By
Hannah Diffey
Published 17 minutes ago
Hannah is a senior writer and self-publisher for the anime section at ScreenRant. There, she focuses on writing news, features, and list-style articles about all things anime and manga. She works as a freelance writer in the entertainment industry, focusing on video games, anime, and literature.
Her published works can be found on ScreenRant, FinanceBuzz, She Reads, and She Writes.
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Isekai is one of anime’s most unstoppable genres, and each season brings another wave of heroes transported into magical worlds. Some series explode in popularity despite glaring issues, from messy power scaling to paper-thin characters. Fans may adore these titles, but hype doesn’t automatically equal quality, especially when major narrative shortcuts overshadow their potential.
Even the most devoted isekai watchers can admit that popularity often comes from spectacle, not storytelling. These shows rake in massive viewership, inspire passionate fanbases, and spark endless debate, yet many of them stumble when it comes to cohesion, tone, or character depth. Whether guilty pleasures or full-on disasters, these wildly popular isekai are undeniably flawed at their core.
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest
Arifureta cover image with two main characters
Arifureta built a huge audience thanks to its “bullied nobody becomes unstoppable” premise, but its execution is notoriously uneven. Hajime’s transformation from timid student to gun-building edgelord happens so abruptly that it feels unearned, robbing the story of emotional buildup. The rushed pacing leaves almost no room for character growth or world-building to breathe.
The anime also suffers from some infamously inconsistent animation, especially in early episodes where CGI monsters clash awkwardly with the art style. Hajime’s harem dynamics add another layer of clunkiness, reducing meaningful relationships to shallow tropes. Popularity aside, Arifureta often feels like three different shows stitched together without proper narrative glue.
Gate
The main cast of the anime series Gate
Gate exploded in popularity because of its premise about modern military forces clashing with medieval fantasy worlds, which is undeniably cool. However, the anime’s execution leans so heavily into power fantasies and nationalistic messaging that the story collapses under its own weight. Conflicts resolve too quickly, usually with Japan effortlessly dominating every opponent without tension or nuance.
While Gate introduces interesting supporting characters, most exist to reaffirm the protagonist’s prowess or glorify military might rather than explore the ethical implications of war. The series brushes past deep political themes it raises, opting for spectacle instead of substance. It’s entertaining, sure, but its popularity doesn’t make the storytelling any less shallow.
Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody
Death March is the embodiment of ultra-low-stakes isekai fantasy. The protagonist starts absurdly overpowered from minute one, removing any sense of danger or meaningful conflict. Even when the story hints at darker themes, it quickly reverts to a breezy slice-of-life tone that makes tension evaporate instantly.
The show also struggles with character development, relying on a rotating cast of forgettable companions with interchangeable personalities. Worldbuilding is similarly paper-thin, functioning more like a game menu than a believable setting. Death March became popular among viewers seeking relaxing escapism, but from a narrative standpoint, it barely tries to be more than a power-trip vacation.
In Another World With My Smartphone
In Another World With My Smartphone official cover art where the protagonist, Touya, takes a selfie with his smartphone.
Few isekai are as infamous, or as bafflingly popular, as the Smartphone series. The protagonist’s magical smartphone becomes a Swiss Army knife of convenience, instantly solving nearly every challenge. With no genuine obstacles, the plot meanders from event to event without stakes, urgency, or emotional grounding to tie anything together.
The show’s massive harem only further dilutes the story, creating a carousel of characters who orbit the protagonist without meaningful arcs. Even major world events feel secondary to the series’ desire to keep everything cheery and consequence-free. It’s lighthearted fun, but its popularity often overshadows how fundamentally hollow the writing can be.
No Game No Life
No Game No Life remains a fan favorite thanks to its vibrant visuals and slick strategy battles, but popularity doesn’t erase its flaws. The protagonists win every conflict through convoluted logic leaps or convenient rule bending, turning what should be smart games into spectacles of narrative cheating. The show constantly favors style over credibility.
Its reliance on fanservice also undercuts tension, regularly derailing otherwise intense moments with unnecessary comedy or objectification. While the setting has incredible potential, the characters rarely evolve beyond their initial gimmicks. For all its hype, No Game No Life often feels like a gorgeous shell lacking the emotional depth to match its ambition.
