If you’ve been even moderately involved in the anime and manga fandom at some point within the past 10 years or so, you’re no doubt familiar with the genre/trope known as “isekai”: a story mechanism, literally translating to “another world” or “a different world,” by which a character magically transports to, gets reincarnated into, or otherwise finds themselves in — you guessed it! — another world.
It’s become such a staple of Japanese popular culture that earlier this year, it officially made it into the Oxford English Dictionary — showing just how recognizable the genre has become worldwide.
We’ve talked on this BLog before about how trends in Japanese pop culture at large can affect even the relatively niche corner that is BL manga (such as the rise of streamers and Vtubers that Ames eloquently discussed) — and it’s no surprise that we’ve seen a steady increase in BL mangaka making use of isekai in their stories lately.
Even if you’re not a huge fan of isekai in general (it seems every other anime coming out these days is an isekai, amirite fellas?), I think it’s pretty likely you’ll find something to your taste when it’s used in a genre as subversive and diverse as BL. As I’ve always said, BL mangaka are endlessly creative, and when they see an opportunity to tell a touching story about love that transcends space and time, or to depict NSFW situations with hot fantasy creatures, they’ll take it!
I’ve handpicked 5 series to introduce today that make me especially grateful I was born in just the right era to enjoy BL isekai manga 🙏 Whether you’re looking for some LOL-worthy comedy, tearjerking drama, or just some good ol’ otherworldly dick-downs, you’ll find it all down below!
Kneel Before Me, Hero!!
by Mizu Kisaragi & RAIDEN
If you enjoy the fantasy RPG setting that’s common in isekai, along with comical meta commentary, this series may be the perfect story for you to jump into.
When Crown Prince Urban regains memories of his past life, he realizes he’s destined to be the companion of this world’s “hero,” an unassuming peasant named Kyle, and join him on his quest to defeat the Demon Lord. Kyle, for his part, is utterly baffled at the beautiful young man showing up to his house and demanding he go and “grind levels” NOW, but Urban manages to strong-arm his way into Kyle’s home to help him train for their upcoming battle, and take care of the housework so Kyle can focus on Hero-ing.
Sure enough, Urban’s guidance helps Kyle grow stronger, and the two form a close bond. But as they spend more time together, they realize they may have feelings for each other that go beyond the boundaries of friendship…
Both a romantic comedy and an epic adventure, this currently ongoing series has plenty of laughs and adorable moments between its main couple in store. Urban may be conceited, but his naivete and genuine desire to make Kyle the strongest hero possible are cute, and I very much enjoyed Kyle’s transformation from a cool and aloof, down-to-earth peasant to a total (male)wife guy (Urban wears a frilly apron around the house and it’s very moe). In a word, it’s DORKS being cute together, so right up my alley. And if you’re hoping for some spicy content, there’s some of that as well! 😉Personal note: I love the way Mizu Kisaragi draws Kyle’s ass, both clothed and unclothed — the art of Top Butt is woefully underappreciated, and when afforded the proper attention, it can make all the difference 🥴
Here’s a sweet story with an inspiring message of following your dreams — wherever that takes you.
Takara’s an aspiring children’s book author who has yet to get his big break in the writing world. One day, while running away from someone he assumes is a debt collector, he finds himself suddenly transported to an unfamiliar kingdom in another world. He’s greeted by Prince Adanveld, or Adan, who claims to have met Takara in the past… when they made a pact to someday get married!
After a misunderstanding in bed (featuring Takara’s naughty body in a pretty little see-through number 😍), the two realize they’re on completely different pages — Adan’s ready to claim Takara as his wife, but Takara has no memory of the time they supposedly spent together, and is certainly in no place to accept the proposal. But Adan isn’t discouraged — he vows to help jog Takara’s memory of his time in the magical kingdom, and win his heart all over again.
This tightly-written story wraps up in 6 chapters, and does a great job showing just how important Adan and Takara were — and are — to each other in their own ways. Kannu Ogi’s attractive character designs and the beautifully detailed backgrounds make this manga a visual adventure, too.
Miiyu Just Wanted His Dead Lover Back
by Aniya Yuiji
I had to brace myself when reading this for the first time, as Ames had told me it made her cry — and the cover art, gorgeous as it is, also hints at the poignance of this BL fantasy story.
