These days, isekai anime are predominantly power fantasies set in video games, or fantasy lands that still function like video games. And even if these anime follow one of the most predictable formulas around, most don't even execute their gamified concepts properly. More often than not, the gaming system only exists to make the protagonist overpowered. In other cases, non-isekai fantasy anime still use an RPG-styled system because the creators have no other experience with the genre.

Thankfully, not all gaming isekai are this creatively bankrupt or unoriginal. The isekai genre has a few noteworthy titles that used their gamified narrative devices, magic systems and world-building to do more than just give audiences cheap power trips. Instead, they used these tropes to understand the appeals and dangers of escaping into another world through video games.

Related Sword Art Online & 9 Other Great Video Game Isekai Anime Sword Art Online is a classic isekai,...