Animes Like I’m Standing on a Million Lives – Yotsuya Yusuke, a reclusive loner bored with his everyday life, embarks on an unexpected adventure when he, along with two classmates, is mysteriously transported to a new world.
In this unfamiliar realm, they discover they are part of a high-stakes game with ten progressively challenging rounds.
After conquering each round, they earn the right to ask questions of the enigmatic game master before returning home. As Yusuke faces the third round, he finds himself excited for the first time in ages, only to be assigned the role of a seemingly weak farmer.
Together with his companions, they must struggle to survive and advance or risk certain death.
While I’m Standing on a Million Lives may seem like a typical isekai story, there’s something unique and intriguing about it. This series breaks away from the typical harem narrative and offers a different experience.
I’m Standing on a Million Lives has successfully concluded its run, comprising 12 thrilling episodes. If you’re on the lookout for anime similar to this series, we’ve got some recommendations for you.
List Of Animes Like I’m Standing on a Million Lives
1. Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions (2016)
Fear, survival, and instinct. Transported to an unknown land with only hazy memories and the knowledge of their names, a group of strangers must grapple with these three emotions as they navigate their new reality.
Their only choice is to join the Reserve Army and take on the role of a soldier in this game-like world, defending their newfound home in Grimgar.
When the stronger candidates form alliances, those left behind must band together to survive. Meet Manato, a charismatic leader and priest, Haruhiro, a nervous thief, Yume, a cheerful hunter, Shihoru, a shy mage, Moguzo, a kind warrior, and Ranta, a boisterous dark knight.
This is not just a game—there are no second chances, and no respawns, it’s a matter of life or death.
Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions is similar to I’m Standing on a Million Lives. Both anime can be seen as isekai deconstructions. In both series, you’ll encounter atypical protagonists who aren’t overpowered.
In I’m Standing on a Million Lives, Yotsuya Yusuke stands out with his intelligence and selfishness, while in Grimgar, Haruhiro grapples with an inferiority complex and inner conflicts.
2. KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! (2016)
After meeting an unfortunate end in a rather comical manner, high school student and recluse Kazuma Satou finds himself in front of a beautiful yet exasperating goddess named Aqua.
She provides him with two choices: continue to the afterlife or reincarnate in a fantasy world—a gamer’s dream come true!
Opting for a fresh start, Kazuma is tasked with vanquishing a Demon King terrorizing villages. He can choose one item to aid him in this quest, and he selects Aqua.
However, Kazuma soon realizes he’s made a grave mistake—Aqua is utterly useless!
KonoSuba is akin to I’m Standing on a Million Lives, both anime share a storyline set in an MMORPG-like universe with a harem dynamic.
While these shows have similar plots, I’m Standing on a Million Lives excels in every aspect. It features endearing main and supporting characters, captivating stories that tug at your heartstrings, breathtaking landscapes, and enjoyable soundtracks.
If you’re a fan of anime series like this, you’re sure to love I’m Standing on a Million Lives.
3. Gantz (2004)
Ever felt like life couldn’t get any worse? Imagine facing death and finding no solace, no peace, and no divine presence awaiting you. But hold on, could that be a god? Perhaps it’s that imposing black sphere sharing space with you in the room.
Suddenly, you’re thrust into a high-stakes game, battling green aliens and robotic monsters for a shot at survival.
Kei Kurono, after his demise, finds himself trapped in this brutal game, testing his abilities, ethics, and determination to endure. His existence is no longer his own, his death is a recurring torment. What consequences await if he defies the rules? Only the heavens know.
Mirroring I’m Standing on a Million Lives, both stories feature a protagonist with a cynical edge, reluctantly forced into collaboration for survival, encountering new characters at every turn.
4. Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill (2023)
Inadvertently summoned as a hero to the Kingdom of Reijseger in a parallel world, office worker Tsuyoshi Mukouda remains cautious of the royal family’s motives.
Leveraging his seemingly useless Online Supermarket non-combat skill, he navigates the situation successfully.
However, this skill proves invaluable. Mukouda efficiently acquires Japanese food products and utensils, often considered luxuries in this world, thanks to his ability.
As he showcases his culinary talents, the fearsome mythical wolf, Fel, takes notice. Charmed by the delectable dishes, Fel forms a contract with Mukouda, becoming his loyal companion.
With Fel by his side, Mukouda embarks on adventures as an adventurer and merchant, relishing delightful meals along the way.
Similar to I’m Standing on a Million Lives, both tales are isekai adventures where the main character’s seemingly lackluster skills turn out to be powerful assets, especially in the realm of cooking.
