Isekais deals with throwing a character from our world into one that’s filled with mystery and fantastical creatures. However, How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom is an anime that gives this exciting concept an intriguing twist. We’re taken to a medieval world filled with adventure, and instead of the usual isekai experience, we are treated with some good old politics. If you’re looking for more anime similar to How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, this is the list for you!
When Kazuya Souma, a 19-year-old humanities student aspiring to become a civil servant, is suddenly transported to another world, he finds himself in the land of a small country called the Elfrieden Kingdom. Kazuya supports the declining country and uses his knowledge in administrative reform to bring about a tide of political and economic changes in the kingdom. Here, we’ll be taking a look at some of the best anime similar to How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom.
10. Overlord
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: Madhouse
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Aired: Jul 7, 2015, to Sep 29, 2015
Momonga is an ardent fan of the MMORPG, Yggdrasil. The virtual reality game is ending with its servers being shut down, and he wishes to see the game up to its final moments. He is in the game, waiting for the servers to be shut down, instead, he finds himself trapped in the body of his extremely overpowered character, Ainz Ooal Gown. What’s more, the NPC’s of the game seem to have developed personalities of their own.
Now, Momonga must investigate this strange event. With the help of his loyal servants, he travels forth to take control of this world while searching for others like him. Like How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, Overlord is an Isekai anime that deals with the implications of living in a new world. While How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom has a, well, realist hero who doesn’t have much to boast in combat ability, Overlord has an overpowered main character. Other than that, both are put in positions where they have to bring reform in a world/kingdom.
9. Amagi Brilliant Park
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: Kyoto Animation
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
- Aired: Oct 7, 2014, to Dec 26, 2014
A bright high school student, Seiya is asked out by the beautiful but reserved girl, Isuzu. Or so he believes. When he arrives at the date location, an amusement park called Amagi Brilliant Park, he is disappointed to find a decrepit theme park. Isuzu, along with the park owner, asks for Seiya to become the park’s new manager. They’re desperate for a solution, as the park could be closed in three months if there aren’t enough customers.
While Seiya feels abated at first, his initial disappointment is blown away by the revelation that this isn’t an ordinary theme park. The employees of this theme park are mysterious but magical beings of another world that gain nourishment from the fun of other people. With the responsibility of the parks working and survival on his shoulders, Seiya will have to use his skills to bring in at least 500,000 customers to Amagi Brilliant Park or watch it be destroyed.
Amagi Brilliant Park and How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom share a similar theme of the main character who saves a group/ organization on the brink of destruction by using his skills and available resources to bring about massive economic reforms.
8. Log Horizon
- Episodes: 25
- Studios: Satelight
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Aired: Oct 5, 2013, to Mar 22, 2014
Thirty thousand Japanese gamers are suddenly transported into an MMORPG game, Elder Take. Yanked away from their real lives, these players find themselves in a new reality within the game and unable to log out. Among them is the socially awkward college student, Shiroe. He is a veteran gamer and overcomes the shock of this change quickly. Soon, he sets out to explore this new world.
Another unfortunate player is Shiroe’s friend, Naotsugu. He logged in for the first time in years and is now trapped in the game. With an ever-changing world in the game, Shiroe begins to interact with the NPC’s to bring about stability in this new world. Like How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, this anime deals with the political and economic landscape of a virtual world. It is up to the protagonist to use his abilities to make the world safer and create a functioning administrative system to reduce conflicts.
7. The Rising of the Shield Hero
- Episodes: 25
- Studios: Kinema Citrus
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
- Aired: Jan 9, 2019, to Jun 26, 2019
Naofumi Iwatani, a 20-year-old is mysteriously transported to another world with three other individuals. They learn that they’re The Four Cardinal Heroes, ordinary men from modern-day Japan, tasked with protecting the Kingdom of Melromarc from something called “The Wave of Catastrophe”. They’re each given a powerful sword, spear, and bow, while Naofumi receives a shield and is dubbed “The Shield Hero.” Lacking any combat abilities, he is mocked by the other three and humiliated by the Kingdom’s people.
Nobody is willing to provide resources to Naofumi to train, except for Malty Melromarc, the beautiful princess of the Kingdom. However, she turns out to be malicious, stealing his possessions, and falsely accusing Naofumi of raping her. Being a hero, he can’t be imprisoned, but his actions are made public, resulting in widespread hatred for him.
The story follows his journey in a world filled with misplaced scorn for an innocent hero. Moreover, like How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom, the protagonist is summoned to a kingdom troubled with many concerns. He travels to get stronger to protect the people of Melromarc and seeks revenge against those that have wronged him.
