A new year, a new batch of isekai anime. Here are all the series announced for 2023.
Isekai anime will not be going out of fashion anytime soon. During 2022, plenty of guys and gals launched new lives in other worlds. Some characters entered MMOs (Skeleton Knight in Another World), others found themselves in otome games (Trapped in a Dating Sim and I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss), while most had to make do with medieval fantasy worlds. The premise produced comedies (Uncle from Another World and Life with an Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated into a Total Fantasy Knockout), action shows (Reincarnated as a Sword), and everything in between.
2023 is shaping up to be more of the same, and the anime industry has already announced more than 20 shows for the upcoming year. Let’s go through all the new 2023 isekai anime, along with their confirmed debut seasons.
In some cases, an isekai anime might eventually reveal itself to be a reincarnation story. To avoid spoilers, if the opening episode sets up an isekai premise, a series will still be included regardless of any subsequent twists. Farming Life In Another World
Japanese Title
Isekai Nonbiri Nouka
Studio
Zero-G
Season
Winter 2023
Where to Watch
HIDIVE
Based on a light novel by Kinosuke Naitou, which has already been adapted into a manga, Farming Life in Another World falls within the slow-life isekai category. These series are typically easy-going, essentially telling fantastical slice of life stories.
Hiraku Machio succumbs to an illness, and he is allowed to start fresh by a deity. Granted a couple of wishes, Hiraku asks for a healthy body and a relaxing life. He also wishes to be reborn as a farmer, and it does not take too long for the protagonist to attract a harem. Handyman Saitou In Another World
Japanese Title
Benriya Saitou-san, Isekai ni Iku
Studio
C2C
Season
Winter 2023
Where to Watch
Crunchyroll
Isekai stories have a habit of sticking too closely to certain conventions. Consequently, a story can stand out by simply deviating from the beaten path. Handyman Saitou in Another World foregoes the typical overpowered isekai protagonist in favor of a character designed to play a supporting role.
After being reincarnated in a fantasy world, Saitou realizes that his handyman talents can come in handy during quests. Rather than being randomly granted new abilities, Saitou’s contributions are entirely dependent on skills picked up during his previous life. The anime is quite funny, although the show knows when to get serious as well. Saving 80,000 Gold In Another World For My Retirement
Japanese Title
Rougo ni Sonaete Isekai de 8-manmai no Kinka wo Tamemasu
Studio
Felix Film
Season
Winter 2023
Where to Watch
Crunchyroll
Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement is another light novel that offers a slight twist on the isekai formula. Mitsuha, the female protagonist, unlocks the ability to jump back and forth between Earth and a medieval world after she falls off a cliff. She uses this skill to achieve financial security by selling (cheap) modern luxuries for a premium price in the fantasy realm.
FUNA’s light novel debuted in 2017 and was adapted into a manga in the same year. Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement is a fine watch with an amusing gimmick, and fans of FUNA’s Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! will probably enjoy the Winter 2023 series. The Reincarnation Of The Strongest Exorcist In Another World
Japanese Title
Saikyou Onmyouji no Isekai Tenseiki
Studio
Studio Blanc
Season
Winter 2023
Where to Watch
Crunchyroll
Based on a light novel by Kiichi Kosuzu, The Reincarnation of the Strongest Exorcist in Another World centers around Haruyoshi, a powerful figure who is betrayed and left for dead. After executing a reincarnation spell, the protagonist wakes up in another magical world.
While he is born to a magically-inclined family, Haruyoshi is not apt at magic; at least, that initially seems to be the case. In truth, he has access to his previous life’s abilities, making him one of the most powerful people in his new home. Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skill
Japanese Title
Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi
Studio
MAPPA
Season
Winter 2023
Where to Watch
Crunchyroll
Tsuyoshi Mukouda has a relatively typical origin story. An average joe, he is summoned to a fantasy world to serve as its hero. So far, so The Rising of the Shield Hero; however, after witnessing his summoner’s buyer’s remorse, Tsuyoshi quickly realizes that he was brought in by accident. Left to his own devices, Tsuyoshi sets out to make a good living for himself.
The protagonist’s unique ability is, essentially, Amazon. He can buy things through a magical online shop that has items from Earth, which he uses to complement his cooking abilities. Tsuyoshi gains two familiars before too long, both of whom have awesome personalities that complement the human lead. While it had a slow start, Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill eventually established itself as one of the best isekai anime of Winter 2023. It is a must-watch for anyone looking for a fluffy and relaxing series. The Magical Revolution Of The Reincarnated Princess And The Genius Young Lady
Japanese Title
Tensei Oujo to Tensai Reijou no Mahou Kakumei
Studio
Diomedéa
Season
Winter 2023
Where to Watch
Crunchyroll
In a season overflowing with isekai and fantasy anime, The Magical Revolution of the Reincarnated Princess and the Genius Young Lady rose to the top as arguably each genre’s best Winter 2023 representative. In a refreshing change of pace, the story skips over the whole “being sent to another world” angle, opting to only provide hints that Princess Anisphia was reincarnated into the show’s magical after living her previous life on Earth.
The girl’s drive to achieve flight is influenced by her past existence, as is her tendency to analyze situations from a scientific rather than a magical perspective. The anime revolves around Anisphia and Euphyllia’s friendship, and both characters are inherently likable. The Aristocrat’s Otherworldly Adventure: Serving Gods Who Go Too Far
Japanese Title
Tensei Kizoku no Isekai Boukenroku: Jichou wo Shiranai Kamigami no Shito
Studio
Magic Bus, EMT Squared
Season
Spring 2023
Where to Watch
Crunchyroll
Based on Mo Yashuu’s light novel, The Aristocrat’s Otherworldly Adventure is the definition of a prototypical isekai. A teenager dies and is reincarnated as a child in a fantasy world. As the son of an aristocrat, Cain is part of this society’s elite; furthermore, his magical prowess puts everyone else to shame.
Even though Spring 2023 was a very strong overall season, its isekai offerings really ran the gamut in terms of quality. The Aristocrat’s Otherworldly Adventure: Serving Gods Who Go Too Far was among Spring’s most forgettable shows, and the anime did not do much to distinguish itself from most other stories with overpowered protagonists. At times, the series comes across as self-aware regarding its reliance on tropes, but it is still mostly happy to repeat them with little variety or creativity. That said, it is fine as a distraction. I Got A Cheat Skill In Another World And Became Unrivaled In The Real World, Too
Japanese Title
Isekai de Cheat Skill wo Te ni Shita Ore wa, Genjitsu Sekai wo mo Musou Suru: Level Up wa Jinsei wo Kaeta
Studio
Millepensee
Season
Spring 2023
Where to Watch
Crunchyroll
Saving 80,000 Gold in Another World for My Retirement is not the only 2023 anime to tap into the potential of a dual-world premise. I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too follows Yuuya, a bullied teenager who stumbles upon a door leading to a fantasy world. By traveling through, the protagonist receives a physical makeover along with several overpowered abilities. He can also travel back to Earth, which he does frequently.
I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in The Real World, Too devotes quite a bit of time to exploring Yuuya’s trauma stemming from years of mistreatment, especially during its opening chapters.
