Isekai anime are often criticized, and understandably so. There’s a huge number of them, and many rely on the same simple wish-fulfillment storylines, making it hard to find one that’s truly engaging or original.
I’ve noticed a lot of anime lately falls into the ‘isekai’ genre, and honestly, it can get a bit repetitive. But it’s not all that’s out there. There’s a new fantasy anime on Crunchyroll that’s really standing out, and if you’re feeling burnt out on ‘isekai,’ I highly recommend giving it a look. It’s a refreshing change of pace.
Why Isekai Haters Have To Watch Sentenced To Be A Hero
If someone dislikes typical isekai anime but is willing to give one a chance, Sentenced to Be a Hero from Studio Kai is a great choice. It’s refreshing because the story focuses on the adventures of characters within a fantasy world, without relying on the common tropes of reincarnation or being transported from another world to kickstart the plot.
The main appeal of Sentenced to Be a Hero is its story – a gritty war tale where heroism is a curse, and the goddesses who seem to guide heroes are actually manufactured weapons. Combined with a fresh take on demons, it’s a surprisingly dark story that manages to include moments of humor, preventing it from becoming overwhelmingly bleak.
The show boasts fantastic production values, with director Hiroyuki Takashima bringing his expertise from series like SSSS.Dynazenon and Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation to create consistently beautiful animation and direction. This results in Sentenced to Be a Hero being strong both in its visuals and storytelling, and sets a high bar for the rest of the season.
2026 Is Going To Be A Big Year For Traditional Fantasy Anime
I’ve been so excited to see traditional fantasy anime really making a splash again! For a while there, it felt like every fantasy show was the isekai type, but lately we’ve gotten some amazing series like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Delicious in Dungeon, and the new Spice and Wolf reboot – they’ve all been huge hits, and it’s fantastic to see the genre getting back to its roots!
The popularity of classic fantasy stories is still going strong in 2026. The year begins with the release of Sentenced to Be a Hero, a large-scale traditional fantasy, and with the second season of Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and shows like Witch Hat Atelier also planned, it promises to be another fantastic year for fans of the genre.
Okay, I’m seriously excited about Sentenced to Be a Hero! It’s got a much more compelling and well-made story than a lot of the usual isekai stuff out there, and the animation quality is fantastic. It’s easily one of the highlights of Crunchyroll’s winter 2026 lineup, and honestly, if it keeps up this level of quality, it could become the go-to show for anyone who’s starting to get a little tired of the isekai genre.
https://comicbook.com/anime/list/5-best-fantasy-series-were-excited-about-in-2026-ranked/embed/#
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2026-01-04 17:10