Isekai anime and manga featuring protagonists reincarnated as merchants

Usually Iseki the plot revolves around the notion of escape, with the protagonists abandoning their previous existence for a life of adventure. However, some isekai anime and manga deviate from this standard premise by adopting a slightly more mundane narrative, one in which the main character take on the role of a merchant or merchant.

From starting businesses in new worlds to acquiring proper cheating skills to be a merchant, these anime and manga present a whole new narrative in the isekai landscape. These stories are perfect for viewers looking for a digestible and light premise, as they show a side of isekai anime and manga that isn't usually explored.

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

10 Sweet Reincarnation

Rating Anime-Planeta: 3.52/5

True to his name, Sweet Reincarnation follows the rebirth of a promising pastry chef in a fantasy world. Reborn as a child named Pastry, the prodigal chef begins his baking endeavors, all while bringing prosperity to his land through his ingenious desserts.

While the premise of Sweet Reincarnation might sound appealing, the anime falls short due to lack of direction. The series delves into themes such as political and royal drama, cooking, nation-building, and even romance, all in the 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 jumbled 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 such as Pastry's cooking endeavors.

9 The cafe in a different world station

Rating Anime-Planeta: 3.68/5

Narratives about cooking tend to mesh well with the isekai format, though that's no surprise given the warm emotions these light-hearted stories evoke. The cafe in a different world station offers a similar premise of cooking in another world, but with the setting of kawaii the cafe. Takumi and Nyaachi suddenly find themselves in another world, where they take refuge in a train station building.

The two decide to set up a cafe in the building of that station, offering an elaborate two-part afternoon and morning menu with all kinds of baked delights. As the cafe becomes a success, the two are visited by regular patrons, leading to healthy interactions and an interesting dynamic. The cafe in a different world station is a unique manga that differs from the norm, giving readers a more relaxed isekai experience.

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

Rating Anime-Planeta: 3.76/5

The reincarnated prince becomes an alchemist and brings prosperity to his country is a kingdom building manga that brings a fair amount of crafting and economy. After being reincarnated as the prince of a modest kingdom, Hiro has an insurmountable responsibility to get his nation back on track.

Although Hiro does not assume 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 in terms of presenting an engaging narrative.

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

Rating Anime-Planeta: 3.77/5

Kenichi is a middle-aged man who suddenly finds himself in a new world, albeit with no apparent reason behind this isekai establishment. While trying to survive the monsters found 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 particular 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 it's a casual isekai manga that doesn't have a definitive plot, although the narrative itself is pretty funny. Kenichi's ability to cheat is a common element in most isekai as well, though the manga adds a new twist to the concept by forcing him to find work in this fantasy world.

6 Different World Foundation

Rating Anime-Planeta: 3.78/5

Different World Foundation begins on a rather bleak tone, with the protagonist being reborn as an orphan child abandoned at a young age. However, Almus manages to turn things around with the knowledge he retained from his previous life, giving way to a small farming village run by orphans.

While the manga begins with a focus on farming and agriculture, it eventually branches out to macroeconomics and nation-building after the village begins to flourish. 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 in the sequel, but his humble beginnings as a farmer and merchant cement him as a merchant protagonist.

5 Magic craft dahlia no longer wilts

Rating Anime-Planeta: 3.85/5

Dahlia's former life is fraught with darkness and despair, but her untimely passing gives her a second chance at life in a fantasy world. Using her knowledge of crafting items and crafting tools, Dahlia soon becomes the talk of the town with her otherworldly 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. Dalia's positivity and enthusiasm is quite contagious, which is a surprising change from her gloomy mood in her previous life. Magic craft dahlia no longer wilts it's a little heavy on the escapist aspects of the isekai manga, though the story itself is pretty wholesome as Dahlia finds her true self in this new world.

4 Parallel World Pharmacy

Rating Anime-Planeta: 3.89/5

Being reincarnated in a new world does not always have to equate to dangerous adventures and Parallel World Pharmacy presents this fact with a noble subtext. Kanji Yakutani is a medical researcher who dies at a young age due to overwork, yet he opens his eyes again to 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 healthcare accessible to all through her pharmacy business. This isekai anime alludes to the inaccessibility of proper medical care in the real world, making the narrative even deeper. Parallel World Pharmacy was also part of the Japan Pharmaceutical Association's campaign to bring awareness to pharmaceutical practices.

3 Farm life in another world

Rating Anime-Planeta: 3.93/5

After living a life of misery and succumbing to a terminal illness, God takes pity on Hiraku and gives him another chance at life. Wanting to try his hand at farming, Hiraku receives the “Almighty Farming Tools” to aid him in his farming endeavours.

Similar to any isekai anime with a merchant at the helm, Farm life in another world takes a light approach to its storytelling. The focus remains on Hiraku's growth as a farmer, although the anime deviates with its on-line harem antics. Still, the series is an enjoyable farming anime that serves as a refreshing break from the tense narratives. Farm life in another world is one of the few anime adaptations out there that is superior to its manga counterpart, probably due to the anime's vibrant setting and relaxed tone.

2 Campfire cooking in another world with my absurd skill

Rating Anime-Planeta: 4.06/5

True to his name, Campfire cooking in another world with my absurd skill is an isekai cooking up a slice of life with a protagonist who wants nothing to do with the adventure. Tsuyoshi Mukouda is summoned to a new world as a hero, though his “online supermarket” cheat skills render him useless to the kingdom.

He soon realizes that this ability allows him to buy cheap ingredients from modern Japan that are considered luxuries in the new world. Using this opportunity, Mukouda resigns himself to a quiet life, cooking meals and feeding those he meets along the way. In this comfort-laden adventure, Mukouda enjoys the escape of being “isekai'd,” all while staying grounded as a traveling merchant. The anime becomes all the more fun with Mukouda's list of companions, whether it's the mighty Fenrir or a small slime.

1 My lady just wants to relax

Rating Anime-Planeta: 4.11/5

My lady just wants to relax is an isekai villain manga with a protagonist destined for destruction, but the story manages to differentiate itself with a strange twist. Instead of fighting for her place in the novel's story, Ronia accepts her conviction and uses her new freedom to open a cafe in the countryside.

The manga features a relaxed take on the theme of villainy, making it an oddly refreshing story. With Ronia spending her days drinking coffee and delighting in the beastmen who visit her cafe, My lady just wants to relax it's perfect for a light read. Despite lacking complex plot points and antagonistic characters, the manga has remained a fan favorite due to its relaxed premise and slow-moving isekai theme.