Why and when did Isekai anime become so popular?

Oct 31, 2017 5:22 PM

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Mar 2016

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All of a suddenly I've noticed this genre of anime explode in popularity. It's not my style but when did it become so big?

Oct 31, 2017 5:30 PM

romagia

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Feb 2013

17583

tbh since the dawn of time, from even before mahou kishi rayearth

but likely ever since SAO

Oct 31, 2017 5:32 PM

-HippySnob-

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Apr 2017

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romagia said:
tbh since the dawn of time, from even before mahou kishi rayearth

but likely ever since SAO

It all started in the stellar age of Escaflowne Homie...

"Think about that glowing dust
That destroys the night sky's dream of
Just being nothing"--

Oct 31, 2017 5:34 PM

romagia

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17583

RnDNEET021 said:

romagia said:
tbh since the dawn of time, from even before mahou kishi rayearth

but likely ever since SAO

It all started in the stellar age of Escaflowne Homie...

MKR is older than escaflowne reeeeee

Oct 31, 2017 5:35 PM

-Mahesvara

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Jan 2015

5513

Gigguk made a great video about this subject

My Queens

Oct 31, 2017 5:35 PM

LaLeLuLiLo

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Sep 2015

998

chronicles of Narnia the anime.

in the good ol 70s

N.etorare T.echnical R.esearcher

Oct 31, 2017 5:36 PM

-HippySnob-

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Apr 2017

2477

romagia said:

RnDNEET021 said:

It all started in the stellar age of Escaflowne Homie...

MKR is older than escaflowne reeeeee

reeeeee *jinx* you got me lel.........

Seems I haven't heard of this one yet

"Think about that glowing dust
That destroys the night sky's dream of
Just being nothing"--

Oct 31, 2017 5:54 PM

Fakegoose

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Jul 2017

884

I believe Sword Art Online made the genre take off, its also why everyone compares any Issekai anime to Sword Art Online

"Do you know why snow is white? Because it's forgotten what color it's supposed to be." - C.C.

Oct 31, 2017 6:57 PM

Eanki

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Mar 2017

1924

I can't answer the when but since there is a why component, let me tell you something that makes isekai ideal: an escalation curve. It allows you to establish a character like Alice or Harry Potter for example first before you establish the fantastical world of Wonderland and Hogwarts. It also allows you to establish the setting with a character who is unfamiliar with it, giving the consumers a POV into the world and allowing for more leeway in introducing said world. It establishes something familiar and grounds the story before the crazy fantastical.

The other alternatives to isekai would be to start in a quiet village or town or have a child main character. That way you start with a bumpkin or a kid who's also unfamiliar with the outside world.

EDIT: For futher viewing, here. Took me a while to sort out because the guy has several videos about the topic but I'm reasonably sure this is it:

EankiOct 31, 2017 7:15 PM

You gave up your freedom of speech when you clicked Agree to the User Agreement
This is not a public platform.

My gaze is the measure of all things:
I stopped considering "anime" a helpful tag
Recommended Essays Exploring Actually Excellent World-Building

Oct 31, 2017 6:59 PM

#10

Alcoholicide

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Feb 2010

34616

WHEN PLEBS BECAME PLEBS

ALSO stfu...

I probably regret this post by now.

Oct 31, 2017 7:05 PM

#11

simplereviewer

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Oct 2017

I don't know, but it should end once Japan gets nuked again.

Oct 31, 2017 7:08 PM

#12

CamTheThief

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Dec 2014

877

You might as well go watch Gigguk's latest video on this very subject before people start spreading the information he has in said video as if it was their own.

(Not saying Gigguk was the first to ever utilize said information nor condense it into a video, but his is the most recent (and likely one of the most popular) on the subject.)

Oct 31, 2017 7:12 PM

#13

AdrianRubinsky

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Jul 2015

1027

They are following western trends, but they take it to extremes.

The 80s was the space era, Star Wars was the king.

Today is fantasy related with influences of Harry Potter and Lord of The Rings. Sword Art Online has pretty similar concept of Matrix or The Thirteenth Floor

Of course, we can't have Isekai without some japanese spice, like High School setting in a fantasy world. It takes the cake of originality.

The next trend will probably be more blends of Fantasy with Sci-Fi... I already saw some stories moving on this direction.

AdrianRubinskyOct 31, 2017 7:22 PM

Oct 31, 2017 8:03 PM

#14

Xaelath

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Aug 2014

1680

2015 when Kadokawa decided to ban some isekai tittle during the Booming of LN and Manga isekai.
The simple reason why they're banning the isekai tittle are because most of the prologue and background are pretty much generic as hell.

Oct 31, 2017 8:05 PM

#15

Araragiri-san

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Jun 2017

666

i'm pretty sure you've SAO to thanks for that

Oct 31, 2017 8:10 PM

#16

_Ako_

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Feb 2015

13871

Because there's nothing really bad when a MC that's possibly like most of what the viewer is, be transported in a fantasy world full of self-fulfilling shit.

