Isekai anime have been around for many years, and even some of the greatest classics can be considered isekai by definition. However, since the 2010s, the genre has seen a boom in popularity. Fans love watching these heroes as they journey through worlds never thought possible.
Some don't understand the appeal of the isekai genre. To them, each series is a repeat of the last. While there are some tropes that are universal to all isekai series, each isekai series has unique features that make it stand out. However, it is those universal tropes that grab the attention of anime lovers everywhere. They are the perfect formula for success, roping in new fans with each new series.
10 Isekai Are An Escape From Reality
As to be expected from the genre, isekai are a great escape from reality for anime fans. They open up new worlds to the viewers and transport them along with the protagonist. They take the mundane, boring lives everyone is familiar with and twist them into something incredible. The idea of escaping real life and starting over in a new world sounds too good to pass up.
9 Fans Can See Themselves In The Main Characters
The protagonists of isekai are all pretty similar in a few ways. They are insecure and unsure about themselves. Because of this, many people can see themselves in them and can relate to their struggles of not being able to fit in or find their place in the world. Fans enjoy watching their journey and can put themselves in their shoes. It's almost as though they themselves become the hero of the story and become inspired by the protagonists.
8 They Show Fans Amazing New Worlds
Isekai is a great genre for introducing fans to new, exciting worlds. Some of the most creative and interesting worlds in anime come from isekai. Though many of them are similar in a lot of ways, there is something new that each offers to the genre. One particular example is Aincrad of Sword Art Online, with its rich setting made up of many floors. The isekai genre introduces many different settings to fans that are unlike what they have seen before.
7 They Often Center Around Gaming And RPG
Many protagonists in isekai are gamers, and the same can be said about the fans who watch them. One big reason the genre became as popular as it is is the adoption of gaming. RPG-style gaming, in particular, is a very popular theme within isekai, the main cast being made up of party members who join the protagonist on their quest.
A lot of the fighting in isekai series is similar to the kind of fighting found within RPGs. Power-ups and levels that the protagonist can gain are examples of this. Gaming and anime have become closely related in recent years, and the genre capitalizes on fans' love for both.
6 Isekai Anime Always Have The Best Female Characters
Some of the most popular anime girls of today come from isekai anime. Characters such as Asuna, Rem, Emilia, and more have stolen the hearts of fans everywhere. The characters in these series are just too cute and endearing to resist, and fans love debating on who is "Best Girl." They're often more popular than the main character, and even those who aren't fans of isekai know who they are. If not for the girls of isekai, the genre just would not be the same.
5 The Romance Draws Everyone In
Though the focus of an isekai is normally on the quest or the powers the protagonist develops, that isn't the only thing fans care about in a series. Romance is huge in the genre, especially since the typical dynamic is one male protagonist with several female companions. Love triangles and drama are bound to happen in a group like that. Some may be tired of the love triangle trope, but there are still plenty of fans who get wrapped up in it. Everyone loves to guess who the protagonist will end up with and what will happen to the rejected romantic rivals.
4 They Have Thrilling Stories Of Adventure
In most isekai, the protagonist comes to a new world and is tasked with defeating a great evil that plagues the land. The story follows them as they journey to gain the strength to take on this important job. Fans watch the cast travel through dangerous lands and meet many different enemies. The action draws people in, and viewers anticipate the next battle or obstacle the heroes must overcome. Not all series in the genre are like this, but many are, and fans can't get enough of each new quest that comes the hero's way.
3 Isekai Are About Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things
No matter what type of isekai a series might be, the protagonist is always an ordinary person who, in their original world, has nothing special to offer. Once they make it to the new world, they discover things about themself that they never knew possible.
The genre inspires everyday, ordinary people, showing that they are capable of much more than what they think they are. Just like the heroes in these stories, they can find amazing things about themselves that only they can do. They may be ordinary, but they can still do extraordinary things if they believe in themselves.
2 Elements Of Fantasy Are Beloved By All Fans
One thing nearly all isekai have in common is their themes of fantasy and magic. The worlds the protagonists find themselves in are completely different from our own, giving them the ability to do amazing things they could never do before.
Some protagonists remain relatively normal, only obtaining a few powers, such as Subaru from Re:Zero - Starting Life In Another World. Meanwhile, others take on entirely new forms, such as Rimuru Tempest from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Each series adds unique magical elements that set itself apart from the rest. These elements enchant fans and bring them back with each new series.
1 Fans Get To Watch The Main Character Grow From A Zero To A Hero
Isekai protagonists usually shut themselves off from the rest of the world. They are shy, scared, uncertain, and can't seem to find the courage to open up to others. After they are transported to the new world, they slowly begin to find themselves. They go from shy and scared to confident and heroic.
Fans have the privilege of watching each of these characters transform and blossom before their eyes. These heroes inspire others by overcoming their past struggles and becoming all the better for it, proving to fans that anything is possible, in this world or another.