Over the past few years, the isekai genre has taken off. With so many different stories being told about characters getting thrown into new worlds, they all start to feel the same. However, when you find one that has a unique character in it, it makes the whole story feel fresh and exciting. Today we are going to be looking at ten isekai manga that have unique characters in them. The characters have unique designs, personalities, or a combination of things that make them unique. Let's get started.
10. Re:Monster
- Mangaka: Kobayakawa, Haruyoshi and Kanekiru, Kogitsune
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Magic
- Volumes: 4+
- Published: March 2014 - Ongoing
One night while Tomokui Kanata is out drinking with his coworker, he gets stabbed and killed by a girl who was stalking him. After getting stabbed, Tomokui awakens to find himself in the body of a baby goblin. Now known as Rou, he is determined to make the most out of his new life. With the memories of his past life and esper abilities still intact, Rou sets out to overcome the demon hierarchy and become more than just a low-level goblin.
While isekai manga with fantasy settings are nothing out of the ordinary, Re: Monster takes a unique spin by showing us the world of the goblins. We get to see many of the characters like Rou and Kichi grow in both appearance and characters as they make their way up the ranks. Out of all of the manga's characters, Rou is the most interesting of the bunch. Rou takes a more analytical and strategic approach to his life as a goblin separating himself from the goblins who usually act before thinking. Throw in his esper powers and his human memories and you have a truly unique and interesting character.
9. Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear
- Mangaka: Kumano and Sergey
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
- Volumes: 4+
- Published: March 2018 - Ongoing
Yuna is a 15-year-old girl who is engrossed in the world of the first ever VRMMO. Thanks to her dedicating all of her time to the game, Yuna has become one of the best around. One day she receives an email about the game’s latest update and gets a rare bear outfit. Unfortunately, the bear outfit is super embarrassing and Yuna decides never to wear it. After answering a survey and restarting the game, Yuna finds herself not only in the bear costume but also trapped inside the world of the game. With an email from God explaining her current situation, Yuna sets on an adventure unlike anything she has ever experienced before.
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear is filled with plenty of cute and fun characters. Characters like Fina and Noire have some unusual quirks that separate them from similar characters while characters like Shia have some really interesting backgrounds and personalities. Yuna's uniqueness comes from her personality that is made up of her sense of justice and her laziness. She also has her bear outfit which creates some interesting scenes and character dynamics.
8. Kekkon Yubiwa Monogatari (Tales of Wedding Rings)
- Mangaka: Maybe
- Genres: Action, Ecchi, Fantasy, Romance, Harem, Supernatural, Seinen
- Volumes:
- Published: March 2014 - Ongoing
Ever since he was a child, Satou has had a crush on his friend Hime. Despite his desire to be with her, Satou has never been able to confess his feelings. Now in high school, Satou and Hime have been friends for almost ten years. Just when Satou finally gets the nerve up to confess, Hime reveals she is returning to her home in a different world and will soon be getting married. Unable to let her go, Satou follows Hime into her world. Now trapped in a world filled with magic, swords, and monsters, Satou must work hard in order to save the world and the person he cares for most.
While traveling along on his journey to marry the five princesses, Satou meets many fantastic characters. Although there are many characters that don't seem like they are special in any way, once you look at the main characters you start to see just how great Kekkon Yubiwa Monogatari's cast of characters is. The princesses are all different races including, elves, demons, and catgirls and each of them has a strange eccentricity that makes them unique. Satou has a fairly unique ability as his power is directly tied to the number of princesses he has formed a bond with.
7. Kamitachi ni Hirowareta Otoko(The Man Picked up by the Gods)
- Mangaka: Roy and Ranran
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Slice of Life
- Volumes: 3+
- Published: November 2017 - Ongoing
39-year-old Ryouma Takuma is an earnest man who spends most of his time working. Ryouma awakes in a mysterious white room where he comes face to face with three strange people. The trio of strangers reveals themselves to be gods who took control of Ryouma's soul after an unfortunate sneezing accident took his life. The gods Gain, Kufo, and Rurutia offer to reincarnate Ryouma in their world and give him a second chance at life. Ryouma agrees and begins his new life in a world filled with monsters and magic.
While Kamitachi ni Hirowareta Otoko doesn't have as many unique characters as some of the other manga on the list, the few characters it does have more than make up for it. Gain, Kufo, and Rurutia are very compelling characters and they have some elegant and fantastical designs. Unlike many Isekai protagonists, Ryouma decides to live a simple life away from the hustle and bustle of his new world. After waking up in the new world, Ryouma sends three years doing nothing but studying slimes and improving his magical abilities.
6. Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki (How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom)
- Mangaka: Ueda, Satoshi and Dozeumaru
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Magic, Romance, Harem, Military
- Volumes: 3+
- Published: July 2017 - Ongoing
Just before he begins his life as a university student, Kazuya Souma is transported to a new world. Kazuya finds himself in a poor country surrounded by war. Thanks to some quick thinking and planning, Kazuya comes up with a plan that should help the country overcome its financial struggles and prevent any of the neighboring countries to attack. After hearing out Kazuya's plan, the king decides to give him control of the country. Now in charge of his own country, Kazuya is dedicated to doing whatever is necessary in order to keep his people save.
Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki isn't like your typical isekai manga. Even though the setup to the story is nothing out of the ordinary, the manga focuses on politics as Kazuya takes over as king. With the manga's main focus being on the development of the kingdom, we get a unique look at the characters and their personalities. Kazuya feels different from your usual protagonist and is often seen using his whit to overcome situations instead of resorting to some overpowered abilities.
