The Isekai genre is still going strong in terms of popularity and shows like How Not to Summon a Demon Lord show why this is possible. A fun romp through a fantasy world where the protagonist is an all-powerful devil man with social anxiety, the show takes all of the excitement of entering a new world and pokes light-hearted fun at it in a way that acknowledges its flaws, making for an experience that’s all the more entertaining as a result. Being a new show, however, there are only so many episodes to watch before viewers are forced to stop and wait for a new episode, and that’s only until the season ends. For when that moment occurs, we’ve got you covered with five anime to watch if you’re looking for something similar to How Not to Summon a Demon Lord.
In Another World With My Smartphone
Anime Like How Not to Summon a Demon Lord if You’re Looking for Something Similar
After the forces that accidentally kill him, Touya Mochizuki is granted a second chance at life in a fantasy world with an added perk of his choosing. To this, Touya chooses to have access to a smartphone capable of accessing the internet from anywhere and able to be recharged with magical energy. This proves a wise choice, as it allows him to learn most any magical ability in the world with ease and quickly rise to prominence, gaining followers and allies in his quest to discover the hidden Babylon gardens and defeat the evil forces lurking within the shadows.
Offering a fun twist on the usual aspects of how and why the main character is the most powerful in the world, In Another World With My Smartphone takes the genre in a fun new direction that still feels loyal to its inspirations. Each new story arc and character interaction makes you want to learn more about what the world holds, and seeing how Touya uses his smartphone to work around problems is always a sight to see. It may only have 12 episodes, but it’s a worthwhile experience nonetheless.
Re:Zero
Anime Like How Not to Summon a Demon Lord if You’re Looking for Something Similar
While walking home one night, Subaru Natsuki blinks and is transported to a fantasy realm full of strange creatures, magic powers, and shadowy plots. Instead of panicking or trying to find a way home, he instead decides to make the most of this strange happening and ventures off into the first town he happens upon. Before long though, he’s killed by thieves and expects everything to end in a sudden accident… only to reawaken at the moment when he first entered the world. From this, Subaru discovers he can respawn anytime he dies, allowing him to discover the best possible option for any situation and progress further toward the truth of how he came to be in this place.
A dark and inventive entry in the genre, Re:Zero is deserving of all the popularity it gained for the way it not only presents its new concepts but applies them to the pre-existing elements of the genre. If you love the wonder and imagination that comes with Isekai shows, you’ll love the creative ways Re:Zero can make them feel fresh again.
Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody
Anime Like How Not to Summon a Demon Lord if You’re Looking for Something Similar
After a nap following a brutal stretch of crunch time, game developer Ichiro Suzuki awakens within the game world he was developing and with access to all of the knowledge and tools required to manipulate the game to his advantage. Using these advantages, he quickly acquires experience and wealth and is able to enjoy the world at his leisure. Before long though, happenings within the game’s plot force him to expose his powers and skills, forcing him into the spotlight as a potential hero to the digital populace.
More focused on refining what makes the Isekai genre fun than redefining it, Death March sets its sites on taking what everyone loves about shows of its ilk and making them shine. From the nonchalant attitude of its protagonist to its lovable cast of characters, there’s plenty to love here for both newcomers and veterans of most any example of anime set in another reality.
KonoSuba
Anime Like How Not to Summon a Demon Lord if You’re Looking for Something Similar
A shining example of snark, KonoSuba treats Isekai as a less than sacred cow, and is all the better for it. Following a chance encounter with a tractor, Kazuma Satō dies of a heart attack and finds himself face to face with Aqua, a goddess who offers him a second chance at life in a fantasy realm with his choice of an advantage. Angered by his circumstances and some jabs Aqua takes at his embarrassing end, he wishes to be brought back with her as his companion, forcing the two to discover how to survive in their new existence despite being entirely ill-equipped to succeed.
Delightfully pessimistic and all the better once their companions Megumin and Darkness join the fray, each new misadventure feels like exactly what would happen if a shut-in, an ego-maniac, a try-hard and a masochist teamed up were drawn together. It’s a brave new world with these four at the helm, and if you enjoy the quirkier moments found in How Not to Summon a Demon Lord, you’ll love this show just as much.
Overlord
Anime Like How Not to Summon a Demon Lord if You’re Looking for Something Similar
There are good Isekai shows, and then there’s Overlord. Following the shutting down of his favorite MMORPG, one player finds himself trapped within his created character, Momunga, an elder lich with immense magical power and control over a vast army of dark forces and minions. Confused yet thrilled at the new development, he decides to use this opportunity to live out his fantasy of ruling as a demon lord in earnest and sets out to conquer the rest of the land disguised as a mysterious new warrior out for renown and power.
Full of interesting character dynamics, cataclysmic battles and an intriguing plot of deception and manipulation, Overlord stands toe to toe with How Not to Summon a Demon Lord not only in the similar situations of their protagonists but in the ways their leads use their powers to live out their wildest dreams. Sure, they could eventually try to discover how to get home, but sometimes it’s so much more fun to get lost in the opportunity presented by a sudden supernatural event.
What’s your go-to show to fill the void left by How Not to Summon a Demon Lord? Let us know in the comments below, and check out some of our other recommendation lists for shows like The Ancient Magus’ Bride and Vampire Knight.
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