A hopelessly weak protagonist, stuck in the body of one of the weakest creatures in a fantastical world that are unknown to her, So I’m a Spider, So What? has an innovative take on the already severely milked Isekai genre. With an interesting main character, lovely cast, and the wild and exciting setting, it comes as no shock that this anime became a hit when it was released in the winter of 2021. So I’m a Spider, So What? is called Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka? in Japanese, and is adapted from the light novel of the same name with a story from Okina Baba, and art from Tsukasa Kiryuu. If you’re looking for more exciting isekai’s with an innovative twist, this list is the one for you. Here are the best animes similar to So I’m a Spider, So What?
10. 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. Little does he know, his actions will change not only his but the fate of the whole world as well.
Satoru is a protagonist who finds himself in another world like Kumoko, where he is born as a seemingly insignificant being. However, he slowly levels up and polishes his abilities using the abilities of this life and knowledge of their lives as humans.
9. Overlord
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: Madhouse
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Supernatural
- Aired: Jul 7, 2015, to Sep 29, 2015
Overlord has a wise main character who tries to gain control of an unfathomable situation when he is stuck inside a game, making it very similar to Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka? 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 seems 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.
8. Arifureta
- Episodes: 13
- Studios: asread., White Fox
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Aired: Jul 8, 2019, to Oct 7, 2019
Hajime Nagumo and his classmates find themselves in another world when a magic circle suddenly appears in their school. They find themselves inside a church, where each is welcomed as an honored guest. Every student has a high ranking and power; however, Hajime simply receives the title of “Synergist,” containing only average stats; he is weak in combat and considered useless by the rest of his class.
When the students decide to enter a dungeon to strengthen themselves, they face a giant demon. Hajime uses himself as bait to save the class, ends up being hit, and falls off a bridge into the dungeon’s dark abyss. Meanwhile, the other students abandon him and continue with their journey. However, Hajime miraculously survives the fall, but he will face many dangerous monsters and difficulties below. But along the way, he’ll also meet a few people that decide to stick with him, trying to escape the labyrinth together.
7. The Fruit of Evolution: Before I Knew It, My Life Had It Made
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: feel., Children’s Playground Entertainment
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- Aired: Oct 5, 2021, to present
Seiichi Hiiragi and his class are surprised by a mysterious announcement on their school’s intercom. A guy who claims to be God tells them to pair up to be sent to another world. Seiichi, being the unpopular guy in his class, is left all alone. However, when everyone is transported to the new world, Seiichi finds himself stranded in a forest, miles away from human life.
He begins a hard life within the forest until he finds the “Fruit of Evolution,” which just might change his future entirely. The Fruit of Evolution is similar to So I’m a Spider, So What? because of the protagonists who are given mediocre abilities and forced to survive in a new world. Albeit Seiichi does gain overpowered abilities.
6. 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, Shiroe begins to interact with the NPC’s to bring about stability in this new world.
5. 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.
Here’s another isekai anime where the protagonist must gradually level up to show his true abilities. He is taken to a world with others but is left with bad luck and average abilities. How will Naofumi manage to prove himself?
4. 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 get a librarian job, 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 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!
3. I’ve Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Revoroot
- Genres: Comedy, Fantasy, Slice of Life
- Aired: Apr 10, 2021, to Jun 26, 2021
Azusa has worked a corporate job for many years and abruptly passes after severe exhaustion. After dying, she meets a Goddess who grants her immortality and peaceful life in another world. In this exciting world with many creatures and adventures, Azusa…lives a mundane life. She follows the same cycle of tending to her fields, protecting a village, and killing a few slimes every day for 300 years. However, her life takes an exciting turn when she finally hits the maximum limit of level increase by killing slimes. That is, she reaches level 99.
While she tries to hide her abilities, she isn’t entirely successful, as many people come to hear of her powers and reach her doorstep. Some to challenge her, and some to ask for her assistance. But as Azusa begins to step out of her comfort zone, she realizes there is so much more to do in life than she first thought!
2. BOFURI: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, so I’ll Max Out My Defense
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: SILVER LINK.
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
- Aired: Jan 8, 2020, to Mar 25, 2020
When Kaede is enthusiastically invited to play a VRMMO called New World Online, she gives it a shot. Naming her character Maple, she begins an exciting journey. As she is new to these types of games, she doesn’t entirely understand stats and ends up using all her points into vitality out of fear of getting hurt. As a result, she obtains some overpowered abilities and becomes a legend in the game. After coming third in a server-wide competition, she gains even more fame as a player who is unkillable and overpowered. Just what is in store for Maple in this world?
1. Sword Art Online
- Episodes: 25
- Studios: A-1 Pictures
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- Aired: Jul 8, 2012, to Dec 23, 2012
With the help of the “NerveGear” technology, gamers can now control their characters simply by using their thoughts. Kirito is lucky enough to be one of the few people who got a copy of the new game- Sword Art Online‘s first shipment. The game is based on a beautiful world called Aincrad, filled with medieval weapons and monsters.
The story takes a turn for the sinister when the players realize that they cannot log out from the game, as the creator has trapped them, and they can only return upon completing all the 100 levels. We follow Kirito’s adventures as he tries to survive in this world, striving to make it out of the game. Along the way, he makes many friends and foes, also giving birth to one of the best anime couples, Kirito and Asuna.
Honorable Mentions-
- My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
- To Your Eternity
- Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?
- Grimgar: Ashes and Illusion