Isekai: Discovering Factors that Contributed to its Success and Diving into the Mentality of Contemporary Japanese Citizens

Isekai, an anime and manga genre where characters are transported to another world, has become popular in recent years. This paper examines the factors contributing to this phenomenon, exploring how isekai works resonate with contemporary Japanese citizens. It argues that the genre's appeal lies in its ability to offer escapism from societal pressures, particularly those stemming from economic hardship and a lack of perceived agency. By analyzing important and known isekai works, including Tensei shitara Slime Datta Ken, this paper demonstrates how the genre fulfills a desire of the Japanese for fulfillment and sense of agency. Furthermore, it explores the significant influence of Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs) on isekai, highlighting the incorporation of game-like mechanics and the "society's misfit" protagonist archetype.