The isekai genre has gained much popularity over the last couple of years. Considering how interesting some of the isekai manga can be, this is not a big surprise. And if you are specifically looking for the best manga where MC is reincarnated as a child, you have come to the right place!
For those who don’t know what “isekai” is, it is a genre that focuses on the idea of characters traveling to a world completely different from ours.
Although most isekai titles mainly focus on the medieval fantasy that relies on swords and magic, they can also be sci-fi, and many even count on other sub-genres such as romance, drama, and slice-of-life. There’s a lot to read when it comes to the isekai genre for those looking for variety.
One has been extremely popular among the countless sub-genres of isekai; it is where the main character gets reincarnated into a new world as a child.
This list will showcase manga titles that focus on that specific sub-genre. And this list cannot start without Mushoku Tensei, a legendary manga series that has become quite famous thanks to its fantastic world-building!
Best Manga Where MC is Reincarnated As a Child (2023)
1. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
A 34-year-old hikikomori gave up on life after a series of traumatizing events happened to him while attending school. As an adult, he was kicked out of his house by his siblings, wandering the streets of Tokyo while wondering what to do. That is when he decided to sacrifice himself to save a group of high school students that were about to be hit by a truck.
This is where his story begins, as he was reincarnated in a fantasy world as a newborn, Rudeus Greyrat. He swears to do his best to take this new opportunity and never slack off. Rudeus will face many struggles in his life, including his past traumas, having to become the teacher of a very aggressive and spoiled girl, and facing a great disaster that would befall everyone he becomes close to in his new life, including his parents.
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is often referred to as the “original” isekai story. To be fair, I believe it is one of those titles that provide a great take on the true potential of this specific genre!
2. The Eminence in Shadow
The main character of The Eminence in Shadow has always been obsessed with being the mastermind running everything behind curtains. He focused on training himself for the sake of his goal, regardless of how unrealistic it seemed. And his efforts were rewarded with a car running over him and killing him.
Next, we see this main character reincarnating in a fantasy world as Cid Kagenou, the son of a noble family. Having memories of his previous life, he still wants to become a mastermind in the shadows, and, after saving an elf girl, who swears loyalty to him, he creates the shadow organization known as the Shadow Garden, whose sole existence is to fight an evil cult aiming to resurrect a demon.
Although Cid wants to be the person pulling strings from behind the shadows, his story about there being an evil cult is a complete lie. He just came up with that story to keep his followers motivated. But is the existence of the evil cult just a lie?
Unknown to Cid, his fantasies appear to be somewhat true. The cult is real, and his organization, the Shadow Garden, is actually fighting against it to prevent it from achieving its goal of world domination.
3. The Saga of Tanya The Evil
The story of Youjo Senki, aka The Saga of Tanya The Evil, begins with a Japanese salaryman who suddenly finds himself being pushed in front of a train as it arrives. As he is close to being crushed by it, he finds out that the person who pushed him was a previous co-worker he fired because of his poor performance. But everything was set up by God himself as he abhorred the man for being a non-believer.
Almost as if God himself was making fun of him, he was reincarnated as Tanya, a small girl, in a world filled with magical warfare. He was also given a challenge: if he did not die by natural causes or reaffirm his faith in god, he would be sent to hell.
Tanya decides to join the military thanks to her incredible aptitude for magic, which increases when she prays to god, which is another way for God to mock her. She hopes to achieve a high enough rank to lead a life of leisure until the day she dies. Whether she manages to do so in a world filled with such cruelty and constant wars, and when her opponent is God himself, will be up to her.
4. By the Grace of the Gods
By the Grace of the Gods is the story of Ryoma, who has led a very complicated life. Overworked and without friends, the poor man dies in his sleep in a ridiculous way. Thankfully, three gods decide to take his soul to transfer it to another world, as they believe he deserves the opportunity to be happy and live life as he pleases.
Now, as a child that lives in a forest with memories of his previous life, he will try to become independent and develop his skills as much as he can, all to be independent and live freely, all until he meets Eliaria and her family, who would eventually become his new family.
Although showcasing some level of activity, this is a very wholesome title that suits those wanting to read a more family-friendly story.
5. Ascendance of a Bookworm
Ascendance of a Bookworm is the story of Urano Motosu, who is a bookworm. To her surprise, she dies after being crushed by an enormous pile of books in the middle of an earthquake. Only wishing to live a life where she could read forever, she is reincarnated in a world where the contrary happens: books are a rarity and tend to be only available for those of high income.
She decides then to use her memory of all the books she previously read in her past life and print them for herself, all to indulge herself in her favorite way to pass the time.
This manga is an exciting slice-of-life manga for those wanting to read something calmer without any action or fighting, more focusing on life under a unique premise.
6. I Was Reincarnated as the 7th Prince so I Can Take My Time Perfecting My Magical Ability
The unique manga series introduces Lloyd as the 7th prince of the kingdom known as Saloom. He is actually the reincarnation of a sorcerer who was obsessed with magic. Now reincarnated with incredible magic capabilities, he does not care that he is now a prince; Lloyd only thinks about developing his magic even more, but of course, many challenges will be placed in front of him, including the fact that he is now a child.
