Isekai harem is a fascinating subgenre in the world of anime that combines two popular anime tropes: isekai (which translates to ‘other world’) and harem (ahem.. you know what that means).
In such shows, the protagonist is transported from their ordinary life to a fantasy realm, or sometimes to just another ordinary world, where they become the “center if gravity” for a group of attractive and sometimes, overly powerful women.
In a general isekai harem anime, our hero isn’t just saving the world; they’re also surrounded by a bevy of gorgeous women. Picture sword-wielding warriors, enchanting mages, and maybe even cat-eared demi-humans (because…… yes).
Each lady has her reasons for falling head over heels – perhaps the hero is their ONE AND ONLY prophesied savior, who possesses a unique ability, or simply exudes charisma in this new world.
List of best Isekai Harem anime:
Sometimes, we all need an escape from reality and Isekai harem shows might just be the way to go as it offers a delightful escape into magical worlds where anything is possible.
So without any further delay, grab your “magic sword” (no… NO… I meant it literally! As in swords with actual magic powers so you can save a world!! And maybe attract some ladies on the way) and lets dive into the world of isekai harem anime!
16. In Another World With My Smartphone
Ever wished you could take your phone to a fantasy world? That’s the reality for Touya Mochizuki in “In Another World With My Smartphone.” After a little mishap with a bored god (sounds normal… right?), Touya gets reincarnated in a stunning new world with a single wish granted: to keep his smartphone.
But this isn’t your average phone. It can translate languages and also access the internet (somehow… even though it doesn’t exist there?).
The coolest part? This world is filled with magic, sword-wielding warriors, and of course, even gorgeous women and Touya quickly finds himself surrounded by them who are all also drawn to him!! (irl when?).
Now, Touya isn’t actively trying to build a harem, but these girls become his close companions as he explores this exciting new world.
Though romance isn’t the main theme here, the fun comes from seeing Touya navigate his newfound popularity. In Another World With My Smartphone is a light-hearted adventure with a dash of harem fun, perfect for anyone who wants to escape to a world of magic, friendship, and a smartphone that can do practically anything.
15. GATE
GATE, also known as Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri thrusts us into the world of a nerdy soldier named Youji Itami. While on his way to attend a doujin convention in Ginza, Tokyo, a mysterious portal in the shape of a large gate suddenly appears.
His new world is filled with knights, mages, and all sorts of creatures you’d only read about in books.
From this gate, supernatural creatures and warriors clad in medieval armor emerge, charging through the city, killing and destroying everything in their path. Youji swiftly saves as many lives as he can, while the rest of the JSDF direct their efforts toward stopping the invasion.
While Youji isn’t exactly looking for love, he does catch the eye of some of the ladies. There’s Pina Co Lada, a beautiful and determined princess who’s initially wary of Youji but grows to respect his skills.
And then there’s Lelei La Lalena, a charming mage who’s fascinated by Youji’s knowledge of their world from his fantasy novels. And then there’s Rory Mercury.
GATE is a fun anime that blends military action with fantasy elements. The harem aspect is lighthearted, with the girls more like interesting companions than romantic interests. So if that’s what you’re looking for, GATE is definitely worth watching!
14. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord
Ever tried playing a virtual reality game so immersive it whisked you away to another world? Well, that’s pretty much what this anime is about! Takuma gets unexpectedly summoned by a pair of young summoners, Rem and Shera.
The only problem? They’re weren’t expecting to summon a “Demon Lord”. Possessing the game’s rarest artifacts and an unrivaled player level, it should be obvious that he was near unbeatable.
Takuma, still in his demon lord character complete with horns and fangs (courtesy of the VR game), finds that most people fear him. Rem and Shera, however are different as they realize Takuma’s actually a chill guy under the demon lord facade.
Now, Takuma isn’t exactly looking to build a harem, but being a powerful demon lord (even if it’s just a costume) has its perks.
The fun of How Not to Summon a Demon Lord comes from watching Takuma navigate his situation. He uses his gaming knowledge and surprisingly strong magic (from the VR game) to solve problems and impress the ladies, even if he’d rather be tucked away playing games back home.
13. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
“Attack of the Bad CGI“
Awakened with the weakest magic, Hajime Nagumo witnesses the horrifying truth – one of his classmate, blessed with immense power, plans to abandon him to a monster-infested labyrinth. In the suffocating depths of the abyss, Hajime clings to a single purpose – survival.
