7 Best Isekai Anime That Focus On Exploration

Summary

Modern isekai focuses on action, with character exploration taking a back seat.
Some isekai shows prioritize exploration, whether literal or metaphorical.
Older isekai like Fushigi Yuugi emphasize exploration over action, offering a different experience.

Modern isekai has become a lot more focused on characters, and it is quite normal nowadays to find a power fantasy isekai anime, as several are churned out every season. The focus of many of these shows is on action, and things such as the exploration of the new world take a heavy back seat.

Comfy Slice-of-Life Isekai You Can Watch Now

Slice-of-life isekai are laid-back with a focus on a niche that may not be normally exciting, but are perfect for cozy vibes and a light watch.

That said, there are quite a number of isekai shows that deal more with exploration. This encompasses the literal exploration of the world, or more metaphorical explorations, especially of systems. These shows tend to be slower in their pacing, and the action isn’t as pronounced.

1

Ascendance Of A Bookworm

Myne Uses Her Superior Intellect To Learn More About The World Around Her

Myne was an ordinary girl whose dream was to become a librarian, and when her dream finally came true, she ended up dying under a pile of books. Worse still, in her new life, she is born as a daughter of poor peasants and is also quite sickly. All she wants are books, and even those don’t seem to be readily available in her new world.

Ascendance Of A Bookworm is not an action anime in the slightest, and the show spends a lot of time getting the audience to understand the new world that Myne now inhabits. By the time the third season of the show, Myne starts to travel a bit, which shows off even more of the world, and the focus of the anime remains on the technological strides Myne introduces into the world.

2

Fushigi Yuugi

Classic Isekai Focused More On Adventure

Miaka and her friend Yui are transported to another world where Miaka is expected to find her celestial warriors in a bid to summon a powerful god called Suzaku. Miaka and Yui somehow find themselves on opposite sides and are now enemies due to a series of misunderstandings.

10 Best Isekai Adventure Anime, Ranked

Combining adventure with isekai has proven to be an entertaining and effective mix for anime.

The reality is that older isekai shows were a lot less action-oriented, and Fushigi Yuugi is one of those. There is a great emphasis on the exploration of the new world as Miaka goes about looking for the celestial warriors. With the world Miaka and Yui enter into being based on Chinese mythology, the audience can fully appreciate the story through the characters’ journey in the world.

3

Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy

Makoto Just Wants To Build A Peaceful World

Makoto Misumi finds himself transported to another world, but unexpectedly, the goddess of the world finds him unsightly and tosses him in without the ability to understand humans. But, Makoto turns out to be quite powerful, and after meeting a Dragon and a powerful spider, he starts to build a nation of peace.

Tsukimichi features an all-powerful protagonist who is very curious about the world he finds himself in, so Makoto travels a lot, seeing the world and its kingdoms. When there’s action, Makoto finishes things quickly due to his great strength. He is also able to meet a lot of new civilizations as he looks to craft a world of acceptance.

4

That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

Rimuru Is Not The Average Demon Lord

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime tells the story of Satoru Mikami, who dies quite suddenly at the hands of a robber. He is transported to another world where he is a slime. He soon gains some incredible power and keeps rising till he becomes a demon Lord. Now he goes by the name Rimuru Tempest.

Best Isekai Anime With Protagonists Who Tame Monsters

These anime show the diverse ways in which protagonists utilize monster-taming abilities to navigate and thrive in unknown worlds.

Rimuru mostly eschews violence and instead is looking to build a powerful kingdom for the monsters who have been alienated by humans. Rimuru also takes the time to leave his kingdom and learn about new places. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime doesn’t dwell on the fights, but instead, watchers are treated to a vast world with different entities.

5

By The Grace Of The Gods

A Relaxing Isekai

By the Grace of the Gods was a show that came out in 2020 and follows Ryouma Takebayashi, who led a rather difficult life, only to die in his sleep. Upon regaining consciousness, he finds himself in another world where he takes it easy and cares for slimes.

Best Isekai Anime With Child Protagonists

These isekai anime feature child protagonists at the forefront of their narratives, leading to heartwarming and compelling stories.

The idea of an isekai where a grown man is reincarnated into the body of a child is not uncommon, but it usually has some aspects that make people feel uncomfortable. This show has none of that and is incredibly wholesome. Also, there is little to no action with Ryouma in his new body, exploring the new world with the new friends he has made.

6

The 12 Kingdoms

The World Of The 12 Kingdoms Remains Impressive

The 12 Kingdoms is an older isekai anime title that is underrated and should be watched a lot more. Youko Nakajima is an ordinary student who just wants to fit in. She is visited by a strange man called Keiki, who says she is the queen of a world she has never been to.

One of The 12 Kingdoms’ most impressive feats is its vast world, which is well-developed and immersive. Youko, who is still trying to find her place in the world, explores it, growing as a character in the process from a timid girl to one who is capable of leading a nation.

7

Log Horizon

All About Exploration

Log Horizon is perhaps the isekai show that fits the most squarely into the exploration theme as it follows Shiroe, who suddenly finds himself in the world of a game he played a lot, Elder Tale. Surprised at his plight, he starts exploring the world with his friends from the game.

Log Horizon focuses heavily on world exploration as Shiroe and friends start to see that the game world they thought they knew is quite different now that the NPCs have a mind of their own. Considering it is a contemporary of Sword Art Online, Log Horizon was decidedly less high stakes when it came to character lives, and it was the better for it.