Top 30 Anime Like Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online is a series that changed the game for Isekai anime. And that’s one of the many reasons why people love this anime so much. And I assume that you have just completed Sword Art Online and enjoyed it from the depths of your heart.
Now you want something, even more, fun and fascinating. However, you don’t want it to be very different from what you just experienced. Therefore, to give you the chills that you need, here’s a list of the best Anime just like Sword Art Online.
If you had a great time admiring Kirito and his adventures then you will love these shows as well.
Recommended:
1. Inuyasha
Kagome Higurashi is transported to feudal Japan on her 15th birthday and carries a powerful jewel, the Shikon Jewel, that attracts demons. She teams up with Inuyasha, a half-demon who initially resents her for resembling a woman he dislikes.
During a fight for the jewel, it shatters into many pieces and Kagome and Inuyasha embark on a dangerous quest to retrieve the scattered pieces before they fall into the wrong hands.
And that’s why this anime is so similar to Sword Art Online and happens to create a great correlation between the two for the audience to enjoy.
Recommended:
2. Akudama Drive
Kansai is a bustling metropolis where cybernetic screens are widespread, but there exists an unforgiving criminal underbelly of fugitives known as “Akudama.” The police are counting down to the public execution of a notorious Akudama called “Cutthroat” for killing 999 people.
But a mysterious message is sent to elite Akudama offering a large sum of money to free Cutthroat. The message aims to gather these dangerous individuals in one place to turn the execution into a bloodbath.
This narrative is not only entertaining but also captivating, making it ideal for fans of Sword Art Online.
Recommended:
3. Btooom!
The story talks about Ryouta Sakamoto, Japan’s top player in the online game Btooom! However, he finds himself stranded on an island with a green crystal embedded in his hand. Moreover, he has absolutely no idea how he got there.
But soon enough, he gets to know that his beloved game has been recreated in real life. As fun, as it may sound, the reality turns out to be different as he is supposed to kill other people. He must take down 7 other players and get their crystals to get a chance to return home.
Ryouta must fight for his life, armed with unique bombs called “BIM,” and form alliances with other players to increase their chances of survival. As all these players work together to find a way off the island, they discover the dark truth behind this entire game and its operation.
Recommended:
4. The Future Diary
Yukiteru Amano is a lonely student whose entire day consists of being stuck to his phone. But things change one day when he discovers that the events he has recorded on his phone are occurring in the future.
Moreover, he finds out that there’s one more person who has a similar diary as him, his classmate Yuno Gasai. As time passes by, they start to realize that they are part of a survival game with 10 other participants. They are supposed to play this game with the intent of winning to secure the position as the next deity’s successor.
The only way to survive the game is to use their cellphones, now called “Future Diaries.” They both shake hands and work together to defeat a strange pursuer. But they soon realise that they are also against each other as well as the other contestants.
5. Deca-Dence
In the far future, humans must live within a mobile fortress called Deca-Dence to avoid being killed by Gadolls. The warriors who fight against the Gadolls live on the upper floors, while most Tankers support them from behind the scenes.
Natsume, a Tanker, aspires to join the small number of Tankers who become soldiers and fight on the front lines. However, she is denied entry into the army, and instead, she works as a cleaner on an armour repair team headed by Kaburagi.
Kaburagi initially seems indifferent to Natsume’s aspirations, but he later recognizes her potential to change the world’s status quo.
6. The World Ends With You: The Animation
In Shibuya, Neku Sakuraba gains the ability to see people’s thoughts and the dangerous “Noise” creatures capable of erasing individuals from existence with two black pins. He’s stuck in the city and must complete a mission to avoid being erased.
Shiki Misaki joins him in a partnership to fight as “Players” in the “Reaper’s Game,” which lasts seven days and consists of various missions. As they fight against the Noise and encounter other players and reapers, they uncover the mystery of the game’s purpose.
This anime is something that you need to watch asap.
7. Danganronpa: The Animation & Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School – Future Arc
Makoto Naegi and his companions join the Future Foundation after escaping Hope’s Peak Academy. However, Naegi is accused of betrayal for defending a group of Remnants of Despair and is arrested and tried.
To make matters worse, Monokuma hacks into the Future Foundation’s security and initiates a new killing game. With each participant dropping like flies, Naegi must once again use his skills to uncover the mystery and identify the killer.
