Have you seen any anime where the main character goes to a different world, like a fantasy land or a virtual reality? There are a lot of them, especially in the last ten years. Some trendy ones are Sword Art Online, Re: Zero, and Tensura.
If you look at the new anime that has come out recently, many people seem tired of the real world. Maybe that’s why they enjoy watching shows about going to another world. The popularity of these kinds of anime keeps growing. In 2016, there were so many stories about going to another world that a big contest in Japan stopped allowing them.
Even though it’s hard to say precisely where this genre started, there have been many exciting fantasy stories in the past decade. Every new season brings more new shows about going to another world.
The idea of a main character entering a different world isn’t new. Movies like The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland are like this too. Even though people didn’t start using the word “isekai” for this type of anime until the 2000s, there were shows like this before then.
In the 1990s, there were some perfect stories about going to another world, too. But a lot of people don’t talk about them as much anymore. Maybe it’s time to go back and check out some of those older shows about going to different worlds.
90s Isekai Animes
1. Magic Knight Rayearth
- Episodes: 12
- Released: Fall 1994
- Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
Imagine a cute magical girl with RPG elements getting whisked away to a magical land to rescue a kidnapped Princess and save the world using a giant robot. It’s hard to pick just one favorite part of that sentence!
But here’s the twist: this fantasy series from CLAMP may look adorable on the surface, but it’s darker than you’d expect. The hero girl embraces her new abilities and carries them as a heavy burden throughout her unexpected adventure.
Magic Knight Rayearth is a classic anime that never aired on RCTI but left a lasting impression. I still remember the opening song in the Indonesian dub: “A gust of wind follows my steps; it hurts to hear the prayer of the Emerald Princess.”
The story follows three ordinary female students—Hikaru Shido, Umi Ryuzaki, and Fuu Hooji—who meet during a field trip to Tokyo Tower. Suddenly, they’re engulfed in a bright light and encounter Princess Emeraude, who pleads for help.
Next thing they know, they’re transported to the world of Cephiro on the back of a giant flying fish. Master Mage Clef informs them that they must become Magic Knights to save Emeraude.
2. Himiko-Den (Legend of Himiko)
- Episodes: 12
- Released: Winter 1999
- Studio: Group TAC
In a time of crisis, the Kune kingdom attacks the Yamatai nation. The Yamatai people boldly move to protect their homeland: they send six young future queens scattered across the country.
The individuals choosing these queens conceal their identities within a magical pendant. This pendant is placed around the neck of a newborn girl named Himiko, who is sent into the future for her safety.
Years later, Himiko’s pendant suddenly activates while exploring an archaeological site. This unexpected event transports her and her friend Kutani back to ancient Japan. As they unravel the mystery of the locket, they realize their mission: to find and reunite the six queen candidates in order to save their kingdom from peril.
3. Fushigi Yugi
- Episodes: 52
- Released: Spring 1995
- Studio: Pierrot
Two inseparable friends, Miaka Yuuki, and Yui Hongo, stumble upon a mysterious ancient Chinese book while browsing the shelves of the Tokyo library.
Upon opening the book, they are unexpectedly transported to a strange and unfamiliar world. Their journey takes a frightening turn when they encounter bandits, only to be rescued by a mysterious figure named Tamahome. However, Yui abruptly returned to reality, leaving Miaka stranded in this unfamiliar land.
Determined to find her way back home, Miaka enlists Tamahome’s help. Along their journey, they encounter various challenges and eventually meet the emperor of the land, Hotohori.
Hotohori reveals to Miaka that she is the prophesied priestess of the Suzaku kingdom, destined to find the god’s seven Heavenly Warriors. As they embark on their quest, a blossoming romance develops between Miaka and Tamahome amidst their adventures.
4. Vision of Escaflowne
- Episodes: 26
- Released: Spring 1996
- Studios: Sunrise
Hitomi Kanzaki, an ordinary high school girl with a talent for tarot readings, finds her world turned upside down when a mysterious boy named Van Fanel appears on her track field, battling a dragon. Van and the dragon are teleported back to Gaea, a fantastical world where Earth exists as a moon in the sky. Hitomi is swept along with them.
On Gaea, Van is the prince of the fallen kingdom of Fanelia, and his mystical, dragon-transforming mecha, Escaflowne, is a key to defeating the powerful Zaibach Empire. Hitomi’s latent psychic abilities awaken in Gaea, giving her visions that aid Van in his quest.
As Hitomi and Van clash with Zaibach forces and unravel the secrets of Escaflowne’s power, they must confront complex politics, internal struggles, and a growing bond between them. Gaea’s fate, and potentially the future of Earth itself, hangs in the balance.