The Eminence in Shadow
Cid and the Shadow Garden in Eminence in Shadow cleared
The Eminence in Shadow thrives on over-the-top parody, but its popularity sometimes masks how uneven the story can be. Cid’s commitment to acting like a background mastermind is funny at first, yet the joke is repeated so frequently that it loses impact. Many plotlines feel like self-contained skits rather than a cohesive narrative.
The show’s female cast also revolves almost entirely around worshipping the protagonist, making character motivations predictable and shallow. While the satire occasionally lands brilliantly, the series struggles to balance comedy with meaningful storytelling. Its fanbase is massive, but the structure often makes it feel like a collection of memes rather than a fully realized anime.
Rising of the Shield Hero
Characters from The Rising of the Shield Hero Season 4
Shield Hero drew huge attention with its darker isekai themes, but its execution frequently falters. Naofumi’s early mistreatment sets the stage for compelling drama, yet the narrative leans too hard into framing him as a flawless victim. This results in emotionally manipulative storytelling that oversimplifies complex problems like slavery for shock value.
The pacing also becomes increasingly uneven, jumping between intense political arcs and awkward slice-of-life interludes. Supporting characters rarely get the development they deserve, and Naofumi’s relationships often feel transactional rather than organic. Despite its immense popularity, the series struggles to maintain the emotional nuance it promises in its early episodes.
Overlord
Overlord isekai anime
Overlord is beloved for its premise of a villainous protagonist ruling a fantasy world, but its structure often works against itself. Entire seasons drift into side character storylines with minimal payoff, leaving Ainz more symbolic than active. The result is an uneven narrative that tests audience investment despite the strong concept.
The series also leans heavily on exposition, slowing momentum with frequent lore dumps that replace meaningful interactions. While Ainz’s overwhelming power can be entertaining, it removes much of the tension that should define his rise as an antihero. Overlord is massively popular, but it often feels like it’s circling its best ideas rather than confronting them directly.
Re:Zero –Starting Life in Another World–
ReZERO -Starting Life in Another World- Emilia and Subaru standing on the water that reflects thje sky, with a bridge in the background
Re:Zero is one of the most talked-about isekai of the decade, but it also polarizes viewers with its exhausting narrative loops. Subaru’s repeated deaths create powerful drama, yet the series often drags arcs far beyond their emotional peak. The pacing becomes a test of patience rather than a tool for impactful storytelling.
The anime also struggles with tonal balance, veering from brutal psychological torment to comedic interludes without smooth transitions. While the supporting cast is strong, Subaru’s development can feel repetitive as he relearns similar lessons across arcs. Re:Zero is popular for good reason, but its flaws are undeniable when viewed critically.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Mushoku Tensei Jobless reincarnation season 3 Rudeus
Mushoku Tensei is hailed as a foundational isekai, yet its attempt at “character realism” frequently crosses into discomfort. Rudeus’s behavior, particularly in early episodes, is played for humor despite being blatantly inappropriate and disgusting. This tonal mismatch alienates viewers who expect accountability or growth that doesn’t rely on shock value.
The pacing can also feel sluggish, devoting long stretches to world-building that lacks narrative urgency. While the animation is exceptional, it often masks how meandering the plot becomes during quieter arcs. Mushoku Tensei's popularity is massive, but high production quality doesn’t erase storytelling choices that undermine emotional engagement.
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8.4/10
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-14 Animation Action Adventure Release Date January 11, 2021 Network Tokyo MX, KBS Kyoto, BS11 Directors Sayaka Tsuji, Yoshitsugu Kimura, Ayumu Uwano, Yui Kanbe, Takahiro Tamano, Chihiro Kumano, Ouri Yasukawa, Mihiro Yamaguchi, Michiru Itabisashi, Kento Shintani, Nao Miyoshi, Shingo Fujii, Asahi Oka, Fumiaki Kataoka Writers Kohei Urushibara, Atsushi Takayama, Hirohisa Saito, Muneo NakamotoCast
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Yumi Uchiyama
Rudeus Greyrat's Former Self(voice)
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Tomokazu Sugita
Pilemon Notos Greyrat (voice)
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Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
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