This title, similar to other titles showcased in this list, doesn’t have an end goal or a linear plot and showcases the adventures of Lloyd as he ignores everything around him and only gives priority to improving his magics. Considering that he has responsibilities and problems to deal with almost on a daily basis, being the prince of a kingdom, and ignoring them all the time is a highlight of the manga.
And, of course, there’s an insane showcase of power too. Lloyd just so happens to be an overpowered character, with tons of magical power residing within his tiny body, so no matter what kind of enemy he faces, he manages to humiliate them completely before defeating them, be it an angel or a demon!
7. Yakuza Reincarnation
The main protagonist of Yakuza Reincarnation is a Yakuza that still believes in the honor they carry behind their back. He was considered a legendary Yakuza back in the day and was respected by gangs and community members alike.
He dies fighting for what he believes in, and he gets reincarnated in the body of the princess of a kingdom that is being targeted by demons. Now followed by her bodyguard and advisor, she has to do everything she can to fight the forces of evil. However, she will do it Yakuza style.
This one is good if you enjoy a beautifully drawn manga with great fights and a world that only keeps expanding as you read, introducing more kingdoms, cultures, and of course, villains.
8. Chronicles of an Aristocrat Reborn in Another World
The premise of Chronicles of an Aristocrat Reborn in Another World follows our main character as he dies trying to stop a criminal event in Japan, being then reborn as Cain von Silford, the youngest member of a noble family. This world is filled with magic and swords, yet, Cain is blessed with incredible powers, powers he will keep a secret since he only dreams of venturing out and enjoying what the world has to offer.
This is a pretty chill manga where MC is reincarnated as a child and a title that you should read if you enjoy the adventure genre, as well as the progress of Cain’s life as he does his best to fulfill his goal.
9. Isekai Yakkyoku (Parallel World Pharmacy)
Kanji Yakutani, a pharmacist obsessed with the idea of developing new medicines, sadly dies after overworking himself. He is afterward reborn in a fantasy world with a medieval setting where medicine is significantly underdeveloped and can only be afforded by the rich.
Born in a family of pharmacists and named after Falma de Médicis, he is provided with a powerful divine blessing by the God of medicine himself. Thus, he decides to use his memories and powers to develop medicine to the point where anyone can afford it to save as many lives as possible.
Isekai Yakkyoku, aka Parallel World Pharmacy, is a unique take on the isekai genre for those wanting to read something different from the usual tropes!
10. Am I Actually the Strongest?
Am I Actually The Strongest is the story of Haruto, a hikikomori who died alone in his room, got reincarnated in another world, and was given a lot of power to help him lead a peaceful life. However, his new parents mistakenly tag him as weak and undeserving of royalty, all because of a mistake in measuring his level. This process claimed him only to be level 02 and capable of only using barrier magic.
In all truth, the main character is pretty strong since the goddess who reincarnated him made him level 1002 and can do pretty much anything thanks to the barriers he creates, to the point of being capable of flying and using telekinesis-like powers.
After befriending a giant wolf that tried to eat him and making a pact with it, he is rescued by a man who wants to give his wife a child since she has never carried one child of her own. Now, Haruto leads a peaceful life beside them, including the wolf that now turned into a beautiful woman, Frey.
11. Hell Mode: Gamer Who Likes to Speedrun Becomes Peerless in a Parallel World with Obsolete Setting
Many isekai titles, believe it or not, often involve game-like settings. For instance, Sword Art Online is one, if not the most famous, title that could be described as an isekai title set in a game-like world. And in the case of this particular title with a very long name, this is also the case.
The main character is tempted by an ad that claims there’s an endless game he could play. He decides to go for it, choosing the hardest difficulty there is – Hell Mode.
To his surprise, he disappears from the real world and is sent to the game’s world as Serf, the child of an impoverished family that can’t even afford a bath. He is given the summoner class. Used to speedrunning things in the hardest difficulty, he will try his best to become the strongest summoner there is.
12. Kenja no Mago
Like many titles on this list, the main character of Kenja no Mago dies in an accident involving a truck. He is then reincarnated in a fantasy world where he is adopted by a legendary sorcerer known as Merlin Wolford, and he receives the name of Shin Wolford.
As his child, and bearing incredible talents for magic, Shin is trained to possibly be the strongest magician ever. This is also thanks to the memories of his previous world since he understands the basics of physics and science that help him develop new spells. But Merlin forgot to teach Shin an essential thing – common sense, which will become pretty palpable as Shin goes to a Magic Academy.
This is one of the best manga where MC is reincarnated as a child and one of the best choices for those who enjoy the power fantasy trope with a pinch of romance and incredible fights.
13. Ordinary Soldier Dreams of the Past
Another trope that is used in the isekai genre is the one that involves going back in time, and this title, Ordinary Soldier Dreams of the Past, is the first one on this list that revolves around it.
Jhon Celias used to be a soldier, a member of forces that would fight the Demon Lord. Before dying in the war against the Demon race, he witnesses the hero defeating the Demon Lord. Upon waking up, he suddenly finds himself reincarnated as a baby back in his old hometown.
