In the last week, Japanese social networks have been
the scene of a heated debate about the unreality of medieval representations
in isekai anime .
Users have questioned how these animes portray in an idealized and fanciful way
a historical period that was in reality marked by extremely precarious and
difficult conditions.
One of the most discussed points is the
lack of hygiene in true medieval societies. Internet
users point out that, unlike isekai worlds where the characters enjoy baths and
showers, reality was very different. In medieval times, there were no
baths or showers, and people bathed in rivers only every few days.
The toilets were small dark huts far
from the villages, full of insects and with a rudimentary waste disposal
system. Furthermore, dental hygiene was conspicuous by
its absence, and it was common for most people to have already lost half of
their teeth by the age of twenty. The diet was based on dehydrated or
pickled foods, unpleasant in taste and often infested with insects, which
people ate without worry.
Medical care in medieval times also leaves a lot to
be desired compared to isekai anime. Internet users emphasize that
there were very few doctors and that the medicine and treatments available were
closer to witchcraft than to modern science.
As for the laws, these were only effective in large
cities and with officials, while mysterious local rules reigned in the
villages. There was no concept of equal human rights, and contracts and
promises often involved risking one's life. The authority of religion
and nobility was so strong that any behavior considered taboo could result in
torture or execution.
Economic conditions were also extremely tough. The
markets only opened once a month, forcing the population to self-satisfy all
their daily needs. Furthermore, there were no guarantees about the availability
or authenticity of the desired products. There was no fixed price for
goods, so each purchase had to be negotiated. Even money had to be carefully
checked for its weight and precious metal content before being used.
In medieval society, literacy among
commoners was practically non-existent, which contrasts with the literate
societies presented in many isekai anime (where they even know how to read and
write). Water and firewood had to be collected daily
and transported from long distances. Rules of etiquette and consideration did
not exist, leading to frequent conflicts and frustrations.
Additionally, guilds, which in anime are
usually welcoming communities for adventurers, were actually political and
family organizations that rarely accepted new members. Slavery,
often romanticized in anime, was prohibited by religion, and commoners lived as
serfs with virtually no rights. Travelers were constantly suspected of
being thieves and faced distrust and hostility in each new village.
This debate has led many to reflect on
the disparity between fiction and historical reality. While
isekai anime continue to be a source of entertainment and escapism, it is
important to recognize the harsh truths of the past and how these are often
softened or ignored in fictional representations.
Source: Yaraon!