But this time, there are no class trials to fall back on, and the stakes are higher than ever before as only one person can survive this deadly game.
8. Overlord
In the final moments of Yggdrasil, a well-liked virtual reality game, Momonga, a powerful wizard and leader of a dark guild named Ainz Ooal Gown, decides to stay logged in until the servers shut down.
However, he finds himself still in the game even after the clock strikes midnight, and to his surprise, the non-player characters have developed their own consciousness. Momonga commands his loyal followers to assist him in understanding this new world and discovering the reason for this abnormality.
And so, Overlord fans are looking forward to the next seasons to enjoy this narrative.
9. hack//Sign
In the virtual game world of “The World,” Tsukasa wakes up with no memory and is suspected of hacking by the Crimson Knights due to his connection with a peculiar cat character.
With no way to leave the game, Tsukasa seeks answers while being pursued by the knights. Along the way, he finds a powerful guardian and teams up with other players to unravel the mystery behind his situation before it’s too late.
This is where things start to get interesting for the audience and so, this series manages to make a name for itself using the said narrative.
10. Log Horizon
After a game update, Elder Tale, a popular MMORPG, becomes reality for thirty thousand Japanese gamers, who find themselves unable to log out. Shiroe, a veteran player and socially awkward college student, takes charge and sets out to explore this new world.
Alongside his friend Naotsugu and the fierce assassin Akatsuki, Shiroe must lead and negotiate with the non-player characters to stabilize the virtual city of Akihabara. The anime Log Horizon follows Shiroe’s journey as he uses his gaming knowledge and strategic skills to make the best of the situation, while also exploring elements of fantasy, adventure, and politics as the characters navigate the game’s rules and search for a way back to the real world.
11. Accel World
In “Accel World,” Haruyuki Arita is a middle schooler who seeks refuge from bullying by playing online games. Kuroyukihime, the vice president of the student council, introduces him to Brain Burst, a program that allows users to accelerate their brain waves and serves as an augmented reality fighting game.
Kuroyukihime needs Haruyuki’s help to meet the creator of Brain Burst, but to do so, she must defeat the powerful “Six Kings of Pure Color” and reach the highest level.
The series follows the duo’s journey to the top and explores the themes of bullying, friendship, and virtual reality gaming.
12. Knight’s & Magic
The anime Knight’s & Magic features Tsubasa Kurata, who dies in a car accident and is reborn in a medieval world where mechs called Silhouette Knights are used to fight demons.
Renamed Ernesti Echevarria, he enrols in the Royal Laihaila Academy to train on how to pilot Silhouette Knights, along with his friends Adeltrud and Archid Olter. Ernesti, being a skilled magician, hopes to achieve the feat of creating his own Silhouette Knight, which has not been done in centuries.
A story like this fits the narrative pattern set by Sword Art Online very well.
13. Sword Art Online Alternative – Gun Gale Online
Karen Kohiruimaki is a shy university student in Tokyo who creates a fearsome player-killer avatar named LLENN in the virtual reality game Gun Gale Online to escape her insecurities about her height.
She gains a reputation as the “Pink Devil” and meets Pitohui, who convinces her to compete in Squad Jam, a team battle royale. LLENN must use her skills to outwit her opponents and emerge victorious.
This show is set in an alternative setting to that of the original sword art online. Therefore, if you liked the original series, you will enjoy this one as well.
14. Summer Wars
Kenji Koiso, a math genius and part-time OZ moderator, is invited by his crush, Natsuki Shinohara, to act as her fiancé during a summer trip. He solves a coded message he receives on his cell phone but does not realize that it will put Earth in great danger.
OZ, a virtual world with strong encryption, has become highly dependent on society as a platform for various activities, and the system is even entrusted with bringing back an unmanned asteroid explorer.
If you haven’t watched this anime then make sure that you do so as soon as possible.
15. Grimgar Of Fantasy and Ash
Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash is an anime that follows a group of strangers who awaken in a fantasy world without any recollection of their past lives. They are obliged to join the Reserve Army as soldiers and are tasked with defending the world against monsters and hostile creatures.
As the more powerful candidates join forces to form their own party, the remaining members, led by the charismatic priest Manato, come together to survive in this unforgiving world. The group comprises Haruhiro, a thief, Yume, a hunter, Shihoru, a mage, Moguzo, a warrior, and Ranta, a dark knight.
