Watching anime has always been about exploring different worlds, but some genres provide more exploration action than others. Isekai is the perfect fit for anime viewers who just want to leave everything behind and see what life is like in another world through a protagonist's eyes.
The isekai genre has exploded in popularity since the release of Sword Art Online. The adventures of protagonist Kirito have inspired writers into offering more content. Yet isekai also comes with some significant disadvantages, many of which are more pronounced and noticeable than in any other anime genre.
10 It's Impossible To Keep Up With All The Series
Popular genres always become trends and fans attempts to jump on the proverbial bandwagon as soon as possible to enjoy the limelight. Isekai is the most recent genre to represent this same situation. SAO's success was so great that an avalanche of shows followed, causing modern anime to be overwhelmingly saturated by isekai shows as a result.
Isekai content was very much in demand after SAO was released. But at this point, there are so many series it's impossible to keep up with them. Viewers can become frustrated by the excessive amount of isekai shows. The number of isekai shows on the market can also suffocate other excellent releases that are not in the genre.
9 Several Shows Share The Same Repetitive Concepts
Repetitive concepts in isekai anime are part of what makes them difficult to handle. Anime genres as a whole have plenty of tropes that viewers actively seek out. In isekai, these tropes have become more than isolated elements. There's practically a checklist now that shows follow to draw viewer attention. Because of this, viewers are bombarded with cookie-cutter releases, many of them with similar names and themes. It's not unusual for these shows to use SAO as a starting point. For example, Wise Man Grandchild's Shin Wolford has a lot of things in common with Kirito.
8 Show Names Can Be Too Long & Hard To Remember
Perhaps in an attempt to create a level of individuality and memorability, most recent isekai series have very long names. Examples include I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level or The Greatest Demon Lord Is Reborn as a Typical Nobody.
Sometimes, Japanese names are much shorter but the concepts are simply difficult to translate. Fans have taken to shortening the names, just so that they can preserve their sanity and find the content they want. Oftentimes, the truncated Japanese names for series are easier for foreign audiences to remember rather than the full title.
7 The Overpowered Protagonist Trope Is Becoming Very Irritating
The overpowered protagonist is quickly becoming one of the most tiring tropes in isekai anime. Kirito is only the first example but he's not even the strongest character on the list. That honor may go to Overlord's Ainz Ooal Gown. Rimuru Tempest from That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime is even more impressive than Ainz.
Viewers definitely enjoy watching their favorite characters crush their opponents, but at some point, overpowered protagonists who never lose become tiring to watch for even the most excited fans. Furthermore, plots have a hard time with captivating audiences when the protagonist destroys everything with a wave of their hand.
6 Female Characters Are Often Reduced To Love Interests Or Damsels In Distress
SAO's most irritating arc is definitely the Fairy Dance arc. During the Fairy Dance arc, the female lead, Asuna Yuuki, is reduced to a helpless plot device who is the target of abuse at the hands of the villain. Kirito also constantly accumulates additional love interests, even if he's only interested in Asuna.
Countless anime include these types of situations despite the fact that many fans dislike seeing them. The Rising of the Shield Hero is a good recent example. The anime is very popular, but at the same time, it has been criticized for its approach to female characters. Some fans suggest it encourages the concept of slavery due to the background of the main heroine, Raphtalia.
5 The Genre's Dark Elements Aren't For Everyone
The concept of traveling into another world may be interesting, but the journey isn't always fun. Isekai releases tend to contain a lot of dark elements. Usually, characters have to risk their lives in the new world they are in, but on some occasions, what they have to face is much worse.
Re: Zero takes a particularly brutal approach. The protagonist, Natsuki Subaru, possesses an ability called Return by Death that allows him to return to a point in time when he is killed. The end result is that he suffers from many gruesome deaths, over and over. It's not a theme that everyone can enjoy.
4 Popularity Has Actually Made Some Anime Fans Actively Reject Isekai
While isekai is very popular, there are plenty of anime viewers who actively dislike it. Heated debates over the popularity of isekai anime tend to happen in anime forums. SAO fans may clash with other viewers because the show has long been considered overrated and not deserving of its popularity by some anime fans.
The most constant targets of criticism — along with Kirito's overpowered nature — are the sexual violence and the harem element, things that haven't really changed despite the backlash. This dislike can spread onto other isekai releases. Being an isekai fan may lead to unpleasant arguments that anyone would want to avoid.
3 Original Shows Are Tougher To Find
Despite the constant addition of shows with repetitive elements, the occasional gem does pop up in the genre. Creativity still exists in isekai shows, and sometimes they hit all the right notes to create an excellent release. When an isekai show takes a risk with the tried-and-true formula, amazing things can happen.
The Saga of Tanya the Evil is a memorable release. Tanya the Evil throws regular concepts of swords and sorcery into a historical World War II setting, making it stand apart from other isekai that focus on medieval or other historical settings. Tanya the Evil is a very interesting release, but shows like this are typically the exception rather than the norm.
2 The Best Shows May Actually Be Older & Less Popular
Because of isekai's history, most recent shows are plagued by issues that can irritate audiences and drive them off. Ironically, the best shows are older ones. Demon King From Today! is an older title worth remembering for its numerous unique elements. Protagonist Yuri Shibuya is drawn into another world when he is flushed through the toilet, and he becomes the king of a demon country seemingly because of the color of his hair. The countless elements of culture clash make the show both serious and funny, but recent anime fans may not be aware it even exists.
1 Viewers Can Never Be Part Of The Different Worlds They Explore
The isekai genre may have its faults, but it also offers countless unique worlds the fans can explore. Unfortunately, even the most dedicated isekai fan eventually have to face the harshest reality of all. No matter how many anime they watch, no matter how many overpowered protagonists they admire and how many magical systems they learn, there's simply no way for them to travel to the worlds they have come to love. It's something the viewers have to deal with, whether they like to or not.