All of a suddenly I've noticed this genre of anime explode in popularity. It's not my style but when did it become so big?

And suddenly, this thread is filled with malice and disgusts.

_Ako_Oct 31, 2017 8:14 PM

RIP CE, thank you and fuck you for bringing Rule 7 that ultimately killed you and this shithole

Oct 31, 2017 8:16 PM

#17

-Lofn-

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Oct 2015

4501

Is this a motherfucking Gigguk reference?!

𝔚𝔞𝔫𝔫𝔞 𝔱𝔬𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔶𝔬𝔲,
𝔚𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫' 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔪𝔶 𝔪𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱
______________________

Oct 31, 2017 8:23 PM

#18

Vhailor

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Feb 2014

3806

Probably when Sword Art Online exploded in popularity. Anime studios being the opportunistic risk averse hacks that they are, saw a market and rushed towards it in droves.

Oct 31, 2017 8:24 PM

#19

PoeticJustice

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May 2012

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It became popular because life is hard and it better to back to simpler times. Darker anime from the 90s and early 2000s were a bitter escape from the harsh realities of a nihilistic existence where you are expected to work a shitty job until you die and create future tax slaves.

Read my good friend's WEBNOVEL

Oct 31, 2017 8:27 PM

#20

ziggy_Z

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Mar 2014

4596

Nice, Gigguk finally made a video that doesn't pander to his obnoxious audience, and is actually informative.

Oct 31, 2017 8:35 PM

#21

Xaelath

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Aug 2014

1680

pgmhecateii said:
Eh, SAO was isekai? But it was just a MMORPG...

That aside, Re:Zero is the only one that really stood out. Konosuba and Mondaiji-tachi are next. Other than those, I don't think isekai anime are too popular.

Well SAO mmorpg boom is similar to Log Horizon or some anime/Manga/LN themed that transferred into game world.
I think it is Isekai well except it's game themed.
Something like NGNl or overlord might be similar.

The main problems with the isekai are the common one "Reincarnated into another world".
MAC died , with ridiculous trophe Truck-san. It could be replaced to pretty much anything though.
Another problem also lies when the MC doesn't have background,generic characters, no character development, similiar OP MC.
Well damn in Manga you could find those kind as a top seller or hot stuff.

From the weekly selling about Manga/Ln alone you know that most of the top 10 tittle always had isekai in it.

Oct 31, 2017 8:49 PM

#22

CoolitzHubertXVI

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Jul 2015

806

I love Isekai, as I always liked to read stories of the Protagonists going to another Earth-like planet to live with a more peaceful and enlightened civilization, with or without sci-fi tech.

Isekai just means "Another World" or "Different World" in Japanese from the Kanji with the meaning of "different" "Kotonaru" >> 異なる。異世界 , so it could be either a Fantasy Based world with magic, or a Sci-Fi World set on another planet. Isekai offers viewers a chance at imagining Escapism, of imagining for the starting of a new and better life on another world with good comrades/friends where they will no longer be bullied, mistreated, sidelined, et cetera.

There are not much Sci-Fi Isekai animes, unfortunately.

CoolitzHubertXVIOct 31, 2017 10:48 PM

I am someone that would like to watch a Harem Anime with 2 male leads that each gets their own harem company of girls from the main cast. For example, 1st male lead gets a company of 4 girls and 2nd male lead gets 2-3 girls etc.

Oct 31, 2017 8:55 PM

#23

Delusionist

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Aug 2017

377

PoeticJustice said:
It became popular because life is hard and it better to back to simpler times. Darker anime from the 90s and early 2000s were a bitter escape from the harsh realities of a nihilistic existence where you are expected to work a shitty job until you die and create future tax slaves.

"Bitter escape"? I dont know about that. Some good old fashioned 90s dubs bring a smile on my face every single time.

Anyway, I don't know when and I don't know why. Maybe its something in the water.

Oct 31, 2017 8:59 PM

#24

Hoppy

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Nov 2008

27806

I like some Isekai anime but unfortunately the genre has been poisoned by the dark side of the Light and Web Novel mediums and most of the anime offerings these days are adapted from bad and often samey to the point of being laughable LN and WNs. What we need are Isekai that are different like Gate or Dog Days.

Oct 31, 2017 9:02 PM

#25

CoolitzHubertXVI

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Jul 2015

806

I also wish to see more Isekai series coming out from Japan, where there will be more such Isekai Battle Harem series with a strong and capable 2nd Male Protagonist that gets his own girl(s).

It could be a Best Friend of the MC or the Twin Brother of the MC, as long as he's strong in battle and gets his own company of female friends/comrades just like the MC's group.

