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Look, we all have those days where we wish we could just hit a reset button on life and wake up in a world where we’re suddenly the most dangerous person in the room. That’s the entire vibe of the isekai genre, and honestly? I’m obsessed. Watching a total loser go from zero to hero is the ultimate dopamine hit. Here are 10 shows where the underdog leveling up will have you screaming at your screen.
1. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Okay, so Rimuru starts as a literal blob. Like, a squishy, cute slime. Who would have thought he’d end up basically running the world? It’s sitting at an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and is the gold standard for ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’ Watching him collect allies and become a literal god is just so satisfying. No cap, the world-building here is top-tier. You’ll be hooked by episode three, trust me.
2. The Rising of the Shield Hero
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Real talk: Naofumi gets done dirty in the first episode. It’s painful to watch. But that’s exactly why his glow-up hits so hard. He’s the ‘weak’ hero with a shield, but he figures out how to make it broken. Seeing him prove everyone wrong is the ultimate revenge fantasy. It’s on Crunchyroll and you need to watch it for the sheer pettiness alone. It’s iconic behavior.
3. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
This one is pure chaos and I am living for it. Hajime gets left behind in a dungeon, loses an arm, and decides ‘nah, I’m done being nice.’ He turns into a gun-toting badass who doesn’t care about the rules. It’s edgy, it’s dramatic, and it’s arguably the most ‘underdog goes nuclear’ show on this list. If you want a hero who actually takes names, this is your pick.
4. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
Look, I know people have thoughts about Rudeus, but the character development here is insane. He starts as a total shut-in and has to learn how to be a person again in a fantasy world. Watching him master magic from scratch is so rewarding. It’s visually stunning—like, movie-quality animation—and the stakes feel real. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the payoff is 10/10.
5. So I’m a Spider, So What?
Imagine waking up as a spider in a dungeon filled with monsters. Yikes. Our protagonist Kumoko starts at the bottom of the food chain and literally has to eat her way to the top. It’s hilarious, the voice acting is top-notch, and the level-up system is super addictive. It’s basically a survival game turned into a power fantasy. You’ll be cheering for a spider, which is wild.
6. Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World
Is Subaru an underdog? Yes. Is he overpowered? Well, he has ‘Return by Death,’ which is a cheat code that’s also a total nightmare. He dies… a lot. Watching him suffer through loops to save everyone is heart-wrenching, but seeing him finally outsmart his enemies? Chef’s kiss. It’s definitely more psychological than your average power fantasy, but you can’t look away.
7. Solo Leveling
Okay, technically it’s a portal fantasy, but it’s the ultimate underdog story. Jin-woo is known as the ‘World’s Weakest Hunter’ until he gets a literal game interface that lets him grind levels. The fight scenes? Absolutely bananas. It’s currently one of the most popular shows on Netflix for a reason. Watching him go from getting hospitalised by goblins to soloing entire dungeons is pure peak fiction.
8. Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
Don’t let the long, weird title fool you—it’s actually a great underdog story. Bell Cranel is a total newbie who gets a super rare ability that lets him level up faster than anyone else. It’s all about hard work and not giving up when the big guys look down on you. Plus, the dungeon mechanics are super fun. It’s basically a D&D campaign come to life.
9. Wise Man’s Grandchild
This one is for when you just want to see someone be stupidly powerful from the start. Shin gets reincarnated and raised by legendary heroes, so he’s basically a walking magical nuke. It’s pure ‘main character energy’ and honestly, it’s super refreshing to watch a hero who just clears everything without too much struggle. Sometimes you don’t want angst, you just want fireworks.
10. Overlord
Ainz Ooal Gown is the final boss energy we all crave. He gets stuck in his game as the leader of a super-powerful guild. He’s already overpowered, but watching him navigate a new world while pretending to be a mastermind is just iconic. It’s dark, it’s funny, and Ainz is the ultimate ‘don’t mess with me’ hero. It’s the perfect show to end this list on because he really is the king of the isekai hill.
FAQs
What is the best isekai anime to start with?
If you’re new to the genre, ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime’ is the perfect entry point. It has a great balance of world-building, humor, and satisfying power progression that isn’t too dark or complicated.
Are these anime available on Netflix or Crunchyroll?
Most of these titles are on Crunchyroll, which is the gold mine for anime. However, ‘Solo Leveling’ is currently streaming on Netflix and is definitely worth the subscription if you want high-octane action and slick animation.
Why are underdog stories so popular in isekai?
Honestly, it’s relatable! Everyone feels like an underdog at some point. Seeing a character work hard, level up, and finally get the respect they deserve is the ultimate comfort food for our brains. It just feels good to watch.
There you have it! If you’re looking to lose a weekend to some serious power fantasies, this list has you covered. Which one are you watching first? Are you Team Slime or Team Shield Hero? Let us know in the comments and share this with your anime-obsessed bestie so you can binge together. Happy watching, everyone!
