The isekai genre is often a sore spot in anime communities largely because many of the new titles tend to be carbon copies of each other and treat female characters poorly. So, what are the best isekai anime that don't have fanservice?
Fanservice -- that is, the inclusion of sexually suggestive material for no other reason than to excite the viewer -- is an issue in many anime.
This is particularly frustrating for some fans because anime remains a relatively conservative medium, with limited BL anime and yuri anime titles that portray healthy, non-fetishized relationships.
This makes fanservice even more aggravating, as it's often problematic in nature, unrelated to the plot, and usually at the expense of female characters who are depicted through a male viewpoint.
Fanservice isn't an isekai-only issue but this is where things tend to get bad -- because of the sheer number of titles where adult male characters get reincarnated as boys or much younger men and get to live wish-fulfillment scenarios in fantasy worlds.
This often involves meeting large numbers of beautiful women and flirting with them, and this is how isekai anime venture into creepy territory.
It's one thing when teenage characters think about girls all the time, but when adult characters get reincarnated into new lives with their memories intact, this becomes a real problem.
Of course, at its core, the term "isekai" refers to anime where a character gets transported or reincarnated into another world, so not all isekai need to be avoided.
Here are a few titles with no such problematic elements:
Spirited Away
Studio Ghibli's anime movie Spirited Away is one of the most age-appropriate isekai anime you can watch.
The iconic film follows a girl named Chihiro who finds herself working in a bathhouse for spirits to save her parents after they get turned into pigs.
As a children's film, Spirited Away doesn't have any fanservice. While it can be a bit scary for very young kids, this has to do with the design of some demon characters and the presence of violent elements.
However, the movie isn't sexually explicit at all. Its layers of meaning and potential symbolism mean that it's appealing to audiences of all ages.
Restaurant to Another World
Restaurant to Another World is a fantasy anime about a seemingly ordinary restaurant in Tokyo.
On Saturdays, when the restaurant is supposed to be closed, its doors open to a different type of clientele, namely residents of other worlds -- you can say it's a reverse isekai, in a sense.
The chef, known as Master, will do anything in his power to keep his otherworldly customers satisfied so that they can keep visiting this restaurant for as long as possible.
While some characters in Restaurant to Another World have cute character designs and some shots might be interpreted to be a bit on the fanservice side, it doesn't have the dirty feel often associated with reincarnation isekai, so it gets a place on this list.
Ascendance of a Bookworm
As is the case with other isekai anime with a female lead, Ascendance of a Bookworm doesn't rely on fanservice to be fun.
This fantasy anime follows Urano Motsu, a book lover working towards her dream to become a librarian.
Ironically, the 22-year-old gets killed by books when she's crushed under them during an earthquake. So, does she get her dying wish, which is to read more books? Yes, and no.
Urano gets a second chance at life, but the setting she finds herself in isn't one that fosters bookworms, as she's been reincarnated in the body of a 5-year-old girl in medieval times when books are scarce.
Myne won't let this stop her, though. She's determined to keep reading, even if she has to make the books herself!
While this is another anime with an adult character being reincarnated as a child, yet retaining some of their past memories, Ascendance of a Bookworm at least doesn't focus on said character sexualizing underage characters.
Unlike others in the genre, it isn't full of fanservice.
Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions
For those who enjoy the fantasy RPG elements that often come with isekai anime but not the fanservice, Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions is a fair shot.
While it isn't entirely free of fanservice in the first 2-3 episodes, and there's a character who comments on the female characters' bodies in Episode 1, it is very clear that said male character isn't supposed to be likable at that point.
Overall, the fanservice element in Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions is much lighter compared to other works.
The anime follows a group of strangers who have all been spirited away in a magical, game-like world with only hazy memories and the imperative to survive at all costs.
The Vision of Escaflowne
The Vision of Escaflowne first came out in 1996, when many isekai tropes weren't as prevalent as they are today.
15-year-old Hitomi Kanzaki lives an ordinary life until one night, a boy named Van Fanel appears from the sky along with a dragon.