His so called “pathetic” skill becomes his new tool of vengeance.
While exploring the dungeon, he encounters a mysterious vampire princess named Yue who becomes his loyal companion he saves her by breaking her curse.
Taking an interest in him, Yue and a few others along the way accompany Hajime on his journey to find a way back home, while steadily transforming from commonplace to the world’s strongest.
Unlike the previous series’ in the list, Hajime is romantically interested in Yue, while LITERALLY EVERY GIRL in his team is interested in him. The harem aspect is there, but it’s secondary to the thrilling battles, dark themes of betrayal, and Hajime’s relentless pursuit of vengeance.
Arifuteta: From Commonplate to World’s Strongest is a good match for those with a taste in Isekai Harem anime, apart from the CGI in certain parts…
12. The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat
Imagine being over-powered in your original world just to get isekai-ed and get EVEN STRONGER! Our protagonist, known only as “Lugh” in his new life, retains all the skills and memories of his past life.
Although having sworn lifelong allegiance to the organization that raised him, Lugh was betrayed by that very same organization which took action to silence him, ultimately leading to his demise.
Given the task of killing the hero of that world, Lugh chooses a “skill-set” which he thought would be the most suitable for the task. Reborn as “Lugh Tuatha Dé”, the son of a noble family of assassins serving the Alvan Kingdom, Lugh learns new assassination techniques that significantly differ from the cold-blooded and unsympathetic killing style of his previous life.
While Lugh isn’t actively seeking romance, his assassin reputation (even as a child!!) and his “coolness” (please share some) attract attention. The real focus of the anime is Lugh’s struggle to find his place in this new world.
There are rough edges in this anime as well with a few moments of boredom and unnecessary cringe. This doesn’t mean that the anime doesn’t have good moments!
The MC has to earn his love instead of getting it as if it’s some sort of inheritance reward.
The plot isn’t afraid to get dark or complex when needed and there definitely are moments where we see how smart our MC can be when needed! Being a bit underrated, in no way is it something to be skipped.
11. Fate/Grand Order
Before you start asking “WHY IS FATE HERE? FATE IS NOT AN ISEKAI SERIES!!”, Fate/GO can be considered an isekai as our main cast travels to different worlds/ timelines.
The other fate series’ could be considered a “reverse isekai”, but Fate/GO feels more like an isekai, even if not like your traditional ones. Also, I’m biased.
Well, it’s now time to take some history lessons! From female Leonardo da Vinci to gigachad Gilgamesh, and of course, best waifu Astolfo (a wise man once said, “sometimes it takes a real man to be the best waifu“), Fate has it all (feels like an unpaid promotion at this point).
Imagine you taking on the role of a fresh-faced Master, summoned to the magical land of Chaldea. The world is on the brink of destruction, and it’s up to you and a group of powerful Servants (those historical and mythical figures I mentioned) to save it by going into different world/ timelines in order to fix certain things.
Well, that’s exactly what our main character named Ritsuka Fujimaru has to do.
Now, there are a bunch of female Servants (male as well) who are total powerhouses, and some even start to develop a bit of a fondness for Ritsuka. But the focus is really on the teamwork and the epic battles they face together. Don’t even get me started with Artoria (Saber variant… of course). I could potentially write hundreds of pages and still keep going.
Fate/Grand Order is a wild ride through time filled with action, historical references, and a touch of character bonding. The harem aspect is more about the camaraderie between the MC and the Servants as they fight to save humanity.
So if you’re looking for an anime with a TON of casts, fabulous voice actors and mind boggling animations, look no further as FATE/GO is your stop. And if that’s not what you’re looking for, you’d still better watch the anime or else…. *holds at gunpoint*
Note: Want to explore the world FGO completely? (the anime doesn’t have a few parts of the story) Try playing the game as well!
10. The Rising of the Shield Hero
Betrayed and broken. That’s how our protagonist, Naofumi Iwatani, starts out in The Rising of the Shield Hero. Accused of a terrible crime by the very country that summoned him, he’s ostracized and ridiculed. Cut this man some slack !!
Instead of losing hope, Naofumi decides to start over. Channeling his anger and frustration into mastering the one skill he possesses – the Shield, Naofumi takes on a new journey.
