Isekai Anime & Manga with protagonists reincarnated as merchants

The usual isekai blueprint revolves around the concept of escapism, with protagonists renouncing their previous existence for a life of adventure. However, some isekai anime and manga deviate from this standard premise by taking on a slightly more mundane story, one in which the protagonist takes the role of merchant or merchant.

From starting businesses in new worlds to gaining cheating skills suitable for being a merchant, these anime and manga present a whole new story in the isekai landscape. These stories are perfect for viewers looking for a digestible and light premise, as they present a side of isekai anime and manga that is not usually explored.

Updated October 1, 2024 by Ahmed Rehan Nasir: The Isekai genre has branched out into all sorts of absurd themes and premises, making the notion of being reincarnated as a merchant or trader seem rather tame. However, this theme defies the very concept of isekai escapism, as these protagonists end up taking on roles that reflect real-life occupations. Yet this subgenre within the isekai theme has its own charm, with viewers awakened by the notion of a slow existence in another world. For fans of this dynamic niche, this list has been updated with some more anime and manga.

10 Sweet reincarnation

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.52/5

True to its name, Sweet reincarnation follows the rebirth of a promising pastry chef in a fantasy world. Reincarnated as a child named Pastry, the lost chef embarks on his back pursuits, while bringing prosperity to his country through his ingenious desserts.

While the prerequisite for Sweet reincarnation may sound appealing, the anime falls short due to its lack of direction. The series delves into themes such as political and royal drama, cooking, nation-building and even romance, all within a span of twelve episodes. Without a clear identity, the anime ends up seeming like another generic isekai story without much to offer. Sweet Reincarnation's manga, on the other hand, ties the plot together without seeming like a convoluted mess. This is largely due to more breathing room for the manga to flesh out the characters, along with a focus on specific plot points like Pastry's cooking endeavors.

9 The cafe in another world Station

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.68/5

Cooking stories tend to fit the isekai format, though that's no surprise given the warm feelings these light-hearted stories evoke. The cafe in another world Station offers a similar starting point for cooking in another world, but with the setting of a kawaii café. Takumi and Nyachi suddenly find themselves in another world, where they take refuge in a station building.

The duo decide to start a cafe in that station building, with an intricate two-part afternoon and morning menu of all sorts of baked delights. When the cafe becomes a success, the two are frequented by regulars, giving way to healthy interactions and interesting dynamics. The cafe in another world Station is a unique manga that differs from the norm and offers readers a more relaxed isekai experience.

8 The reincarnated prince becomes an alchemist and brings prosperity to his land

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.76/5

The reincarnated prince becomes an alchemist and brings prosperity to his land is a kingdom-building manga that throws in a lot of crafting and economics. After being reincarnated as a prince of a lowly kingdom, Hiro is given the insurmountable responsibility of getting his nation back on track.

Although Hiro does not take on the role of a merchant in the traditional sense, he manages to capture the essence of the craft by using alchemy and modern knowledge to bring economic prosperity to his nation. With business, commerce, and macroeconomics, the manga hits all the right notes when it comes to presenting an engaging story.

7 The daily life of a middle-aged online shopper in another world

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.77/5

Kenichi is a middle-aged man who suddenly finds himself in a new world, albeit without any apparent reason behind this set of isekai. While trying to survive the monsters that exist in this new world, he discovers a cheat ability that only he has access to: “online shop”.

By earning money in this new world, Kenichi has the power to purchase modern items from his online store. Through this peculiar business model, Kenichi quickly rises to the top and becomes a successful businessman. The daily life of a middle-aged online shopper in another world is a casual isekai manga that does not have a definite plot, although the story itself is quite entertaining. Kenichi's cheating ability is a common feature of most isekai as well, though the manga adds a new spin on the concept by forcing him to find work in this fantasy world.

6 Different World Foundation

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.78/5

Different World Foundation begins on a rather grim note, with the main character being reborn as an orphan abandoned at a young age. But Almus manages to turn things around with the knowledge he retained from his past life and gives way to a small farming village run by orphans.

