Yes, in case you might not be aware, but Shangri-La Frontier is indeed an isekai series! It’s understandable why some people think it’s not because it doesn’t have the full isekai vibe where you reincarnate as someone else, but the word ‘isekai’ simply means getting transported to another world.
And it doesn’t necessarily have to be via reincarnation. So this makes Shangri-La a through-and-through isekai series. But what’s exactly so special about it that earned it a reputation as big as the king of Isekai?
For those who haven’t been lucky enough to watch it yet, it’s fair to say that the world Shangri-La Frontier has provided us with is simply phenomenal. And this very world (along with highly detailed player interaction and game/combat mechanics) makes the series stand out far apart from any other typical isekai like SAO and Re: Zero.
It’s crazy how realistic the world of Shangri-La Frontier feels!
What truly sets Shangri-La Frontier apart from a series like Sword Art Online is how refreshingly unique its world mechanics are. Unlike other similar shows that deal with the game world of a VRMMO, Shangri-La explains every nitty-gritty of how the game works, including player interactions and game mechanics. And this makes it feel a lot more realistic and immersive.
SAO can often feel like a fantasy adventure than an actual game, while Shangri-La Frontier is all about the hardcore gamer experience. It has all the good stuff a true gamer would enjoy: skill-based gameplay, grinding, strategic boss fights, and even the pros and cons of a buggy game design.
And it doesn’t end there! Even the MC of Shangri-La, Sunraku, feels super relatable, like a real player mastering a tough game. He embodies the feelings and emotions of every gamer, and his journey through the series couldn’t be a more perfect representation. He and every other side character are also a big part of what makes Shangri-La Frontier so different, especially for the gamers.
The relatability factor goes hard with Shangri-La, unlike any other isekai series!
Another interesting aspect that makes Shangri-La Frontier so great is the attention to detail given to each character in its world. It’s easy to relate to, especially if you’re familiar with playing games like that.
Instead of solely focusing on creating another fantasy world with a magic-driven mechanic like Re: Zero, Shangri-La Frontier creates an incredibly detailed and immersive MMORPG setting. Now don’t get it wrong; Re: Zero is, of course, amazing when it comes to crafting a gripping narrative with high stakes, but Shangri-La Frontier does it the other way!
It is a fact that Shangri-La doesn’t have those constant super high-stakes moments, but when you’re seeing things from the MC’s perspective, it will feel pretty serious. It’s like when you’re playing a game and you’re totally invested in what’s happening.
These little moments make the show feel so real and relatable, and that’s exactly what makes it the king of Isekai. After all, the isekai genre was made to take people to a new world and make them feel comfortable there, and Shangri-La does it all too well!
Shangri-La Frontier is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
