Anime enthusiasts in Japan have embarked on an intense debate over the evolution of the isekai genre , noting a significant shift in narrative that distinguishes new series from old ones. The central theme of the discussion revolves around the tendency of isekai protagonists to not attempt to return to their original world , in stark contrast to other iconic series of the past.
Netizens
lament that the modern isekai is losing its distinctive essence, with
many pointing out that after the first episode, the plot tends to veer into a
generic fantasy story because the protagonist immediately forgets his previous
world. This sea change has led to questions about whether the new
series still deserve to be considered isekai.
A key point
in the controversy is the very definition of isekai, with constant references
to past works such as “ .hack ” and “ Sword Art Online .” Although
these series established the norms of the genre, debate persists over whether
they truly qualify as isekai. Some argue that the simple fact that the
protagonists do not die to enter another world contradicts the fundamental
principles of isekai. However, others maintain that this is not an essential
requirement for classification within the genus.
In
summary, the debate over the isekai genre is in full swing in the
Japanese anime community, with opinions divided on the direction new series are
taking and the true nature of iconic works:
- " Because isekai
has become the utopia of otakus ."
- " It doesn't seem
like the creators want to return to reality ."
- « There are so many
isekai stories today that it is impossible to know them all, but I am sure
that Mushoku Tensei set the current standard .»
- " An isekai where
the protagonist manages to return to his world seems most appropriate to
the genre ."
- « There is no need to
return. If the world were as bad as it is now, I wouldn't want to go back
either .
- « Although Sword Art
Online is not about a “different world” but about a “virtual world”, this
second category did not exist back then. It was not until several years
later that the purists began to pull classifications out of their asses .
- « It can't be helped
that they don't want to return to this shitty world .»
- « Wasn't the guy from
Re:Zero trying to return to his world? I feel like it was like that,
although I don't remember it well .
- " If I had gotten
there through reincarnation, I wouldn't really want to go back ."
- « It's like the cliché
that he becomes the hero who has to defeat the Demon King, isn't there
anyone else who threatens peace? ».
- « More than anything, it
sickens me that the current cliché is “reborn as an aristocrat”, does
anyone really care about that setting? ».
- « You wouldn't want
someone to appear in front of you and say, “I'm the one who died last time,
I finally made it back!” ».
- « In the end, it saddens
me that most isekai become a fantasy RPG story where returning to their
original world is simply forgotten .»
Source: Yaraon!