While the manga begins with a focus on farming and agriculture, it eventually branches into macroeconomics and nation-building after the village begins to prosper. With a farmer-turned-leader at the helm, Different World Foundation presents an interesting lesson on leadership and management. Almus may take on the role of a leader later on, but his humble beginnings as a farmer and trader cement him as a trader.

5 Magic Artisan Dahlia no longer wilts

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.85/5

Dahlia's past life is filled with gloom and despair, but her untimely demise gives her a second chance at life in a fantasy world. Using her crafting skills and crafting tools, Dahlia soon becomes the talk of the town with her alien products and new inventions.

With magic in the mix, Dahlia vows to enjoy every second of her new life and spend her days crafting magical items as a merchant. Dahlia's positivity and enthusiasm is quite contagious, which is a surprising change from her gloomy disposition in her previous life. Magic Artisan Dahlia no longer wilts is somewhat heavy on the escapism aspects of isekai manga, although the story itself is quite wholesome as Dahlia finds her true self in this new world.

4 Parallel World Pharmacy

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.89/5

Being reincarnated in a new world does not always have to be equated with dangerous adventures, and Parallel World Pharmacy shows this fact with a noble subtext. Kanji Yakutani is a medical researcher who passes away at a young age due to overwork, but he opens his eyes again in another world as a 10-year-old child named Falma.

Realizing that healthcare is a privilege limited to the upper echelons of society, Falma uses her noble status and prior knowledge of medicine to make proper medical care available to all through her pharmacy business. This isekai anime alludes to the unavailability of proper medical care in the real world, making the story all the more profound. Parallel World Pharmacy was also part of the Japan Pharmaceutical Association's campaign to raise awareness of pharmaceutical practices.

3 Agricultural life in another world

Anime-Planet Rating: 3.93/5

After living a life of misery and succumbing to a deadly disease, God takes pity on Hiraku and gives him a second chance at life. Hiraku wants to try his hand at farming and is given the “Almighty Farming Tool” to help him in his farming endeavors.

Similar to any isekai anime with a merchant at the helm, Agricultural life in another world takes a light-hearted approach to his storytelling. The focus remains on Hiraku's growth as a farmer, although the anime does away with its harem antics later on. Still, the series is an enjoyable farming anime that serves as a refreshing break from tense storylines. Agricultural life in another world is one of the few anime adaptations out there that is superior to its manga counterpart, no doubt due to the anime's vibrant setting and relaxed tonality.

2 Cook the campfire in another world with my absurd skill

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.06/5

True to its name, Make campfires in another world with my absurd skill is a slice-of-life cooking isekai with a protagonist who wants nothing to do with adventure. Tsuyoshi Mukouda is called to a new world as a hero, even though his “online super market” cheat skill deems him useless to the kingdom.

He soon realizes that this skill allows him to purchase cheap ingredients from present-day Japan that are considered luxuries in the New World. Using this opportunity, Mukouda surrenders to a peaceful life of cooking and feeding those he meets along the way. In this comfort-filled adventure, Mukouda enjoys the escapism of being “isekai'd,” while remaining grounded as a traveling merchant. The anime becomes all the more entertaining with Mukouda's roster of companions, whether it's the mighty Fenrir or a tiny slime.

1 My Lady just wants to relax

Anime-Planet Rating: 4.11/5

My Lady just wants to relax is an isekai villainess manga with a protagonist destined for doom, yet the story manages to distinguish itself through a quirky twist. Instead of fighting for her place in the novel's narrative, Ronia accepts her condemnation and uses her newfound freedom to open a cafe in the countryside.

The manga presents a relaxed interpretation of the villain theme, which strangely makes it a refreshing plot. With Ronia spending her days drinking coffee and whining about animal men who visit her cafe, My Lady just wants to relax is perfect for a light read. Despite lacking complex plot points and antagonistic characters, the manga has remained a fan favorite due to its casual premise and slow isekai theme.