Naofumi’s journey isn’t a solo one. Along the way, he manages to assemble a team. Raphtalia, a demi-human girl he rescues from slavery, becomes his loyal and skilled swordswoman. Filo, another demi-human with bird-like features who later transforms to a cute little girl.
While there’s a hint of romance between Naofumi and Raphtalia, it’s a slow burn compared to the inferno of Naofumi’s quest for justice.
His primary focus is on clearing his name and proving his worth. The harem aspect is subtle, staying in the backlines while the thrilling battles, strategic thinking, and Naofumi’s relentless pursuit of justice take the frontline.
9. Tsukimichi – Moonlit Fantasy
Tsukimichi – Moonlit Fantasy is your typical isekai anime with a great execution. Getting visited by a God named Tsukuyomi, knowing that you’re now supposed to go to another world, getting rejected by the goddess of the world just because you’re “ugly”, Misumi Makoto had to face all of that.
But instead of being sent home, he’s banished to a desolate wilderness with absolutely nothing.
But wait a minute! Even though he was stripped of his ability to talk to “hyumans” (humans, but in that world), he was granted incredible powers by the very God to whom we were introduced in the beginning.
Now coming into the harem aspect. While Makoto isn’t necessarily interested in any of the female cast romantically, the same can’t be said about the latter. We have Tomoe, a LITERAL DRAGON, Mio, a GIANT SPIDER, Ema. an…. orc (not as impressive.. but hey! Saori Hayami was the VA!), and many more!
Even though the animation for the most part was a bit better than average for the show, the actual story and characters more than makes up for it.
You would probably go into it expecting something dumb, but instead, you’ll be getting a pretty good Isekai.
8. Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs
After countless days of grinding, our MC had finally completed an otome game. What’d it cost? SLEEP AND SANITY! Our MC falls off of some stairs and just… dies!
Fortunately (or maybe not), he was reincarnated into the very same game which he was playing all day. And here starts the journey of “Leon Fou Bartfort” after being “Trapped in a Dating Sim”, not as a main character, but as a MOB CHARACTER.
Since Leon knew how the story would progress, he decided to follow through. Surprisingly, instead of the girl who was supposed to be the female protag, there was someone else in a very major scene of the story.
Confused, Leon decided to investigate, but firstly, take his lessons on how to organize a “Tea Ceremony” (VERY IMPORTANT STUFF TRUST ME…).
So… is this a harem? Well, from Leon’s perspective, YES. While boys are supposed to impress ladies in this anime, resulting in what we know as a “reverse-harem”, Leon, being the absolute CHAD he is, makes a harem of his own as the story progresses!
This isekai, although being just like the traditional ones, is completely different in ways of it’s own. There isn’t any “Power of Friendship” or “We are the same” or “Stop fighting and lets be friends” stuff here, just Leon beating the absolutely hell out of anyone who challenges him, also being as arrogant as possible (even you would be arrogant in those situations trust me… and IT IS SATISFYING).
Imagine bringing a Shovel in a sword fight and beating 5 of the best mechas with an Antique piece of “art”.
This anime is DEFINITELY WORTH IT as it has the isekai aspect, the harem aspect and is filled with satisfaction and laughter. GO WATCH IT!
7. The Eminence in Shadow
Sometimes it takes the side cast to be the main cast. Such is the case in the anime series “The Eminence in Shadow”. Well, the previous statement is partially true. Why? NO SPOILERS! WATCH THE ANIME YOURSELF.
The series starts with our main character “Cid” voluntarily isekai-ing himself with the help of our most reliable friend “Truck-kun”. Why? He realized he was too weak. Not weak as a human, weak as in not being able to stop and survive a nuclear explosion on his own.
After getting reincarnated, he hatches a plan – create a fake cult and then secretly defeat said fabricated enemies to solidify his legend. Following this, Cid creates the “Shadow Garden” which surprisingly, grew a lot! He not only builds a harem while in his organization, he also gets romantically involved outside when he is not in the persona of “Shadow”.
The real focus of the anime is Cid’s over-the-top chuunibyo personality and his ridiculous masterplan. Having a delusion of being a “side-character” but still being the main character, this anime is both hilarious and intense at moments when needed, also having bits of fan service.