For example, such a setting above can be done like this :

Twin Brothers Keisuke and Saijou were summoned to an Isekai where the population of the country that summoned them has a majority female population with the ratio of females to males 9:1, and the Top 100 Magic Users/Fighers are all females, and both of them goes through the first few sequences upon being summoned where they are told by the Chief Summoner that they have conducted the magic ritual to summon Heroes from another world with powerful latent magic abilities to help prepare their kingdom from an impending attack due to happen 10 years later during when the Demon King Solzar will be released from the Seal placed on him by the Legendary Hero 500 years ago, and those 2 Twin Brothers were then sent to a Magic Academy for them to train and learn more about Magic so that they can become stronger and be the New Heroes.

There at that Academy where there will mostly be female students, both of those 2 Twin Brothers will be sent to different classes, like Class 1-A and Class 1-B as first year students, and both will get their own companions of female friends/comrades into their own personal Harem Group.

The story can also be modified so that those 2 twin brother's female childhood friend from their original world gets summoned along too, so as to give the 2 boys their own emotional support being able to interact with another person they have known for a long time.

Just try to imagine all the possibly interesting, funny, and amusing interactions and dialogues that can be made with such a setting !

Oct 31, 2017 9:03 PM

#26

EcchiGodMamster

fanservice<3

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Mar 2012

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Digimon, Monster Rancher, theres so many form the past to be named

Oct 31, 2017 9:10 PM

#27

CamTheThief

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Dec 2014

877

Gintokikachi said:
Is this a motherfucking Gigguk reference?!

Undoubtedly so, yes.
Watch this guy create a thread about Tournament arcs next.

Oct 31, 2017 9:17 PM

#28

Kuma

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Mar 2015

47096

it's all started booming from here

https://syosetu.com/

it was trial grounded for inexperienced writer to write whatever themself and then publish it onlibe for free and easyly read by everyone... since it was mostly by beginner, it was still basic and following popular stuff.... surprisingly, the site suddenly booming...

was it included in gigguk?

also, i disagree with SAO... it still following clasic trapped in game MMORPG than transported to another world... inspired? yes, with the fantasy settings... but the story and theme is complitely different...

KumaOct 31, 2017 9:24 PM

"If taking responsibility for a mistake that cannot be undone means death, it's not that hard to die. At least, not as hard as to live on."

Oct 31, 2017 9:40 PM

#29

CoolitzHubertXVI

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Jul 2015

806

I'd like to see other male characters in the main cast of an Isekai series other than the MC that gets a girl(s). Preferably MC's close male friend.

However, there are still many in this forum that might find it hard to imagine a story where there would be 2 male characters that we would feel easiness to equally root for any or both of them, so I will write my own example of how such a story could be. If I could come up with this, then I reckon other pro LN writers in Japan can flesh out and write a million times better with these ideas contained within. So begins an example of such a story that has 2 main male protagonists below :

The setting for such an anime world would be a world where since a huge mysterious explosion happened 70 years ago on a continent far from the MC's current big island he and his school is now located at, only girls have been known to be born with magical powers that are believed by many to originate from that past explosion, but since the past 20 years, a very small number of boys around the world started to be born with magical powers too, and that includes our MC and his male friend, who're now both 16 years old as second-year students, and their magical powers in comparison to most people in their country are quite high, to the point that those two have entered the Top 10 ranking of the strongest magic users in the entire country, which includes both 2 of them in positions 10th and 9th, a Senpai from their school which is ranked at 8th, and the strongest ranked, the 1st, is the country's Queen, which appears in the background as side character for most of the story.

The real reason why those 2 boys/male leads are so strong, is due to the fact that both of them are actually souls reincarnated into that world from their original world in their past lives.

According to their country's rules, the strongest ranked magic wielder must become Queen or King, and live in the Palace at the capital city, however since the country is a democracy, the royal is just a symbolic figure.

The 2 main male characters might be ranked 10th and 9th respectively, but in their school now, there are many girls including the 5 heroines in their harem that are ranked in the Top 30, so the story would mostly depict the MC training his heroines in his harem, MC's interactions with the other male friend of his, scenes outside the school with a conspiracy plot involving the antagonists that wants to obtain a rare fragment from the past mysterious explosion and MC's fights with them, and the build-up for the year-end tournament.

In other words, the elements for this story would mix elements from Kuusen Madoushi no Kyoukan( the MC teaching the heroines ), Yuyu Hakusho ( MC's interaction with his male friend kinda similar to Yuusuke's friendship with Kuwabara ), Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut ( MC fighting the antagonists outside the school ), and Gakusen Toshi Asterisk ( the build-up for the year-end tournament ).

