Highlights
- Isekai manga explores regular characters being reincarnated in another world, providing opportunities for transformation stories.
- Newcomers in the isekai genre in 2023 offer unique takes on family dynamics, unexpected roles, and knowing something alien to a world.
- These manga tackle action, romance, horror, comedy, and drama, with characters facing difficult decisions and overcoming challenges.
Out of countless genres and themes that manga explores, isekai has always been prevalent. Many people are fascinated by seeing regular everyday characters being reincarnated in another world, often with countless opportunities that were out of their reach before. This can provide breathtaking, interesting physical and internal transformation stories. Those can also evolve into romance and have lighthearted, very dark, and dramatic takes, creating endless opportunities for the readers.
2023 saw many newcomers in the isekai genre, many of which are still gaining traction and will undoubtedly end up with larger fanbases as time passes. Here are some notable examples of the best new isekai of 2023.
10 Akuninzura shita B-kyuu Boukensha
MyAnimeList ranking: 7.37
Not all isekai protagonists have to be great, world-saving heroes. Sometimes, the people behind them get the focus, and this manga is a perfect example of that. It focuses on the story of Gray, a regular NPC in a game who happens to save an orphan and raise them as his own; an orphan who is later destined to become the hero and savior of this world.
This is a good choice for readers who like an action-focused manga with a prevalent theme of family dynamics and difficult decisions that a father has to make. The manga keeps up a wholesome tone but doesn't shy away from touching upon deeper themes.
9 Being Raised By Villains
MyAnimeList ranking: 7.56
Continuing with isekai protagonists taking unexpected roles, Being Raised by Villains is another example. It tells the story of Cha Miso, a girl who is unhappy with her neglectful family and dreams of living in her favorite novel as the main character. However, she becomes a side character who the villain claims is his daughter, leading to a rather unexpected family dynamic.
A perfect manga to get invested in for people who enjoy fantasy and romance, as well as a focus on characters who would be considered villains in any other setting. Sometimes, there is an unexpected side to them.
8 How To Survive As A Maid In A Horror Game
MyAnimeList ranking: 7:38
This Isekai delves into the realm of the murder mystery. A mysterious man is behind the murders in the area, and no one knows his identity. However, a suspicious young woman who was transported into this horrific world believes that a successor to the Paltzgraf family, Adrian, is the one behind the murders.
Readers will surely experience a lot of tension as they have to follow a woman trapped in a horror game where she has to survive while bringing the truth about the murders to light. This extremely difficult task will keep the story engaging.
7 Cleric Of Decay
MyAnimeList ranking: 7.30
Many video games include a lot of classes, and they are grant more opportunity for players creativity. This was the case for the game Marnac played in this manga, as he got pulled into the game. He became one of the worst classes, the Cleric of Decay, who is trapped in a game and has to serve a weakened goddess while the mysterious prophecy of the end is upon this world.
This is another manga that incorporates action into a fantasy setting, this time with a darker style, as the protagonist has to take on an outwardly evil class on his journey. The path he chooses from here on, however, is largely up to him, and could easily make for an intriguing story.
6 Isekai de Haishin
MyAnimeList ranking: 7:28
Another interesting topic to explore in isekai is knowing something in a world that is bereft of it. The protagonist is reincarnated in Ataraxia, a fantasy realm with countless forms of entertainment. There is one, however, that is alien to the people of this world: streaming. As the boy becomes the first streamer in this world, he also earns a name for himself.
A fascinating story that shows two different worlds colliding as the protagonist uses the knowledge of his old life to his advantage. It also keeps a lighthearted tone, which would suit readers who enjoy comedic stories.
5 Demon King Of The Royal Class
MyAnimeList ranking: 7.12
What if a writer were reincarnated in their own fictional world? This manga explores such an idea by focusing on a writer who dies while reading hate comments on his novel. Declared a sinner by the Grim Reaper, he is forcefully reincarnated in one of his novels and has to survive its ending to be absolved. Worse yet, he possesses a character who can't fight and is written to die at the story's start.
This is a good option for readers who enjoy isekai with more comedic or absurdist premises and that constantly keep up the tension as the protagonist struggles to survive. This is a story with a lot of potential for both comedy and drama.
4 Beloved By The Male Lead's Nephew
MyAnimeList ranking: 6.95
Another isekai manga focuses on a villainous character, but this time with a female protagonist. She is a character within a novel obsessed with the male hero, which leads her to meet a self-destructive end and get reborn. In her new life, she lived peacefully until her father called upon her for an important duty. This led to her meeting up with a child who turned out to be the nephew of her beloved male hero, causing her memories to resurface.
This manga delves into the romantic side of isekai and will be interesting for anyone who enjoys love stories, specifically those focusing on the "enemies to lovers" trope.
3 Life Of Quack Healer
MyAnimeList ranking: 6.93
Sometimes, one is tossed into a world and a role in which they are unprepared for. This happened to Songhyun Khan, who one day woke up in a fantasy world instead of Korea. Higher powers immediately assigned him a job, being the 'healer.' However, he quickly discovers that he cannot heal, putting him in a very difficult situation.
A manga that focuses on the adventurous tale of the main protagonist, an unlicensed healer who has trouble doing the one job that was assigned to him and, therefore, inevitably has to think of creative, unorthodox solutions to his issue.
2 For A Fairytale Ending
MyAnimeList ranking: 6.78
How would it feel to be reincarnated in the body of an awful person and carry their sins for them? For a Fairytale Ending explores this idea in depth, as it tells the story of Alice, a girl reborn in the body of a character from "The Tyrant's Silver Flower," a BL manga where her character abuses the male leads and would later get killed for it. She has to do her best to stop her crimes and save her victims, even if they distrust and hate her.
Another good choice for those who enjoy "enemies to lovers" stories, as well as a focus on villainous characters with some romance and BL elements. The characters will have to go through many trials for their chance at a happy ending.
1 Golden Mage
MyAnimeList ranking: 6:54
Golden Mage is a story that deals with the injustices of life and getting retribution for them. The protagonist is a lonely boy who had to spend a life repaying his parents' debts and never experienced true joy. However, he got a chance to be reborn as a mage and gain a new opportunity to acquire money and power.
A take on the rags-to-riches story, Golden Mage will intrigue anyone who wants to see a character's transformation and journey of success, as the protagonist will use both his wit and magical powers to succeed in his new life.