So, if you’re looking for an isekai with a unique, eccentric protagonist, action-packed with over-the-top scenarios, and a dash of harem comedy on the side, this anime is definitely worth checking out.
6. Konosuba: God’s Blessing on this Wonderful World!
As Kazuma saves an innocent soul from a dangerous accident by getting hit himself, he feels proud of him as he gets reincarnated in another world, OR SO HE THOUGHT!
The truck hitting that “innocent soul” ? The vehicle stopped before even getting close to said person. Kazuma getting hit? He died of shock at the thought of his sacrifice while wetting himself in the process.
While his death being comically pathetic, he decides to start off fresh in a new world. His stats? He’s extremely Lucky. His exact stats? 13 Strength, 12 Health, 9 Magic Power, 14 Dexterity, 15 Agility and 792 Luck at level 1 (yes, I read the card).
Organizing a group of 4 consisting Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin and Darkness, they start their new journey as they take on various adventure tasks and commissions.
The dynamic between Kazuma, Aqua, Megumin, and Darkness is what drives Konosuba’s misadventures, with each helping balance out the other in some way. Konosuba’s harem is more about the comedic value it adds to the story than a genuine romantic pursuit.
Having a beautiful blend of comedy, comedy and some more comedy, Konosuba is a MUST WATCH anime for any viewer!
5. No Game No Life (and no season 2)
This is an isekai anime where we deal with not one, but two MCs! Sora and Shiro are two inseparable siblings who dominate various online games under the username ” “.
You could also say it’s “Blank”.
As they were playing a game of chess in their computer, they were suddenly transported to another world where Tet (the God of the World) greets them with a parachute-less free fall (that’s such a great start…).
After Tet leaves, Sora and Shiro begin their search for more information and a place to stay which eventually takes them to Elkia – Imanity’s (That world’s version of “Humanity’s”) last standing kingdom as they lost all their other land to other races.
This new world thrives on competition, and Sora and Shiro quickly rise through the ranks, conquering every game they encounter. They use their cunning minds and an arsenal of games they’ve mastered to outwit opponents and challenge the very fabric of this game-obsessed reality.
The harem in No Game No Life stays more in the background. The girls who admire Sora because of his wits and unmatched skills, are more like companions. However, that doesn’t take away any fun from it!
No Game No life is an isekai which is a gorgeous mixture of satisfaction of a well-played game, outsmarting your opponents, the thrill of a competition and 69 grams of fan service here and there. Even though it’s a bit underrated than the others, “NGNL” isn’t something to miss out on!
WILL SEASON 2 EVER COME OUT ??
4. Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World
Re:Zero throws a curveball at your typical isekai fantasy. Subaru Natsuki, our protagonist was reincarnated in another world after shopping in a market. While you’d expect our MC to get if not over powered, but a few remotely useful skills, Subaru got a single, nightmarish ability – “Return by Death.”
What it does should be quite obvious after reading the name. After death, Subaru returns to a pre-selected “checkpoint” in his day to day life. While the ability does sound quite good if used properly, Subaru was weak and helpless with no general combat abilities and was thus constantly dying.
While being demotivated, Subaru meets a silver-haired half-elf girl named Emilia. There it was! Someone Subaru could protect and deeply cares about. He starts using his “Return by Death” to his advantage, learning from every death, strategizing, and slowly unraveling the things that threaten Emilia’s life.
While Emilia is the central character Subaru develops a bond with, there are other female characters who play important roles like Rem, a blue-haired maid who was initially shy was later fell in love with Subaru, showing incredible loyalty towards him.
Wait who’s Rem? (please watch the anime for context)
Re:Zero is a dark and psychological isekai that delves into the emotional toll of constant death and despair. The aspect of harem in this anime is more about the bonds he forms, the friendships crafted through hardships and continuous sacrifices, which eventually adds depth and complexity to the characters and their relationships.
Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World is one of the best isekai anime in general, with a beautifully forged story and perfect execution, animations, visuals and of course, music! Trust me, you shouldn’t miss out on this anime.
3. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
After leading a single life, our main character Satoru Mikami meets an unfortunate end after he tries to save one of his colleagues. His last wish? To get rid of his hard drive (RELATABLE ISN’T IT?).
