6 ‘Untouchable’ Isekai Anime That Need a Remake

Noticeably, anime remakes are on the rise, with production studios like MAPPA and E&H Production giving classic titles a second chance to tell their story to old and new viewers on the small screen. As one of the newest additions to these anime remakes, Magic Knight Rayearth, a cult classic isekai series, could help inspire remakes of other isekai anime released in the past.

After all, several untouchable isekai anime are now ripe for a modern remake. From those released in the '90s to the early 2000s, these iconic isekai anime deserve the remake treatment. Also, it’s easy to see these old isekai series thriving once again with modern animation standards.

Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play

• Release Date: April 6, 1995
• Episode Count: 52 episodes

Almost every shoujo fan in the world probably knows about Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play and its unforgettable characters, like the outgoing yet troublesome female lead Miaka Yuuki and her handsome and brave seven guardians, especially Tamahome and Hotohori.

Most likely, the same applies to the blonde heads Yui Hongo and Nakago, who teamed up to antagonize Miaka and her Suzaku guardians in the real world and inside the book of the Universe of the Four Gods.

Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play is one of the earliest introductions to the isekai genre, with a high school girl being transported to ancient China. As the Priestess of Suzaku, it’s Miaka Yuuki’s job to protect the country of Konan in exchange for having her wish granted.

The Twelve Kingdoms

• Release Date: April 9, 2002
• Episode Count: 45 episodes

The Twelve Kingdoms is yet another classic isekai anime that is heavily influenced by Chinese mythology. The female lead, Yoko Nakajima, finds herself in a new world where kingdoms are at war, and divine rulers reign supreme.

Compared to other isekai anime with the same theme and elements, the series boasts an incredibly grounded protagonist whose greatest appeal is her character development. Yoko Nakajima may not have the most likable personality, but her transformation throughout the series is nothing short of remarkable.

The Twelve Kingdoms is widely regarded as one of the strongest isekai anime ever made, so it would be a huge undertaking to bring this series to life once more. On first watch, the series might come across as intimidating, but a reboot could transform it into an even more engaging anime.

The Vision of Escaflowne

• Release Date: April 2, 1996
• Episode Count: 26 episodes

The Vision of Escaflowne combines isekai, mecha, and shojo elements to come up with a uniquely ambitious storyline. With its genre-blending approach, the anime naturally has action, romance, and the usual banter among hilarious characters. However, its true strength lies in its rich world-building, political intrigue, and meaningful character development.

The Vision of Escaflowne features an unconventional female character named Hitomi, who, unlike helpless female leads, uses her intelligence and her foresight to help Van and Allen in the fight against the Zaibach Empire. With the help of Fanelia’s combat mecha, Escaflowne, there’s no stopping these three characters from saving the world.

Monster Rancher

• Release Date: April 17, 1999
• Episode Count: 48 episodes

Many fans grew up watching Monster Rancher, dreaming they could also go on an adventure of a lifetime like Genki alongside his monster companions inside the Monster Rancher video game. Released in the ‘90s, this isekai anime offers an incredibly nostalgic journey, letting longtime fans relive their childhood dreams while introducing new viewers to its whimsical world full of good and bad monsters.

The plot of Monster Rancher is neither complex nor overly convoluted, as the isekai series simply follows a young boy and his team of monster companions on their quest to save the world. It’s not difficult to immerse oneself in Monster Rancher’s story, so this isekai series remains entertaining to all ages.

Kiba

• Release Date: April 2, 2006
• Episode Count: 51 episodes

Instead of spell casters, the isekai anime Kiba introduced the concept of shard casters, though both share the core idea of using magic in combat. Kiba’s titular protagonist is a shard caster who comes from a polluted town on Earth and finds himself in Templar, where magic and spirits reside. Within Kiba resides a powerful spirit called Amil Gaoul, who would later become crucial to his fights in the new world.

Just like Monster Rancher, Kiba’s plot is simple and straightforward too, though it features more mature themes, including moral dilemmas, betrayal, and the cost of wielding extraordinary abilities. The main premise revolves around Kiba and his quest to gather powerful entities called Key Spirits before his enemies get their hands on them.

Now and Then, Here and There

• Release Date: October 14, 1999
• Episode Count: 13 episodes

How far would you push yourself for someone you barely know? For Shuu Masutani, giving up is not an option even in the face of death. Protecting Lala-Ru comes first, and even though they’ve only just met, there’s no stopping Shuu from coming to her rescue over and over again in this isekai anime.

Without a doubt, Now and Then, Here and There is a classic isekai anime that’s not for the faint of heart. Even with its choice to use youthful protagonists, the story allows them to experience unimaginable horrors that would test the limits of their mental and physical resolve.

It goes without saying that this anime is one of the darkest isekai ever made in the ‘90s. Also, the setting of this anime is quite different from the other fantasy worlds, as Shuu and Lala-Ru try to survive in a vast desert where water is scarce.