5. Kokoro Connect (2012)
At Yamaboshi Academy, five students form the Student Cultural Society (StuCS) when they realize they don’t fit into any existing clubs.
The group comprises Taichi Yaegashi, a passionate wrestling fan, Iori Nagase, a hesitant optimist, Himeko Inaba, a composed computer genius, Yui Kiriyama, a petite karate practitioner, and Yoshifumi Aoki, the class clown.
One day, Aoki and Yui experience a peculiar incident, unexpectedly swapping bodies. This supernatural event continues, revealing deeper aspects of each friend’s life and emotions.
As they grow closer, they unearth hidden secrets and emotional wounds that could strain their friendship and the StuCS.
Drawing parallels with I’m Standing on a Million Lives, both series depict a higher entity manipulating a group of young individuals, resulting in compelling character and social developments.
In Kokoro Connect, this manipulation occurs through sudden abilities like mind-reading, body-swapping, and reverse aging.
Conversely, in 100-man, randomly chosen kids find themselves transported to another world, forced to cooperate to complete quests.
Both experiences push the group and individuals to their limits, fostering growth and evolution throughout the narrative.
6. Arifureta (2019)
Hajime Nagumo, a 17-year-old otaku leading an ordinary life, has his world upended when he and his classmates are summoned to a fantasy realm to save mankind.
While his peers gain potent combat abilities, Hajime is scorned for acquiring a seemingly inferior transmutation skill with no offensive capabilities.
During a perilous expedition in the Great Orcus Labyrinth, betrayal sends Hajime plummeting into the abyss. Surviving the fall, he faces menacing monsters and misfortunes, plunging him into a dark nightmare.
Determined to survive and return home, he fights for his life and encounters Yue, an imprisoned vampire seeking escape.
Together with a few others, they accompany Hajime on his quest to find a way back home, transforming from ordinary to the world’s mightiest.
Echoing I’m Standing on a Million Lives, both series are isekai adventures featuring an initially weak protagonist who undergoes a transformation into an edge lord, where his edgy demeanor eclipses any initial characterization.
7. Sword Art Online (2012)
Introducing Sword Art Online (SAO) – a revolutionary gaming experience made possible by NerveGear technology. Embark on an immersive journey to Aincrad, a clear medieval world where imagination knows no bounds.
SAO has redefined gaming, offering a captivating lifelike experience for players worldwide. However, this utopian fantasy turns into a nightmare when SAO’s creator traps thousands of players within the game, removing the log-out function.
Escaping this perilous situation requires conquering Aincrad’s one hundred increasingly difficult levels. With in-game deaths being permanent and a harsh reality awaiting, survival becomes the ultimate objective in this game world.
Similar to I’m Standing on a Million Lives, this anime shares a common theme: survival within the realm of the game.
8. Angel Beats! (2012)
Delving into the mystery of death, Angel Beats! follows 17-year-old Yuzuru Otonashi who awakens in a dimension between life and death, devoid of memories.
Inhabiting a world similar to a high school but peculiar, the souls here are those who experienced unwanted deaths, feeling oppressed by life and its creator.
In this strange dimension, a rebellious faction, the Afterlife Battlefront, challenges the student council president who is god-like, Kanade Angel Tachibana, seeking control over their fate.
Joining in their struggle, Otonashi grapples with moral implications, exploring the various aspects of their shared destiny.
9. Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody (2010)
Meet Ichirou Suzuki, a weary programmer stranded in a fantasy RPG world reflecting the games he debugged.
Transformed into Satou, his in-game avatar, with elevated levels and a variety of skills, he grapples with his new reality and embarks on an adventure to explore this magical world.
Similar to I’m Standing on a Million Lives, both animes share a theme where the main characters find themselves in another world akin to a video game, blurring the boundaries between reality and the virtual world for its inhabitants.
10. Combatants Will Be Dispatched! (2021)
Join Sentouin Roku-gou, a key operative of Kisaragi Corporation, assigned the mission to help the organization conquer the entire known universe by infiltrating the kingdom of Grace.
In this perplexing adventure, Roku-gou’s confidence in his combat skills is tested as he partners with Alice Kisaragi, an extraordinary android named after the corporation itself.
Similar to I’m Standing on a Million Lives, both shows feature remarkable character development, showcasing unique and humorous male protagonists that are worth watching. The blend of intelligence and humor makes this series an intriguing choice for viewers.