The setting for such a school in the example above with those 2 strong male characters, the MC and his male friend, can be set in the most elite all-girls school which turned co-ed for the past year to accomodate the rising number of boys born with magical powers, and the ratio of boys to girls are 1:9, so at the entire school, there would be 450 female students out of 500, with 50 male students attending now, and among those 50 boys, only the MC and his male friend possess the power and strength that is not only way beyond those other 48 boys like as if the difference between those 2 and the other 48 boys are like the difference between Heaven and Earth, but also the fact that the MC and his male friend is stronger than the 5 girls in their own harem, and that the only characters that can match them are the antagonists which are not from their school, as well as just one girl from the 3rd year, who is attracted to both of those boys but find it hard who to choose so we can see some funny comedy-relief scenes where that 3rd year Senpai having a monologue where she recalls the fights of those 2 guys in her mind and equally feeling excited and impressed at how strong both of them are in fighting and comments on how she finds both of their personalities as interesting and likeable and find it hard to choose which guy to confess to, to which the scene ends with her stating, "I will confess to whomever among those two that can defeat me, or at least give me a better fight and tougher challenge in this year-end tournament."

So, the first few episodes we can see those two guys transferring to this former all-girls school and they get to meet the girls as their classmates, and soon get to know each other, make friends etc...

To make both of our male protagonists have a unique personality, let the MC have a personality where he is shy of females ( which is caused by him interacting with only his elder brother who is born with a much lower magical power than the MC, and father at a secluded island for all that time making a living by farming, hunting, and fishing.

The MC develops his powers till he's ranked 10th now due to training and learning from books all by himself since he was 5 years old on all the spells and tips on raising magical power at their house's old library where there are plenty of books on such stuff left behind by the MC and his elder bro's late mother, and their late mother who died just 3 years after the MC was born was a former 15th Ranked magic wielder. He also trained with his elder brother a lot, but after he turns 10 years old, his skills and powers compared to his elder bro rapidly increased and now as our story starts, he is now ranked 10th, and his elder bro ranked a measly 83rd in magic power.

The rank is calculated by a device that most households have that connects to the network of Mana Sensors throughout the country that can accurately tell the Magic Power rank of every person in the country, and that device left by their late mom is used by the MC to calculate his power a few months before the story starts, and the MC was shocked to find out that he is ranked 10th now.

The MC transferred to this school at this bigger island which is located much father away from their smaller secluded island after the Chancellor of their country, which I will name Charlene, personally visited their house and told them that the MC must transfer and attend the school at the Academy on the other bigger island, and I'll just call it St. Elveria Academy for now, as it's always been an all-girls academy before it turned co-ed just a year before to accomodate the rising number of male children born with magic powers.

The MC agreed after being told it was imperative for the country's national interest that his magical talents need to be nurtured even further at that academy, and was also told by Chancellor Charlene that other than him, an other male prodigy that possesses similar magical powers as the MC, is also invited to transfer to St. Elveria. )

So, while our MC is shy of females, and this causes her female classmates to be super nice to him including those in his soon-to-be Harem( thus creating a plot device where no heroines uses violence to our MC even over accidents ), that other male protag is used to be around females, as his mom still lives till now, and he has a big family of 2 younger sisters and 2 elder sisters. So the other male is used to be with females, and he will have his own interesting interaction with the 2 girls in his own harem that he will befriend at St.Elveria Academy.

So, during the first half of the show, those 2 main male cast gets their own close female friends at St. Elveria, and then summer holiday starts and those 2 male protag and their harem goes on vacation together to the biggest island in their country on a trip sponsored by by their Headmistress to the biggest island in their country ( it's an island and isle country kinda like Philippines and Britain in real life ) The Headmistress said the trip is meant for those who are ranked 25 and above, and only for those who applys to join. There a few days after arriving at that biggest island, the MC gets into a situation where he is separated from the group due to being led to such a secluded place by the antagonist, and there he gets attacked by the antagonist.

He fought back valiantly, but despite releasing all his powers that lightly damaged the cloaked assailant's magic barrier, which is quite strong, in the end the MC couldn't sustain that level of power for long and passed out due to Magic Exhaustion. As the assailant is about to finish the MC off, she detects the presence of someone having an even greater magic power than her racing to their location, so she quickly retreated from that area.

The MC was brought to his room at the dorm he and the rest of his friends are staying at by a mysterious robed figure wearing a mask. One of the heroines in MC's harem who came to visit MC's room and found it unlocked, found that robed figure sneaking in carrying MC and tried to cast a spell to immobilize her thinking that she is a kidnapper attempting to kidnap MC, but her spell got reflected back and she ends up immobilized instead.

The mysterious person told her about the MC's situation of being assaulted by someone and told her to get the MC to visit a scientist known as Dr. Michelle who lives at a mansion not far from their dorm after the MC wakes up. She told the heroine that Dr. Michelle has a device that can train the MC to get stronger, and then she left. Just half a minute after that masked figure left, the spell's effect finally worn off, and she could move and she hurriedly checked out MC's situation and called the other 2 female friends of the MC's harem to report and discuss about this situation etc..

