In recent years, “Isekai” anime has become a popular genre in Japan’s animation industry.
What is “Isekai (other world transfer) ” anime?
“Isekai” anime refers to stories where the protagonist is reincarnated from modern society into a different world. In this new world, the protagonist uses their skills and knowledge to embark on adventures and battles. These stories often include fantastical elements such as magic, mythical creatures, and a world of swords and sorcery.
The typical pattern of isekai anime
The main character dies in the real world and is reincarnated in another world.
The most common scenario in isekai anime is that the protagonist dies in the real world due to an accident or protecting someone, and then reincarnates in another world. Occasionally, the protagonist is summoned to another world using magic.
A character who is unpopular and unnoticed in the real world.
The protagonist in isekai anime is often unremarkable in terms of academic or professional ability in the real world, and is not very popular. However, as soon as they are reincarnated in another world, they suddenly possess high abilities and become popular with the opposite sex.
Given cheat-level abilities by a god.
When reincarnating in another world, a god-like entity often appears to give the protagonist cheat-level abilities. For example, in the case of being reincarnated in a magic world, the protagonist can use all attributes of magic from childhood, similar to starting a game at the highest level with all parameters maxed out. As the protagonist gains more experience and grows stronger, they inevitably become a hero.
The worldview of the other world is a fantasy world where magic can be used.
The worldview of isekai anime is often set in a fantasy world where magic can be used. It has an image similar to an MMORPG world, with towns and cities, kingdoms, and medieval European-style streets. There are also adventurers ranked by their attributes, who often take on missions to defeat monsters or complete tasks assigned by a guild.
Why are isekai anime so popular in Japan?
New settings and elements that have never been seen before
One of the biggest reasons why isekai anime has become popular in Japan is because it is easy to create new settings and elements that have never been seen before.
With a long history of manga and anime, many patterns have been exhausted in the real world, making it difficult to create new settings based on reality. However, isekai stories often involve fantasy elements and different worldviews, allowing creators to freely set their stories and make them unique.
For example, some recent isekai anime have featured stories about a boy who fights using time-looping abilities after dying in another world, a girl who maxes out her defense parameter in a different world to become unbeatable, a girl who is reincarnated in a less advanced world and uses her knowledge to help people and save money for her retirement, and a girl who is reincarnated as a villainess in a game and strives to avoid a bad ending.
These fresh and innovative settings often captivate viewers and leave them impressed by the creativity and novelty of the anime.
Exhilaration from cheat-level abilities
Although it may be a cliché, one of the most satisfying elements of isekai anime is the story of an unremarkable protagonist from the real world gaining cheat-level abilities in another world and becoming powerful enough to defeat formidable monsters and enemies.
This kind of story, where an underdog overcomes adversity and achieves greatness, can be enjoyed by viewers worldwide.
Enjoyment of game-like settings
Isekai often incorporate fantasy elements like magic and dragons, and sometimes resemble the worlds of video games. Watching isekai anime can be like experiencing a virtual video game world, which is part of the appeal.
Fascination with intercultural exchange
In another world, there are different cultures and customs that are foreign to the protagonist. Viewers can enjoy watching the protagonist adapt and assimilate into a new environment with different values and a lower civilization level, which can make them stand out.
Portrayal of human drama
In addition to adventures and battles, isekai anime often depicts the human drama of the protagonist and those around them. Viewers can empathize with these characters and feel the depth of the stories.
The excellence of Japanese light novel authors
Lastly, one reason for the popularity of isekai anime is the talent of Japan’s amateur writers called “light novel authors”.
Light novel authors are mainly amateur writers who write works targeting young readers. They post their work on online novel posting sites, gaining popularity and becoming book and anime series.
With innovative ideas and compelling stories, these light novel authors have produced many unique and engaging isekai anime series.
I think there are many elements in isekai anime that can be enjoyed not only by Japanese people but also by people around the world. Please take a look at Japan’s isekai anime and give them your attention!
