The isekai genre has firmly established itself in the anime community, often depicting ordinary individuals transported to extraordinary worlds where they gain immense powers and a second chance at life.

These stories often follow protagonists who explore and ultimately save their new world to secure their place in it.

However, recent trends have seen a shift towards more nuanced and morally complex characters. Instead of the traditional pure-hearted heroes, audiences are now witnessing protagonists driven by darker motives, adding a refreshing twist to the classic power fantasy story.

Failure Frame is a great example of this evolving trend. The anime centers on Mimori, a high school student who is subjected to relentless bullying by her peers.

When a goddess summons him and his entire class to another world to become heroes, each student is granted extraordinary abilities.

Mimori, however, is considered weak due to his low magical potency and is cruelly banished to a dungeon by the goddess.

This act of rejection fuels a burning desire for revenge in Mimori, leading him to discover his true potential and embark on a journey of retribution.

The series explores themes of revenge and the transformation of an underestimated individual into a formidable adversary.

As Failure Frame releases new episodes and continues to engage viewers, fans can look forward to exploring similar anime that echo its dark and intense atmosphere.

There are several other isekai series that share this edgy tone, featuring protagonists who rely on their wits, strength, and sometimes sinister strategies to survive and thrive in their new worlds.

These anime offer incredible stories and complex characters, offering a new perspective on the genre and resonating deeply with the themes explored in Failure Frame.

1) Re:Zero – Starting life in another world

Re:Zero– Starting Life in Another World is a very popular isekai genre, known for its unique approach to genre conventions and its deep emotional impact.

The series follows Subaru Natsuki, an ordinary high school student who is suddenly transported to a fantasy world while walking home from a convenience store.

Soon after his arrival, he is brutally attacked by bandits and meets a violent end. To his dismay, Subaru finds himself back where he started, unharmed and alive.

What initially appears to be a miraculous opportunity soon reveals its sinister nature. Subaru discovers that each time he dies, he returns to a specific moment in the past, with full memory of his previous deaths.

This power, which he calls Return by Death, becomes a heavy burden as he repeatedly experiences the trauma of death.

The gift of a second chance turns into an unforgiving curse, forcing Subaru to explore a cycle of death and resurrection to protect his new friends and change their dark destinies.

As Subaru's journey unfolds, he faces increasingly complex decisions and the severe repercussions of his actions.

Each reboot brings him closer to the limit, as he realizes that even small mistakes can have catastrophic consequences.

Driven by the determination to save those he cares about and achieve a perfect ending, Subaru endures profound suffering.

Re:Zero captivates viewers with its intense storyline and intricate character development, presenting a new and dark twist on the traditional isekai adventure.

2) Overlord

Overlord follows the journey of an avid MMO player who suddenly finds himself in a world that replicates his favorite game.

He is now his powerful character avatar, an undead sorcerer with all of his in-game abilities intact. Surrounded by a guild base filled with loyal and formidable allies, he adopts the name Ainz Ooal Gown and sets out to make sense of this new reality.

Initially driven by curiosity, Ainz's journey quickly turns into a quest for domination. Using his immense power, he aims to transform this world into a utopia for his precious companions.

What begins as exploration soon turns into a series of calculated conquests. As Ainz asserts his control over the land, his influence grows, but so does the resistance he faces.

Each victory embroils him deeper and deeper into a complex web of alliances and rivalries, making his path ever more perilous.

Amidst his rise to power, Ainz struggles with the remnants of his humanity and the distinct reality of his existence as an undead Lich.

This internal struggle adds a profound depth to his character, juxtaposing his former human emotions with his current, ruthless ambitions. Balancing these conflicting aspects, Ainz’s story in Overlord captivates viewers with its intricate storyline and the moral complexities of ruling a fantasy world.

3) Tate no Yusha no Nariagari

Naofumi Iwatani is an ordinary college student who is summoned to a fantasy world along with three other young people.

Each of them is chosen as a legendary hero with unique weapons and roles. Naofumi, however, is assigned the role of Shield Hero, the only hero without offensive capabilities, which leads to his initial disadvantage and mockery.

He is wrongly accused of heinous acts and expelled before his journey even begins. Embittered by this unfair treatment, Naofumi decides to adopt the persona of the villain, hiding his true intentions behind a mask of indifference and perceived cruelty.

Only a handful of loyal allies are aware of his true character and the heavy burden he bears. Despite facing constant hostility and slander from the inhabitants of the kingdom, Naofumi's resolve remains unshakable.

He relentlessly protects people who despise him, driven by an unshakable sense of duty and justice.

Naofumi's deeds consistently overshadow the false accusations against him. His courage and tactical brilliance repeatedly come to the fore, saving the day even when he is vilified and misunderstood.

The Rising of the Shield Hero surprises its audience with a powerful story of perseverance and redemption, illustrating Naofumi's transformation from a maligned outcast to an unsung hero in a world blind to his true worth.

4) The Saga of Tanya the Evil

The saga of Tanya, the Bad begins with a weary businessman who meets a tragic end when he is pushed in front of a train during his daily commute.

In his final moments, he curses God for his fate. In response, a mysterious deity appears and, out of spite, reincarnates him in a war-torn world as a young girl named Tanya.

