Jobless Reincarnation: I Will Seriously Try If I Go to Another World is one of the most defining isekai anime of recent years. Known for its deep character growth, layered worldbuilding, and grounded exploration of power systems, it subverts many fantasy tropes by focusing on an underdog protagonist rebuilding his life from scratch. Yet, while it has gained recognition, many equally compelling anime series often slip under the radar.
This article highlights 15 underrated anime that share themes with Jobless Reincarnation—from nuanced magic systems to protagonists growing through failures, relationships, and choices. If you enjoyed Rudeus’s journey, these series deserve a place on your watchlist.
1. Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- MAL Rating: ~7.4
- Plot: A group of strangers awakens in a mysterious world with no memory of their past and must learn to survive as adventurers.
- Similarities: Much like Jobless Reincarnation, it grounds fantasy in realism—combat is slow, brutal, and emotional, with characters struggling against weakness and mortality.
2. Now and Then, Here and There (1999)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: AIC
- MAL Rating: ~7.7
- Plot: A boy is transported to a war-torn desert world where survival demands harsh choices.
- Similarities: Both series examine the loss of innocence and the heavy cost of adventure, blending fantasy with raw human struggles.
3. The Twelve Kingdoms (2002)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 45
- Studio: Pierrot
- MAL Rating: ~8.0
- Plot: A timid high schooler is dragged into another world where she must navigate political intrigue and grow into a ruler.
- Similarities: Like Rudeus, the protagonist undergoes deep personal growth in a richly detailed world with complex lore and politics.
4. Erased (2016)
- Streaming: Netflix, Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- MAL Rating: ~8.3
- Plot: A man with time-travel abilities is sent back to his childhood to prevent a series of murders.
- Similarities: Though not isekai, it explores redemption through a second chance at life, mirroring Rudeus’s journey of atonement.
5. Children of the Whales (2017)
- Streaming: Netflix
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: J.C. Staff
- MAL Rating: ~7.2
- Plot: On a drifting island, children wield powerful magic tied to their lifespan as they uncover dark truths about their world.
- Similarities: Shares the thematic mix of magic systems, tragedy, and the struggle to find meaning in an unforgiving world.
6. Re:Creators (2017)
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
- Episodes: 22
- Studio: Troyca
- MAL Rating: ~7.5
- Plot: Fictional characters from various stories come to life, clashing with their creators in the real world.
- Similarities: Similar to Jobless Reincarnation’s meta take on fantasy, it subverts expectations about narrative, power, and character arcs.
7. Utawarerumono (2006)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: OLM
- MAL Rating: ~7.6
- Plot: A man with no memories awakens in a tribal village and becomes entangled in war and politics.
- Similarities: Memory loss, tactical battles, and gradual character development echo Rudeus’s early struggles.
8. Tears to Tiara (2009)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: White Fox
- MAL Rating: ~7.0
- Plot: A demon lord awakens and becomes the leader of a rebellion against oppressive forces.
- Similarities: Shares themes of destiny, chosen roles, and evolving from weakness into leadership.
9. Shining Tears X Wind (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 13
- Studio: Studio Deen
- MAL Rating: ~6.6
- Plot: A high school student is drawn into a fantasy world through mysterious rings that wield great power.
- Similarities: Like Jobless Reincarnation, it blends personal discovery with an RPG-like world system.
10. Granblue Fantasy: The Animation (2017)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: A-1 Pictures
- MAL Rating: ~6.8
- Plot: A boy embarks on a sky-faring adventure with a mysterious girl and her guardian.
- Similarities: Combines adventurous tone, magical systems, and heartfelt relationships reminiscent of Rudeus’s travels.
11. Seirei no Moribito (2007)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
- Episodes: 26
- Studio: Production I.G
- MAL Rating: ~8.0
- Plot: A skilled spearwoman protects a young prince targeted by assassins due to a mystical secret.
- Similarities: Both series emphasize mentorship, detailed worldbuilding, and a mature approach to fantasy conflicts.
12. Chaika: The Coffin Princess (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 22
- Studio: Bones
- MAL Rating: ~7.2
- Plot: A mysterious girl carrying a coffin seeks help to gather remains of her deceased father, the emperor.
- Similarities: Echoes Jobless Reincarnation’s mix of magic, tragic backstories, and adventurer camaraderie.
13. Scrapped Princess (2003)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Episodes: 24
- Studio: Bones
- MAL Rating: ~7.4
- Plot: A girl prophesied to destroy the world is hunted while her siblings protect her.
- Similarities: Subverts the “chosen one” narrative while balancing lighthearted adventuring with dark undertones.
14. Maoyuu Maou Yuusha (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Arms
- MAL Rating: ~7.2
- Plot: A hero allies with the demon queen to bring peace by reforming society rather than fighting wars.
- Similarities: Like Jobless Reincarnation, it deconstructs fantasy tropes, focusing on economics, morality, and relationships.
15. Hakumei and Mikochi (2018)
- Streaming: HIDIVE
- Episodes: 12
- Studio: Lerche
- MAL Rating: ~7.6
- Plot: Two tiny women live in a whimsical forest world, finding joy in everyday adventures.
- Similarities: While lighter in tone, it shares the slice-of-life exploration of a richly built world, similar to Rudeus’s quieter moments.
Why These Anime Work for Jobless Reincarnation Fans
What sets Jobless Reincarnation apart is not just its isekai premise but its heartfelt focus on growth, failures, and second chances within a believable fantasy world. The anime listed above share these qualities—be it the grounded survival of Grimgar, the political complexity of The Twelve Kingdoms, or the emotional redemption arcs of Erased.
