Isekai
- isekai
- 23 déc. 2024
- 2 min de lecture
Dernière mise à jour : 28 déc. 2024

The term "isekai" (異世界) literally means "different world" in Japanese. This genre of fiction, very popular in manga, anime, and light novels, immerses the reader or viewer in parallel universes where the rules of our world do not apply.
The history of isekai began in 1975 with Haruka Takachiho's fantasy novel, Isekai no Yūshi (Warrior from Another World). Since then, this genre has evolved and diversified, becoming a cornerstone of Japanese pop culture. Isekai stories often feature protagonists transported, reincarnated, or summoned into another world, where they must navigate unfamiliar environments, develop new skills, and often play the role of hero.
There are several sub-genres of isekai. Reincarnation isekai sees the protagonist reborn in another world with memories of their past life, as in Re:Zero. Transportation isekai involves the physical transfer of the hero from one world to another, an example being The Rising of the Shield Hero. In video game isekai, the main character is trapped in a video game and must navigate this virtual world as if it were real, like in Sword Art Online. Summon isekai includes heroes summoned to complete missions, such as No Game No Life. Reverse isekai explores the inverse concept, where characters from a fantastical world find themselves in our world, as seen in Gate: Jieitai Kanochi nite, Kaku Tatakaeri.
Isekai is not limited to escapism and adventure; it also explores deep themes such as self-discovery, adapting to new environments, and confronting personal challenges. The protagonists, often initially ordinary, transform into heroes through extraordinary trials and adventures.
Discover the series Isekai: The Otherworlder's Heir. Here, it is the protagonist's descendants who become the main actors of the saga.
With its many sub-genres and variations, isekai continues to captivate a wide audience, offering an escape into fantasy books while exploring universal philosophical and social questions.
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