Reasons Why Isekai Anime Might Be Driving Fans Away

Key Takeaways

Overuse of stereotypes and cliches
Harem trope makes romance meaningless
Excessive visual impact harms audience engagement

As a long-time connoisseur of anime and Isekai series, I must say that the current state of this genre leaves me somewhat disheartened. My dear fellow enthusiasts, let us embark on a journey through the pitfalls that have befallen our beloved Isekai.

Anime based on the Isekai (different world) genre, brimming with fantastical tales of adventure, has become quite popular. However, some enthusiasts have started to observe that this genre seems to be overproduced, resulting in a saturated market. Despite the continued success of Isekai in manga and light novels, anime adaptations have experienced a decline in recent years.

Besides the highly acclaimed anime such as “Eminence in Shadow,” “Overlord,” and “Mushoku Tensei,” which have gained immense popularity, lesser-known Isekai anime have been struggling to increase their fanbase acceptance rates. This could be attributed to one or more factors that may discourage fans from these particular Isekai shows.

7 It Relies Too Much On Stereotypes

The Audiences Are Tired Of Seeing The Same Characters With Different Skins

Gets repetitive
The characters are often cut from the same mold

In other words, it seems like the Isekai genre is relying too heavily on repetitive character archetypes in an attempt to keep up with current trends. Upon closer examination, many Isekai stories share common themes such as a protagonist who is edgy yet kind-hearted, a main love interest (or multiple) that tends to fawn over the male lead, a healer character who carries emotional baggage from losing people, and a comical yet ideal “wife material” female character who often falls short compared to the main female lead.

The excessive use of stereotypes in most modern Isekai anime series seems to be more of a convenient plot device than an innovative element. While some fans may find comfort in familiarity, it ultimately leads to a repetitive and unappetizing narrative. This could be one reason why Isekai is gradually becoming a narrower genre of interest.

6 The Harem Issue Is Getting Out Of Control

The Existence Of A Harem In Your Typical Isekai Makes Romance Meaningless

Doesn’t make sense
Predictable outcomes
It’s nearly impossible to make a good plot out of these situations

A fundamental aspect of fantasy tales has consistently been the inclusion of romantic subplots. These relationships often serve as a driving force for characters to persevere against seemingly insurmountable odds, even when facing an adversary that could potentially end their lives. Thus, omitting romance from a fantasy narrative seems illogical and incomprehensible. Establishing a harem is a recipe for chaos: regardless of the circumstances, love is inherently self-centered, making it highly improbable for three or more individuals to live harmoniously under one roof without jealousy or tension.

Essentially, the Harem trope revolves around these common themes when multiple characters coexist, featuring typical scenarios such as rivalry among characters for romantic interest (either male or female), alliances formed against a shared adversary (often a mature, stereotypical threat), or in shoujo Isekai, several exceptionally attractive males collaborating to rescue the girl from peril (like a dragon). Ultimately, this pattern reduces romance to an empty spectacle and makes the conclusion painfully predictable.

5 The Demon Lord/King Conundrum

Where’s A Hero, There’s A Villain, Even If It’s A Copy/Paste

Repetitive and predictable
Hurts the plot

Each instance when an Isekai Hero is summoned, it’s often whispered that a Demon Lord gains his wings. This idea appears to be deeply ingrained in the Isekai lore and has become a common trope in many tales, with exceptions only for stories where deities are the antagonists or the protagonist is the Demon Lord itself. Typically, the Demon Lord functions as a pretext for gods, royals, princesses, and priestesses to recruit students from Japan (or other regions, though this seldom occurs) to handle their tasks in their world.

Worst case scenario, it all becomes a carnage and the students betray one of their own, often the weakest, giving birth to the issue Nº1: the driven by revenge/edgy character. But, does it need to be this way? Mushoku Tensei doesn’t play by the rules, and neither does Grimgar of Ashes and Illusion or, if we get nitpicky, Eminence in Shadow. So, the point is proven: the story doesn’t need a Demon Lord/King for an Isekai to be good, or successful. Though most fans know this, they have often manifested that this is one of the most annoying clichés in modern Isekai.

4 Excessive Use Of CGI And Even AI

It Is Becoming Quite A Recurrent Issue

Makes the audience think the creators did not put effort into the show
Diminishes the storytelling value
Breaks immersion

In contrast to established studios such as Ghibli who judiciously employ CGI, many other studios lack the financial resources to hire large numbers of artists for hand-drawn animation. Consequently, CGI becomes a significant factor in the rise of modern anime studios specializing in Isekai genre – and this isn’t necessarily a negative development.

The problem begins, like with most things in life, in excess. When 50% of an anime series is animated through CGI (and bad CGI at that) it is noticeable, and the fans become angry. When the show is outright made by AI-powered CGI, things become way more complicated. Creatures become whacky: their movements are stiff, and bone structure/meshes are ridiculous and poorly made. The audience knows, so if they misuse AI to save costs or abuse CGI made in a rush, this will chip down the score of the show by a lot, and that’s a bad thing.

3 The Level Of Fan Service Is Over 9000

Isekai Writers/Producers And Their Obsession With Risqué Scenes

Reduces the target audience
Scares away people who are there for the plot
Boring and cliché situations

Without a doubt, it’s important to note that fan service isn’t exclusive to the Isekai genre; instead, it’s prevalent across anime in total. The intriguing query is: do fans deem fan service essential? A swift scan through forums like Reddit, as well as reviews from audiences on sites such as Metacritic or Rotten Tomatoes, seems to suggest otherwise.

In general, fans commonly express concern that too much focus on fan service in many popular Isekai series negatively impacts the storyline. However, it’s worth noting that these shows cater to specific audiences, and producers appear to be content with this. Ultimately, satisfying everyone is a challenging task, but different genres are designed to appeal to various preferences. For instance, there are genres where fan service essentially drives the narrative, so it seems unnecessary and off-putting to include it in fantasy and Isekai anime.

2 It Relies Too Much On Cliché Tropes

When The MC Is Not Expelled From The Hero Party, Is Either Betrayed Or Killed

Makes the audience predict the outcome easily
There’s nothing to expect but the predictable outcome: death

In Isekai-style anime, certain themes recur consistently. Though elements like betrayal, retribution, and the subsequent fallout often drive the narrative forward, their excessive use in contemporary fantasy animations can feel repetitive. Similarly, tropes such as death and reincarnation, time travel, and related motifs are becoming overused.

The storyline becomes predictable as the audience anticipates revenge from the main characters against those who harmed them. In essence, we are dealing with a tale of vengeance where those thought to be dead ascend to power and embark on a brutal quest for retaliation. This could very well be the burial ground for two concepts: the fantasy animation style and the Isekai genre. If they continue to lean heavily on these familiar themes, then the end might as well be written for this genre.

1 Excess Of Visual Impact

The Audience Is Not There To Suffer Or To Enjoy Unnecessary Cruelty

Scares the right audience
Appeals to the wrong audience
It is crude and tasteless

In this imaginary realm, who’s dream are we experiencing? It’s important to note that even in animation, there’s a boundary to how dark a story can go. While many fantasy anime series may push those boundaries, some seem excessively cruel to serve as motivators for characters in Isekai stories. However, if these elements are used sparingly and not overly central to the plot, they can be acceptable. Keep in mind that harshness like cruelty and slavery were prevalent in medieval-like societies, but be cautious not to veer into inappropriate territory.

Generally speaking, at the close of the day, many enthusiasts tend to steer clear of overly brutal sequences or tired storylines such as “the hero going shopping at a slave market,” because it caters to an inappropriate demographic.

2024-09-24 12:34