Death is permanent in this game-like world, so they must rely on each other to stay alive.
16. Unbreakable Machine-Doll
The Walpurgis Royal Academy of Machinart was founded to train puppeteers to control automatons, which are mechanical dolls with intelligence and life created through Machinart. Raishin Akabane and his automaton Yaya must defeat a top student to gain entry into the Evening Party, where puppeteers fight using automatons.
The winner becomes the Wiseman and gains access to forbidden arts. Raishin challenges Charlotte Belew and her automaton Sigmund to a duel, but Sigmund is attacked by other students. Raishin saves his opponents, cancels the duel, and searches for another way to enter the Party.
17. Is It Wrong To Try To Pick Up Girls In A Dungeon?
In the bustling city of Orario, Bell Cranel dreams of becoming the greatest adventurer. With the aid of Hestia, a lonely goddess, he ventures into the dangerous catacombs of the “Dungeon.” Despite the dangers, Bell remains optimistic as he navigates the labyrinth and uncovers a mysterious power.
In a world where gods and humans coexist with difficulty, Bell experiences a variety of challenges and triumphs on his journey. Being another Isekai, this anime matches the premise of Sword Art Online on various levels and that’s what makes it so special.
18. The Irregular At Magic High School
Magic is now a systematized technology taught as a technical skill in Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei. First High School divides its students into two groups based on their exam scores: the high-scoring “Blooms” and the lower-scoring “Weeds.” The story follows Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba, siblings enrolled in First High School.
Miyuki excels in the First Course, but Tatsuya is placed in the Second Course despite his exceptional skills in technical knowledge, physical combat, and unique magic techniques. As a “Weed,” Tatsuya becomes an irregular at the magical high school.
19. The King’s Avatar
After being forced to retire from his professional gaming career, Ye Xiu finds a job at an internet café. However, when the online game “Glory” launches its tenth server, he creates a new character called “Lord Grim” and quickly garners attention for his remarkable abilities.
Despite the difficulties of starting from scratch without a team or sponsors, Ye Xiu and his new allies set out to climb to the top of the game once again.
The gaming aspect of this anime is what makes it so fascinating for the audience in the first place. And this is why you need to watch it.
20. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
In spite of a lifetime filled with bullying, disdain, and oppression, a reclusive man in his thirties summons the courage to perform a heroic act, only to meet a tragic fate.
However, destiny grants him a second opportunity as he awakens in an alternate world, reborn as Rudeus Greyrat, an infant with loving parents. Carrying the memories and knowledge from his previous life, Rudeus quickly adjusts to his new environment.
With the wisdom of an adult, he displays extraordinary magical abilities that surpass everyone’s expectations, refining his skills under the tutelage of Roxy Migurdia, a skilled mage.
Rudeus learns the art of swordsmanship from his father, Paul, and forges a deep bond with Sylphiette, a girl of his age.
Determined to overcome the traumas of his past, Rudeus embraces his fresh beginning, yearning to discover love, an absent element from his former world.
21. Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer is one of the best anime you can watch right now. It talks about a mountain boy named Tanjiro Kamado who lost his entire family to demons. However, his elder sister is still alive but is acting like a demon herself.
Therefore, to find a cure for her, Tanjiro decides to join the Demon Slayer corporation. But in order to become a Demon Slayer himself, Tanjiro would need to go through rigorous training that can’t be compared to anything else.
This man is dedicated and focused to save his sister. And that enthusiasm and relatability are what makes him similar to Kirito in Sword Art Online.
22. Samurai Champloo
In the beginning, Fuu accidentally spills a drink on a customer, leading to a group of samurai harassing her. Mugen, who is in the shop at the time, defeats them with his wild fighting technique.
However, Mugen then picks a fight with Jin, who wields a more precise and traditional style of sword fighting, and the two accidentally destroy the entire shop as well as accidentally killing the local magistrate’s son.
The two are then captured and set to be executed until Fuu rescues them. This story may seem simple at first but the application is amazing.
23. The Rising Of The Shield Hero
In the kingdom of Melromarc, the Four Cardinal Heroes are summoned from Japan to save the kingdom from the Waves of Catastrophe. Naofumi Iwatani, one of the heroes, is given the role of the Shield Hero and is mocked and falsely accused, causing him to be ostracized by the kingdom’s people.
