Highlights
- 2023 saw the completion of several unique and creative Isekai manga with eccentric storylines that bring novelty to the genre.
- Zangyaku Sugiru Isekai demo Suzuki wa Kawaii stands out by using cuteness as a weapon in a crime-infested world.
- Her Majesty’s Swarm offers a twist on the usual video game reincarnation narrative, with a ruthless protagonist spreading chaos and bloodshed.
The Isekai genre is an ever-expanding expanse of eccentric yet creative storylines, and several mangaka have taken up this versatile theme in their works. While Isekai manga may not have the same absurdly long titles as their light novel counterparts, they certainly embody the artistic flair these narratives are known for.
Since most Isekai narratives make their way to audiences in the form of light novels, Isekai manga are rather limited. Despite these constraints, 2023 witnessed the completion of a handful of Isekai manga, with each one bringing a novel touch to the tried-and-tested reincarnation trope. Be it rebirth in dystopian worlds or mortifying methods of Isekai travel, these concluded Isekai manga successfully bring these wacky storylines to vividly drawn panels.
5 Zangyaku Sugiru Isekai Demo Suzuki Wa Kawaii
MyAnimeList Rating: 6.16/10
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Publishing Date |
Jul 4, 2022 to May 2, 2023 |
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No. Of Chapters |
11 |
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Author |
Light Tuchihi |
Zangyaku Sugiru Isekai demo Suzuki wa Kawaii is a classic Isekai manga that follows the reincarnation story of a young boy wishing for a laidback life in a new world. To his dismay, his reincarnation dream is botched when he is transported to a post-apocalyptic world, one infested with cruel demons, criminal outlaws, and all-out plundering. He receives the ability “unconditional love from all local species,” though it ends up merely giving him an irresistibly cute face.
Despite such a mortifying start to his Isekai journey, Takashi finds a way to turn things around by using his cute appearance to butter up the demons and gain everyone’s approval. With cuteness as his weapon of choice, Takashi ventures on a journey of transforming this crime-infested world. In an oversaturated genre such as this one, Zangyaku Sugiru Isekai demo Suzuki wa Kawaii stands out by bringing a novelty to its narrative.
4 Magic Maker: How To Create Magic In Another World
MyAnimeList Rating: 6.68/10
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Alt Title |
Magic Maker: Isekai Mahou no Tsukurikata |
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Publishing Date |
Jun 19, 2021 to Feb 4, 2023 |
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No. Of Chapters |
19 |
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Author |
Kazuki Kaburagi |
Magic Maker: How to Create Magic in Another World’s narrative is truly unique as the manga follows the story of a man fascinated with magic, yet he’s disappointed to find himself reincarnated in a world devoid of magic. Upset and disheartened, Theon wanders around in this new world with no hope until an unexpected encounter leads him to discover magic.
With the thought of creating his own magic, Theon begins researching this topic until he is the only sorcerer in this new world, becoming a hero to the people. The story of propagating magic to a world without sorcery is a new take on an overdone reincarnation trope, making this Isekai manga worth a read.
3 The Saga Of Lioncourt
MyAnimeList Rating: 6.84/10
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Alt Title |
Lioncourt Senki |
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Publishing Date |
Sep 6, 2019 to Mar 20, 2023 |
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No. Of Chapters |
36 |
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Author |
Hiroaki Ogura |
After losing his life to cancer at a rather young age, Tadashi Tanaka expected to open his eyes in the afterlife, yet he was surprised to find himself in the world of the living once more. However, this world resembles medieval Europe and the Middle Ages, devoid of all the modern conveniences that Tadashi was used to.
With a second chance at life under the name of Varian de Lioncourt, Tadashi has to navigate through a primal world infested with war and bloodshed and rise to power in his new nation. The Saga of Lioncourt is similar to other medieval Isekai narratives, albeit with the addition of a resilient protagonist.
2 Her Majesty’s Swarm
MyAnimeList Rating: 6.87/10
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Alt Title |
Joou Heika no Isekai Strategy |
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Publishing Date |
Jun 25, 2020 to Aug 24, 2023 |
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No. Of Chapters |
42 |
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Author |
Tokubetsu Jouhou Daitai |
Reincarnated in her favorite RTS video game, a college student finds herself in a role that she’s accustomed to – the Queen of all Arachnae. As the leader of spiders, she commands a swarm of loyal insects prepared to be sacrificed for their queen’s cause. While she may initially seem hapless and at the mercy of other factions, the narrative reveals her to be a ruthless leader with evil-aligned objectives.
Her Majesty’s Swarm offers an interesting twist to the usual video game reincarnation narrative, with the protagonist herself spreading chaos and bloodshed in the new world. With a cold-hearted main character and expansionist goals, this manga is a much-needed addition to this oversaturated genre.
1 Nokori Ichinichi De Hametsu Flag Zenbu Heshiorimasu: Zamaa RTA Kiroku 24Hr
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.56/10
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Publishing Date |
Dec 24, 2021 to Jun 30, 2023 |
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No. Of Chapters |
18 |
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Author |
Shun Fukutome |
The Isekai landscape has witnessed a surge in otome villainess storylines, and Nokori Ichinichi de Hametsu Flag Zenbu Heshiorimasu: Zamaa RTA Kiroku 24Hr takes on this novel theme earnestly. The story follows Alexandra, the Duchess of the Kingdom of Tarraconensis, who also serves as the villainess in the narrative. However, just before the day Alexandra is supposed to be condemned, she regains her memories from her previous life, realizing she only has 24 hours to change her pre-set fate.
Otome villainess storylines are a rather new concept, and various themes can be embedded into these novel scenarios. Unlike other otome manga, Nokori Ichinichi de Hametsu Flag Zenbu Heshiorimasu: Zamaa RTA Kiroku 24Hr keeps the narrative short and precise, giving the story a wholesome ending. Despite being confined to merely 3 volumes, the manga feels whole and complete, perfect for first-time readers dabbling in the otome side of things.
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