A fantasy set in an alternative, fictional (“secondary”) world, rather than “the real”, or “primary” world.
A fantasy set in an alternative, fictional (“secondary”) world, rather than “the real”, or “primary” world.
If you’re a fan of anime, chances are you’ve come across the term “isekai” at some point. But what exactly does this term mean, and how does it relate to worldbuilding?
The term 異世界 “isekai” is a Japanese term that literally translates to “another world.” It has been used to describe a genre of anime and manga that takes place in a fantasy world. Often in these, the main character is transported to a parallel world or dimension (the isekai), but that is not always the case.
The exact origin of the term is not known, as it is an ancient part of the Japanese language. The concept of a different and mystical world is an ancient theme after all. But it has been used in the context of anime and manga since at least the early 2000s. And, even if it was not formally called Isekai back then, the genre has been around for over 200 years. The word itself can also be written as 異界 (ikai), which signifies a completely different world from the one we know. This term is often associated with the spirit realm and the afterlife. Parallel worlds tend to be written as heikou sekai (平行世界) in Japanese, but there is also a considerable sum of readers who see it as a rather interchangeable term.
The central reason for the extensive use of the word 異世界 (isekai) in Japan is connected with the success of the narou boom. For those of you who don’t know, Shousetsuka ni Narou (小説家になろう), is a deviantART-like website dedicated to writers who publish web novels and short stories. The site has seen the increasing popularity of Isekai novels, with major growth around the year 2008, and reaching its peak in 2011. The blossoming of isekai is still continuing to this day.
What Westerners usually think of when you say isekai stories, is the main character getting transported to a parallel world or dimension, often through some kind of supernatural event or technological mishap. Or of course the most famous, a “Truck-kun” incident. Once there, they must navigate and survive in this new world, which may be very different from the one they left behind.
Isekai stories often involve elements of fantasy, science fiction, and adventure, and they can range from lighthearted and comedic, to dark and serious in tone. But there are a ton of ways this genre powerhouse can play around these days!
Works categorized under this subgenre are characterized for involving a plot in which the protagonist is summoned into a different world by someone. No Game, No Life is one of the recent successful works from the sub-genre, and 異世界の勇士 (Isekai no Yuushi, 1981) is considered to be the starting point for it in contemporary literature.
The protagonist is transferred to a different world. Some common methods of transference involve either being covered in a ray of light or crossing through a mirror. (This is in fact how I, the Vtuber Bepin~chan get around the Multiverse!) In these stories, the focus is often on the main character learning about the culture and history of the new world. Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom series is considered by Japanese fans to be the foundation for this subgenre.
The protagonist passes away either by an accident (Truck-kun again?) or a different reason, resulting in them being reincarnated into a different world. They usually preserve their memories and are able to make use of diverse supernatural abilities. There are cases where the protagonist starts over as either a baby, an animal, an object, or a human preserving their age before they passed away. This is currently the most popular subgenre as it gives the reader the opportunity to see how a protagonist like yourself may begin a new life. Stories in this subgenre include That time I got reincarnated as a slime which is a cornerstone of the genre as a whole.
As you can see, there is a wide arrange of material for amateur authors to munch on. These subgenres also tend to be mixed with other genres such as school settings, romcoms, or drama. This is directly related to one of the main reasons why the Isekai genre has seen such growth in the past years: the flexibility it offers aspiring authors to craft a story.
As the name says, is a genre of Japanese manga and anime where food, cooking, eating, or drinking is a central plot element. When these take place in another world and food or cooking is the main aspect of the series, this can lead to some flavourful stories. Isekai Izakaya is an obvious choice, but I prefer the more Shonen take that Toriko brings to the table.
Much like an Otome Game, an Otome Isekai is a story that’s based target is towards women (young maidens) who want to feel their heart flutter with romance. In these stories women, and occasionally men, are reincarnated into their otome games. These worlds are not necessarily video games per see, but worlds that remind you of them. Bakarina, which is the most known work for this is the first of this type to get an anime adaptation. But The World of Otome Games is Tough for Mobs is my personal favorite.
Worldbuilding is the process of creating and fleshing out the settings and details of a fictional world. This can include creating a history, culture, and even language for the world. You can design its geography and landscapes, all while establishing the rules and laws that govern it. No wonder it has taken isekai anime to a whole new level of hype!
In Japanese literature, Butaiha (舞台派) are stories that are first and foremost seen as High Fantasy. Additionally, juukouha (重厚派) are profound stories that value the deep explanations of cultures, fantasy elements, and history. Within these genres, a number of readers also use the terms ハイ・ファンタジー (High Fantasy) and ロー・ファンタジー (Low Fantasy).
As long as a story takes place in a different world to the one we know, it can be called High Fantasy or Isekai. There can of course be similarities to our earth, but to be isekai, It must be a completely different place. Take Lord of the Rings as a classic example of this. As well as Beowulf and our very own Eotera!
Low Fantasy can therefore be interpreted as a story in a world familiar to our world or even set in our world itself, but it includes fantasy elements and readers often learn about new cultures that aren’t real. Harry Potter can be categorized under this subgenre.
In short, isekai is another fun way of worldbuilding. And worldbuilding, big or small, helps to establish the rules and norms of these new worlds and make them feel believable and immersive to the reader or viewer. This is why isekai is on the rise, to immerse, indulge, and escape to a new and fun world where you could be anything!
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