A few days later those 3 girls from MC's harem leaves the dorm to go shopping while the MC goes off to train at a secluded area to concentrate on his training, and then the 3 heroines talk about how they're gonna each cook and make a dish for the MC and propose a cooking competition on whose dish that the MC would like the most, and when they're shopping they bump into the other male friend of the MC with his 2 female friends in his own harem, and then after some discussion where the MC's male friend is concerrned about the MC's currrent situation, they come to take a short break at a cafe to discuss about the past few days when the MC passed out after overusing his powers in a fight against one of the antagonists, and they discussed on how the MC is quite strong with his powers but can't use it more than a limited amount of time, so now the MC is currently training with a new equipment invented by Dr. Michelle in order to train him to enable him to increase the time on how he can hold that power for longer when fighting.

There, the MC's male friend and 2 girls from his harem changed the topic and asked the 3 girls whether they like the MC or not, and after some funny dialogue where they're all embarrassed and flustered, those 3 heroines come to terms with their feelings, and said that while they all like the MC, they are aware that the other 2 also liked him and didn't want to make a confession as to not hurt their 4-member "friendship" and "team".

So, they all decided that they should just suppress their feelings and just fight with the MC together in their school life and confess individually after graduation. In response, the MC's best friend then responded they should confess now as the future is uncertain so it is wise for them to make a move now, and encourages them that despite who the MC chooses or doesn't choose, they should remain close friends and team-mates, and then the other 2 girls in his harem also agreed, and those two also mentioned the fact that while both of them have confessed their feelings to the MC's male friend already, he needs more time to think on who to choose as he has stated that he is attracted to both of them and find it hard to choose on which one to be his girlfriend, and has said he will make the decision on who to choose after a year from now to focus on the school tournament at year's end as they need the team to be united with no awkwardness until the tournament is over, so they agreed to hold on until then and remain as 3 close friends for now.

So the scene ends with those 3 characters managing to convince the 3 girls to confess to the MC after the year-end tournament, so the story can continue with all the Harem Hi-Jinks even if the MC is dense ( an example would be an addition of a 4th girl to MC's harem that disrupts their relationship dynamics and threatens their pledge to confess at year's end ) .

Fastforward to the final few episodes of the show and the Tournament Arc starts.

In the Tournament Arc, it will be a Team-Based Tournamant like Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance, and Max Limit for a team would be 5 people, like the MC's Team. So in the Tornament Arc, there will be three major fight sequences that will be the most interesting highlights of the Tourney, and they are :

1. 4 girls from MC's Harem VS 3 girls from MC's male friend's Harem in a Team fight. According to the rules of the tournament, this Team Battle will be based on a Tag Team format, with each fighters from the MC's team and his male friend's team fighting one-on-one until the result is decided. The rules state that only the Team that has defeated at least one opponent can use the Tag Out system, in which a fighter can tag with another fighter in her/his team for one time only after a minute has passed into a fight. In this fight, both the MC and his male friend agreed to let their female comrades in each of their own team/harem fight first before those two clash at the very end.

To make this fight a tough challenge for MC's girls, two of the girls in the other guy's Harem are Ranked 11 and 12 respectively, which is higher than Girl D in MC's Harem that is only ranked 14, and the other three girls in MC's Harem that are ranked 16,17, and 19. The challenge will be how they could use the MC's teachings to win with a special technique that the MC taught them that will allow them to win with techniques despite the difference in magical power. The fight starts at first with the girl ranked 15 from the other guy's team fighting against girl ranked 19 from MC's team. The fight went badly for the MC's girl, but in the end she used one of the techniques that the MC taught her and the match ends with a draw, as the MC's girl gets knocked out K.O, while the other girl from the other guy's team suffered a ring out when the MC's girl attacks blew her away from the stage and she fell on her back outside the ring in a very fast manner that she had no time to concentrate and use her magic to float above so that her body won't touch the ground outside the ring. In a draw, both fighters are forced to retire, so that leaves just 3 girls in MC's team and 2 girls in the other guy's team. Due to this draw, both teams get a Tag Out.

The next fights will result in MC's 3 girls using all the techniques and methods the MC taught them, thus allowing them to painstakingly and gruellingly defeat other guy's girl ranked 12 by Magic Exhaustion due to the 12th Ranker underestimating them and refusing to tag out with her other comrade ranked 11th.

As a result, the 12th Ranker overused her Magic Points to 0 and by the time the 14th Ranker from MC's team fired her magic attack that reduced her MP to just 3, the 12th Ranker no longer has any MP left to float, fly or use magic barriers to block the attack and is blown out the ring. However, the other 2 girls in MC's team were already defeated by the 12th Ranker at that point since those 2 girl's job is just to waste the 12th Ranker's MPs so they fought defensively as MC taught them.

