What Isekai Anime Did You Start With?

For those who are wondering what I am talking about when I say isekai, simply put…it means an alternate world from reality or…as some would put it RPG (role playing).  Chronologically for me, what really started getting me into the genre…is dot hack.  The story and concept was pretty straight forward for me and I do admit that I did sometimes stay up late at night to watch it.  This, in turn, got me into the games (although I didn’t finish 3 and I didn’t have the final volume; but I did own all 3 of dot hack G.U., which is a continuation of dot hack ROOTS), and I have read the manga spin off (Tasogare no Udewa Densetsu) as well as the light novels that tie into the anime itself (including the game explanation novels told from the real life character of BlackRose’s perspective).  The usual premise of being trapped in a game and then trying to get out of it is something that got my attention because of an objective that sounds engaging and interesting. (To be honest, as an anime fan I think this is SEVERELY underrated and overlooked historically). Later, I got into another anime that got me into the realm of fantasy from the creators of CLAMP (those who know what company this is know exactly the titles that come to mind)…more specifically…Magic Knight’s Rayearth.  This is actually the second magical girl genre anime that I watched but I actually started backwards to a point.  I watched the OAV (which has a different premise) before watching the anime itself and reading the manga.

Now to get to the point at hand, I have watched Rise of the Shield Hero and despite the SJWs whining and bitching about how it’s for cis-anime fans (to hell with them)…I found the plot and story well made and the main hero understandable and in a way relatable.  Still currently writing and researching and have yet to read the light novel (although I plan to) but this is both my thoughts and my explanation on how I got into the isekai genre.  Granted that there are others that some fans know about but I can’t help but question how many know and comprehend the ones that I just brought up.  That being said, what got you guys into this genre if ever and what stands out to you?  Sound off anime fans.