After other misadventures, Hitomi finds herself transported to the world of Gaea, a mysterious land where the Earth hangs in the sky.
In Gaea, Hitomi finds out that Van is a prince of the Kingdom of Fanelia, which soon falls under attack by the empire of Zaibach.
But this isn't a medievalist-only work, as, during a battle, Van boards his family's ancient Escaflowne--a mecha--but still fails to protect his land.
Hence, he and Hitomi are on the run fighting against the evil forces of Zaibach along the way.
In this romance and isekai anime, we have an older-style animation and story, where the main character is a girl who doesn't die but gets transported to another world.
As such, The Vision of Escaflowne has little to do with fanservice.
Magic Knight Rayearth
For those who don't mind slightly older titles, Magic Knight Rayearth is a great female-led alternative to contemporary isekai with too much fanservice.
It's also great for those who enjoy magical girl anime elements.
Magic Knight Rayearth isn't a reincarnation isekai. Instead, it follows three school girls who find themselves stranded in a magical world and tasked with saving a princess.
The series is complex and enjoyable--perfect if you're looking for something with Sailor Moon vibes.
Strange Dawn
Children's movies and series might not be what most anime fans look for, but plenty of media aimed at children are equally fun for adults.
And quite frankly, going for PG media is a solid tactic if you're looking to avoid fanservice.
Strange Dawn follows Yuko and Eri, two girls who are spirited away into an alternate world filled with tiny people.
The people of this world see the girls as giants and hope that they can protect their land.
Yuko and Eri set out on a mission with a group of warriors from the village to find out why they ended up in this strange world, and how to go home.
However, during a time of political strife, the tiny people see the girls as protectors, and they will do anything to keep them by their side. This story gives us strong Gulliver's Travels vibes.
If you're looking for a different type of isekai, you may check it out.
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Sonny Boy
Sonny Boy is a surrealist anime that redefines isekai tropes to the point that you might not even notice it's an isekai.
In it, a class of students gets transported into an entirely blank world, along with their entire school building.
From there on, the teenagers must figure out how to travel across universes that defy laws of nature and logic and include sentient devices, talking animals, strange mutations, and a setting that feels like a character in its own right.
While several relationships can be interpreted as romantic, these are not depicted in an exploitative manner.
The lack of fanservice is one of the main ways in which Sonny Boy differentiates itself from many modern isekai.
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Many of the anime titles we listed here are about transportation, rather than reincarnation into another world.
On the other hand, Saga of Tanya the Evil is about reincarnation based on a very creepy and disturbing concept that lacks fanservice.
Those who enjoy anime with villain protagonists might enjoy the story of Tanya, a young soldier who is infamous for her ruthlessness.
Unbeknownst to everyone around her, Tanya is the reincarnation of a salaryman who died and was reborn as a girl living in an alternate universe version of Europe during World War I.
The anime focuses on military tactics and Tanya's ruthlessness, so, while disturbing and problematic in different ways, it avoids the common fanservice pitfalls of other isekai anime.
Digimon Adventure
Digimon Adventure hardly needs an introduction. It's a relatively older children's anime, but we include it here for two reasons.
One is because of the nostalgia factor and the other is because, while it's not commonly thought of as an isekai, it does feature relevant elements.
The series follows a group of children who venture away from their summer camp and into a digital world.
On the surface, Digimon might look like a fantasy adventure anime without too many original elements, but it does have interesting themes that make the series fun to watch.
Inuyasha
While there is no hard and fast rule, female-led isekai are statistically much less likely to be overtly creepy or full of fanservice, and Inuyasha is one such case.
The anime follows Kagome Higurashi, a 15-year-old girl who is dragged by a demon into a well and into the past, specifically, in feudal Japan where demons were a common occurrence!
There, she meets Inuyasha, a half-wolf demon boy who seems to resent her for her resemblance to a shrine maiden he feels strongly about.
Yet, he and Kagome might have to work together when the Shikon Jewel, a miraculous artifact, is broken, with dire implications for the land.
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