6. Ascendance of a Bookworm
- Episodes: 14
- Studios: Ajia-Do
- Genres: Fantasy, Slice of Life
- Aired: Oct 3, 2019, to Dec 26, 2019
After completing her college education, Urano was lucky enough to almost become a librarian, the job of her dreams. She would be able to read as many books as she wanted. However, her life ends in an accident, and her dying wish is to be able to read a lot in her next life. In an interesting twist of her fate, she reincarnates as a Myne- a frail five-year-old girl living in the medieval era.
Immediately, she starts searching for a book to read. However, there’s none to be found around her. With the lack of the printing press, there’s very little for her to read. Only a few nobles can afford to buy the hand-printed and costly books. However, she has decided to achieve her dreams. If there aren’t any books around, she will make them herself!
5. Maoyu ~ Archenemy & Hero
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Arms
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- Aired: Jan 5, 2013, to Mar 30, 2013
In this anime, we’re taken to a world engulfed in war between humans and demons. The leader of the human war forces, The Hero heads to the castle of the demon king in order to win the war quickly. However, he is shocked to find that before his eyes is a woman of unparalleled beauty, the demon queen, who doesn’t seek to kill him but requires his assistance.
She tells him that a sudden end of the war would only breed problems for humans. The war had united the humans into one strong force, but its lack would mean infighting and lots of politics. When the Hero refuses to believe her, she shows him that the Demons are already seeing instances of enmity among themselves. Now, the Hero must join hands with his former enemy in order to bring peace into the world. Sometimes, peace doesn’t simply mean the absence of war, but it requires excellent administrative skills and the ability to bring about economic reform. Will the Hero be able to bring about such a revolution?
4. Spice and Wolf
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: Imagin
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- Aired: Jan 9, 2008, to Mar 26, 2008
When Lawrence, a 25-year-old travelling merchant, enters a town called Pasloe, he finds a 15-year-old girl in his wagon. Except, she’s a wolf deity, the Goddess of harvest of the town, who is called Holo. She has provided the town with a good harvest for many years but now has been reduced simply to folk tales. She offers to become Lawrence’s business partner if he takes her to her hometown of Yoitsu.
Lawrence, who has always dreamed of saving up enough money to start his own shop someday, recognizes her ability to evaluate a person’s character and accepts the offer. We follow the unlikely pair as they travel a world similar to medieval England, searching for economic opportunities. This anime has its fair share of complicated financial jargon mixed in with lots of cutesy romance. The journey that the characters share soon develops into a search for lost identity.
3. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
- Episodes: 24
- Studios: 8bit
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
- Aired: Oct 2, 2018, to Mar 19, 2019
Satoru Mikami has a mundane life. At age 37, he hasn’t dated once and is tired of his dead-end job. One day, he’s stabbed in the middle of the street and finds himself in another world, in the body of a slime. He befriends a dragon that names him Rimuru Tempest, granting him divine protection. Rimuru discovers that he can change his shape to mimic that of any object of his choosing.
With his old life behind him, he has clearer goals for his new life, and using his gooey existence, he plans to do greater things. His actions will change not only his but the fate of the whole world as well.
2. CHOYOYU!: High School Prodigies Have It Easy Even in Another World!
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Project No.9
- Genre: Fantasy
- Aired: Oct 3, 2019, to Dec 19, 2019
In this anime, we follow the adventures of seven extremely bright Japanese students who have gained worldwide fame due to their prodigious skills in various topics. They’re experts in fields like medicine, swordsmanship, and ninja arts. When they are the only survivors in a plane crash, the young geniuses find themselves in the world of Freyjard.
The kids must now learn the ways of this new world quickly and try to get back to earth. While they are extremely smart, the task at hand is not going to be easy, as the world is filled with lots of corruption, and any wrong move by the children could result in the destruction of this world.
1. Problem children are coming from another world, aren’t they?
- Episodes: 10
- Studios: Diomedéa
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Aired: Jan 12, 2013, to Mar 16, 2013
Three psychic children blessed with extraordinary abilities are each sent a mysterious letter calling them to a place called Little Garden. When the three are dropped into a vast world, they meet the bunny girl, Kurousagi. She explains to them that they are selected to participate in a special high-stakes game where they can use their abilities. Stoked at the exciting opportunity, the kids agree.
However, they must first enter a community. But, Kurousagi’s community, “No Names,” is in a terrible condition after their defeat by the demon lord. The three kids must now band together and regain the lost territory as well as the dignity of “No Name.”
Honorable Mentions-
- Alderamin on the Sky
- Record of Grancrest War
- Re: ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
- The Genius Prince’s Guide to Raising a Nation Out of Debt (An upcoming, set to release on January 2022).