As he dies, he hears a strange voice in his head, leading to him getting reincarnated in a different world, not as a Demon Lord or a Demi Human or even a human, but as a measly Slime!
But do not underestimate him as he now has an ability to absorb and duplicate anything and later gaining even more powers as he progresses through the story.
Despite his slimy exterior, Rimuru Tempest (the name which he takes on later) is no pushover. He can now devour any creature and gain immense power, thanks to that “Strange Voice” which I stated earlier, now known as “Great Sage,” which also helps him navigate this fantastical world.
While Rimuru interacts with various female characters like Shion, Shuna, even Milim and of course, we can’t forget Shizue, Rimuru’s “Destined One”, romance isn’t a major plot point. The true heart of the story lies in Rimuru’s rise to power and his dream of creating a peaceful world where humans and monsters can coexist.
With a great story, beautiful visuals and music and a perfect group of seiyuu’s, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is one of the best anime to watch, for both the isekai, and the harem aspect.
2. Overlord
From a Gamer to an Undead Overlord, this anime covers the beautiful, intense, yet hilarious at moments story of Ainz Oowl Gown, formerly known as Momonga (in the game, we don’t know his real name).
After he realizes that he was now stuck in the VRMMO Yggdrasil after the servers were shut down, he now decides to look for his friends if there were any in the world of Yggdrasil. Talk about a logout button malfunction!
Overlord explores the boundaries between virtual and actual worlds as Momonga navigates through this uncharted territory. Let’s also not ignore the fact that he is too strong for his world. The anime has everything! Awesome story? Yes! Funny moments? Of course! Fan Service? Mhm! Cool Animations? OBVIOUSLY! What else does someone need?
What about the Harem you ask? DON’T EVEN GET ME STARTED! I’ll just say ONE word – “Albedo”.
Overlord is a fun isekai anime with a unique premise. It’s a lighthearted take on your typical power fantasy along with the isekai genre, focusing on the humor of a regular guy thrust into an extraordinary situation and all the social awkwardness that comes with it.
1. Mushoku Tensei (Jobless Reincarnation)
Mushoku Tensei, also known as Jobless Reincarnation is the best example of an “Isekai Harem” anime. Trust me, this is your BEST STOP. Why? Let’s get into it!
After getting hit by a trust whilst trying to save a girl, our main character, now known as Rudeus Greyrat in his new world, he got reincarnated as a baby in a new world filled with magic and demons. Rudeus, who was now determined to not make the same mistakes that he made in his previous life, starts to master the basics of magic, slowly, yet steadily.
Having showcased both big and small moments of Rudeus’ life with equal footing, it’s no wonder that Mushoku Tensei is considered as one of the best isekai anime out there. But what about the Harem? Well, as per the date of publication of this article, the “anime” hasn’t really gone into the “Harem” aspect as much but trust me, it’ll get there soon! (it’s in the manga… so let’s wait for the anime to catch up!!)
Mushoku Tensei, or Jobless Reincarnation is a unique isekai that delves into themes of redemption, self-improvement, and the power of second chances. This is the best Isekai Harem anime you can get which has a perfect mixture of a good story, world building, fan service, fight scenes, comedy, music, voice acting… let me breathe real quick… You get it! So why waiting? This anime is worth every second of your life!
BONUS TIME!
Here are a few “Bonus” isekai anime with the harem aspect in it!
0. How a Realist Hero Rebuilt a kingdom: This is the story of Souma Kazuya and how he rebuilds a kingdom which had a poor financial status and suffers from food shortage using his “realist” ideals. By the way, “Polygamy” is allowed in this world (just saying…. *wink face*)
-1. Farming Life in Another World: After passing away due to a terminal illness in his hospital bed, Hiraku Machio was reincarnated in another world by a God where he can live as he pleases. Wanting to try farming in this new life, he is bestowed with an all-in-one “Almighty Farming Tool” that can transform into any useful implement he wishes.
-2 Harem in the Labyrinth of Another world: I refuse to elaborate about this anime. The plot is exactly what you think it is.
P.S: DO NOT WATCH THIS ANIME WITH YOUR FAMILY!
Conclusion
Make sure to Sharpen your “Magic Sword”
Things need sharpening after being used a lot right? Specially if it’s a sword! Make sure to read, comment and share the article to your precious tomodachis!
Until then,
Sayonara