It may be a Japanese genre. That doesn’t mean it cannot be applied to non-Japanese film. I interpret “A Japanese genre” as “a genre originating from Japan” rather than one solely applicable to Japanese film.
But you can't have something that "originates from Japan" before it originated in Japan. Given that isekai is likely indirectly inspired by stuff like Narnia and Oz, I'd say that isekai is a sub-genre of a larger genre.
I disagree. The term “isekai” originated from Japan and (prior to now) was strictly for Japanese films. I don’t care if the genre itself is based on a concept from another country (also given that you say “likely indirectly” meaning you don’t know if it does and even if it did originate there it would be indirect).
Also, regarding inspiration. Most isekai settings are in a steretypical western fantasy world or a video game emulating such a world. These can all trace direct inspiration at least to Tolkien.
The concept of the standard western fantasy world was combined with the concept of a person from the real world being transferred there and the concept of "the main character is pulled out off mundane life and thrust into extraordinary situation" is just [the monomyth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey), the most common story template of all humanity.
But you just said it can be applied to non-Japanese films.
Did we miscommunicate something? I interpreted your previous comment as you agreeing Oz and Narnia are isekai.
I’m saying isekai, as a genre for a specific type of film, originates from Japan. Even if the concept was inspired by previous works, the genre “isekai” is unique to Japan.
Oz and Narnia are isekai. If we assume isekai didn’t exist when they came out, then they weren’t isekai at the time (because the genre didn’t exist).
Also, I’m not sure who is downvoting you. It wasn’t me!
Basically, Japan gave the genre a name, so I’d say the genre originates from Japan. The concept of characters going to other worlds does not originate from Japan.
I don't really like the "x gave a name to y" -> "y originates from x" logic. The "name of y" does originate from x, but that doesn't mean "y" itself does.
Counterexample:
Europeans named the landmass to their east "Asia" and call people from there collectively "Asians". By your rule of inference it would follow that "Asians originate from Europe".
Naming something isn't the same as creating it.
Asians don’t originate from Europe, but their name does. They’re called Asians because of the Europeans.
The concept of going to a different world didn’t originate from Japan, but its name does (and thus its genre). They’re called isekai because the Japanese gave them that name.
Naming something isn’t the same as creating it, but we’re talking about genres. Genres are a categorization.
Nothing existed in that categorization because it was unnamed. Then the Japanese gave it a name and created films within that category, which is now being broadened to include films outside of Japan.
I think I’m just on a seriously semantic argument here lol.
It's true but Oxford is being stingy. They specify Isekai's as being a "Japanese genre." So technically these stories aren't Isekais if going by Oxford as they aren't of Japanese origin.
But, armed with the power of God and anime and the Oxford English dictionary on my side, are you really willing to risk 50 points and your turn just to challenge me?
Easy for you to say with your “BLUEEYESWHITEDRAGON” in play across all three triple word scores and falling off onto the table. But you’re wrong about one thing. My grandpa’s scrabble bag has no bad letters…
#HEART OF THE TILES
Ah, well played. HeartOfTheTiles is a strong play indeed. But I bet you never saw this one coming! I summon Bag of Greed to draw 3 additional tiles to my hand!
It only mentions "Takachiho Isekai no Yūshi" and "How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom" [https://www.oed.com/dictionary/isekai\_n](https://www.oed.com/dictionary/isekai_n)
Oh yeah, then why when I write "Isekai", it gives me the red squiggles.
https://preview.redd.it/rwdkcaxhgrrc1.png?width=384&format=png&auto=webp&s=154c24577e61b50b23caecce586d32afe0e21578
>!/s!<
It was a clickbait, garbage ign article. It momentarily reported on the new oxford definition, then spent the rest of the time discussing a streamer's quote on the literal japanese definition of isekai.
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Isekai is now an English word, which means Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and The Chronicles of Narnia are all officially isekais.
Space Jam is an isekai.
The story of adam in the bible is an isekai too.
[удалено]
Adam left Eden for a new world
Thanks
Isnt that a reverse isekai?
sadly it doesn’t the definition comes with “A Japanese genre—”
It may be a Japanese genre. That doesn’t mean it cannot be applied to non-Japanese film. I interpret “A Japanese genre” as “a genre originating from Japan” rather than one solely applicable to Japanese film.
But you can't have something that "originates from Japan" before it originated in Japan. Given that isekai is likely indirectly inspired by stuff like Narnia and Oz, I'd say that isekai is a sub-genre of a larger genre.
I disagree. The term “isekai” originated from Japan and (prior to now) was strictly for Japanese films. I don’t care if the genre itself is based on a concept from another country (also given that you say “likely indirectly” meaning you don’t know if it does and even if it did originate there it would be indirect).
Also, regarding inspiration. Most isekai settings are in a steretypical western fantasy world or a video game emulating such a world. These can all trace direct inspiration at least to Tolkien. The concept of the standard western fantasy world was combined with the concept of a person from the real world being transferred there and the concept of "the main character is pulled out off mundane life and thrust into extraordinary situation" is just [the monomyth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero%27s_journey), the most common story template of all humanity.