So that leaves an already exhausted 14th Ranker girl from MC's team to face a fresh 11th Ranker from the other team, so since they gained a new Tag Out from defeating the 12th Ranker, the MC says it's time to tag out, so now the 10th Ranked MC starts fighting the 11th Ranked girl. Of course, the MC will win, so now there are 2 members left from MC's team and 1 member left on the MC's male friend team. Now, the second big fight sequence starts !!

2. Finally the MC whose rank is 10th starts the fight against his male friend ranked 9th ! Of course, the MC must win since he's the MC, and the difference between their powers is not so significant compared to the difference between Rank 8 and Rank 7, so after a long and flashy fight, MC wins but has more than half of his MP, and stamina depleted. Last fight of the tournament starts !

3. The MC will finally fight against the 8th Ranked 3rd-year Senpai girl. Her team has only one member, as she deems no other fighters are strong enough as the fighters in those two boys' teams, so she fights alone, like Velsaria does, in the anime Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance.

The MC's MP is almost depleted after a few minutes into the fight, as the previous fight with his male friend really pushed him to his limits, so the Senpai is just about to win, when their fight is interrupted when the school headmistress whose rank is 5th strongest magic wielder in the entire country made an emergency annoucement about an attack by terrorists led by the 7th Ranked woman whose name is Miranda and is a former general of the Army that has turned evil due to her being told about some secrets related to the fragment from the mysterious explosion 70 years ago, and Miranda is one of the antagonist that the MC has previously fought before and lost ( that's the previous incident I wrote in my post before when the MC passed out due to that fight at the Biggest Island in their country, and Miranda only withdrew during that time because she sensed someone stronger than her heading towards her which is the Headmistress wearing a cloak and mask to hide her identity coming to MC's rescue )

The last scenes will include lots of interesting dialogues where the 8th Ranked Senpai will try to protect the 2 main male characters, their harem and all students of the school from Miranda, who is just 1 Rank above her, since the Headmistress ranked 5th is trapped in a new form of magic barrier that is created from Miranda casting magic mixed with the unusual power generated from one of the fragments of the past explosion 70 years ago that she was given by the ringleader and mastermind of their organization, so the Headmistress can't do anything to protect them, so it's all up to the beautiful Senpai girl whose also Student Council President to try and stop Miranda.

In mid-fight, Senpai will face a tough time, but after both the 2 boys have recovered all of their MP and stamina thanks to a Healer student who hails from a noble family and is ranked 23 and previously dropped out of the tournament used her prized family gem to heal the 2 boys to Max, so those 2 boys can finally help Senpai fight 3-on-1 against the evil Miranda.

Elsewhere, the teachers of this school mostly ranked between 22-40 helped the other students to defeat Miranda's other henchwomen, but unfortunately around 7 female students and 13 other male students who are the weakest students in magic power ratings in the entire school were killed by those henchwomen, who are quite numerous, and the teachers couldn't protect them in time. The dead students are just like background NPCs, so it's irrelevant to the plot even after their deaths. Those casualties are needed for emphasizing how evil Miranda and her organization she belongs to are.

At the end of this arc those 3 finally defeat Miranda, and a mysterious figure cloaked in red took back the fragment and ran. The Headmistress will finally be released from the barrier that trapped her in that Magic Cage due to the spell's effects wearing off from Miranda's defeat at the hands of the SC Prez and the 2 boys. So this Tournament Arc ends with the SC Prez AKA Senpai still undecided who to confess to among the 2 boys, so she decides to interact more with both of them to get to know those 2 better, much to the chagrin and jealousy of their respective harems lol.

So that is my example of how a Harem Anime/LN would be more interesting if there is another story-significant male character other than the MC that would enable such interesing interactions and character relationship dynamics.

Nov 2, 2017 4:11 AM

#30

Yas-

Offline

Sep 2016

866

SAO was the anime that popularised and destroyed the genre. Isekai have been going for quite a long time but SAO made it even more popular as the fantasies of horny teenage idiots were fulfilled through the brat people call Kirito's pathetic romance with sadly generic Asuna. Isekai before were all about the fun of seeing a new world and learning about it, but SAO made Isekai something that made people think of the generic Waifus and pathetic harems (coming from a harem fan btw) that could ensue from an insanely cliched adventure.

To summarise:
Isekai has been around for a long time
SAO popularised Isekai
SAO defiled and destroyed the good things about Isekai
SAO is shit and sadly many current Isekai take inspiration from that garbage (Looking at you recent failure Isekai wa Smartphone to Tomo ni)

Blame SAO for ruining the once great genre. But obviously there are exceptions. Think KonoSuba. It had a few cliches yes, but it tried to stand on it's own feet and didn't focus it's appeal on those horny teenage idiots who are also to blame for the murder of Isekai.