5. El Hazard
- Episodes: 26
- Released: Fall 1995
- Studio: AIC
Three high school students and their History teacher experience a strange phenomenon, finding themselves suddenly transported to the world of El-Hazard. In this new realm, they become embroiled in a conflict between the human inhabitants and an insectoid tribe.
To their surprise, each of the four Earthlings gains a unique special ability upon arrival, aiding them in navigating the unfamiliar landscape of El-Hazard.
With their newfound powers, the quartet becomes pivotal in the ongoing struggles and battles that grip the world as they navigate the challenges and dangers awaiting them in this fantastical realm.
6. Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku (Now and Then, Here and There)
- Episodes: 13
- Released: Fall 1999
- Studio: AIC
Shu, a typical Japanese schoolboy with an unyielding optimism, finds his life shattered after witnessing a strange girl, Lala-Ru, being attacked. Trying to protect her, he’s transported to a lonely, war-torn world where water is a precious and dwindling resource.
Captured by an oppressive military force led by the maniacal Hamdo, Shu is forced to become a child soldier. He witnesses firsthand the brutality of war—genocide, torture, and despair. He struggles to maintain his spirit amidst the bleakness, clinging to hope for escape and a chance to save Lala-Ru.
But things become increasingly desperate. Friendships forged in the fire are tested by harsh realities. Shu’s resolve wavers as he questions the value of goodness in the face of relentless cruelty. Yet, he must fight for survival and protect the fragments of humanity left in a world on the brink of collapse.
7. Elf wo Karu Mono-tachi (Those Who Hunt Elves)
- Episodes: 12
- Released: Fall 1996
- Studio: Group TAC
Three unusual Japanese travelers—martial artist Junpei, gun enthusiast high schooler Ritsuko, and Hollywood actress Airi—are unexpectedly transported to a magical fantasy realm. However, the spell that brought them there goes awry, scattering fragments of it across the bodies of five beautiful elves in the form of tattoos. To find their way back home, they must embark on a rather unconventional quest: to remove the clothing from the elves as only they know how.
Guided by the powerful sorceress Celcia and accompanied by their peculiar tank, the Elf Hunters set out on their adventure, traversing the land and encountering a colorful array of characters and situations. Their attempts to disrobe the reluctant elves often result in chaotic battles and comical mishaps, pushing the boundaries of their sanity and decorum.
8. Digimon Adventure
- Episodes: 54
- Released: Spring 1999
- Studios: Toei Animation
While Digimon may have faced criticism for being seen as a Pokemon rip-off, Digimon Adventure remains a beloved isekai anime from the 1990s that may evoke nostalgia for some.
Despite initial unfavorable comparisons, Digimon Adventure has proven to withstand the test of time admirably.
In this classic series, seven children are transported from their summer camp to the Digital World, where they encounter creatures known as “Digimon.” Together, the children embark on a journey of self-discovery as they navigate this unfamiliar realm and strive to find their way back home.
9. NG Knight Ramune & 40
- Episodes: 38
- Released: Spring 1990
- Studio: Ashi Productions
Lamune, a fourth-grader passionate about video games, stumbles upon a mysterious girl selling a game called “King Scasher” on his way home from school. Intrigued, he purchases the game and becomes engrossed in its challenges.
Upon completing the game, Lamune is surprised to encounter the same mysterious girl, who reveals herself as Princess Susu. She seeks Lamune’s help and discloses his true identity as a descendant of the hero Lamuness.
Suddenly thrust into the fantastical world of Hara-Hara, Lamune learns that he must embark on a quest to save the realm from the villainous Don Harumage. To accomplish this daunting task, he must revive the Guardian Knight and confront the forces of evil threatening Hara-Hara.
10. Monster Ranchers
- Episodes: 48
- Released: Spring 1999
- Studio: TMS Entertainment
“Monster Rancher” is another isekai anime from the 1990s that incorporates video game elements and is often likened to the popular franchise Pokémon.
The story centers around a boy named Genki Sakura, a dedicated player of the video game Monster Rancher. After winning a tournament hosted by the game’s creator, Genki receives a special CD that allows him to unlock unique in-game monsters.
However, when Genki inserts the disc into his game console, he finds himself unexpectedly transported into a world of monsters. There, he encounters a girl named Holly and her monster companion Suezo, who are on a quest to locate a stone disk containing the legendary Phoenix. This creature can save their land from the tyranny of the evil ruler Moo.
Despite their initial intentions, the group accidentally summons a different monster named Mocchi using Genki’s disc. Determined to liberate the land from Moo’s grasp, Genki, Holly, Mocchi, and Suezo embark on a journey to locate the Phoenix.
Their quest leads them to meet other monsters—Golem, Tiger, and Hare—each of whom has their reasons for joining the group’s mission to find the Phoenix.
“Monster Rancher” is an anime that, despite its popularity, did not air on SCTV.
