Isekai

Isekai is a subgenre of Japanese fantasy and science fiction where a person or group is sent to another world and must survive there. In this new setting, they typically gain powerful abilities or a level of importance they lacked in their original life. The transition can happen through death and reincarnation, or by being summoned by a god, object, or person from that other world. The setting is often medieval-like, filled with humans, humanoids, and monsters. A reverse isekai involves a character from another world coming to Earth.

The genre's roots go back to Japanese folktales like the story of Urashima Tarō, as well as Western fantasy works such as *Alice's Adventures in Wonderland* and *The Wonderful Wizard of Oz*. The first modern isekai story is considered to be the novel *Warrior from Another World* (1979) by Haruka Takachiho, and the first isekai anime is *Aura Battler Dunbine* (1983). *The Twelve Kingdoms* and *Sword Art Online* helped make the genre widely popular. Since the 2000s, isekai novels have increasingly been published online on sites like Shōsetsuka ni Narō. The genre is especially popular in anime and is often seen as escapism for salarymen.

In most isekai stories, the protagonist comes from the real world, often with negative aspects in their life, and is transported to an alternate world where they gain special powers or importance. These powers, sometimes called "cheats," help them adapt quickly. Japan Anime News divides isekai into two types: reincarnation into another world (where the protagonist is reborn with memories of their past life) and transition into another world (where they move directly). According to an analysis by Paul Price in the *Journal of Anime and Manga Studies*, adult men are the most common protagonists, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.4 to 1 and an adult-to-teen ratio of 1.4 to 1. He also identified six methods of transportation: reincarnation, divine act, summoning, specific tool, being pulled into a game, and no explanation. Sometimes the protagonist enters a liminal space with a god where their role is decided, and occasionally they arrive as part of a group.

The summoning is usually malicious or accidental, and the protagonist often rejects the assigned purpose. Their body is typically changed—either into a non-human form (like a monster, humanoid, or sentient object) or a human with minor or major changes (such as gaining magic, becoming more athletic, changing gender, or becoming an infant). The protagonist usually forms a group where they are the central figure. The setting is most often medieval-like, with magic and limited technology, drawing from JRPGs and sometimes including LitRPG elements. Other settings include dating sims, battle royale games, non-gaming fantasy worlds, other planets, and dream worlds.

Isekai stories often mix with other genres and themes. A common approach is the "slow life," where an overworked protagonist decides to take it easy in the new world. Sometimes they pursue an interest or goal they couldn't achieve before, like opening a business, as in *Restaurant to Another World*. Another common approach is the isekai villainess anime, where the protagonist takes the role of a villainess in an otome game. Isekai is considered distinct from time travel and VRMMORPG stories.

In May 2021, Kadokawa announced plans to open an "Isekai Museum" in July of that year. In March 2024, the word isekai was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.