What is Isekai?
Isekai is an anime genre or terminology about main protagonists that transported into another world from real one. Sometimes, protagonist passes away and reincarnated as someone else like vending machine, prince or slime whatever case maybe. Isekai genre has become more popular in 2010s. The main inspiration of isekai is The Wizard of Oz and Alice and Wonderland, which Japan were fascinated by American culture. The very first Isekai I ever seen is Rumiko Takahashi’s Inuyasha during Adult Swim days. If you don’t know about plot of the series, I will tell you. Inuyasha is about a female protagonist named Kagome Higurashi, who fell into a well called “Bone Eater” to federal era. Kagome meets and frees a half dog/human demon named Inuyasha from tree (from priestess Kikyo). The two journey to find the Shikon Jewel and meets others such as fox demon Shippo, demon hunter Sango and a monk named Miroku.
During their quest, the meet villains such as Naraku who framed Inuyasha and stolen the Shikon Jewel. Along with Kagura and others who wants Shikon Jewel for themselves. Inuyasha has one of Rumiko’s popular works next to Ranma ½ and Urusei Yatura. The series lasted for 4 seasons (episodes) and 56 manga volumes. There is Final Arc which focuses on the climax of the manga which I missed. After there is spin off Yashahime which a lot of people didn’t like. I don’t mind seeing Inyuasha/Kagome daughter Moroha and her adventures with Towa and Setsuna (daughters of Sesshomaru). The storyline and pacing were not there, original series was better. I admit that I didn’t watch Final Act because I felt off Inuyasha in quite a while.
Other Isekais
Anywho, other Isekai series such as MAR (Marchen Awakens Romance) created by Nobuyuki Anzai which is about a boy named Ginta Toramizu. Ginta is captivated by fantasy and video games, one day during school. He gets transported into a world called “MAR Heaven”, which he meets a talking ARM weapon named Baboo. During his quest, Ginta meets a witch named Dorothy, Princess Snow (which looks like Ginta’s friend Yuki), Jack (a farmer), Alviss and more. Together, the save MAR Heaven which organization called “Chess Pieces” (main antagonists of the series). MAR anime ran for 102 episodes and 15 volumes. I really love this one and didn’t know it was Isekai until today. There is the most popular one called “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” created by Fuse. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime is about a 42-year-old Satoru Mikami, who died from assassination.
Satoru found himself into another world as a slime. Later, renamed as Rimuru Tempest after a befriending a dragon named Veldora. Throughout the series, Rimuru acquire skill called “Predator” which allows to mimic and skills. Rimuru meets other characters such as Ranga, Milm, Chloe and many others along the way. Personally, I haven’t watched the rest of the seasons, but I will get back on it soon. Another one is KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World which has a lot of humor and light novel is still ongoing. Konosuba is about Kazuma Satoru, a Neet who meets a Goddess named Aqua. Aqua grants him another life and Kazuma takes her along as well. Kazama and Aqua takes on missions and setting in their new life.
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Other characters join them like Darkness (a noble) and Megumin (archwizard from Crimsion Demons clan). At first, I didn’t like it but after watching for the second time. I found himself enjoying it while watching English Dub of the show. Kazama and the group fight off demon lord minions also getting into so trouble. Konosuba also crossover with other isekai series such as Overlord, The Saga of Tanya the Evil, The Rising of the Shield Hero, Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World and Overlord. If you want to check it out, the series is called “Isekai Quarlet” that features them. There are some mentions like Magic Knight Rayearth which is getting a remake soon. Sword Art Online which is debatable whether it’s an isekai or not.
Suicide Squad Isekai is mid show and features characters from DC Comic Universe. Whether you’re farming in another world or jobless loser like Rudeus Greyrat from Mushoku Tenshi. Isekai genre brings in sells and a lot of people cosplay as them. The genre is more popular than shonen, romance and more. Isekai is a sub-category of fantasy genre but stand out. American cartoons emulate this like Owl House and Amphibia which both are great shows. I know it intends to follow the same format and get’s tiring like any other anime genre. As long the story is original and not copy-cat cut out of something else, I am okay with it.
Closing
Anime YouTuber TheAnimeMan talks about this, and I agree with everything he says. Yes, people are tired of that genre being overused and want something new. I remember early 2000s that their different types of anime to choose from. Nowadays, more fantasy and isekai shows becoming more popular, it just like trying different favors of pizza on the same dough. I don’t hate isekai but want something new or original. That’s all I have to say about the whole genre. What are your thoughts on Isekai genre? Let me know in the comments and thanks for reading my blogpost.
