You’re convinced. You want to try isekai in tabletop. Yes! But which genre of isekai are you aiming for? Isekai has sub-genres, each with its own unique take on the medium. This means a plethora of plotlines to explore.

This listing of genres isn’t exhaustive, and multiple genres can apply to one game or story, such as a monster harem isekai. This list can help you narrow down possibilities and sharpen up your ideas though.

Catch up on the Isekai’d! series from the beginning!

Adventure Isekai

The simplest form to bring to tabletop is the adventure isekai. An individual or group of characters venture into a dungeon or some other dangerous location to gain loot and defeat monsters. Sound familiar?

This type of isekai differs little from a standard 5E or ToV campaign, and it’s easy for new or unsure players to get on board.

Setting. Adventure isekai takes place in dungeons, ruins, and similar locations, with a base the players return to when not out adventuring. Traveling to and from these locations is also an aspect of this genre.

Storylines. Most storylines involve PCs exploring a dungeon for treasure and experience. However, an overarching plotline often involves a terrible threat, such as a demonic army or an ancient dragon despoiling the realm.

Examples: Grimgar, Ashes and Illusion; Handyman Saitou in Another World

Harem or Otome Isekai

These isekai revolve around the concept of love and relationships. Harem isekai are traditionally aimed at men and involve a male character collecting a bevy of attractive female partners. Otome isekai are traditionally aimed toward women and involve a woman finding the husband of her dreams.

Both types of isekai are highly cliched and often sexist, which may drive some players away. That doesn’t mean you have to use it in your game though.

Setting. Many of these isekai occur within large cities, schools, and other centers of civilization where protagonists can freely mingle with their chosen suitors.

Storylines. Detailed social interaction is a crucial component of many harem and otome isekai. Plots involving subterfuge, kidnappings, political intrigue, and magical experimentation are all common.

Examples: Arifureta (harem), My Next Life as a Villainess (otome).

Monster Isekai

A monster isekai is one where the main characters start the campaign as monsters such as skeletons, giant spiders, dragons, or slimes (see below) and grow in power. The treatment of the characters depends on the nature of the campaign, though the protagonists often end up being able to assume humanoid form to blend in with society.

Setting. Most of the time, the locations are like that of an adventure isekai. Dungeons, ruins, and wilderness areas are interspersed with humanoid communities.

Storylines. The plots of monster isekai often revolve around the monsters forming personal bonds with regular humanoids and creating a place for themselves in the world. This might involve crafting a dungeon or other habitat. Characters who behave as evil monsters might have to deal with noble heroes or entire kingdoms trying to kill them.

Examples: Overlord, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

Reverse Isekai

In this type of isekai, the characters are transported to Earth from a fantasy world. They have to get used to living in a modern, industrialized society where most people work mundane jobs and lead ordinary lives. The characters typically retain their fantastical abilities but may be stunted in some way (unable to cast spells above 3rd circle, no magic items, etc.).

Setting. Reverse isekai generally are set in metropolises such as Tokyo or New York, though other suburban or urban areas work too. Some reverse isekai allow the characters to move between the real world and their original fantasy world.

Storylines. Surviving in the modern world and learning to coexist with its inhabitants is a key feature of a reverse isekai, and most reverse isekai protagonists are happy to have a job and a place to stay. Threats for these characters include government agencies, criminal gangs, and enemies from their home world. Antagonists want to experiment on them, use them, or kill them for various reasons.

Examples: The Devil Is a Part-Timer, Dead Mount Death Play

New Monster

The field slime is the first threat that many beginning isekai adventurers face. (Check out the slime you can use as a familiar in our Dragon Quest article!)

FIELD SLIME

This small, hemispherical, pale-colored blob bounces across the grass. Small eye spots on its body give you the impression of a face.

Field slimes or simply “slimes”, are among the weakest oozes. Their acid is relatively mild, and they present no threat to a well-armed adventurer. Though they have eye spots, field slimes cannot see and rely entirely on their keensense. Field slimes can appear in almost any shade but are typically green or blue.

A Constant Nuisance. Field slimes reproduce quickly and can appear in great numbers if left unchecked, so adventuring guilds frequently call on adventurers to cull them.

Cuteness Overload. Some creatures consider field slimes cute because of their comical appearance. Some adventurers even keep them as pets.

FIELD SLIME                        CR 1/8

Tiny Ooze

Armor Class 12
Hit Points 8
Speed 20 ft.
Perception 8                   Stealth 12
Vulnerable Piercing
Resistant Bludgeoning, Ooze Resilience
Immune Acid, Ooze Resilience
Senses keensense 30 ft. (can’t sense beyond this radius)
Languages —

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
−4	+2	+0	−3	−2	+0

Amorphous. The field slime can move through space as narrow as 1 inch wide without squeezing.

Ooze Nature. The field slime doesn’t require sleep.

Ooze Resilience. The field slime is resistant to the grappled and restrained conditions, and it is immune to exhaustion and to the blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, and prone conditions.

Pack Tactics. The field slime has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the slime’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.

ACTIONS

Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) acid damage.

Clinging Strike. If the field slime succeeds on its attack roll by 5 or more, it adheres to the target, dealing an additional 3 acid damage at the beginning of the target’s next turn. The field slime then drops off the target.

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