isekai
Definition
A popular subgenre of Japanese fantasy media, including anime, manga, and light novels, featuring a protagonist who is transported, reincarnated, or summoned to an alternate world, often gaining overpowered abilities.
Literally translating to 'different world' or 'otherworld,' referring to parallel dimensions or fantasy realms in storytelling.
Examples
イセカイもの見すぎて、現実の通勤電車が異世界よりつまらなく感じるようになった。
Watching too many isekai stories has made my real-life commute feel more boring than any fantasy world.
トラックに轢かれてイセカイ転生したら、最初にやることはチートスキルでハーレム構築だな。
If I get hit by a truck and isekai-reincarnate, first thing I'd do is use cheat skills to build a harem.
このVRゲーム、完全にイセカイ体験できるのに、ログアウトしたくない派が続出中。
This VR game offers a full isekai experience, and now everyone's refusing to log out.
イセカイ主人公みたいに特別扱いされたいけど、現実は残業地獄だよ。
I want to be treated like an isekai protagonist, but reality is just overtime hell.