The Best Anime from 2016 to 2020: How the Isekai Plague Spread Like Wildfire Through Japanese Animation
The Rise of the Isekai Phenomenon
Just a decade ago, fans of Japanese animation could never have imagined the dramatic transformation that was about to sweep through their beloved medium. What started as a promising narrative device quickly evolved into what many critics and longtime enthusiasts have come to call an epidemic — the seemingly unstoppable rise of isekai anime that would fundamentally reshape the industry’s creative landscape between 2016 and 2020.
The term “isekai,” which literally translates to “another world” in Japanese, refers to narratives in which main characters are transported, reborn, or somehow sent to parallel universes, fantasy domains, or worlds resembling video games. Although the concept wasn’t original — earlier masterpieces like “Spirited Away” and “The Vision of Escaflowne” had delved into comparable themes decades before — the mid-2010s saw an extraordinary surge in this genre that would eventually dominate seasonal anime lineups. The spark for this phenomenon can be attributed to the enormous success of “Sword Art Online” in 2012, which proved the commercial potential of merging gaming elements with fantasy world construction.
Between 2016 and 2020, the anime industry went through what many regard as both a renaissance and a time of creative stagnation. On one hand, production quality achieved unprecedented levels, streaming services like Crunchyroll and Netflix poured significant resources into anime programming, and the worldwide viewership for Japanese animation grew substantially. On the other hand, the immense quantity of isekai shows started to overshadow other genres, with every new season delivering dozens of series featuring main characters getting struck by trucks, tumbling into wells, or simply awakening in medieval fantasy environments with overpowered capabilities. Industry analysts calculated that by 2019, isekai-themed light novels and their anime versions represented approximately 40% of all new fantasy anime productions.
Standout Titles That Subverted the Formula
Despite the massive deluge of predictable isekai material, this period did yield genuinely groundbreaking and critically praised works within the genre. “Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World” (2016) defied expectations by portraying a truly fragile protagonist whose power to resurrect after death became a cause of psychological distress rather than strength. “Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!” delivered a humorous takedown of isekai conventions, while “The Rising of the Shield Hero” (2019) examined themes of treachery and social exclusion. These exceptional titles proved that even in an oversaturated market, inventive storytelling could still thrive when authors tackled familiar formulas with original viewpoints.
The Light Novel Pipeline
The proliferation of isekai anime during this period was largely driven by the economics of the light novel industry in Japan. Publishers discovered that isekai stories consistently performed well on web novel platforms like “Shōsetsuka ni Narō” (Let’s Become Novelists), where amateur writers could publish their work and gauge reader interest before pursuing official publication. The success of titles like “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” and “Overlord,” which both originated from web novels, created a template that countless aspiring authors attempted to replicate. Animation studios, eager to capitalize on pre-existing fanbases and proven commercial appeal, increasingly turned to these light novel adaptations rather than investing in original projects with uncertain returns.
Beyond Isekai: The Era’s Other Triumphs
Beyond isekai, the 2016-2020 period still managed to produce remarkable anime across various genres that reminded audiences of the medium’s creative potential. “My Hero Academia” reinvigorated the superhero genre with its earnest exploration of heroism and perseverance. “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” became a cultural phenomenon with its breathtaking animation and emotional storytelling. “Mob Psycho 100” delivered thoughtful commentary on self-improvement and human connection, while “Violet Evergarden” showcased the artistic heights anime could achieve through its stunning visual craftsmanship. These titles proved that quality and originality could still capture massive audiences, even amid the isekai deluge.
The Uncertain Future of Anime Diversity
As the decade drew to a close, industry observers began questioning whether the isekai trend showed any signs of abating. The answer, unfortunately for those hoping for diversification, appeared to be no. Production committees continued greenlighting isekai adaptations at an unprecedented rate, and the pipeline of source material from web novels showed no signs of slowing. However, there were glimmers of hope as some studios began experimenting with hybrid genres and more nuanced takes on familiar formulas. The legacy of the 2016-2020 anime era remains complex — a period of tremendous growth and global expansion for the medium, tempered by legitimate concerns about creative homogenization and the industry’s increasing reliance on safe, formulaic content over artistic risk-taking.