According to a recent article by AFP, the genre of isekai anime has become increasingly popular not just among anime fans in Japan but around the world. Isekai, which means "alternate world," encompasses a wide range of stories in which a character is transported to a new life. However, one common theme in isekai anime is that the protagonist, often portrayed as a loser, dies a violent death and is then reincarnated as a hero with unique powers.
Crunchyroll, the US-based streaming service, reports a "big appetite" for isekai anime, including titles such as "That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime." The genre has become so popular that "isekaied" is even listed in the online Urban Dictionary, defined as "the act of being hit by a truck and reborn."
Experts and fans say that the isekai genre feeds on the frustrations of people who feel undervalued and dissatisfied with modern life. While traditional anime franchises tend to show heroes navigating hostile worlds, isekai focuses on the opportunity to start over. Satoshi Arima, editor of the publishing giant Kadokawa, explains that the prevailing mentality in isekai is "it's better to be transported to a world where I can excel."
Exploring the Appeal of Isekai: How this Genre Offers a New Perspective on Life's Challenges
Kadokawa has published a plethora of isekai-themed light novels over the years, many of which have inspired manga and anime adaptations. Arima says the primary audience for Kadokawa's novels are salaried workers (Japanese office workers) between the ages of 30 and 40 who may dream of "switching to a job that recognizes them better" but cannot always do so because of Japan's entrenched system of lifetime employment. "As this type of life is not always possible, they may satisfy that desire through these novels," he says.
However, escapism has broad appeal, and isekai is increasingly attracting female fans who identify with heroines who were previously undervalued "living their lives as they want," Arima adds.
One of the most popular isekai series is "Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation," which tells the story of a 34-year-old "unemployed virgin" who is hit by a truck and reincarnated as a boy with magical powers. At this year's AnimeJapan convention, a long line of mostly male fans formed at a booth promoting the series and other works. "Japan is not at its best right now, so stories like this make me think that people may be looking for ways to relieve their stress and escape," said 50-year-old fan Shinya Yamada to AFP.
Yamada adds that this escapism "has a therapeutic purpose, although I think it's a little sad." While isekai anime may provide a temporary escape from the difficulties of daily life, it is important to remember that the best way to deal with these issues is to confront them directly and seek help when needed.
Source: France24
