#and that’s for all shounen isekai manhwa I’ve read | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sapphire-swan3536 · 5 years

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Isekai Manga

(An overview of the genre, with a few manga recommendations sprinkled throughout)

Ok, let’s talk about isekais.

You probably know the term by now; it’s been thrown around a bunch in the anime community, especially with the Shield Hero’s huge burst in popularity (proud to say that I followed the manga way before the anime released).

What Does It Mean?

Simply put, “isekai” is a shortened version of the Japanese word for “another world”. Usual characteristics of isekais include the main character getting transported to a different world, whether by being summoned as “the chosen one”, or dying and being reincarnated.

There’s been a sudden increase of interest in the genre of isekai recently, so Japan, along with China and Korea, is serializing manga/manhwa/manhua like crazy. Of course, there’s a marketing aspect involved too, which usually just makes it clear that certain aspects of the story (*cough* or all, if you’re talking about “In Another World With My Smartphone”) are specifically catered to the interests/fetishes of the masses.

That means nowadays most (Shounen) isekai stories usually include:

- Catgirls

- Harems

- OP protagonist

- Hot girl sidekick of the protagonist

- Girl who is amazed by OPness of the protagonist, but stays for his “personality”

- Romance, but not really (as in it reads like it’s written by a 4-year-old who knows exactly 3 copy-and-paste anime girl tropes)

-Used to be useless protagonist (jobless, otaku) becomes “the chosen one” and is summoned/reincarnated into a different world where he is the most powerful/smart

Honestly, some are cliche but entertaining somehow nonetheless (Shikkaku Mon no Saikyou Kenja (very, very OP and cliche), and Tenseishichatta yo (focuses more on family; better characters and plot than Saikyou))

Quick Recommendation Overview of Shounen Isekais:

(most of these are pretty unique, for isekais)

- Isekai Yakkyoku (A doctor gets reincarnated and uses his medical knowledge to help the world he reincarnates into, slowly becoming a renowned physician.)

- Tenseishichatta yo (Iya, Gomen) (Pretty textbook isekai, except the boy who reincarnates had a bad relationship with his family, and gets a great family in his second life, which is rather sweet)

- Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi (Guy basically roams around the world freely with an OP wolf-friend, an adorable slime companion, and cooking skill. Chill, laid-back manga)

- Isekai Yururi Kikou: Raising Children While Being an Adventurer (Exactly what it sounds like; MC spawns in a new world, sees children, Dad instincts kick in, and they’re traveling and hunting together. Pure, wholesome, family manga.)

- Saikyou Juzoku Tensei: Cheat Majutsushi no Slow Life (Eh, if you’re bored, it’ll do; no interesting plot to really speak of)

- Moto Sekai Ichi’i Subchara Ikusei Nikki: Hai Player, Isekai wo Kouryakuchuu! (Pretty standard isekai, but it’s entertaining, and there aren’t enough chapters to judge the plot yet since it’s relatively new. MC commits suicide and is reincarnated as one of his sub characters in a game he played before death.)

- My Status as An Assassin Obviously Exceeds The Brave’s (OP, calculating MC with the assassin title; relatively new, but has a lot of potential)

- The World’s Best Assasin, Reincarnated (Exactly what it sounds like. Cold MC, scanlation’s on the 2nd chapter, so it’s much too early to judge anything, but yunno, assassins)

- Isekai Shokudou (a seinen; very relaxing, uplifting manga about a magical cafe that opens its doors to another world every Saturday, focusing on the way food is a part of culture, life, and how it can bring great happiness)

(Not an Isekai, but if you like Isekais, you’ll probably like Solo Leveling. Legitimately the best manhwa I’ve ever read. Incredible story, amazing fight scenes, art is <3, and character development is through the roof.)

...

Of course, I’m not only coming after the Shounen Isekais. There are shoujo isekais as well, and just like the shounen ones, there are godly ones that leave you hanging on every word, and there are... not as good ones.

One main shoujo isekai trope that’s been really standing out recently is a trope featuring the main female protagonist being reincarnated into the world of an “otome game”, or a dating simulation for girls, but as the villain, or a mob character. Alternate tropes include being reincarnated into a novel’s world, etc.

The main focus is that the MC knows what is going to happen (often a “bad ending” for the character they’ve reincarnated to), and the story is the development of how they try to avoid their bad end. (Most feature romance) Some are a bit cheap, with their MCs being bland Mary-Sues, but others really dive into the fantasy world, often featuring a sharp, witty protagonist. I’ll recommend both though, as they are all quite enjoyable.

Shoujo Isekai Manga Recommendation Overview:

Manga with the above-mentioned trope will be marked with a !

- ! Otome Game no Hametsu Flag Shika Nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei Shite Shimatta... (The OG of the Otome Game trope: Bakarina. Although it’s the OG, it’s not the best in its trope. Still worth a read; not much re-read value though)

- ! I’m a Villainous Daughter, so I’m Going to Keep the Last Boss (Unlike Bakarina, you feel a lot more pity for this protag; nicely written MC and stoic but softy on the inside love interest (who, as the title implies) is the Demon King)

- ! The Villainess is Adored by the Crown Prince of the Neighboring Kingdom

- ! I Swear I won’t Bother You Again! (Technically not a reincarnation, as Violette, the MC, gets rewound in time by one year, and this time, swears to not make the same mistakes again)

- ! Of Course, I’ll Claim Palimony! (Smart MC; relatively new)

- ! The Banished Villainess! Living the Leisurely Life of a Nun Making Revolutionary Church Food (legit the title is the summary)

- I’m a Spider, So What? (kinda slow-pace seinen type; MC gets reincarnated into a spider, and levels up, gaining skills and experiences (starting to pick up a good plot in recent chapters, though))

- Mata, Kataomou (The tear-jerker; Wishing for her love to come back to life, the MC is transported to an alternate universe where he never died, only to find that he didn’t remember her. She rebuilds their relationship from scratch.)

- ! Fiancee’s Observation Log of the Self-Proclaimed Villainess (unique isekai, told in the POV of the fiance of the reincarnator. Reincarnator is well-meaning girl, who’s a bit dense, while our MC is a cold genius, slowly warming up to the good-willed reincarnator)

- ! Lady Rose Wants to be a Commoner

****The GOLDEN SHOUJO MANHWAS: BEST OF THE BEST****

- ! The Reason Why Raeliana Ended up at the Duke’s Mansion (Intelligent MC, well-written storyline, romantic witty banter between MC and the duke; my personal favorite)

- ! Who Made Me a Princess (Focus on family; father-daughter relationship, some nice potential romance brewing in recent chapters, a clever MC)

- ! Doctor Elise (Mary-Sue MC; Basically Isekai Yakkyoku’s plot with a female MC and romance)

Manhuas in isekai don’t really match up, unfortunately, so they didn’t make it on the list, despite there being quite a few in my bookmark list.

And that’s the overview, folks!

There’s quite a lot I skipped over, so feel free to message me, or reblog with your own recommendations!

#isekai #manga #anime #otaku #manga recommendation #genre

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