25 Best Anime Like That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

Summary

• There are many anime series that have a similar vibe to
  That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
  , such as
  Beast Tamer
  and
  My Next Life as a Villainess.
• Some anime series, like
  Reborn as a Vending Machine
  and
  Grimgar of Fantasy And Ash
  , take a fresh and original approach to the isekai genre.
• Fans of
  That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
  should also check out other influential classic isekai series like
  Log Horizon
  and
  Sword Art Online
  .

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is one of the most influential isekai series of all time, naturally leading many fans to wonder what are the best anime series similar to Rimuru’s adventures. Isekai anime exploded in popularity in the last decade, meaning that fans have no shortage of anime series to watch. Despite the genre’s popularity though, that doesn’t mean every entry lives up to the high standards of its most popular ones like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime was the kind of bold refresh that the isekai genre needed when the light novels were first released in 2013. Given the limitless potential of isekai, it’s no wonder that the genre has told many unique stories. Even anime that are proud of their Slime inspiration have iterated on the genre in fresh and interesting ways. Fans of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime certainly have their pick of the litter when it comes to anime that carry a similar vibe.

25 Uncle From Another World (2022)

Based on the Manga By Hotondoshindeiru

One of Netflix’s best isekai, Uncle From Another sees a young man named Takafumi having to take care of his uncle, a man who has been in a coma for 17 years after being hit by a truck. Far from coming back normal though, Uncle reveals that he had spent that 17 years in a fantasy world and even retains many of the magic powers he obtained during that time. Together with his friend Sumika, Takafumi tries to get his uncle to readjust back into modern society.

Given the absolute dominance of isekai, its familiar tropes have become commonplace. Often, isekai series don’t really concern themselves with how their heroes would readjust to the normal world if they ever found a way out of the fantastic one they were transported into. Uncle From Another World is great because it answers the question of what happens after the adventure is over? This unique hook alone should make it enough for fans of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime to check out.

Watch on Netflix

24 Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered But Overly Cautious

Based on the Original Novel by Light Tuchihi and Kakuyomu

Cautious Hero knows what it is, and like many isekai series adapted from novels, tells audiences what to expect from the story in its title. The series initially follows a novice goddess named Ristarte who’s been placed in charge of finding a hero to save the world of Gaeabrande from a menacing Demon Lord. Gaeabrande is extrememly dangerous – and Ristarte must ensure her selected hero can handle the deadly landscape.

She ends up selecting Seiya Ryuuguuin due to his unreasonably high stats. Unfortunately, though, once he’s summoned, Seiya is extremely cautious and wishes to grind “levels” as much as possible before setting foot in Gaeabrande. Silly and endearing, Cautious Hero is an excellent choice for fans of Reincarnated as a Slime‘s massive world and eccentric characters.

23 Dragon Quest: The Adventures of Dai (2020)

Based on the Manga By Riku Sanjo & Koji Inada

Though Dragon Quest still hasn’t quite found its footing out in the West, it is incredibly influential in its native Japan. The series was adapted into a manga title Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai in 1989, which was then adapted into an anime series in 2020. The Adventure of Dai follows the title hero as he goes on an adventure to stop the evil Dark King Vearn.

While The Adventure of Dai is hardly an isekai series, the high fantasy worlds of Dragon Quest are what popularized the popular slime character for Japanese audiences. This means that That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime probably wouldn’t even exist without the RPG series. Even outside of the mythic franchise Dai is attached to, the anime series is just a lot of fun, making it a perfect fantasy anime.

Watch on Crunchyroll

22 Ascendance of a Book Worm (2019)

Based on a Novel By Miya Kazuki

In a fun twist on classic isekai premises, Ascendance of a Bookworm follows a woman crushed to death by her books after an earthquake. As she dies, her only wish is to get to live another life as someone who essentially has unlimited time to read books. The woman then wakes up as a young noble girl named Myne who lives in a fantasy world where books are reserved for only the most elite members of society. Seeing this as a grave injustice, Myne makes it her mission to print her own books and spread knowledge across the land.

Isekai is a genre famous for its frequently morally questionable protagonists, which is part of what makes Ascendance of a Bookworm so fresh. Myne’s goal of making books and literacy more widely available is purely noble in nature, making her an incredibly easy character to root for. This also makes the series one of the best educational anime. Ascendance of a Bookworm’s Myne is easily the series’ best element, making the series more than worth a watch.

