Opinion: Danger, danger Isekai Anime everywhere!

I mean, let’s be real here. Every Isekai nowadays all follow a similar style and to me that just shows a lack of creativity as everyone and their parents try their hardest to capitalize on a genre that has become quickly overused and oversaturated. This new ‘norm’ is something we’ve all been desensitized to and it’s honestly a little disappointing.

We’ve all heard the cliché story of a protagonist being transported to another world, only to find themselves with some sort of power or special ability that makes them stand out from the rest of their new world. Every fan of anime has seen it, and while they may be familiar, they get stale fast.

In recent years, Isekai anime has taken the anime community by storm. With shows such as “Sword Art Online,” “Re:Zero,” “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime,” and “The Rising of the Shield Hero,” the genre has become increasingly popular. However, it’s not without its criticisms. Which is something I’ve touched on already.

For those who may not know, Isekai anime is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy anime where a protagonist is transported to another world. This could be through various means, such as being reincarnated, summoned, or trapped within a video game. The protagonist often has unique abilities, and the show usually follows their journey as they try to find their way back home or survive in the new world they find themselves in.

While Isekai anime has been around for a while, it’s only in recent years that it has exploded in popularity. It’s not hard to see why; the genre offers a wide variety of possibilities and can be incredibly entertaining. However, this success has led to an oversaturation of the genre. It seems like every season has a new Isekai anime, and many of them feel like they’re just copying what’s been done before.

One of the main criticisms of Isekai anime is that they often lack originality. The stories are predictable, and the characters are often one-dimensional. Many of the shows follow the same formula of the protagonist being overpowered and having to defeat an evil force threatening the world they’ve been transported to. It’s easy to see why this formula has become so popular, but it’s become stale.

Another criticism of Isekai anime is that they often rely too heavily on fan service. While fan service isn’t unique to Isekai anime, it’s become a staple of the genre. The female characters often have exaggerated body proportions and are used solely for the male gaze. This type of fan service isn’t just unnecessary; it can be harmful to the portrayal of women in media.

Like, go on any anime site the tracks anime due to be released for the year of 2023 and look at how many of them have the Isekai tag attached to them. It’s almost as though every anime being released is an Isekai.

It’s time for something to change. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with the Isekai genre, it’s time for creators to step outside the box and try something new. There are so many possibilities within the genre, but creators need to be willing to take risks and try something different.

Do not get me wrong, there have been plenty of exceptional Isekai anime, some of my favourites from the genre are: “No Game No Life“, “Mondaiji-tachi ga Isekai kara Kuru Sou desu yo?“, the “Zero no Tsukaima” series and “Sword Art Online“.

But everything has an expiration date and unless it’s going to be something that will knock everyone’s socks off, I think that Isekai has run it’s course.

While Isekai anime has become incredibly popular, it’s time for a change. The genre has become oversaturated, and many of the shows lack originality. Creators need to take risks and try something new to keep the genre fresh and interesting. By doing so, we can continue to enjoy the possibilities that the Isekai genre has to offer.