Shunsuke, a young man who just wants to quit his job, faces a whole new set of problems when he’s unexpectedly transported to another world, where he meets a mysterious and beautiful elf named Miiyu. He learns that Miiyu had purposefully summoned him to this world, under the presumption that he was his deceased lover “Shun.” But as fate would have it, Shunsuke has no memory of their relationship, although he does look just like “Shun.”
Despite Miiyu’s disappointment and Shunsuke’s inconvenience at the situation, the two end up living together in Miiyu’s cozy cottage in the woods and helping each other out — Miiyu teaches Shunsuke all about this strange new world, and Shunsuke in turn helps Miiyu, who’s become unable to use his magic for some reason, with his daily tasks. All the while, Miiyu can’t help but see traces of his dead beloved in this new “Shun,” and Shunsuke finds himself inexplicably and irresistibly drawn to Miiyu…
Heartwrenching moments aside, I also can’t not mention the nice, steamy smut scenes filled with lifetimes’ worth of longing, which just make them that much better. By the time you reach the end of this 6-chapter story, you may cry, but I guarantee you will not regret reading it.
He’s The One Who Killed Me In My Past Life
by Fujimine Shiki
If you prefer a little lighthearted comedy to balance out the Angst™, look no further than this next series!
This one’s somewhat of a “reverse isekai,” where our main character Ayato is reincarnated into modern-day Japan, but has memories of his previous life as an aristocrat — and his retained aristocratic traits, such as his high-class mannerisms and taste for the finer things in life, have made it hard for him to fit into regular society. After getting fired from yet another job, Ayato gets the opportunity to work as a dorm supervisor to some ridiculously wealthy college students. Surely looking after some rich young men will be a piece of cake for a former nobleman, right? (Rich people nonsense and college bro antics ahead 🎉)
But all the challenges of Ayato’s new job pale in comparison to his horrified discovery that one of the residents he’s now in charge of, Soh, is the man who’s appeared in his nightmares ever since he regained memories of his past life — the one who ended that life, in fact!
Understandably on edge around Soh, who seems to not have any memory of their past connection, Ayato ends up unintentionally getting involved with him after an incident involving an expensive broken vase (go figure) leaves him with a desperate need for cash. Soh, loaded as he is, offers Ayato his financial support, in exchange for his body. Sleeping with the guy who once murdered him (and a resident of his dorm with powerful family connections, no less!) isn’t exactly ideal, but Ayato has no choice…
I’ve been enjoying the story’s development as Ayato slowly recovers more of his memories and grows closer with Soh — and seeing Ayato help the cast of dorm residents solve their problems along the way is heartwarming, too. It’s a nice mix of sweet, spicy, and emotional.
Fighting Fate In This Other World – My Alpha Male Is A Gentle Beast –
by Kisara
Omegaverse? Isekai? Why not BOTH? 🥴
Haru, an omega, wakes up in an unfamiliar world, where he’s surrounded by beast people and told he’s the destined mate of Viano, leader of the black panther tribe. With no memories of his previous life, Haru hopes to make himself useful in the new world he’s found himself in, mainly by bearing Viano’s child — but his body doesn’t seem up to the challenge right away…
Isekai is often associated with escapism, and overpowered heroes getting fawned over by everyone they encounter in their new world can be eyerolling for some. This series can definitely be viewed through an escapism lens, but IMO, the unending love and adoration Haru’s met with in his new world are plenty deserved, and serve as healing for him considering the trauma he suffered in his previous life (strong trigger warnings for child abuse, SA, and drugging in the first few chapters of the story). Knowing everything he’s been through, seeing Haru be dressed in pretty clothes, get carried everywhere by his adoring mate Viano, have the gods literally squirt geysers in his honor, admire bean plants growing, and play with giant birds is pretty satisfying — maybe even cathartic.
There are fantastical and political elements to the story to spice things up as well, but I think the main draw is really the unconditional love between Haru and his fated mate Viano — and the cute daily activities of our omega princess as he gains self-confidence and embraces his role in his new world.
🚚💥😵🥴😇🌈🦄👨❤️💋👨
These are just a handful of the isekai offerings we’ve got on Renta! — at the time of this writing, there are about 20 BL titles tagged “Isekai/Another World” for you to explore, but we predict that number will only grow from here on. Why not check some of them out, and enjoy BL in every universe? 💙
How do YOU feel about isekai? Are you hoping for us to pick up a particular isekai BL series? 👀 Be sure to let us know in the comments!
rentaBLog 
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