Watch on Crunchyroll

21 Reincarnated as a Sword

Based on the Novel by Yuu Tanaka

Following a trend of protagonists being reborn or reincarnated as inanimate objects or non-human creatures in an isekai, Reincarnated as a Sword follows an unnamed man shortly after passing away in a car accident, reincarnated into a fantasy world, not as a grand hero, but as a powerful, sentient sword. While he has no idea what his name was in life, he does remember everything else about his former life, and accepts his fate – searching for someone to wield him.

He soon comes across a caravan of slavers and meets a young cat-girl named Fran who wields the sword to fight a bear. Successfully slaying the beast, she eventually frees herself from slavery and embarks on a journey with the sword, now dubbed “Teacher” by Fran, in order to unlock everything he’s capable of.

20 Campfire Cooking in Another World (2023)

Based on the Novel By Ren Eguchi

Campfire Cooking in Another World With My Absurd Skill follows an average salaryman named Mukouda who, alongside a group of three teenagers, is transported to a world of epic fantasy. While the teenagers all received incredible powers as a result of their transportation, Mukouda only received the strange gift of Online Supermarket, which allows him to buy things from modern Japan and bring them to his new world. Teaming up with the wolf Fenrir, Mukouda decides to make a life for himself cooking for monsters.

Far from the epic action and high-stakes drama of many isekai series, Campfire Cooking is the perfect isekai for fans of the genre who want an experience that’s just a little more chill. The focus on cooking gives the series a wholesome edge and makes Mukouda a likeable character. The focus on befriending monsters in particular should be appealing to any fan of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.

Watch on Crunchyroll

19 InuYasha (2000)

Based on the Manga By Rumiko Takahashi

Watch on Netflix

The quintessential pre-2010s isekai, InuYasha was a ridiculously popular series that mixed feudal Japanese fantasy with romance and intrigue. The series follows a young woman named Kagome who is sent back in time to Japan’s Sengoku period. There, Kagome partners with the half-demon Inuyasha to collect a series of crystal shards that could aid in sending Kagome back to her proper period. Unfortunately, the duo has a variety of villains such as Inuyasha’s brother Sesshomaru to contend with.

While InuYasha may not carry the trappings of many modern isekai, it still offers more than a few things for fans of modern series like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. The character dynamics in Inuyasha are truly what define the series, as Kagome and the title character’s bond grows over the series’ impressive number of episodes. Fans of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime looking for a series to binge-watch can’t find a better series than InuYasha.

18 Beast Tamer (2022)

Based on the light novel created by Suzu Miyama

Beast Tamer is part of a recent trend of RPG anime that aren’t quite isekai but still use many of the genre’s tropes. The series follows the titular beast named Rein Shroud who is kicked out of his adventuring party for being too weak. Despite his apparent lack of power though, Rein’s potential is off the charts as he can gain the power of any beast he makes a contract with.

The inspiration from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is fairly obvious in Beast Tamer, but far from a ripoff, the series does interesting things with its premise. Beast Tamer is undeniably derivative in many ways, but it still manages to be an entertaining watch that is deeper than its initial appearances suggest. Slime fans will definitely have a good time with this anime.

Watch on Crunchyroll

17 Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense

Based on the Novel by Yuumikan

A very classic take on the isekai genre, Bofuri follows Kaede Honjo as she begins playing the VRMMORPG NewWorld Online as a character named Maple. Extremely cautious and not wanting to get injured on her adventure, Maple becomes a tank-equivalent shield-user and maxes out her defense stat.

As a result, she’s extremely slow and has no magic ability, but she’s capable of enduring almost any hit without taking any damage. Additionally, due to her creative thinking, she’s able to use this min-maxed approach to her advantage, finding unique ways around specific in-game quests and events that others couldn’t accomplish.

16 My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (2020)

Based on the light novel series by Satoru Yamaguchi

My Next Life as a Villainess follows a young woman named Catarina Claes who lived a mundane life until an accident reawakens memories of her past life. She was once a video game-obsessed outcast, and she’s been reincarnated as a villain in a women’s dating sim. Realizing that she’s destined for failure, Catarina does everything she can to subvert the system and forge her own path.

