3 Surprisingly Decent Isekai You Should Check Out
The isekai genre is packed with overpowered protagonists, fantasy worlds, and wild premises — but sometimes it can feel repetitive.
That’s why it’s refreshing when a few titles stand out with clever twists or unexpectedly charming execution.
Here are three surprisingly decent isekai anime (and manga!) that deserve more attention than you might expect.
1. I’ll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History
Genre: Fantasy / Romance / Comedy
What if you wanted to be the villainess?
Most isekai stories drop the main character into a game or fantasy world where they must avoid a villainess’s tragic fate. But this one flips the script: the heroine chooses to become the villainess, determined to carve her name into history.
It’s a fun mix of self-awareness, comedy, and empowerment, making it stand out among typical villainess isekai stories.
2. 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy!
Genre: Romance / Fantasy / Drama
A villainess stuck in a time loop finally decides to live life on her own terms.
After reliving her life six times, Rishe Griene finally decides to embrace her fate in the seventh loop — by marrying her greatest enemy.
Instead of despair, she takes full advantage of her endless do-overs to enjoy freedom, romance, and adventure.
The story is refreshing because it combines clever strategy, heartfelt romance, and an empowering lead who refuses to be boxed in by fate.
3. So I’m a Spider, So What?
Genre: Fantasy / Adventure / Comedy
From ordinary high schooler to survivalist spider in a deadly dungeon.
After being reincarnated as a lowly spider monster, the protagonist must adapt quickly to survive in a hostile dungeon filled with deadly creatures. What makes this series shine is its mix of humor, strategy, and surprisingly deep world-building.
Watching a tiny spider outwit stronger enemies while slowly evolving into a formidable force makes for an unexpectedly entertaining isekai journey.
So, do we like isekai now?
Yes and no. While isekai is often criticized for being formulaic, these three series prove the genre still has plenty of surprises.
From villainesses rewriting their fate to an underdog spider clawing her way to the top, they each take familiar tropes and twist them into something fresh and fun.
If you’ve been skeptical about isekai lately, these surprisingly decent titles might just change your mind.