whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Romance

The best isekai romance anime you can start from the beginning

27 anime that are both romance and isekai, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Cheng He Titong, Jishou Akuyaku Reijou na Konyakusha no Kansatsu Kiroku., Tenkuu no Escaflowne.

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The list

1. 1 Cheng He Titong How Dare You!? ONA · 2024 · 24 episodes · Shengying Animation · #771 on MyAnimeList
2. 2 Jishou Akuyaku Reijou na Konyakusha no Kansatsu Kiroku. An Observation Log of My Fiancée Who Calls Herself a Villainess TV · 2026 · 12 episodes · Ashi Productions · #1538 on MyAnimeList 84% would recommend
3. 3 Tenkuu no Escaflowne The Vision of Escaflowne TV · 1996 · 26 episodes · Sunrise · #1587 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
4. 4 Fushigi Yuugi Mysterious Play TV · 1995 · 52 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #1774 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
5. 5 Kanojo ga Koushaku-tei ni Itta Riyuu Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke's Mansion TV · 2023 · 12 episodes · Typhoon Graphics · #2061 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
6. 6 Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shiteshimatta... My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! TV · 2020 · 12 episodes · SILVER LINK. · #2466 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
7. 7 Rekishi ni Nokoru Akujo ni Naru zo I'll Become a Villainess Who Goes Down in History TV · 2024 · 13 episodes · Maho Film · #2947 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
8. 8 Seijo no Maryoku wa Bannou desu The Saint's Magic Power is Omnipotent TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · Diomedéa · #3057 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
9. 9 Otome Game Sekai wa Mob ni Kibishii Sekai desu Trapped in a Dating Sim: The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs TV · 2022 · 12 episodes · ENGI · #3101 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
10. 10 Sekai Saikou no Ansatsusha, Isekai Kizoku ni Tensei suru The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · SILVER LINK. · #3167 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
11. 11 Shinpi no Sekai El-Hazard El Hazard: The Magnificent World OVA · 1995 · 7 episodes · AIC · #3277 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
12. 12 Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom TV · 2021 · 13 episodes · J.C.Staff · #3445 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
13. 13 Zero no Tsukaima The Familiar of Zero TV · 2006 · 13 episodes · J.C.Staff · #3784 on MyAnimeList 71% would recommend
14. 14 Akuyaku Reijou nanode Last Boss wo Kattemimashita I'm the Villainess, So I'm Taming the Final Boss TV · 2022 · 12 episodes · Maho Film · #3786 on MyAnimeList 72% would recommend
15. 15 Escaflowne Escaflowne: A Girl in Gaea Film · 2000 · Bones · #4553 on MyAnimeList 69% would recommend
16. 16 Seirei Gensouki Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #4582 on MyAnimeList 68% would recommend
17. 17 Harukanaru Toki no Naka de: Hachiyou Shou Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time – A Tale of the Eight Guardians TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Yumeta Company · #4857 on MyAnimeList 64% would recommend
18. 18 Kamigami no Asobi TV · 2014 · 12 episodes · Brain's Base · #4916 on MyAnimeList 63% would recommend
19. 19 Shinpi no Sekai El-Hazard (TV) El-Hazard: The Wanderers TV · 1995 · 26 episodes · AIC · #5080 on MyAnimeList 66% would recommend
20. 20 Lv2 kara Cheat datta Motoyuusha Kouho no Mattari Isekai Life Chillin' in Another World with Level 2 Super Cheat Powers TV · 2024 · 12 episodes · J.C.Staff · #5809 on MyAnimeList 60% would recommend
21. 21 Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu How Not to Summon a Demon Lord TV · 2018 · 12 episodes · Ajia-do · #5995 on MyAnimeList 62% would recommend
22. 22 Tensei Akujo no Kuro Rekishi The Dark History of the Reincarnated Villainess TV · 2025 · 12 episodes · Studio Deen · #6467 on MyAnimeList 56% would recommend
23. 23 Tensei Kizoku no Isekai Boukenroku: Jichou wo Shiranai Kamigami no Shito The Aristocrat's Otherworldly Adventure: Serving Gods Who Go Too Far TV · 2023 · 12 episodes · Magic Bus · #6833 on MyAnimeList 55% would recommend
24. 24 Kenja no Mago Wise Man's Grandchild TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · SILVER LINK. · #7271 on MyAnimeList 56% would recommend
25. 25 Astarotte no Omocha! Astarotte's Toy TV · 2011 · 12 episodes · Diomedéa · #8226 on MyAnimeList 52% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.