While there won’t be many surprises for fans even slightly familiar with the popular vilainess trope, My Next Life as a Villainess is still one of the best reincarnation anime in recent memory. Catarina is a fun character and it’s interesting seeing her try to escape her character’s fate. A trope-filled shojo series that’s as soft as it is safe, My Next Life As A Villainess works firmly within genre boundaries, but those who enjoy a simple and sweet isekai offering likely won’t want to turn this down.

Watch on Crunchyroll

15 The Eminence in Shadow

Based on the Novel by Daisuke Aizawa

Something of a satirical take on extremely edgy isekai anime and the stereotypical “dark, brooding” protagonist, The Eminence in Shadow follows Minoru Kageno, a young man from modern day Japan whose aspirations include becoming an evil mastermind working from the shadows. In classic isekai fashion, he ends up getting hit by a truck, which causes him to be reincarnated into a fantasy realm as Cid Kagenou. His life goals still haven’t changed, though, and he decides to feign mediocrity to build power from the shadows.

He eventually forms a mysterious group dubbed the “Shadow Garden” that’s built a reputation for themselves based on spinning fantastical tales. As their reputation grows, they learn of a real threat within the world – the Cult of Diablos, that they spend the rest of the series learning to fight against.

14 Reborn as a Vending Machine: I Now Wander the Dungeon (2023)

Based on the light novel written by Hirukuma

If fans thought being reincarnated as a slime was wild, try a hero who gets reincarnated as a vending machine. Reborn as a Vending Machine is exactly what it says on the tin, as the protagonist Boxxo is indeed reincarnated into a fantasy world as a vending machine. However, unlike Slime which gave Rimuru a suitably cool design, Vending Machine is fully committed to making Boxxo a functioning vending machine.

More than just a hilarious parody of isekai tropes Reborn as a Vending Machine actuallyhas some clever writing as the series finds increasingly clever ways for Boxxo to use his vending machine powers. Fans of isekai shouldn’t let the ridiculous premise or Boxo’s goofy design fool them, as Reborn as a Vending Machine is a series that actually gets fairly significant mileage out of its ridiculous premise.

Watch on Crunchyroll

13 The Devil is a Part-Timer! (2013)

Based on the light novel written by Satoshi Wagahara

Unlike most Isekai anime, The Devil is a Part-Timer takes a novel approach to the reincarnation trope by transporting a fantasy character into the normal world. Satan is trying to take over the territory of Ente Isla, but, when he is cornered, he escapes through a portal that spits him out in modern-day Japan. Upon arrival, Satan and the followers change into humans and are forced to contend with their new surroundings. To survive, Satan takes on a part-time job at a local fast-food restaurant, MgRonald’s, while also keeping an eye out for old enemies in this strange new world.

The series is full of comedy and cleverly subverts viewers’ expectations time and again. In a way, The Devil is a Part-Timer is the exact opposite of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, as instead of a not obviously powerful being becoming powerful as in Slime, The Devil is a Part-Timer is about an incredibly powerful being forced to work a low paying job.

Watch on Crunchyroll

12 Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Based on the Novel by Rifujin na Magonote

Referred to as the “grandfather of isekai”, Mushoku Tensei is a lush series filled with a large ensemble class, a complex magic system, and a political system that drives the main story. The main plot of the series follows Rudeus, a young man who, in his previous life, was a problematic degenerate trying to redeem himself and lead a better life now that he’s been reincarnated.

Starting out as a toddler, Mushoku Tensei explores many of Rudeus’ major milestones, being trained in magic for the first time, and spends time exploring his life as he ages and becomes an adept adventurer. Playing itself more straight compared to isekai with stronger comedy leanings, Mushoku Tensei excels in drama, with season 2 reuniting Rudeus with one of his childhood friends and seeing the two get married.

11 I’m Standing on a Million Lives (2020)

Based on the manga by Naoki Yamakawa

I’m Standing on a Million Lives follows a group of middle school students transported to a medieval fantasy world to complete quests, returning once they’re finished only to be summoned again sometime later. Somewhat of a mix between an isekai and a teenage slice-of-life series, I’m Standing on a Million Lives wears many hats.

While the plot is ridiculous and the characters – particularly the protagonist – can be tough to take seriously, there’s a hearty dose of humor in this isekai adventure, and characters like the Game Master introduce enough intrigue to keep viewers engaged throughout the season. Fans of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime may find the series’ irreverent tone to be particularly appealing, as I’m Standing on a Million Lives is probably best enjoyed if fans don’t take the events too seriously.

