Join Our Newsletter
  • Visit Our Store
  • Come Write for J-List!
J-List Blog
Visit J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan
No Result
View All Result
J-List Blog
No Result
View All Result

The Isekai Genre – Why We Love Life in Strange Worlds

Holeymeister by Holeymeister
6 years ago
in Featured

Isekai’s remain one of the most well-known anime genres out today. With a staggering amount of them popping up every season, it’s become a hot topic of discussion for the community. Even if you don’t like the isekai genre, it seems almost impossible to escape from any mentions of one.

But, what is isekai? Sure, you may have heard of them, but if you’ve never watched one, the hype around the isekai genre may seem odd.

Defining Isekai

Isekai roughly translates to “different/other world”, and mainly involves a character being transported from their modern world to another, usually one with a fantasy setting. The main characters in isekai shows all generally show similar traits as well. Most are shut-ins or NEETs in their original world, or are socially awkward misfits. Being transported to another world allows these characters to get a fresh start in life.

These other worlds generally contain traits found in RPG games, such as a leveling system, an intricate crafting system, or a battle system that relies on a skill mechanic. Not every isekai possesses these tropes — some are completely void of them, and instead the focus is on the lore and history of the world.

ShieldHero_Anime_Visual isekai
RPG menus are one of many common tropes found in iseaki stories.

With a simple definition like that, it’s already pretty easy to see why it has become a mainstay in the anime industry. Personally, I’ve definitely had dreams of wanting to be a hero in a JRPG — slaying dragons, hunting for treasure in dungeons, and everything that accompanies living in a fantasy, game-like world. Unfortunately, real life is a pretty large barrier to overcome, so it remains a dream. An isekai allows viewers to be transported to another world through the main protagonist, so we can have our wish. It’s easy to imagine yourself in the situation the main character in an isekai is facing, having been reincarnated as a hero in another world, or perhaps as a villain. Escapism is a strong drug. The isekai genre touches upon our imagination, and presents us with a likely story that we can envision ourselves in.

The Popularity of Isekai

When did the isekai genre garner so much attention? To those who have been anime fans for the past decade or so, it feels like the genre just surged in popularity, quickly becoming one of the most saturated genres for the medium. The genre itself has been around for a while, with early examples being .hack and Spirited Away. However, it was the show Sword Art Online in 2012 that brought the genre to a wide, mainstream audience. Opinions on the show may be varied, but there is no doubting the impact the show has had on the industry. Since its release, there has been no shortage of isekai stories, with famous publishers such as Kadokawa even banning any isekai stories in their light novel contest in 2017. Even more isekai show adaptations are coming out this year, and the trend doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.

Sword Art Online Key Visual

Even with this saturation, isekai stories have a great amount of variety. There’s a show for just about everybody out there. Kono Subarashii Sekai ni Shukufuku wo! and Re:Zero are some of the most well known isekai shows, but they could not be any further from each other in terms of their theme. KonoSuba is comedic and focuses on the unfortunate yet hilarious encounters the main characters always find themselves in, while Re:Zero tells a story of a tragic hero protagonist in a dark, often gruesome setting. At the core, the setting for both of these stories are similar — both main characters are shut-in’s, with no noteworthy accomplishments to speak of in their own world, but strive to find a new start once transported to another world. That’s where the similarities end, and each show then explores its themes and characters in their own unique way.

Re Zero Key Visual

Speaking of unique isekai shows, and how saturated the genre is, it’s often used as a setting for ridiculous stories. Stories such as I Was a Sword When I Reincarnated, I Was Reincarnated as a Hot Spring in an Alternate World, and Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon are examples of stories that aim to poke fun at the over-saturation of the isekai trope. This showcases the flexibility of the isekai genre. The story can take shape however you want, with the simple premise of being born into another world, and can lead to truly unique settings that can catch readers/viewers off guard.

Reborn As A Vending Machine I Now Wander The Dungeon Cover

There are plenty of isekai stories for readers and viewers to jump into, with popular, current ones being Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari and Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken being the forerunners of the start of this new year. With the reception of these two shows, the trend definitely is still well and alive. What are some of your favorite isekai shows, and what are some that you are looking forward to getting an adaptation of? Leave your comments below!

Source: SoraNews24

Tags: AnimeIsekai

More Posts Like This

Clevatess Alicia Armored Reminisce
Featured

3 Horny and Hungry Reasons to Watch Clevatess

by Adrian S.
3 hours ago

Fantasy anime these days needs hooks for readers to sink their appetites into. Sometimes this is literal, as in the...

Dandadan S2 Featured Image
Featured

Dandadan S2 Pulls No Punches (and the Fight Scenes Hit Hard, Too)

by The Captain
9 hours ago

Dandadan S2 is here, and it’s going straight for the nuts. Or a golden ball. Whatever. Delicate assets are in...

Cultural Exchange With A Game Center Girl Web Cover

Cultural Exchange with a Game Center Girl — A Kawaii Romance

1 day ago
Summer2025Cosplay UNCENSORED

Hottest Cosplay for Summer 2025 Anime Season

2 days ago
Haite Kudasai, Takamine San Episode 10 Featured Image

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 10 — Fall Brings Chill and Friction!

2 days ago
Grand Blue S2 Featured Image

Grand Blue S2, Episode 1 — Sister Knows Best

4 days ago
Next Post
Android 21 Featured Image

Android 21 Joins the Dragon Ball Gals Figure Line-Up!

Trending Today

The Top 11 Anime Sex Scenes Blog
Your Friend in Japan

Happy Sex Day! Let’s Rank the 11 Most Surprising Ecchi Scenes in Anime

1 month ago
Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime Web Cover
News

Spring 2025 Ecchi Anime and Where to Watch Them

4 months ago
Yandere Dark Elf Episode 1 Featured Image
Featured

Yandere Dark Elf, Episode 1 — Love Heavier than Chocolate Melons!

3 months ago
Haite Kudasai, Takamine San Episode 9 Featured Image
Featured

Haite Kudasai, Takamine-san, Episode 9 — Slippery When Wet!

2 weeks ago
Dengeki Moeoh August 2025 Cover
Anime Magazine

What’s Inside Dengeki Moeoh August 2025? Ecchi Illustrations, Posters, Art, and More!

1 week ago
Get the Newest Figures from J-List - Your Favorite Online Shop and Friend in Japan
Screenshot
News

They’re Back: Announcing the Return of J-List Tissues!

by Peter Payne
July 19, 2025

They’re Back: Announcing the Return of J-List Tissues!

Tojima Wants to Be a Kamen Rider and Fight Shocker

Solo Camping for Two — for the Love of the Wild

Chuhai Lips — It’s Fap Material

Rumiko Takahashi’s MAO Begins the Exorcism in 2026

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Discord
  • YouTube

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • News
  • Gallery
  • Product Reports
  • Your Friend in Japan

© J-LIST. All trademarks, characters and images are property of their respective owners.