Nov 2, 2017 4:17 AM

#31

S-quare22

Offline

Apr 2017

4724

AFter SAO , japaneses tried to produce similar shows in order to gain the money .. SAO's popularity transcends all popularity so of course it inspired them to make shows like it .. the reason of their popularity is still unknown but I bet it's due to hot waifus and ppl tend to like hot waifus.

"elles sont bien noires
les pensées des nuits blanches"

Nov 2, 2017 4:19 AM

#32

S-quare22

Offline

Apr 2017

4724

Gintokikachi said:
Is this a motherfucking Gigguk reference?!

Ummm.

Ok , nymi's alt , proud of you. Continue on !!

"elles sont bien noires
les pensées des nuits blanches"

Nov 2, 2017 4:23 AM

#33

-Lofn-

Offline

Oct 2015

4501

S-quare22 said:

Gintokikachi said:
Is this a motherfucking Gigguk reference?!

Ummm.

Ok , nymi's alt , proud of you. Continue on !!

Nymi got called Swagernator alt, now I got called Nymi alt. Woah, mInDfUcK

𝔚𝔞𝔫𝔫𝔞 𝔱𝔬𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔶𝔬𝔲,
𝔚𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫' 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔪𝔶 𝔪𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱
______________________

Nov 2, 2017 4:28 AM

#34

S-quare22

Offline

Apr 2017

4724

Gintokikachi said:

S-quare22 said:

Ummm.

Ok , nymi's alt , proud of you. Continue on !!

Nymi got called Swagernator alt, now I got called Nymi alt. Woah, mInDfUcK

Let's solve this question by using a bit of maths.
Nymi is swagernator's alt
Gintokikashi is nymi's alt
Which means that gintokikashi is swagernator. xD

"elles sont bien noires
les pensées des nuits blanches"

Nov 2, 2017 4:29 AM

#35

GangsterCat

Offline

Sep 2016

4624

since digimon and inuyasha become mainstream

CrossAnge

Hey guys check my profile for current airing season anime recommendation (guaranteed best taste)

Nov 2, 2017 4:43 AM

#36

BurningSpirit

Offline

Nov 2014

4054

Honestly a lot of these isekai anime are adapted from light novels, isekai light novels have been around some time and those light novels generally sell pretty decently. A lot of people here are quoting SAO as some sort of spark to the swarm of Isekai shows, but really its just sparked a few more studios to look at already existing isekai content out in the light novel world.

Some isekai light novels already started to come out right after SAO aired, a lot of the recently airing ones seem to have been published about 2012-2013, like NGNL, Konosuba and Isekai Shoukudou. I'm pretty sure these lights novels took sometime to get planned, drafted, written, revised, tweaked, edited and then published, which likely indicates that these weren't light novel authors going out of their way to do isekai. Though perhaps it might be publishing companies being much more willing to push out isekai series seeing the success of SAO.

If your favourite character is Tsutsukakushi Tsukiko, you are my soul mate.

Been a long time since I've been here, I'll continue expressing myself freely and believe everyone should too.
My MAL Interview

Nov 2, 2017 4:44 AM

#37

Swagernator

Offline

Apr 2016

18850

Because it's combine everything that nippon desire for.

Nov 2, 2017 4:54 AM

#38

nymi

Offline

Sep 2017

2999

S-quare22 said:

Gintokikachi said:

Nymi got called Swagernator alt, now I got called Nymi alt. Woah, mInDfUcK

Let's solve this question by using a bit of maths.
Nymi is swagernator's alt
Gintokikashi is nymi's alt
Which means that gintokikashi is swagernator. xD

At one point there was someone who called me a jeikobu alt because of my speeding practices.

Back to topic.

It is popular because it is easy to write. Try to go on fanfiction sites and you will see lots of fantasy and isekai written there. You dont need to have a wide range of knowledge to write it. They are also quick to sell.

"When you made this thread, I cried and screamed"

-Swagernator 2017

Nov 2, 2017 5:03 AM

#39

BurningSpirit

Offline

Nov 2014

4054

Gintokikachi said:
Nymi got called Swagernator alt, now I got called Nymi alt. Woah, mInDfUcK

S-quare22 said:

Let's solve this question by using a bit of maths.
Nymi is swagernator's alt
Gintokikashi is nymi's alt
Which means that gintokikashi is swagernator. xD

nymi said:

At one point there was someone who called me a jeikobu alt because of my speeding practices.

What's with these alt accusations? Lol
How could someone who bothers to enter has so many entries and forum posts POSSIBLY be an alt? *says me as I casually assert the legitimacy of myself*

Just kidding, why would Gintokikachi be an alt of Nymi? Wouldn't it be the other way around considering the age of the accounts :P

Nov 2, 2017 5:05 AM

#40

Swagernator

Offline

Apr 2016

18850

@nymi
@S-quare22

Hmm, my comrades need safe haven, the Outer Heaven.

