Five Isekai anime masterpieces are better than That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.

While Tensura sets the standard for Isekai, five anime have revealed its hidden limitations.

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, or Tensura, set the gold standard for isekai anime but was not perfect. Its complex text keeps viewers focused on its strengths and leaves much to be desired by other modern-day isekai series that fill in gaps. Five series exploring various differences - Mushoku Tensei, Sonny Boy, Tsukimichi, Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill, and Konosuba Rimiru's Adventure reaches greater heights of experience.

Character actor Rudeus was more than a brilliant actor.

Mushoku Tensei and That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime are two of the best contemporary isekai anime, and their openings share a simple basic premise: A middle-aged man reincarnates into another world. One becomes a slime; the other becomes a newborn baby named Rudeus Greyrat. From there, the story splits in two. Tensura builds a utopia for peaceful coexistence among creatures and evolves from fantasy to political drama, but it has almost no character development.

Mushoku Tensei does the opposite: he transforms a very different character into a family drama. Rudeus is torn apart by viewers and writer alike; no other isekai anime has had the courage to write such an unflattering but realistic character, as Studio Bind's depiction of young Rodeus Greyrat practicing magic makes only this inconvenience visible.

Sonny Boy makes power a test of human nature

In Sonny Boy, a group of students are transported to another dimension and must find their way out without outside help using the new abilities they have been given. The storyline's attack comes from what happens when collaboration breaks down - unbeknownst to them, the students begin acting on human nature, embracing desires for control, dominance, and independence that rob them.

Madhouse's Sonny Boy also demolishes Tensura in its world-building creation, replacing the graceful nation building of Tensura with endless and awe-inspiring invention.

Tsukimichi transforms discrimination into the system itself

Tsukimichi and Tensura share a strong stance against racism, casteism and discrimination.

Makoto, who has personally experienced discrimination, takes it to heart to protect those who feel the same way and create a fantasy for them. The show's worldview and authoritarianism mirrors viewers' reality: the system is unable to maintain its advertised equality.

Images from C2C and J.C.Staff add to the sound: Misumi Makoto shows Tomoe and Mio by her side with a burning arrow, confronting Sofia and Lancer in a swordfight amidst dust and sparks, falling through the air in tears and standing miraculously in the cold rain.

Campfire cooking uses food to bring the world to life.

Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill and Tensura have nothing in common except for being the same super-powered slime.

In Campfire Cooking, the protagonist Mukouda is constantly on an adventure with members of his family. Food is a recurring theme in both series, and it's never explicitly addressed except when Tensura uses it as decoration for Shion's character development.

MAPPA's Campfire Cooking is designed to be comfortable and easy, offering the opposite for viewers who find Tensura's political modernity too difficult to follow.

Konosuba defeated by refusing to hide his weaknesses

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is an exceptional Isekai anime, but it's not quite so all-rounder like Konosuba. The main difference lies in how each series handles the flaws.

In Konosuba, the four protagonists - Kazuma, Megumi, Akawa and Shiro - are slaves to their desires and savages who can never learn from their mistakes. Each of them has no hiding place in their nature, which helps connect viewers on a deeper level. The comedy is deeply integrated into Konosubas plot while Isekai anime doesn't neglect other elements such as action and adventure.

The visuals created by the studio dean and director emphasize the series' soundtrack: Kazuma is miraculously laid out on a street when he dies, the crew walks into the jungle in Konosuba Season 3 Episode 1, and Kazuma Satou appears as KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!

"I'm not going to say that I don't think it is a good idea", he said.

In practical effect, Tensura is not evil; its strengths may distract from the weakness of Tensura. The comparison maps out genre options for readers who are deciding what to look at next: Mushoku Tensei opts for character pain and family drama; Sonny Boy chooses for political and psychological commentary; Tsukimichi chooses discriminatory criticism embedded in his energy system; Campfire Cooking chooses miniature world-building and a relaxed part of life to smooth things over; Konosuba prefers being humorous and self-aware about her own shortcomings.

Producer names behind these variations include Studio Bind, Madhouse, C2C, J.C.Staff, MAPPA, Studio Deen and Drive, while That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime features Brittney Karbowski and Alexis Tipton.