While I am perusing the news articles on websites such as Anime News Network and UK Anime Network, I notice a word that pops up again and again, “Isekai”. This genre has become so entrenched in modern otaku culture that it can sometimes feel inseparable.
Isekai refers to a story where a person is either transported or reincarnated into a different world (usually but not exclusively a fantasy world). While it is tempting to describe isekai as a new phenomenon, the reality is that isekai has existed in many forms for a long time. A Japanese folktale named “Urashima Tarō” is often cited as a heavy influence on isekai.
In this tale, we follow the titular character who rescues a small turtle. Afterwards, a large turtle rewards him by bringing him to the Palace of the Dragon God at the bottom of the ocean. After living there for three days, he decides to go home. The princess, Otohime, gives him a box called “tamatebako” that will protect him but tells him not to open it. He returns home to find that 300 years have passed since he left. Distraught, he opens the box and finds it filled with white smoke. The smoke envelops him and turns him into an old man. The story ends with the voice of the princess telling him “I told you not to open that box. In it was your old age …”.
There are plenty of western examples of isekai as well although these are referred to as “Portal Fantasy”. Famous works such as Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe all feature stories of characters who are transported to fantasy worlds.
There are also many examples of isekai anime/manga prior to the recent surge in the popularity of the genre. Titles such as Fushigi Yūgi, Magic Knight Rayearth and Inuyasha are all great examples of isekai. Even the original Digimon TV show features the characters who are suddenly transported into a digital world.
Recently, isekai anime/manga/light novels feature characters being transported to a video game world. Many series such as Sword Art Online, No Game, No Life, Rising of the Shield Hero etc use various RPG/JRPG elements and tropes within their worlds such as leveling and a loot system.
While I am personally not too fond of the surge in popularity of isekai, there is no doubt that the history of isekai is fascinating and interesting. Let me know what you think of isekai and its history.
Hopefully you have found this article interesting and informative and, if you wish to seek any of the works I mentioned, don’t hesitate to use amazon.co.uk, amazon.com or bookdepository.com for all of your needs!