Watch on Crunchyroll

10 Grimgar Ashes And Illusions (2016)

Based on the light novel Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash written by Ao Jumonji & illustrated by Eiri Shirai

Many protagonists in isekai anime become overpowered shortly after being reincarnated, but this is not the case in Grimgar Of Fantasy And Ash. This anime is set in an RPG-like world where a group of amnesiac strangers is forced to work together to survive. The setting of the anime is brutal and realistic, and the characters face genuine challenges that could easily kill them. Even low-level goblins are no easy task for the group of adventurers, which makes their journey all the more gritty and realistic.

The series follows a group of adventurers who have no memory of how they arrived in a dark fantasy world. Unfortunately not cut out for the adventuring life, a team of rejects led by the thief Haruhiro band together to try and make a living in the brutal world they now call home. Fans of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime will appreciate that Grimgar Of Fantasy And Ash takes the fantasy genre seriously and isn’t afraid to take a dark turn when appropriate.

Watch on Crunchyroll

9 Log Horizon (2014)

Based on the light novel by Mamare Touno

Log Horizon begins like any other isekai anime. At the start of the series, 30,000 gamers from Japan become mysteriously trapped inside a virtual reality game. One of the players, Shiroe, is a wily veteran of the game and manages to attract a group of fellow players stuck there with him. Together, Shiroe and his companions navigate the game’s adventures and learn how to coexist with the game’s NPCs known as “natives.”

Log Horizon doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel or do anything new in the genre, but it’s a solid series that sticks to a tried and true formula. It’s a classic adventure story that checks off all the boxes when it comes to swords, sorcery, and fantasy drama making it a great anime for fans of That Time I Got Reincarnated a Slime to get lost in.

Watch on Crunchyroll

8 .hack//Sign (2002)

Original anime series created by Studio Bee Train

Though far from the first isekai anime, .hack//Sign codified many of the tropes that have since become foundational to the genre. Things like getting stuck in a video game fantasy world can trace its popularity, in some part, back to .hack. The series follows a young man named Tsukasa whose mind is trapped in The World, the first MMORPG developed in the wake of a disaster that destroyed the internet.

What follows is as much of a mystery series as it is a fantasy, as Tsukasa tries to unveil the reason his mind is stuck in The World. .hack//Sign was released right around the time that MMOs such as Everquest were blowing up in popularity, so its plot was quite unique and interesting when the series first released. Even beyond its interesting themes and intriguing plot, as a forefather of isekai, it’s well worth a watch for That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime fans.

Watch on Funimation

7 KonoSuba (2016)

Based on the light novel by Natsume Akatsuki

KonoSuba begins with Kazuma Satou dying prematurely and being presented with the choice to either continue on to heaven or be reincarnated into a new world. He predictably chooses the latter and is subsequently thrown into a fantasy world that keeps trying to get him to confront a villain known as the Demon King. On his journey, Kazuma is joined by other adventurers such as the mage, Megumin, and the crusader, Darkness. Kazuma and his dysfunctional party stumble along as best they can, and the resulting adventures are equal parts exciting and hilarious.

What makes KonoSuba stand out is just how much fun the series is. Kazuma’s party is laughably dysfunctional, giving them a goofy sort of energy that feels like friends constantly ribbing each other in good nature. The irreverence and banter between the party members is more than enough to earn KonoSuba a place among the best anime like That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.

Watch on Crunchyroll

6 RE: Zero – Starting Life In Another World (2016)

Based on the light novel written by Tappei Nagatsuki & illustrated by Shinichirou Otsuka

Unlike most isekai protagonists, Natsuki Subaru of RE: Zero – Starting Life In Another World is not transported into a new world by a video game or after getting hit by a truck. Unfortunately for Natsuki, he is teleported completely at random—and, worse still, he has no special powers in this new world. He quickly befriends a half-elf named Satella and her companion, Puck, agreeing to help them recover a stolen insignia.

When they are abruptly killed, Satoru wakes up in his bed and quickly realizes that every time he dies, he is granted a new life and an opportunity to save himself and his friends. The series is part Groundhog Day and part dark fantasy, and it offers a refreshing twist to the reincarnation trope that will certainly appeal to fans of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.

Watch on Crunchyroll