As you might have guessed, he went back in time, and now, knowing every atrocity the demon army will commit to the world, his hometown, and the people he loves, he will do his best to prepare for the event and make sure that the tragedies he experienced never comes to pass.
14. The Reborn Prince Wants to Be Lazy
Haruto was a regular Japanese high school student who only wanted to lead a sedentary life, free from the stress of studying and work. One day, as has become a custom in the world of isekai titles, he gets hit by a truck, reincarnating as Phil Graceheart, the youngest son of the kingdom’s royal family.
Apparently, Phil himself had an accident where he remembered his past life. Now, aware of those memories, he will focus on trying to achieve what he once desired – a carefree lifestyle filled with relaxation and peace.
But whatever he does to achieve that goal seems to backfire. And that is one of the reasons why this title is one of the best manga where MC is reincarnated as a child!
15. The Child Loved by God
As a person, the main character of this tale has constantly worried about being a good person. Passing away at the age of 80, Gods immediately noticed his white, pure soul as he arrived in the afterlife.
Wondering what to do with such a person, God decided to send him to a world of magic, mainly because of his interest to know what such a person would do with it, even more considering that he’d keep his past life’s memories.
This fantasy world is filled with interesting game-like features, such as stats, MP, and more. But the main character, now named Lean Ologott, has been bestowed with a very particular title: The Child Loved by God, and with that title comes several powerful abilities.
16. I Want To Enjoy Slow Living
The protagonist of this tale suddenly finds himself in front of a truck, as he witnesses the driver has fallen asleep. Instead of panicking, he immediately thinks to himself: “Me too, I’ve also been working too hard” and remembers how simple life was when he was a child and lived in the countryside, fervently wishing to go back to those days.
God gathers his soul since his death was an accident and tells him he will be reincarnated in another world. To make up for his mistake, God tells him that he can reincarnate as whatever he wants, whether a prince or a wealthy child. However, the MC decides to reincarnate as Alfred, 2nd son of a noble, and live a peaceful life in the countryside.
17. Did You Think You Could Run After Reincarnating, Niisan?
This one manga title is something I would only recommend if you are okay with reading gruesome series. I recommend some precautions with it.
The title, Did You Think You Could Run After Reincarnating?, starts with the central character meeting with a goddess. He feels relieved that, after dying, he won’t have to deal with the tortures her sister put him through over the course of 5 years. The goddess tells him he will reincarnate in another world and will be given many talents, but before things are settled, he asks the question: Where’s my sister?
To his regret, his sister was also reincarnated into this new world, and as his consciousness is fading away, the goddess tells him to run away, as far as he can, and that she will definitely protect him. Of course, things don’t go as planned, as you might have guessed from the title.
18. The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?
Another salaryman enters the scene, with Shingo suddenly waking in another world as he wakes up. This world is once again filled with magic; now, Wendelin, the 8th son of the Baumeister family, will do his best to develop his magic and swordsmanship.
Wendelin eventually meets with an undead who once was the sorcerer of the royal court named Alfred, who teaches him all he needs to know to start to fulfill his desire for adventure and journey. But first, he must create a group of adventurers he could rely on.
19. Accidentally Summoned (Oops, sorry)
Shou’s life ends thanks to God’s mistake, like in many titles showcased in this list. God apologizes to him and, to make up for his mistake, offers him to be reincarnated into another world with a gift. He only takes the memories of the life he had just lost and is sent to another world.
Of course, this world is also filled with magic, and now, as Williams, he looks pretty talented with it. But the best part about all of it is that he now has parents that actually love him and a very comfortable lifestyle where he can focus on the things he finds interesting.
20. Reborn Girl Starting a New Life in Another World as a Seventh Daughter
Myria Kanami is a high school girl that has led a very tough life. Losing her mother when she was young and now trying to escape from her alcoholic father, she’s been working hard to save money. Truck-kun makes his last appearance on this list, taking Myria’s life in the process.
She’s then reincarnated as a child in another world, and she’s grateful for it since she sees it as a new opportunity in life. But as soon as she remembers the situation she is in, Myria knows she has to do something to change her destiny and the fate of her family and the world.
Conclusion
As you just read, one of the many problems of the isekai genre is that many tropes are used quite a lot on a lot of titles, including the palpable presence of the infamous “truck-kun.” Even then, there’s a lot to be enjoyed from it, as it can showcase a wide range of sub-genres for you to pick from.
As my recommendations, I would recommend going through two of them. In my opinion, everyone should read Mushoku Tensei since it has one of the best developments in the field, a fantastic character progression, and a deep world-building that only gets better as you keep reading.
Youjo Senki can be an exciting title to read if you want a combination of magic and traditional warfare with a ruthless main character that will do anything in her hands to achieve her goals.
That brings us to the end of the article. I hope you will enjoy reading all these best manga where MC is reincarnated as a child until you get fed up with this sub-genre and pick something new to read, like a horror manga, for example!
Also Read: Best Manga where MC is Reincarnated as a Different Species