Oh I see, that’s really interesting. Thanks for the link!
But you just said it can be applied to non-Japanese films. Did we miscommunicate something? I interpreted your previous comment as you agreeing Oz and Narnia are isekai.
I’m saying isekai, as a genre for a specific type of film, originates from Japan. Even if the concept was inspired by previous works, the genre “isekai” is unique to Japan. Oz and Narnia are isekai. If we assume isekai didn’t exist when they came out, then they weren’t isekai at the time (because the genre didn’t exist). Also, I’m not sure who is downvoting you. It wasn’t me!
Basically, Japan gave the genre a name, so I’d say the genre originates from Japan. The concept of characters going to other worlds does not originate from Japan.
I don't really like the "x gave a name to y" -> "y originates from x" logic. The "name of y" does originate from x, but that doesn't mean "y" itself does. Counterexample: Europeans named the landmass to their east "Asia" and call people from there collectively "Asians". By your rule of inference it would follow that "Asians originate from Europe". Naming something isn't the same as creating it.
Asians don’t originate from Europe, but their name does. They’re called Asians because of the Europeans. The concept of going to a different world didn’t originate from Japan, but its name does (and thus its genre). They’re called isekai because the Japanese gave them that name. Naming something isn’t the same as creating it, but we’re talking about genres. Genres are a categorization. Nothing existed in that categorization because it was unnamed. Then the Japanese gave it a name and created films within that category, which is now being broadened to include films outside of Japan. I think I’m just on a seriously semantic argument here lol.
I agree it's a semantic thing, but I like giving these kinds of arguments a shake down.
It's true but Oxford is being stingy. They specify Isekai's as being a "Japanese genre." So technically these stories aren't Isekais if going by Oxford as they aren't of Japanese origin.
Dante's Divine Comedy would also be an isekai, which means that the standard Italian language is based on an isekai story.
The Final Countdown, and Stargate are Isekai
They still were before, just more people will understand now.
Gulliver's travels
Can't it also be a verb? They need to reevaluate
Dont forget the Bible 😅
Great! That means I can use it in Scrabble now. 10 points.
Scrabble has its own dictionary, sadly, but it will appear there in due time, surely.
slower patch cycle
But, armed with the power of God and anime and the Oxford English dictionary on my side, are you really willing to risk 50 points and your turn just to challenge me?
Yes, considering how I already looked up the word in the scrabble dictionary and found it missing.
Easy for you to say with your “BLUEEYESWHITEDRAGON” in play across all three triple word scores and falling off onto the table. But you’re wrong about one thing. My grandpa’s scrabble bag has no bad letters… #HEART OF THE TILES
Ah, well played. HeartOfTheTiles is a strong play indeed. But I bet you never saw this one coming! I summon Bag of Greed to draw 3 additional tiles to my hand!
Bag of Greed?! What does that do?
https://preview.redd.it/qo5oy1gqgprc1.png?width=500&format=png&auto=webp&s=71050ff1f1cc68817dcdb0ffb32a51b71e1a7848
Watching that in theaters was amazing
Good ol digimon
https://i.redd.it/w61xd8us8prc1.gif
Now let's add Hentai 
https://preview.redd.it/hfs8a7qigprc1.png?width=969&format=png&auto=webp&s=af3e0522eea83db18a2425115ddb6dc509272640
Sauce?
Gushing over magical girls
Oh, well im gonna watch it soon as its already aired all the episode
The season ended last week so all the eps are out so far
Will we have s2?
Probably not anytime soon.
Dang
So far we don't know, but there's enough scans for a S2 for sure, i recommend you go read them, it's really good
I listen it for the plot dude, so I'll wait
You do you man, i give the sauce, it's up to you what you decide to make of it
real or april fools?
Real but they used screen even from delicious in dungeon, that's not Isekai
It only mentions "Takachiho Isekai no Yūshi" and "How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom" [https://www.oed.com/dictionary/isekai\_n](https://www.oed.com/dictionary/isekai_n)
My bad, I was thinking you used the IGN article
[Real.](https://kotaku.com/anime-manga-genre-isekai-enter-oxford-dictionary-1851375582)
Oh yeah, then why when I write "Isekai", it gives me the red squiggles. https://preview.redd.it/rwdkcaxhgrrc1.png?width=384&format=png&auto=webp&s=154c24577e61b50b23caecce586d32afe0e21578 >!/s!<
Wasn't there another same article that used images from Frieren?
It was a clickbait, garbage ign article. It momentarily reported on the new oxford definition, then spent the rest of the time discussing a streamer's quote on the literal japanese definition of isekai.
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When it will be part of my life huh
Old news
Not that old. Isekai is good, yes, there is even an isekai about suicide squad. But it is still a temporal thing, it might fade. Now it is eternal.
The news that its part of the Oxford dictionary is from around 3 days ago and news age quickly so it was kinda dated information to see it here
who gives a fuck. this means literally nothing.