so i have an acknowledgement to make that may be controversial to traditional isekai fans...
I think I greatly enjoy reverse Isekai far more than standard Isekai. Some of the most memorable and interesting stories have been born from reverse Isekai in my opinion. Unfortunately, these are typically much rarer than its mirrored counterpart. However, when these anime do surface, they have a much greater propensity to be extremely intriguing and just weird. An awesome weird though.
An anime about being the best...
bathhouse architect!?
I have been recently enamored with a new series on Netflix: Thermae Romae Novae. This is possibly one of the most unique anime I have seen since Devil is a Part Timer. It’s not an isekai, but it resonates and exemplifies why I love reverse isekai titles. The premise is absolutely bonkers in my opinion, having the absolute right amount of that punchy Shonen spice to prepare a volcanic anime cuisine of time travel shenanigans. The story follows Lucius, an aspiring bathhouse architect, treading in his grandfather’s footsteps to create the grandest bathhouse (Thermae) for all of Rome to bear witness to. And there is something spectacular that inspires his architectural splendors.
One day he goes into a Thermae that he built, with his childhood bully that perpetually teased his and his family’s ambition, with his now reformed friend Marcus. The tom foolery of pure ridiculous that occurs while they bathe and after they exchange stories of their lives, is the pure gold of anime; a sequence of mishaps that drags him underwater to nearly drown, but transports to the future, a contemporary world, in a modern Japanese bath house. And it didn’t just stop with Japanese bathhouse. Over the course of several episodes, he’s transported to varying time periods and locations appropriate to inspire his next design, aesthetic, and additions. This includes a outdoor hot spring, hotel hot tub, water park, and even a modern bathtub just to name a few. In each he is struck by inspiration from the various modern conveniences or aesthetics centuries more advanced than his own. His expressions and reactions upon each discovery is truly hilarious in my opinion. And of course, he brings back the discoveries to adapt into Roman technology. I can not say enough how much this anime truly embodies what I have said before about the medium. Literally any story is possible. And the weirdest stories can still be very enjoyable with great writing, directing, and an intriguing premise. And that it has. In absolute witty spades. The package is overflowing with endless charm and is a anime I have never seen. And I’m certain Leg3nd wants his flowers for scouting out another Netflix gem…
the true gem i absolutely adore...
Then, my absolute favorite. My excuse for writing this blog: Devil is a Part Timer. This is a true example. The main character, Sadao, is the overlord of this fantasy world and territory called Ente Island. The story picks up right as he’s brought to defeat’s door by the hero, Emilia and her party. In a last ditch to escape, Sadao’s loyal vassal Alciel (Ashiya), created a wormhole that tragically and comically transports all sucked within its bowels to contemporary Japan, with their powers greatly suppressed and a bodies standard Japanese citizen.
Sadao for example, is transformed from his hulking physique brandished on Ente, to a form of a typical high school boy (yes this be a Shonen anime). So to survive, they learn the culture and language of this unfamiliar world, and most importantly, earn income. And this is where the anime’s wondrous magic takes form. Sadao gets a job at McRonalds (McDonalds) and begins his goal of world domination.
Similar to Ninomiya of Dungeon Black Company fame, Sadao begins his career as a minion to the establishment aka crew member, with the ambition to climb the ladder to reclaim his role as an overlord aka executive role via the fabled meritocracy. There he grooms his first potential vassal of the human world, Chiho, and embarks on a journey of struggle, of ambition, of comedy, and of romance. This is arguably my absolute favorite reverse Isekai because the main character is cast from his astronomically high station and forced to adapt in this modern world. The anime’s first season concluded in 2013 and for years I hoped for season 2, but it looked hopeless as the years continuously ran by. However, to my surprise recently, the 2nd season was announced to actually begin this summer. Good thing I really only read the manga up until where the anime ends, so I’ll be very fresh.
third standout of in my recent memory...
This is just one of my recent most noteworthy and memorable picks. Another wonderfully blends both traditional and reverse elements into a very innovative Isekai: GATE. This in my opinion, is one of the most interesting Isekai I have seen in recent memory because it expertly blends the fantasy of bringing modern weaponry against a high-fantasy medieval world with a dash harm, a very unique well written cast, and very multidimensional, middle aged main character. Not to mention that this main character did not have to die! This is the most common and somewhat tired trope of Isekai anime. So It’s a refreshing change of pace.
Here are some breath taking moments that really sell why this anime is so damn good! How they incorporate modern behemoths to combat fantastical mythical monstrosities as well as flesh clad in chain mail and wielding swords against guns. You never bring a knife to a gun fight. You never bring a sword against a bazooka. Just lunacy…
Honestly most isekai, especially recent ones, often involve the main character dying in his or her previous life and being transported to a different world only found in fantasy novels. But there have been exceptions that I absolutely adored or at least have interesting premises that hook like Grimgar, Dark Company or Virgin Road. And even with standard Isekai setups, they aren’t so standard in execution or what they are reincarnated into: Jobless Reincarnation, World’s Best Assassin, Reincarnated as a Slime, Overlord, and KonoSuba.
There are certainly more to list, much more than Reverse Isekai. But I argue that reverse Isekai have the most potential because of the interactions of a fantasy or historical character to anything modernized. Like characters from the past being enlightened by technology beyond them. Or characters from a fantasy world shaken to their core by “what sorcery is this!?” Thermae, along with others, reaffirms why I enjoy this variant of the genre so much more than the standard and embodies what I have been so adamant about: With anime, pretty much any story is possible with great animation, directing, wild plot, and great character.
These are a few of absolute favorites in the past decade, and I certainly recommend a watch. There are still intriguing traditional Isekai coming with noteworthy twists and turns. Hell there is one about being reborn as a sword and even as a Vending Machine.
So what say you? Do you feel similar? Have I perhaps piqued intrigue? Or do your proudly bellow “SLIME FOR LAIFU!!!” Chime ya thoughts down below…