What Was the First Isekai Anime?
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Have you ever imagined what it’d be like to wake up in another world, wielding magical powers, surrounded by knights and dragons—or maybe catgirls and mechs? If that sounds familiar, you’re probably already a fan of isekai anime. But have you ever wondered where this trend began? What was the first isekai anime that opened the portal to all these fantasy realms we now know and love?
Let’s hop into our own little portal and journey through time to uncover the origins of isekai anime.
What Is Isekai, Really?
Before we dive into the history books, let’s quickly get on the same page—what even is “isekai”?
The term “isekai” (異世界) literally means “different world” in Japanese. It’s a genre of anime, manga, and light novels where the protagonist is transported, reincarnated, or trapped in another world—often one filled with fantasy elements. Think of titles like Sword Art Online, Re:Zero, or No Game No Life.
The core idea is escapism: the thrill of leaving the boring, stressful real world for a place where you can start over, become a hero, or live your wildest dreams. But this concept didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It’s been slowly evolving over decades.
The Early Roots of Isekai in Anime
Believe it or not, isekai didn’t start with the flashy animation and VR headsets of today’s shows. Its roots go way back—before many of us were even born. Some of the earliest forms of isekai weren’t even called “isekai” yet, but they had the same basic formula: normal person ends up in a strange new world.
We can trace influences all the way back to classic literature like Alice in Wonderland or The Wizard of Oz. And Japan had its own versions too. But when it comes to anime specifically, the earliest inklings of isekai were already forming in the 1970s and 80s.
The First Recognized Isekai Anime
Now for the million-dollar question: what was the first isekai anime?
While the genre has plenty of early candidates, most anime historians point to “Aura Battler Dunbine” (released in 1983) as the first true isekai anime.
Created by the legendary Yoshiyuki Tomino (yup, the same guy who gave us Mobile Suit Gundam), Aura Battler Dunbine follows a man named Shō Zama who gets pulled into the fantasy world of Byston Well. There, he becomes a mecha pilot in a war-torn magical land. Sounds pretty isekai, right?
What makes it a true starting point for the genre is its core setup: real-world guy → magical fantasy world → gains new powers → becomes a hero. This structure would later become a blueprint for hundreds of other isekai stories.
Other Contenders and Influences
Of course, Aura Battler Dunbine isn’t the only early anime that fits the bill. Some fans argue that there are other, even earlier contenders.
- “Superbook” (1981) and “The Flying House” (1982) featured kids traveling through time and space into biblical stories—arguably a kind of isekai.
- “Unico” (1981), while not your typical isekai, includes magical journeys between different realms.
- Even “Future Boy Conan” (1978) had a post-apocalyptic setting that felt like another world.
So, while Dunbine holds the crown as the “first,” it’s more like the first modern isekai in the form we recognize today.
Why It Matters: Isekai’s Impact on Anime Culture
Understanding the roots of isekai is more than just trivia—it gives us insight into how anime has evolved and why this genre resonates so much with people. Isekai isn’t just about magic or sword fights. At its heart, it’s about transformation, reinvention, and the fantasy of escaping our ordinary lives.
That’s why shows like Re:Zero, Mushoku Tensei, or even Digimon have such loyal fanbases. They speak to that deep human desire for something more—for a second chance or a life of adventure.
And it all started with a few brave anime in the early ’80s that dared to imagine another world.
Conclusion: The Beginning of a Genre Loved Worldwide
So, what was the first isekai anime? While there may be older examples of dimension-hopping stories, “Aura Battler Dunbine” stands as the first true isekai anime that laid the groundwork for everything that followed.
It’s wild to think that one show from 1983 helped shape an entire genre that’s now one of the most popular in anime. So next time you’re binge-watching That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, remember—you owe a little thank you to Dunbine for opening that first portal to another world.
And who knows? Maybe the next great isekai adventure is just around the corner.
