Summary
Withhigh-fantasy and MMO elementsbeing some of the most common themes inisekai anime, warfare and military strategies often go unexplored in these realms. However, many isekai series deviate from this common narrative for an otherworldly adventure laced with military expansion, strategic advances, and classic armed warfare.
Action and adventureare common themes in isekai series, yet these titles showcase a more organized and strategic side of large-scale conflict. By meshing together modern military tactics with fantasy settings, these isekai anime present an entirely different facet of warfare, one where military might and magic go side by side.
Gate
Teetering between the genres of isekaiand reverse isekai,Gateoffers a realistic take on modern-day weaponry clashing against swords and sorcery. The series starts off strong with the Japan Self-Defense Force’s audacious annexation of the mysterious fantasy world. The JSDF strategically takes over the new region, all while keeping the rest of the world in the dark.
However,Gatefalls off in the latter episodes once the narrative gives in to the usual harem antics and overused isekai tropes. Moreover, the storyline gets overshadowed by the nationalistic subtexts and one-sided narrative of the JSDF’s endeavors, all while ignoring the army’s own exploitative policies. Still, these subtexts are in line with the show’s military theme, highlighting how occupying forces can sway the narrative.
Drifters’premise is arguably one of the most bizarre plots in the isekai landscape, with leaders and historical figures from times bygone fighting a group known as the “Ends.” Toyohisa Shimazu, a significant figure from Japan’s history, leads the charge, along with names like Oda Nabunaga, Jeanne D’Arc, and Hannibal supporting the primary cast.
With the continent ravaged by war, Shimazu is soon embroiled in a conflict against the Ends. The skirmishes between the Drifters and the Ends showcasethe series’ military aspects, with strategic planning and tactical assaults being part of the war. While the premise can be rather confusing,Driftersredeems itself through its action-packed scenes and strategic warfare.
How A Realist Hero Rebuilt The Kingdom
True to its namesake,How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdomfeatures an isekai’d hero who is immediately burdened with the responsibility of rehabilitating a crippled nation. With Sun Tzu’sArt of Warand Machiavelli’sThe Princeserving as his inspiration, Kazuya takes up the mantle of king with his assertive leadership style and progressive policies.
While the anime largely focuses onKazuya’s kingdom-building endeavors, the threat of war remains imminent throughout the series. By the latter half of the show, the impending war becomes a focal point of the show, with Kazuya leading the Elfrieden Kingdom to victory using real-world philosophies and military tactics.
The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic
As an isekai series set in a world of high-fantasy,The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magicgives the impression of another unassuming isekai narrative with overused tropes. However, the anime subverts expectations in all the right ways, whether it’s the series’ innovative use of healing magic or the strategic warfare between the Llinger Kingdom andthe Demon Lord’s army.
Despite magic being a central concept inThe Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic, the narrative still manages to base its conflict around modern military strategies. From clearly defined battalions to units stationed at the backlines, the series presents a concrete war plan right before the Demon Lord’s invasion. Since the impending war is the main overarching plot of the series’ first season, the narrative mostly revolves around the war against demons and the Kingdom’s strategic preparations.
With an absurd rendition of theEuropean theater of World War 1set in a world where magic and missiles go hand in hand,Saga Of Tanya The Evileffortlessly presents a narrative where modern military warfare combines with magic and sorcery. With Tanya Von Degurechaff, the Devil of the Rhine, at the forefront as a soldier of the Empire, viewers get a first-row seat to the child soldier’s malicious strategies for ensuring victory.
From committing war crimes on foreign lands to ordering pincer attacks on invading forces,Saga Of Tanya The Evilhas it all. Moreover, Tanya’s progression from a mere conscripted soldier to First Lieutenant in the army is another fascinating element of the show. The series also does an impressive job at showcasing the brutalities of war, be it the naive soldiers sent to the front lines or the innocent civilians caught in the petty aggression of ignorant leaders.
