garnt passes judgment based on the show description and trailer. The review video is a 38 minute edit of a five hour (!) livestream. A few of the shows were cut from the edit, presumably because they were rated Skip without much fanfare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-95z9B2pY4I

Gigguk 3.52M subs: "Summer Anime 2023 in a Nutshell". Garnt and Gigguk are the same person - I don't know the channels well enough to tell the difference. This video is a rundown of shows this season with often snarky commentary, but unlike the others supporting this stack, there is no systematic evaluation. I do enjoy the snark so I'll try to capture some of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfrZW6JVWvA

AH Brandon Reviews 59.4K subs: "What Will Brandon Watch Summer of Anime 2023". Brandon makes YouTube videos for shows that he enjoys watching and that pique the interest of his community. He will drop shows that either don't meet expectations or don't generate interest from his community. Brandon's subscriber count is modest compared to the others here, but his tastes and sensibilities are similar to my own so his review is included here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlZW-38sxiI

414Anime 151K subs: "DO NOT MISS These Summer 2023 Anime". 414Anime mostly makes listicle-type videos. Given his subscriber count, I guess people like these lists. His review doesn't include popular returning anime like Jujustu Kaisen. I will simply list 414Anime under the show if they make his list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI4rpLf1PPk

Animeology 182K subs: "Top 10 Best New Anime For Summer 2023". Animeology also mostly makes listicle-type videos. This review contains 10 shows in rank order: 1 > 10. For each show, I'll just note the rank order (not too sure how a Summer 2023 top 10 list exists without Bleach).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ZAtaM2HU4

Basement Life (also Geoff Thew) 39.3K subs: "I Ranked EVERY Anime of Summer 2023". This is a side-channel for Mother's Basement. The MB review listed the top 10 in no particular order. This review is a tier list for *all* anime this season. In my opinion, this is a pretty good assessment across the board, but beware, this is a 56 min video. Tiers: Banger > Good > Ok > Mid > Bad > Trash. Thew uses "Trash" to mean a show could be real trash, but also could be "good trash" in that people with specific tastes might enjoy it. A nicely animated harem anime might qualify as "good trash". For each show, I'll simply note the tier level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teAfAC7U84s

I will interject in a few cases but for the most part, the focus is on the recommendations from the YouTube commentators.

=-=

Just eyeballing the consensus amongst the critics, these are the shows to watch, in alpha order.

Three returning heavy hitters:
* Bleach
* Jujutsu Kaisen
* Mushoku Tensei

Plus five new shows:
* Dark Gathering
* Reborn as a Vending Machine
* Reign of the Seven Spellblades
* Undead Murder Farce
* Zom 100

=-=-=- Mid-season Update -=-=-=

I'll add to this stack as more mid-season and post-season reviews roll in.

Otaku Spirit 14.4K subs: "Does Japan Love Your Favorite Anime? Summer 2023 Anime Ranking!" Contrasting anime popularity in Japan and the West using popular ranking systems and sites such as MAL and Anilist. I added the mid-season rankings for the top 10 on MAL and Anilist to the appropriate shows. I skipped the long-running and carry-over shows on the MAL "Top Airing" list (why is Eminence in Shadow still on the Top Airing list?). The other lists OS cites are: Anikore (Anilist equivalent), Akiba Souken, NicoNico Video (Japanese YouTube equivalent), and Dimora (weekly TV rankings). I don't read Japanese so I am going strictly and only by what OS says about these sites. He doesn't cover every ranking so if he doesn't talk about it, it is "n/a". A show that doesn't have a ranking was not mentioned at all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0eFWSpLRUw&t=201s

ViniiTube 1.06M subs: "Top 10 Best New Anime of Summer 2023". This is a mid-season Top 10 list of the best non-sequel shows. ViniiTube mostly produces listicle-type videos. The anime are described in order from 10 to 1, 1 being best. I've noted the placement in the appropriate description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrbFBAfVx1s

Echidnut 241K subs: "Ranking the Best Anime in Summer & Spring 2023 (Tier List)". Tier list using TierMaker. Standard tiers: God > S > A > B > C > D. I only noted tiers for the Summer shows.

=-=-=- Post-season Update -=-=-=

Otaku Spirit 17.1K subs: "Best Anime of the Summer 2023 Season!". Top 10. "... unfortunately this season where we've seen a really big gap between the good and the bad."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqJp0ZqHwm0

Clockwork Dandy Noodles 719 subs: "Top 3 Summer Anime 2023! Summer Anime Awards!". More than three awards but I only noted the Top 3.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jchk3BbYXRA