Naofumi sets out to clear his name and protect the kingdom, buying a slave named Raphtalia to accompany him on his journey. As the Waves approach, Naofumi and Raphtalia must fight for the survival of Melromarc.
This anime is just brilliant. Try it and you will love it.
24. Bleach
The anime Bleach is centred around Ichigo Kurosaki, a typical high school student who gains Soul Reaper powers after a Hollow attacks his family. Ichigo’s mission is to defeat Hollows and safeguard the living world from malevolent spirits, and he receives assistance from his friends who possess unique abilities.
As Ichigo and his comrades engage in battles and encounter new foes, they uncover the true nature of the Soul Society, which governs the world of the deceased. The story progresses as Ichigo faces increasingly formidable adversaries and learns more about his Soul Reaper abilities.
Bleach is a captivating anime that features action-packed battles, supernatural powers, and a diverse array of characters.
25. No Game, No Life
In “No Game No Life,” Sora and Shiro, two skilled gamers from Earth, are transported to Disboard, a world where everything is decided through games. There they meet Stephanie Dola, who needs their help to regain her father’s throne in Elkia, the only kingdom left for the humans.
The siblings decide to aid Stephanie and, in their quest to become rulers of Disboard, engage in various games and challenges. Through their adventures, they explore themes of strategy, trust, and loyalty.
This is why No Game No Life is so close to the narrative of Sword Art Online.
26. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
After dying in a random attack, Satoru Mikami is reincarnated as a slime monster with the power to absorb other creatures’ abilities. In this new fantasy world, he befriends a powerful dragon named Veldora and sets out on a journey to destroy Veldora’s seal.
Rimuru Tempest, as he’s now known, discovers his abilities and goes on an adventure to learn about his new world. This anime is extremely entertaining in and of itself. And that’s why you need to watch it, regardless of whether you are a huge fan of Isekai or not.
It is just so well done that fans can’t help but love it.
27. I Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in the Real World, Too
The focal point of the narrative is Tenjou Yuuya, the main protagonist who stumbles upon a hidden portal within his grandfather’s secret chamber, leading to an alternate world.
Through this portal, Yuuya gains the remarkable ability to travel between Earth and Argena while possessing extraordinary powers in both realms.
Unfortunately, his past experiences of discrimination, with the exception of his grandfather’s support, have left him burdened with deep-seated feelings of inadequacy that often consume him.
As a result, he struggles to assert himself and faces oppression even when he tries to establish his independence.
Nevertheless, his innate kindness remains steadfast, and he remains true to his grandfather’s teachings and values, as his grandfather was the sole person who showed him genuine compassion and shaped his virtuous character.
28. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord
Takuma Sakamoto, a shut-in gamer, is known as the unbeatable Demon King Diablo in the MMORPG Cross Reverie, thanks to his rare artefacts and high-level character. One day, he is summoned to a new world that resembles his favourite game, and he finds himself with Diablo’s appearance.
The two girls who summoned him, Rem Galeu and Shera L. Greenwood, try to enslave him, but the spell backfires and they become his slaves instead. Takuma decides to help the girls break the contract while getting used to his new life as the powerful Demon King.
29. KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!
After a laughable and pathetic death on his way back from buying a game, Kazuma Satou, a high school student and recluse, meets a beautiful but obnoxious goddess named Aqua.
She presents him with two options: continue to heaven or reincarnate in a real fantasy world. Opting for the latter, Kazuma is assigned the task of defeating a Demon King terrorizing villages but mistakenly selects Aqua as his aid.
The problem is that Aqua is completely useless, and living in a fantasy world proves to be far more difficult than he anticipated. On top of that, they must work to pay for their living expenses, and their troubles are only beginning.
30. Re:ZERO – Starting Life in Another World
After leaving a convenience store, Subaru Natsuki is transported to a fantasy world. He is attacked and saved by Satella, who he offers to help find her lost insignia. However, they are both murdered by an unknown force.
Subaru wakes up to find himself back where he started, repeating the same events, leaving him searching for answers. ReZero is one of the most popular Isekai anime. And a good chunk of its success goes to how different it is from any other form of Isekai.
Therefore, if you want some new flavour in your anime experience then this is the show you should go for.