Driven by spite and a desire for revenge, Tanya decides to defy this deity by plunging headfirst into the brutal conflicts of her new environment.

Her goal is to thrive in chaos, demonstrating her superiority over the divine force that condemned her.

Despite her innocent appearance, Tanya's strategic brilliance and ruthless demeanor make her a powerful force on the battlefield. Her every action is a calculated move against the divinity she refuses to submit to.

In this new world, where magic and advanced technology coexist, Tanya's mission to deceive God becomes increasingly complex.

The fusion of these elements presents unforeseen challenges, forcing it to constantly adapt and innovate.

The Saga of Evil Tanya captivates viewers with its intense storyline, depicting Tanya's relentless battle against her enemies and the ever-present divinity, offering a fresh and engaging perspective within the isekai genre.

5) Arifureta: From commonplace to the strongest in the world

In Arifureta: From commonplace to the strongest in the world, Hajime Nagumo, an ordinary high school student who, along with his classmates, is summoned to a magical world with the mission of preventing a terrible crisis.

Unlike his friends, who are gifted with extraordinary powers, Hajime is initially granted the seemingly insignificant ability of Transmutation, making him the least impressive of the group.

Determined to survive, Hajime fights his way out of the dungeon, fueled by rage and a thirst for revenge. As he battles and consumes the monsters he encounters, his strength grows exponentially.

This transformation not only makes him incredibly powerful, but also transforms him from an underdog into an overwhelming force in this new world.

With his new power, Hajime decides to abandon his former classmates and his mission.

Instead, he focuses on finding a way to return home, with only a few loyal allies by his side. His journey evolves from one of heroism to a quest for personal redemption and escape from the world that once betrayed him.

6) Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy

Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy revolves around Makoto Misumi, an ordinary high school student who is unexpectedly summoned to a fantasy world by a goddess intending to use him as a hero.

However, the goddess finds him unsuitable and rejects him, banishing him to the shores of the world.

This cruel rejection plunged Makoto into despair, leaving him alone and isolated in an unfamiliar and hostile land.

Despite this crushing blow, Makoto's determination to survive led him to form alliances with local monsters and mystical races.

His latent heroic bloodline granted him extraordinary power, which only grew stronger over time, making him one of the most formidable beings in the world.

Through sheer resilience and ingenuity, Makoto built a new life for himself, earning the respect and loyalty of the many creatures he befriended.

However, even as Makoto prospered among his non-human allies, he never abandoned his hope of lifting the curse that kept him apart from humanity.

His journey became one of relentless self-discovery and perseverance, driven by a desire to reconcile his past and create a future where he could freely connect with others.

Makoto's story is a testament to overcoming rejection and adversity, highlighting his unwavering determination to find his true place in the world.

7) The Eminence in Shadow

The Eminence in Shadow follows Cid Kagenou, a high school student who aspires to become a genius behind the scenes, manipulating events from the shadows like his favorite fictional characters.

In his quest for ultimate power and influence, Cid is reincarnated into a fantasy world with the ability to wield powerful magic.

Upon arriving in this new world, Cid initially keeps a low profile, acting under the guise of an ordinary student.

Despite the dramatic change from his previous life, Cid’s core personality and ambitions remain intact. Determined to take control of this new world, he immerses himself in mastering its magical elements, all the while maneuvering carefully from the shadows to achieve his goals.

As he gains immense power, Cid founds a clandestine organization that subtly influences and controls the political dynamics of several kingdoms.

His organization uses a mixture of intimidation and overwhelming force to control the fate of nations from behind the scenes.

Cid's skill in strategy and subterfuge allows him to neutralize any opposition, be it rival nobles or self-proclaimed heroes, ensuring that his rule remains unchallenged.

Cid's relentless pursuit of power in the shadows drives him to eliminate any threat with meticulous precision.

His talent for manipulation and his ability to dismantle resistance solidify his unassailable position in this new world.

The Eminence in Shadow presents a compelling story of Cid's rise to supremacy, emphasizing his elaborate strategies and the far-reaching impact of his actions in a world where he rules from the darkness.

8) Got a Cheat Skill in Another World and Became Unrivaled in the Real World

Yuuto Amamiya, an ordinary high school student who is unexpectedly transported to a fantasy world.

Unlike other heroes summoned to such worlds, Yuuto initially feels out of place, but soon discovers that he has been granted a rare and powerful ability that significantly surpasses the abilities of others.

With these new abilities, Yuuya embarks on a journey through this enchanting yet dangerous world, fighting evil and righting wrongs wherever he finds them.

His courageous actions and unwavering determination quickly earned him a reputation as a formidable hero in this new land.

Despite his growing influence and success, Yuuya chooses not to completely abandon his old life.

Upon returning to his original world, his remarkable talents attract much attention, transforming him from an unnoticed individual into a person of great interest and admiration.

As Yuuya juggles his dual existence, his extraordinary abilities bring him the respect and recognition he has always craved, along with the affection of the girls he has admired from afar.

This newfound acclaim and acceptance fills the void left by his previous life of neglect. Yuuya’s story unfolds as one of empowerment and redemption, as he uses his exceptional gifts to improve and unite both worlds, fulfilling his deepest desires and making a lasting impact.