The isekai genre in anime has gained massive traction in recent years, with light novels and manga getting more and more attuned to it. There is a certain appeal that lies in a character being seen in a different world with completely different norms and features.
Many assume isekai is exclusive to anime, but the truth is, the term might be Japanese, but it only talks about another world. Isekai in anime might be a limitation, but without knowing it, even a person who claims they haven’t watched any isekai anime has probably had contact with it.
Isekai: More than just an anime trope
Isekai means ‘another world,’ and that definition gives it a wide ambit that includes within it the world-hopping adventures that have been part of storytelling for centuries.
Be it the West or the East, there are tales that abound everywhere that are reminiscent of isekai, at least partially, if not completely. For instance the Japanese stories of Momotaro going to the underwater world, or classics like The Chronicles of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, and even The Wizard of Oz.
All of these worlds have a way of connecting to the real one, showcasing a different reality that is magical, fantastical, and free. These are the elements that distinguish an isekai from the other genres.
Though it might feel weird to hear this, and considering that isekai is not used to denote genre other than anime, web novels, and manga- these works are proof that isekai isn’t just a genre, it’s a fundamental fantasy concept.
The idea of characters being transported to another world and changing their destiny in mysterious (sometimes miraculous ways) has existed long before anime even existed.
The broad scope of ‘isekai’ in the technical sense
Even Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy can be said to be an isekai (traveling to a fantastical different world, even though he calls it the underworld). In anime, isekai has evolved into its own genre, featuring iconic titles like Re: Zero, No Game No Life, and Mushoku Tensei.
But even if you step outside Japan, the core idea behind ‘isekai’ remains unchanged. Whether it’s Lucy stepping into Narnia through a wardrobe or Dorothy being swept away to Oz, the essence of isekai is everywhere, in all cultures and continents, under different names.
Peter Pan and the concept of things like Neverland can be considered an early form of isekai. It is also a world where time doesn’t work the same, and adventure awaits, changing their lives and departing from the mundane reality.
Alice in Wonderland drops its protagonist into a strange new reality as well. However, when we think of isekai, names like Mushoku Tensei, Reincarnated as a Slime, and even Solo Leveling (meta-isekai) come to mind. Reincarnated as a Slime, for instance, became extremely popular and continues to attract fans.
But as we can see, the concept itself is rooted in escapism and has existed since a long time ago. So, be it a classic novel or a new anime, you can take your pick of isekai to entertain yourself with and travel to a different world!
You can stream The Chronicles of Narnia and the Wizard of Oz on Amazon Prime Video.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