Nov 2, 2017 5:10 AM

#41

MelodyFire

Offline

Sep 2017

mikey2218 said:
All of a suddenly I've noticed this genre of anime explode in popularity. It's not my style but when did it become so big?

I believe one of the culprits may be Sword Art Online. Whether people like it or not, no one can deny that SAO is very popular. Studios may have tried to emulate SAO by creating MMO style worlds for different male protagonists to fall into because they wanted to piggyback off of SAO's success and make almost guaranteed cash. This likely isn't the only reason, but l do think it's a major factor.

Nov 2, 2017 5:14 AM

#42

S-quare22

Offline

Apr 2017

4724

BurningSpirit said:

Gintokikachi said:
Nymi got called Swagernator alt, now I got called Nymi alt. Woah, mInDfUcK

S-quare22 said:

Let's solve this question by using a bit of maths.
Nymi is swagernator's alt
Gintokikashi is nymi's alt
Which means that gintokikashi is swagernator. xD

nymi said:

At one point there was someone who called me a jeikobu alt because of my speeding practices.

Bro, let's detrail the thread :p
Well , we were joking , don't take anything seriously.
Gintokikashi used a famous quote of nymi so I accused him for being nymi's alt lol.

"elles sont bien noires
les pensées des nuits blanches"

Nov 2, 2017 5:16 AM

#43

KurosoraRyuga

Offline

Aug 2015

407

In regards to Gigguk's video on the topic, this season is actually the only one for quite a while wherein I'm not watching a single Isekai show (Unless if you count Fate/Apocrypha, or Recovery of an MMORPG Junkie... But they're quite far from what we think of when someone says Isekai lol) Oh and this season is also one of the most packed for me. Keeping up with 20 or so anime.

As Gigguki pointed out, we're going back to our fantasy roots, and I'm definitely seeing it firsthand

Is there even an isekai this season? I don't think there is...

Btw, just took the liberty of checking for the next season and yes there are lol. I love isekai though so it's no problem.

Nov 2, 2017 5:22 AM

#44

BurningSpirit

Offline

Nov 2014

4054

S-quare22 said:
Bro, let's detrail the thread :p
Well , we were joking , don't take anything seriously.
Gintokikashi used a famous quote of nymi so I accused him for being nymi's alt lol.

Derailing threads by bringing up very roundabout but definitely related points are my specialty :P

Well damn I haven't been on MAL AD enough to know the inside jokes apparently :(

On a side note, I wish I had a famous quote associated with me on MAL someday XD

Nov 2, 2017 5:22 AM

#45

Rei_III

Offline

Dec 2015

6501

One of the first things made by japanese when they created the OAV format was the tale of a girl called in another world.
There were TV shows using this as a starting point already at that time.
There was Alice in Wonderland even before it. (or the Narnia saga as mentioned above)
There was Orpheus myth even before (Heracles too I think).
Of course, there were the "ancestor" myths of Orpheus (from previous civilizations) who inspired it.

About Gundam

Nov 2, 2017 5:28 AM

#46

Siul-08

Offline

Nov 2014

233

TheHonestThief said:
You might as well go watch Gigguk's latest video on this very subject before people start spreading the information he has in said video as if it was their own.

(Not saying Gigguk was the first to ever utilize said information nor condense it into a video, but his is the most recent (and likely one of the most popular) on the subject.)

He did this thread after watching the video, its the same day also (7pm)..

Nov 2, 2017 5:30 AM

#47

JustMonaka

Offline

Jul 2013

2253

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Isekai existed before anime was even a thing.

Nov 2, 2017 5:45 AM

#48

LiveOnce

Offline

Aug 2017

SAO is not an Isekai. It's just trying to be an isekai. They did not go to a different world. If you consider SAO as an isekai then it's the same as saying, Mayoiga is an Isekai too.

Nov 2, 2017 5:48 AM

#49

-Lofn-

Offline

Oct 2015

4501

@S-quare22 I didn't even know it's a quote by Nymi lol, I just made an overused meme of Jojo.

𝔚𝔞𝔫𝔫𝔞 𝔱𝔬𝔲𝔠𝔥 𝔶𝔬𝔲,
𝔚𝔞𝔫𝔱𝔦𝔫' 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔴𝔦𝔱𝔥 𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔪𝔶 𝔪𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱
______________________

Nov 2, 2017 8:16 AM

#50

flannan

Offline

Nov 2009

8716

mikey2218 said:
All of a suddenly I've noticed this genre of anime explode in popularity. It's not my style but when did it become so big?

Since "The Witch, the Lion and the Wardrobe" book by C.S. Lewis back in 1950. Maybe earlier, but that's one of the earliest true "isekai" stories, and the genre remained strong ever since.

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