Summary
Undoubtedly, Iseaki is a paritcular anime and manga genre that’s reached the point of oversaturation. Yet like anything else, one has to trudge through the crowd of generic, cookie-cutter series — and, worst of all — sit through fan service that nobody asked for. That’s how they’ll be able to look for the true gems worth the time. Fandoms, especially of Isekai, can get rowdy and territorial. However, this time, the focus is on highlighting what makes these stories unique rather than critiquing or comparing them.
The caveat here is that the Isekai shows and manga underdiscussion are ones with zero fan service. Some might have a suggestive scene or two, but they aren’t over-the-top, full-on ecchi-centric ones. Also, these manga are not only clean but also have some very unique elements in addition to compelling stories and characters that just add to the overall enjoyment factor.
Kicking things off isDrifters,a criminally underrated Isekai series thatdeserves way more love than it gets. Basically,Driftersis what one would get if they took the Fate series, condensed its complexities, and removed the (mostly) high fantasy/magical element. Historical figures divided into camps of two, the titular Drifters and the Ends, fight for victory on an alternate earth. This is the plot in a nutshell. There is a fairly large cast of characters and the charm of Drifters is in its rag-tag misfit pairings and how the different personalities clash and bond.
The series is pure eye candy, with utterly gorgeous animation in the vein ofHellsing Ultimate. The band of heroes assists elves and dwarves living in this new world the protagonist is isekai-ed into. They are the original people of this version of Earth and are now working with the main character to reclaim their true place on it.
6The Faraway Paladin
A Power Fantasy With Zero Fan Service And Refreshing Character Growth
Alright, before fingers are pointed, yes, there is somewhat of a hint of fan service inTheFaraway Paladin, but it’s only minimal at best and is only present in the first few arcs. After that, it is no more. With that out of the way,The Faraway Paladinoffers a truly fascinating journey for its reborn hero, Will. Will is raised by a family of three undead guardians with awesome character designs — a skeleton who’s a noble warrior, a wise specter sorcerer, and a priestess Egyptian mummy.
What setsThe Faraway Paladinapart from other Isekai is that this sort of setup is considerably ripe for clichés and tropes. But surprisingly, this particular series subverts those expectations brilliantly. Sure, Will is strong and capable of handling himself, but he’s still naive and doesn’t know the way of the world. How he applies his upbringing and lessons to tackle the problems he encounters makes this series highly relatable, which, in turn, also makes it such a great watch.
An isekai series with minimal fan service that still deserves recognition isGrimgar of Fantasy and Ash— a true diamond among gems. Full disclosure, though: while it does include some fan service, it’s nothing excessive. That said, this manga isn’t for those who prefer straightforward power fantasy plotlines (likeSword Art Online). That’s becauseGrimgar Of Fantasy And Ashtakes the opposite approach. It’s about a bunch of people getting whisked away to this strange fantasy land, but none of the characters have any inkling of the ideals that await them.
It’s a classic fish-out-of-water scenario cranked up to 11 as the heroes figure things out. Even killing simple foes like goblins proves to be an uphill task for them, and there is even a dark undertone and tragedy brewing as the plot progresses. The art is absolutely gorgeous, the fights are slick, and the characters are endearing.Grimgar Of Fantasy And Ashshows fans a peek behind the curtain at how terrifying it can be in an Isekai setting.
Parallel World Pharmacyis another must-watch, feel-good/slice-of-life-esque Isekai series with barely any fan service. This one balances a considerable amount of action with a heavy helping of character-building moments. Itshowcases how an OP protagonist’s selflessness doesn’t come off as them being weak or cheesy. The main character is Farma, a 10-year-old noble who retains memories of his past life. Apparently, in said life, Farma was a pioneering medical researcher who keeled over after overworking himself.
What follows is his constant attempts to use divine arts, essentially magic, to bring medical care to his people regardless of their financial or social status in medieval times.Parallel World Pharmacystands out because, despite the main character being powerful enough to conquer an entire kingdom on his own, he instead chooses to act with subtlety and tact. He embodies traits like humility, a willingness to learn, kindness, and determination.There is a great deal of problem-solving through communication instead of fisticuffs, which is really interesting and fresh to watch.
Alright, so this next Isekai manga with no fan service is definitely a fan favorite.Campfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skillsfollows the same formula as a couple of other entries on this list. However, what sets this one apart is its outlandish premise. The main character, Mukouda, after being isekai-ed to a medieval fantasy world, is forced to bring modern-day Japanese cooking to it as a way to survive. His dynamic with the sentient legendary mythical beasts and goddesses is riveting stuff.
It’s never Mukouda’s aim to be in direct conflict, yet he somehow manages to find himself in danger in the most absurd ways. That’s how he’s able to keep up his quest to track and feed the familiars he gathers — whichdirectly ensures his survival as a non-magic person in a fantasy world. While the cooking element ofCampfire Cooking In Another World With My Absurd Skillsis still front and center, more or less, fans do learn about the world-building and power scaling throughout the series.
If there ever was an Isekai series with zero fan service thatdeserves its flowers, it’sAscendance Of A Bookworm.The story isn’t rushed, and the audience is slowly given bits and pieces of information regarding the heroine, Myne, and what she’s capable of. She is a delightful protagonist with an iron will and smarts that she uses in tandem to overcome the obstacles in her path. The true message underlying this Isekai series is something everyone can relate to: staying firm in the face of adversity and working towards a dream.
Ascendance Of A Bookwormmagnificently explains ‘true purpose’ and showcases the slow-burn style of world-building for Myne. The best part is, that it’s not just about her but also other side characters which definitely forgoes the trope of OP Mary/Gary Sue protagonists that can do no wrong. Her goal is to create books in a land where they are a luxury and the common folks cannot fathom ever touching one, let alone reading one.
Finally, the top pick, the one that stands above the pack of Isekai manga with little to no fan service, is the incomparableLog Horizon.Yes, it is one with political intrigue. Is it for everyone? No, but for fans who love strong build-ups with satisfying payoffs,Log Horizonis a masterclass. The protagonist is Shiro, nicknamed ‘the villain with glasses’, and he definitely lives up to it.
The cliché of being stuck in an MMORPG setting is nothing groundbreaking, butLog Horizonreinvents the wheel by exploring the psychological aspect of such a situation. As the NPCs become sentient and become wary of the adventurers, tensions start to rise. The whole economy is overthrown, and political factions vie for control and influence.Log Horizonshines a light on these aspects but doesn’t shy away from the grand action spectacles. As in every situation, Shiro shows off his brilliant mind and his superb strategic comebacks — it’s like he can’t help himself.
