The Isekai Genre Is Falling Off, And Here’s Its Replacement

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The Isekai Genre Is Falling Off, And Here's Its Replacement

Key Takeaways

  • Shonen anime remains popular, but shojo anime is making a comeback in recent years.
  • Success of shojo anime adaptations like Dress Up Darling and Horimiya has stirred online attention.
  • The decline in isekai popularity may be due to oversaturation and a shift towards more relatable slice-of-life content.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the vibrant worlds of anime and MMORPGs, I must admit that the rise and fall of the isekai genre has been nothing short of fascinating to observe. Having grown up in the era where shows like Sword Art Online captivated our imaginations, it’s hard not to feel a tinge of nostalgia when reminiscing about those days.

Year after year, Shonen remains at the pinnacle of popularity, yet seasonal Shonen anime often find themselves sharing the limelight with emerging trends. Intriguingly, numerous seasonal productions boast overly lengthy titles and stereotypical harem elements, featuring protagonists who are undeniably overpowered and inexplicably never suffer defeat. However, there are exceptions to this Isekai rule; shows like Re:Zero, Konosuba, and That Time I Was Reincarnated As A Slime demonstrate exceptional craftsmanship or offer innovative perspectives within the genre.

The tide is shifting. It seems that only sequels of established Isekai series are currently thriving; fresh Isekai creations are becoming less frequent and aren’t receiving as much acclaim. However, shonen has been reigning supreme for a long time and shows no signs of slowing down. But this year, a newcomer is stepping into the limelight to challenge the popular shonen series… and it couldn’t be more different.

Shojou Anime Finally Shines Again

Romance, Slice-of-Life, and Other Shojou Sub-Genres Populating The Charts

The Isekai Genre Is Falling Off, And Here's Its Replacement

For more than a decade, shojo manga and anime have been relatively underdeveloped compared to their popularity in the early 2000s. However, the landscape has significantly changed over the past few years with an increase in shojo manga, leading to adaptations of these popular stories. Some of the recent sensations on social media include “Dress Up Darling,” “Horimiya,” and the currently airing “Yakuza Fiance.” Other notable successes from this period are “Kaguya-sama: Love is War,” the reboot of “Fruits Basket,” “Komi Can’t Communicate,” and several others.

Some titles such as “Love is War” and “Fruits Basket,” along with the previously mentioned one, have briefly outranked “Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood” on the popular anime site MyAnimeList. This shift in ranking has generated enough buzz to attract online interest.

In relation to the revival of “Fruit Basket”, numerous beloved Shojo anime from the 90s and early 2000s are experiencing a resurgence today; titles such as “Ranma 1/2” are included within this wave. Even Crunchyroll has reported on what they term the “Shojo Renaissance” in an article this year, highlighting that anime like “Kimi ni Todoke” is finally getting a third season after a 13-year break, and classic mangas like “Sign of Affection” and “Honey Lemon Soda” are finally being adapted following years of anticipation from fans. It seems Shojo anime is enjoying a revival, with its romantic themes inspiring how other genres approach their own romantic storylines.

Why Was Isekai So Big?

Why Did Isekai Explode In Popularity In The First Place?

The Isekai Genre Is Falling Off, And Here's Its Replacement

Isekai genre often revolves around a character getting transported or stuck in a fictional realm, which is usually a video game like MMORPG, though it can also be any fantasy world. This transition offers a form of escape for anime viewers worldwide. The massive and passionate fanbase of Sword Art Online undeniably boosted the popularity of Isekai; many anime producers aimed to recreate the success that Sword Art Online achieved. One more reason behind the success of Isekai is the allure of a power fantasy where an ordinary gamer transforms into the hero of their preferred game, providing them with extraordinary powers.

In many isekai anime series, characters are typically gamers who get transported or reborn into a fantasy game that mirrors the one they were playing before. Nowadays, it’s common for MMORPG players to be fans of anime as well, because modern MMORPGs tend to emulate anime styles. Consequently, these dual enthusiasts would likely find appealing an anime depicting someone similar to themselves traversing a video game world reminiscent of the games they already enjoy, wouldn’t they?

So Why Is Isekai Not As Popular Anymore?

What Has Changed In The World of Isekai?

The Isekai Genre Is Falling Off, And Here's Its Replacement

There are several explanations for why isekai might be losing its appeal. One of the main reasons could be an oversupply in the market. When one genre becomes extremely popular, fans of entertainment media may eventually become overwhelmed or disillusioned. This has been noticeable among those who follow seasonal anime over the past decade, as the isekai genre seems to have replaced a wider range of genres.

The isekai genre doesn’t have to disappear, but it needs a fresh, less stereotypical makeover. This transformation is underway, yet it should happen more swiftly. Specifically, anime studios ought to become more discerning about the number of isekai series they choose to animate in a single season, and authors writing isekai stories would benefit from experimenting with new ideas instead.

One hypothesis explaining the decline of Isekai is that our collective desire to escape has diminished compared to a few years ago. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many individuals worldwide experienced limited interaction with the outside world for an extended period. During these lockdowns, otakus often found solace in watching anime and playing video games, making Isekai more appealing due to its escapist nature. However, as the world opens up again and people resume experiencing life firsthand, there’s a growing preference for characters in more realistic, everyday settings, such as those depicted in shoujo anime. After years of limited social contact, online schooling, and closed-down events, viewers are now seeking relatable experiences on their screens that mirror their own real-life interactions once again.

Recently, the Isekai genre has been adopting a more laid-back approach, producing numerous slice-of-life Isekai series alongside the traditional action-fantasy adventure ones. Despite its popularity, Shojo anime ratings have been on the rise and occasionally outranking Isekai. If Isekai wishes to maintain its rule, it must find a fresh method of reinvention.

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2024-11-28 06:06