The best Isekai anime that explores morally gray worlds

Key foods

• Isekai anime explores morally gray worlds, creating themes and conflicts beyond conventional morality.
• Characters face moral dilemmas in situations like war, revealing subtleties and complexities.
• In series such as “The Saga of Tanya the Devil”, it explores themes of war with neither side having the moral high ground.

Isekai anime is known for venturing into the realms of high fantasy, meaning that these otherworldly settings differ greatly from the usual simple black and white narratives. This has led to several isekai anime using morally gray worlds in favor of compelling premises that open up space for complex dialogue.

Whether it's war-torn worlds or immersive dystopian environments, these isekai anime are full of nuance and complexity that transcends conventional morality. While the characters themselves may not be morally ambiguous, this setting presents the characters with moral dilemmas and gives way to a variety of compelling themes.

1 The wrong way to use healing magic

It shows the human side of demons

At first glance, the world of The wrong way to use healing magic It may seem black and white. This notion is further supported by the Demon King's army and their past attack on the Llinger Kingdom, an event that resulted in massive casualties for the kingdom.

However, as the series progresses, it becomes abundantly clear that all is not so clear-cut. After the Black Knight's redemption, it is revealed that demons are not inherently evil and have human-like emotions. This event, along with a few other surprising revelations, makes the war between the two factions quite gray.

2 the gate

Exploring mystical realms with a touch of nationalism

the gate It may look like any other isekai anime with lots of harems, however this anime actually takes place in a somewhat morally gray world. The story largely revolves around Yuji Itami's efforts to contain the mystical world that has appeared on Japan's doorstep.

While the anime tries to portray Japan as the “good guy” throughout the anime, it soon becomes apparent that the archipelago's actions in this fantasy world are not entirely pure. In addition, the gate It's full of nationalistic ideals that portray the less advanced fantasy world as little more than a primitive land, a subtext that makes most of the premise quite gray.

3 I love The Villainess

Explores the divide between royalty and commoners

In an otome game based on the theme of evil, I love The Villainess At first it looks like any lightweight isekai anime. However, the anime immediately defies expectations with several subtle subtexts, whether it's the stigma associated with same-sex relationships or the rights of ordinary people.

In the second half of the series, it becomes clear that there is a rift between the oblivious royals and the marginalized commoners. These events open up a dialogue about the class differences that exist between royalty and commoners, a theme further explored by series protagonist Rae Taylor.

4 Grimgar: Ashes and illusions

Survival of the fittest in a hellish world

Another isekai anime set in a war-torn world, Grimgar: Ashes and illusions The focus is on the bonds formed between soldiers engaged in a conflict that has little to do with them. This anime revolves around a group of mercenaries who, after settling in a strange world, have no choice but to fight for the reserve army.

Anime focuses more on character development and relationships between characters. However, the reality is that the show is set in a world where children are forced to be recruited into a conflict that has nothing to do with them.

5 Now and then, here and there

A world destroyed by the violence of war

In a dystopian world ravaged by war, Now and then, here and there It highlights the effects of war on innocent civilians, along with those forced to fight against their will. Shu goes into this world after trying to protect a mysterious girl named Lala, a decision that leaves him in an uncomfortable world.

Child soldiers are sent to the front lines, while the civilian population is forced into starvation, poverty and abuse – all for a scarce resource. At first glance, this conflict may seem black and white, although as the story progresses, it becomes clear that there really are no right or wrong sides in this brutal conflict.

6 The drifters

Historical figures who are placed in front of each other

While anime with war and conflict as a central concept tends to be set in a morally gray world, The drifters It takes the concept to another level by pitting historical figures against each other. The two biggest names in history, known as the Drifters and the Enders, are forced to fight each other in a brutal conflict.

While the Ends are the main antagonistic faction in it The driftersIt turns out that this group is made up of historical figures who have gone insane due to the trauma they experienced during their lives. This aspect of their madness shows that no one is inherently evil, as these characters are forced to conflict because of how history has treated them.

7 The saga of Tanya the Devil

Transcendental retelling of the First World War

The saga of Tanya the Devil is a classic isekai series that highlights the moral side of war with its brutal retelling of World War I. With mature themes such as war crimes, forced obedience, and the consequences of war for innocent civilians, The saga of Tanya the Devil It illustrates well how neither side in an armed conflict has the moral high ground.

Tanya herself is a rather gray character, which further adds to the show's theme of how desperate each side is to survive and the fact that there are no real winners in the war. Even though it is an isekai anime, The saga of Tanya the Devil Subtle subtexts hit a little closer to home by reflecting the real world.