Spring 2022 has been great for anime, especially when it comes to isekai shows. Nowadays, it is basically a given that every season will include a couple of series about characters being whisked away to other worlds, but Spring has delivered quantityandquality. It is not just that theseisekai animeare pretty good, but they are also different enough from each other to stand out, be it through their settings (Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs), disarming protagonists (Skeleton Knight in Another World), or blending of genres (Ya Boy Kongming!).
The Executioner and Her Way of Lifehas a stellar twist on the isekai concept as it takes place in a world with a long history of summoning people, some of which receive powers that can cause widespread devastation. Consequently, Menou works as an assassin who specifically eliminates otherworlders, with her current target being a girl named Akari who seems to refuse to die. So, they go on a journey together to fix that.
Surprisingly gory and packed with mystery,Shokei Shoujo no Virgin Roadhas been a fun ride so far. Here are someanime likeThe Executioner and Her Way of Lifefans should try.
Where to Stream
Funimation
Most of the similarities between these two shows subside after the first episode, however, fans ofThe Executioner and Her Way of Lifeshould still check out the entirety ofTalentless Nana.In the latter’s universe, certain teenagers have powerful abilities stemming from humanity’s need to develop a defense against strong enemies. Naturally, not everyone has these special powers, creating something of an imbalance.
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Talentless Nanatakes place in an academy filled with these singular students, although there are some exceptions. Graphically violent and fond of throwing out plot twists,Talentless Nanais quite a ride.
Crunchyroll,VRV
While their stories are quite different from each other,The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another Worldas an AristocratandThe Executioner and Her Way of Lifeare both isekai anime that focus on assassins who are committing kills to protect their respective worlds. In the former’s case, Lugh Tuatha Dé is that figure, a deadly assassin who gets a chance at a second life if he can take out his new world’s hero.
The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another Worldhas plenty of satisfying action and secondary characters, while the show also dedicates a decent amount of time to showing Lugh’s growth as a person.
Crunchyroll,Funimation,HBO Max,VRV
Except forSword Art Online,Re:ZEROis probably the most well-known modern isekai anime, andit is also among the best. Subaru is suddenly teleported to a fantasy world, and while initially excited by the prospect of playing the hero, the protagonist quickly realizes that one wrong move could result in a vicious death. Luckily, Subaru can reverse time by reviving at a previous checkpoint.
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Re:ZEROis very much its own beast with no direct isekai peers, and the anime is quite slow-paced compared toThe Executioner and Her Way of Life. However, both series can get incredibly dark, involve characters with time-manipulating abilities, and explore the political climates of their fantastical worlds.
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A short-lived anime that desperately needs a second season,Driftersteleports prominent figures from history into a fantasy world. Then, it divides them into two teams and tells them to wage war. They are more than happy to engage in some bloody and ferocious fights.
Driftersis over-the-top, gory, and irresistibly entertaining. The anime blends action and comedy, arguably managing the tonal shift a bit better thanThe Executioner and Her Way of Life.
Adult Swim (Season 2),Crunchyroll,DirecTV (Season 2),Funimation,Hulu,Spectrum (Season 2)
Menou wants to find a way to kill Akari, and if she has to die, the latter wishes it to be at the hands of the assassin. This goal guides their journey, inspiring many of the discoveries revealed in the anime so far.
Assassination Classroomis another show about a seemingly indestructible being who purposefully surrounds himself with hopeful assassins.Koro-sensei’s relationship with his studentsserves asAssassination Classroom’s heart in the same way that Menou and Akari’s blossoming friendship fuelsThe Executioner and Her Way of Life.
Crunchyroll,Funimation,VRV (Season 1 & 2)
Log Horizonis in many ways the prototypical isekai anime. Abruptly unable to log out of Elder Tale, an MMORPG, thousands of players must find a way to exist within this fantasy world. One such person is Shiroe, a veteran player who prefers to assume a supportive role in battle rather than fighting on the front lines.
Log Horizonfocuses heavily on the “real” people’s attempts to adapt to their new home, which includes living alongside NPCs. Conversely,The Executioner and Her Way of Lifeenvisions a world greatly influenced by the influx of summoned Japanese people. Both anime study the impact isekai’d folks can have on the society they join.
MORE:Isekai Anime To Watch If You Love Trapped In A Dating Sim: The World Of Otome Games Is Tough For Mobs
