Highlights
- Isekai manga in 2023 offer a wide variety of genres and subtexts while staying true to the escapism theme of the genre.
- These manga feature unique twists on the typical reincarnation trope, such as being reincarnated as a scumbag in an ero-manga or an overweight villain in a video game.
- Some Isekai manga explore reverse Isekai storylines and slice-of-life themes, providing a different perspective and a more laidback narrative for readers to enjoy.
Isekai storylines are often associated with light novels since most Isekai adaptations are taken up from this medium. However, the manga landscape is just as prolific in terms of offering compelling narratives within the reincarnation trope, satiating audiences with diverse subtexts. As Isekai manga continue to gain popularity, 2023 witnessed a surge in new manga populating this niche.
From absurdly long and descriptive names to obscure methods of Isekai travel, 2023’s Isekai manga lineup embodies the essence of this wacky trope. With Isekai serving as a background theme, these manga take on all sorts of genres and subtexts, ensuring there’s something for every reader who might be interested. Despite the expansive variety, the notion of escapism remains at the forefront of these manga, staying true to the Isekai narrative.
6 Netorare Manga No Kuzu Otoko Ni Tensei Shita Hazu Ga Heroine Ga Yottekuru Ken
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.05/10
|
Release Date |
Apr 6, 2023 |
|---|---|
|
Author |
Haru Sumikawa |
The Isekai genre continues to evolve by the day, shifting away from the usual trope of characters being reincarnated as a hero of the new world. Netorare Manga no Kuzu Otoko ni Tensei shita Hazu ga Heroine ga Yottekuru Ken has a similar setting, as the main character is reincarnated in the world of an ero-manga as a scumbag.
His role is to steal the heroine from the story’s original protagonist, yet he denies this role and instead roots for the protagonist. Despite these sentiments, the heroine ends up falling for the scumbag, turning the narrative into an odd love debacle. The manga’s narrative doesn’t stray from the usual romance Isekai stories, though the ero-manga setting is a slightly novel touch.
5 Saiaku No Avalon
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.07/10
|
Release Date |
Mar 14, 2023 |
|---|---|
|
Author |
Akito Narusawa |
After finding an update that transports a player into a video game, a hardcore gamer jumps at the opportunity to relive his life in his favorite video game Dungeon Explorer Chronicles. However, things take a turn for the worse when he finds out his character is the game’s overweight villain whose doom-laden fate is cemented right from the beginning, which makes things a little complicated.
The protagonist is now in a race against time to lose weight and change the game’s script, with hopes of freeing himself from his horrid and unforgiving fate. Saiaku no Avalon differs from the usual Isekai video game premise, pinning the protagonist in a corner instead of granting him the status of a hero right from the beginning.
4 All My Neighbors Are Convinced The Female Knight From My Rice Field Is My Wife
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.11/10
|
Alt Title |
Tanbo de Hirotta Onna Kishi, Inaka de Ore no Yome dato Omowareteiru |
|---|---|
|
Release Date |
Feb 10, 2023 |
|
Author |
Otoha Renkinou |
All My Neighbors Are Convinced the Female Knight from My Rice Field Is My Wife is one of the few reverse Isekai manga in 2023’s lineup. A farmer discovers a mysterious female knight on his rice farm, claiming to hail from another world. As the girl is unaware of the workings of this world, Jin Mita is forced to take her in, giving her shelter and food.
The premise is rather laidback as the story revolves around Jin Mita and the girl’s life together, taking on a slice-of-life theme. The manga’s name may seem absurd, but it originates from the neighbors assuming the knight is Jin’s wife, giving the manga an amusing touch.
3 RTA Sousha Wa Game Sekai Kara Kaerenai
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.19/10
|
Release Date |
Jan 31, 2023 |
|---|---|
|
Author |
Yoshito Koide |
RTA Sousha wa Game Sekai kara Kaerenai follows the classic video game Isekai setup, with the protagonist finding himself in a video game during a regular gaming session. What makes this premise different is that the protagonist is a speedrunner, a player who grinds the game to finish it as quickly as possible.
In this new world, the protagonist uses his speedrunning skills to grind through the game, all while abusing glitches and exploiting bugs. RTA Sousha wa Game Sekai kara Kaerenai differentiates itself from other video game Isekai narratives with its novel take on a speedrunning gamer and genre.
2 Isekai De Haishin Katsudou Wo Shitara Tairyou No Yandere Shinja Wo Umidashiteshimatta Ken
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.28/10
|
Release Date |
Jan 10, 2023 |
|---|---|
|
Author |
Myon |
Isekai storylines are known for having absurdly long names, though this isn’t the only peculiarity, as odd plotlines are another facet these manga tend to embody. Isekai de Haishin Katsudou wo Shitara Tairyou no Yandere Shinja wo Umidashiteshimatta Ken is the story of a reincarnated young man who creates an entirely new niche of entertainment in the new world – streaming.
Being the first to introduce this form of entertainment into this world, Kanata gains a massive following, garnering the attention of demons, assassins, royals, and saints. Despite starting off with an odd narrative, the manga has a certain depth to it with its intriguing characters and their dynamics.
1 B-Grade Adventurer With A Bad Guy Face Becomes A Daddy To The Hero And His Fellow Children
MyAnimeList Rating: 7.34/10
|
Alt Title |
Akuninzura shita B-kyuu Boukensha: Shujinkou to Sono Osananajimi-tachi no Papa ni Naru |
|---|---|
|
Release Date |
May 5, 2023 |
|
Author |
Enji & Kogeme |
B-Grade Adventurer With a Bad Guy Face Becomes a Daddy to the Hero and His Fellow Children showcases the versatility of the Isekai genre, as this fantasy story features a narrative revolving around the theme of childcare. After being reincarnated into a video game as a devil-faced adventurer, Gray roams the world as a mere B-rank adventurer.
His Isekai adventure eventually goes stale, though this narrative turns around after Gray saves an orphan from a group of thugs. This orphan turns out to be the hero of this new world, but instead of going on an adventure with the hero, Gray ends up taking care of these orphans. The manga’s storyline may seem rather odd, yet the wholesome and laidback premise makes it worth a read.
Leave a Reply