Isekai Meaning: Why is Everyone Getting Hit by Trucks?

The most popular genre in modern anime. We explain the tropes, the history, and why we love it.

Isekai means "Another World." It is a genre where a normal person from Earth is transported to a fantasy world, usually with overpowered abilities.

The Tropes

• Truck-kun: The legendary truck that kills protagonists and sends them to another world.
• The Demon Lord: The generic bad guy the hero has to defeat.
• The Harem: The hero inevitably attracts a group of beautiful girls.

Why is it Popular?

It's pure escapism. Who hasn't dreamed of leaving their boring job/school to become a hero in a magical world?

Conclusion

Love it or hate it, Isekai is here to stay. Series like Re:Zero and Mushoku Tensei prove that the genre can tell incredible stories.