If one day, you open your eyes and suddenly, you realise you are in a completely different world, what would you do? That is the start of most Isekai novels, the Japanese fantasy sub-genre, which has its popularity increased in the last couple of years.
According to Dean (2020), Isekai (異世界) means a Different World. It also means strange world or another world in Japanese (Starlight, 2020). This sub-genre of fantasy usually starts with the main protagonists suddenly come to a new, unfamiliar world from their original world. The new place they end up is mostly a fantasy world, where they have their adventures full of magic (Pagan, 2019). Basically, it is similar to the Lost World fantasy sub-genre in Western culture.
Every genre has its own tropes and so does Isekai.
In Isekai, the main character most of the time unwillingly transported and trapped in another world, a place that is not their current realities. They could be there in a physical way, mentally trapped, having their soul being reborn in a different world or transported to a different time period (Pagan, 2019). If I am suddenly being transported to an unknown place, I would probably freak out.
The protagonist has some common traits such as being an outcast, socially awkward or apathetic (Pagan, 2019). They usually have a hobby or vast knowledge in a certain area which could help them in this new world. They usually unintentionally become the centre of attention due to their actions. People may become loyal and start to follow the protagonist. It could end up being the main character’s companions (Dean, 2020).
Different stories have different settings and plots for the world they are ended up in. The game’s world could be where the protagonists have been transported or trapped. It has been a popular setting for the recent Isekai. That game’s world could be exact or similar to the game they know before (Pagan, 2019). It could also be the novel world in the novel which they read before dying. It could be a completely new world.
If a character is trapped in another world, the plot is usually about them finding a way to go back to their original place. They have to go through and face many obstacles and adventures in order to go back home. However, for the character that is reborn in the new world, it is slightly different. Since going back to their original world is no longer a valid option, the story will focus on them trying to survive in this new world (Pagan, 2019). Adapting and learning about their new world is the main point of the story that I would like to see.
Every fantasy stories have their own quests and adventures and Isekai is no different. The most typical setting is for them to go and try to save the world from its demise. It could be the world they are transported. There is also a case when the main characters have to save their original world (Starlight, 2020). When everything is done, they may stay in this world, unlike other fantasy stories (Dean, 2020).
The term "Isekai" is quite new since it is used in recent decades. However, the concept has existed for centuries. The western literature world has some like Alice in Wonderland, The Nutcracker, Narnia as an example for this concept (Pagan, 2019).
Isekai is a genre I truly enjoy reading. If possible, you should give it a try.
Reference
Pagan, A. (2020). Hallmarks of Fantasy: A Brief History of the Genre. New York Public Library. https://www.nypl.org/blog/2020/05/18/hallmarks-fantasy-brief-history-fantasy.
Starlight, N. (2020). Isekai Anime: Explaining the Genre's History, and How It's Changed. Reel Rundown. https://reelrundown.com/animation/Thoughts-on-the-History-of-the-Isekai-Genre.
Dean, C. (2020). There’s A New Fiction Genre In Town: Isekai. Writers Write. https://www.writerswrite.co.za/theres-a-new-fiction-genre-in-town-isekai/.
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