11. Re: ZERO -Starting Life in Another World (2016)
Subaru Natsuki’s unexpected journey begins when he exits a convenience store, only to find himself transported from his mundane life to a fantastical realm.
Caught off guard and defenseless, Subaru falls victim to a band of assailants, armed with nothing but groceries and a useless phone. Fortunately, a mysterious woman named Satella intervenes, saving Subaru from his attackers.
Grateful for her assistance, Subaru offers to aid Satella in her quest, leading to a grim revelation that propels them into a perilous encounter, resulting in their brutal demise.
Re Zero is akin to I’m Standing on a Million Lives as both stand out in the isekai genre for their unique portrayal of protagonists who aren’t overwhelmingly powerful.
These ordinary young men find themselves in a fantasy game world where they respawn after each death, enduring substantial suffering.
Despite their challenging circumstances, they use this power to take on foes far mightier than themselves. While Re Zero explores a darker narrative, Hundred Man takes a more comedic approach.
Both series feature protagonists surrounded by a multitude of female characters, adding a layer of complexity to their experiences.
12. 7 Seeds (2019)
Imagine an ordinary day suddenly giving way to an extraordinary reality. Whether enjoying time with loved ones or savoring a home-cooked meal, your next awakening thrusts you into an unfamiliar world.
For Natsu Iwashimizu, this becomes her unsettling new existence. Humanity has perished, leaving only five groups of men and women chosen to journey into the future, each group possessing unique skills.
Natsu, a shy high school girl, embarks on a perilous journey to survive in this perilous realm.
In 7 Seeds, numerous characters display cynical assessments of people, reminiscent of the extreme pessimism seen in I’m Standing on a Million Lives.
Both series introduce a world-ending plot within their initial episodes, offering a semi-realistic portrayal of human nature, complete with betrayals, murders, and cunning schemes.
13. The Rising of the Shield Hero (2019)
In The Rising of the Shield Hero, the Four Cardinal Heroes, ordinary men from modern-day Japan, are summoned to Melromarc to save the kingdom from the catastrophic Waves that have repeatedly ravaged the land and brought disaster to its citizens for centuries.
Naofumi Iwatani, an otaku, is burdened with the role of the Shield Hero. Armed with only a measly shield, Naofumi faces disdain and ridicule from his fellow heroes and the kingdom’s people due to his weak offensive capabilities and lackluster personality, testing both his abilities and character.
The Rising of the Shield Hero is akin to I’m Standing on a Million Lives, as both share intriguing similarities. Both fall within the isekai genre and present a darker tone compared to typical isekai narratives, adding to their allure.
Both series introduce protagonists seemingly detached from the newfound world, their values prompting viewers to question their own morality.
14. Darwin’s Game (2020)
Kaname Sudou, a high school student, receives an unexpected invitation from a classmate to play Darwin’s Game, an unfamiliar mobile gaming app.
Intrigued, he opens the application only to be startled as a virtual green snake emerges from his phone screen and bites his neck, rendering him unconscious. Upon waking up, he finds no physical signs of the snake bite and is advised by the school to rest for the day.
Though bewildered, he dismisses the peculiar experience as a hallucination and heads home.
Later, curiosity peaks for Kaname, prompting him to reopen the application. Initially resembling a regular battle game, he starts his first match.
However, this sense of normalcy is short-lived as his in-game opponent suddenly materializes in front of him, brandishing a knife and initiating a life-threatening pursuit.
15. Log Horizon (2014)
In the blink of an eye, more than thirty thousand enthusiastic Japanese gamers are transported from their everyday lives into the world of the popular MMORPG, Elder Tale, following the latest game update—unable to log out.
Among them is Shiroe, a socially awkward college student and avid gamer, whose confusion and surprise last only a moment because, as a veteran of the game, he immediately sets out to explore the boundaries of this new reality.
Shiroe must learn to live in this new world, leading others and negotiating with the NPC “natives” to bring stability to the virtual city of Akihabara.
He is aided by his unfortunate friend, Naotsugu, who logged in for the first time in years only to find himself trapped, and Akatsuki, a formidable assassin who regards Shiroe as her master.
A tale of fantasy, adventure, and politics, Log Horizon explores gaming elements through the eyes of a master strategist striving to make the best of a perplexing situation.
For those of you who love Anime I’m Standing on a Million Lives, and are looking for anime similar to I’m Standing on a Million Lives, then the list above is a recommendation for some selected anime similar to I’m Standing on a Million Lives, which you might be able to watch. Thank you very much for reading this article, and see you in the next article. Enjoy watching and have a nice day.