5. Shinde Kudasai! Yuusha desho? (Please Kill Yourself! You're a Hero, Aren't You?)
- Mangaka: Leafy
- Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Shounen
- Volumes: 1+
- Published: July 2018 - Ongoing
Akito has always dreamed of being transported to another world. After studying all of the isekai novels he could get his hands on, Akit is finally able to transport himself to another world. Unfortunately, his life in a new world was nothing like he thought it would be. Instead of gaining special powers or going on special quests, Akito is still the same weak pathetic guy he was before. Things start to look up for him when a girl named Lilina invites Akito to join her party, but nothing ever goes as planned for Akito. Akito now finds himself as the meatshield of Lilina's party, with the sole purpose of getting killed while the rest of the party sneaks by the enemies.
The main characters of Shinde Kudasai! Yuusha Desho? are all great and have a unique style to them. With the manga being somewhat of a parody of isekai manga none of the characters are too serious and they all have lighthearted and funny personalities. Akito, Lilina, Luderiche, and Inori make up the hero party and their adventure is unlike anything you've seen before. Most of the characters and their personalities have plenty of cliches, but thanks to the combination of the comedy and the story, it makes the characters feel more unique and original.
4. Nidome no Yuusha wa Fukushuu no Michi wo Warai Ayumu
- Mangaka: Kizuka, Nero and Yomoya, Yamo
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
- Volumes: 1+
- Published: February 2018 - Ongoing
After being summoned to a new world, Ukei Kaito became the hero he was destined to be. Ukei did everything he could as a hero, protecting the innocent, defeating the Demon Lord, and saving the world. However, after all of his hard work, Ukei was stabbed and betrayed by his companions. As he lay on the ground dying, Ukei swore that if he was able to get a second chance at life, he would get revenge on all of the people who wronged him.
Ukei is truly an unlikeable protagonist. We watch as he goes on a rampage getting revenge on all of his party members from his previous life. While you may not like him or be able to sympathize with him, his character is really unique. We don't often get evil protagonists, especially ones that are as vindictive and bloodthirsty as Ukei.
3. Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shiteshimatta… (My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!)
- Mangaka: Hidaka, Nami and Yamaguchi, Satoru
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, School, Josei
- Volumes: 2+
- Published: August 2017 - Ongoing
While walking through the courtyard, eight-year-old Katarina Claes trips and hits her head. The fall makes her remember her past life as a high school student who died in a traffic accident. Now aware of her past, Katarina soon finds out she is now in the world of one of her favorite otome games, taking over the role of the main character's rival. With the knowledge that no matter the outcome of the game her character is sure to die, Katarina decides to take control of her new life in hopes of making it out of her tragic destiny and living to old age.
Because of the setup to the manga, most of the characters are stereotypical otome game character. However, Katarina brings plenty of unique qualities to make up for them. Katarina's character is unique not only for the isekai genre but just as a character in general. Despite everything Katarina does being driven by her selfish desires, she ultimately ends up having an overall positive influence on the world, making it a better place than it was in the game.
2. Shirokuma Tensei: Mori no Shugoshin ni Natta zo Densetsu (Reborn as a Polar Bear: The Legend of How I Became a Forest Guardian)
- Mangaka: Kusano, Houki and Mishima, Chihiro
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
- Volumes: 3+
- Published: September 2017 - Ongoing
Shirokuma Tensei: Mori no Shugoshin ni Natta zo Densetsu tells the story of a 28-year-old man who dies while mountain climbing. Luckily for him, he is getting a second chance at life in a new world. However, in this new world, he is living as a polar bear. After getting used to his new body, the man finds out just how strong he is as a bear. With his new found abilities, he sets out to protect the innocent creatures of the forest, battling against the humans and other animals that threaten his friends.
As far as designs go, Shirokuma Tensei may just have the most unique designs around. For starters, the main character is reincarnated as a polar bear. While that is interesting and certainly unique, It isn't just the fact that the main character is a walking talking bear. The manga has so many fantastic animal characters from wolf girls to giant venom spitting snakes. All of the animal characters give the manga a unique style you don't see in any other isekai manga.
1. Jii-sama ga Iku
- Mangaka: Urasuk , Ayano and Hotaruishi
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy
- Volumes: 1+
- Published: *April 2018 - Ongoing
Seitarou Asao is a 73-year-old who lived his life running a tea plantation. One night, Seitarou saves the life of his grandson but loses his life in the process. After his sacrifice, the god Ithril accidentally transports Seitarou soul to a new world instead of his grandson's. Itrhril decides to reincarnate Seitarou in the new world as a 63-year-old. Now, Seitarou is making the most of his life in this new magical world.
Seitarou shows us a demographic we rarely see as a protagonist. We never really get to see older protagonists and it brings a whole new dynamic when is sent to a new world. Thanks to this, we get one of the most unique characters in an isekai manga. Along with Seitarou, there is a cast of characters that are both unique in personality and in design. Out of all of the manga on the list, Jii-sama ga Iku is the most well-rounded in terms of the amount and quality of its unique characters.
Final Thoughts
That is it for our list of the top ten isekai manga with unique characters. Hopefully, you enjoyed taking a look through some interesting characters and manga. Which isekai manga is your favorite? Which one do you think has the most unique characters? Let us know by leaving us a comment.
Recommended Post
Top 10 Best Isekai Anime of 2018 [Best Recommendations]
Recommended Post
Best Isekai Anime [Updated Recommendations]
Recommended Post
Top 10 Best Isekai Anime for 2017 [Best Recommendations]
Recommended Post
Top 10 Isekai Manga [Best Recommendations]
Recommended Post
Top 10 Isekai Light Novels [Best Recommendations]
Recommended Post