History of Isekai ( Shield Hero, KonoSuba, InuYasha, SAO + MORE) | Anime Explained

Have you ever noticed a similarity in so many anime like The Rising of the Shield Hero, KonaSuba, InuYasha, Sword Art Online, That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime, and so many others? We thought we should break down the history of what Isekai is and how this genre took over.
Want to catch up with the latest hit isekai? Watch The Rising of the Shield Hero on Crunchyroll: got.cr/ShieldH...
#anime #isekai #History
Get A 14-DAY CRUNCHYROLL TRIAL of Crunchyroll for our KZbin Viewers! - got.cr/14DaysFree
This video is part of an every other week video series where Tim dives deep into the world of anime. Got a topic you want Tim to explore? Leave in the comments!
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Writer/Research: Nina Morales (@ninapedia)
Host and Script: Tim Lyu (@tlyudacris)
Camera: Chris Lightbody
Editor: Caleb Pryor
Produced by Jesse Gouldsbury, Chris Lightbody, Braith Miller

[@CrunchyrollInsideAnime]

Whats your favorite Isekai?

[@oofspoofthekingofoof3413]

In another world with my smartphone

[@YasinUmut67]

INUYASHA

[@HoloNoGraffiti]

oof spoof the king of oof bruh moment

[@oofspoofthekingofoof3413]

@@HoloNoGraffiti ok

[@littlehat41]

Crunchyroll Re:Zero Definitely 🔥💯

[@Lionbossgoku]

Cory in the house is an Isekai Anime where a protagonist named Cory gets transported to another world known as The White House.

[@timlyu8326]

Lion Boss Ah yes... Cory In Za House... my favorite...

[@CrunchyrollInsideAnime]

Ya know... This is the best argument for that

[@MustacheDLuffy]

It’s a pinnacle show for the mkdeen génération of anime and isekai fans alike

[@Goldfire345]

Starting to grow tired of that meme

[@blackphoenix77]

@@Goldfire345 Same. It never made sense to me

[@yorha.a2]

Don't forget Truck-kun

[@MedievalGenie]

Because Truck-kun certainly won't forgot you when you're crossing the street!

[@Vamp_FFA]

Lmao im the 2nd comment

[@claramartinez6365]

I’m so happy you talked about Fushigi Yuugi and Inuyasha. My friends only like recent anime because of the art style and refuse to watch earlier anime because they hate the old style.

[@samcole3819]

They have no idea what they are missing...

[@angelsdoexist]

Those are both my favourites

[@pforgottonsoul]

i'm mix between the two i can watch series from the 90s-2000 like inuyasha or yu yu hakusho but the ones from like the 80s are just too dated for me to go back to.

[@NiaNook]

Whaaat? But new anime styles look so...moe-blobby D: What a shame

[@claramartinez6365]

NiaNook I agree. I don’t mind the new style but it’s sad that others don’t even want to see popular anime and get confused at Cons and Matsuri festivals. I always get so excited when I see cosplayers and merchandise but they just look at me and ask what’s wrong?

[@christophermarcek9910]

Inuyasha is one big reason why i love anime. That and DBZ, and cowboy.

[@christophermarcek9910]

@Jose C If it is or if it isn't its still one of my favorites.

[@Shatugi]

Jose C it’s like when people say Dr. stone is an anime. When it’s just set in the far far future.

[@osirisjohnson5165]

I watched that show when I was a kid

[@clau_sing_]

Samee ❤️

[@christophermarcek9910]

@Jose C you should get a life I was saying it was one of my favorite ...

[@vmualcin]

So why doesn't Crunchy Roll have the Isekai genre as a filter?

[@dantoxism8538]

It's a subgenre of fantasy

[@customsongmaker]

Because Crunchyroll is trash

[@mythiclegend117]

because 9/10 your probably watching an isekai, doesnt really help narrow down searches and you should be interested based on other themes besides isekai.

[@TheFLAMEXD]

van hu Because Isekai is not a genre. It’s a setting.

[@slevinchannel7589]

Many Prejudices about Anime and Manga Fans are True - this Community has Big Issues. Big Issues i say. Before i start a way too long comment, i just end it here. Hope you still give it a thought. Dont just ignore all Problems...

[@alexmatabane2273]

My Favorites • Overlord •kenji no mago •Isekai Quartet • Kyou kara Maou •The time I got reincarnation as a slime •Rising of the Shield Hero •No game no life •Log Horizon •In another world with my smartphone •Saga of Tanya the Evil 🤗This list is not in order of favourits

[@CasualJamer]

Alex Matabane Konosuba..?

[@lamsect]

its kenja no mago (not kenji)

[@nolanwiseman1476]

Overlord forever number 1

[@-.Username.-]

@@nolanwiseman1476 agreed

[@lamsect]

legit my school has an English writing contest every year and this year its portals to another world (isekai)

[@otakulover456sonicfan9]

My favorite isekai is Inuyasha it was my childhood and it was also the very 1st anime I watched

[@victor52041]

samee here!!

[@pforgottonsoul]

@Jose C it's close enough.

[@kool5301]

SAMEE!!

[@princessjello]

@Jose C nobody asked

[@Metalgear195]

Sit boy!

[@isabeauwolf562]

Literally had this conversation with my husband last night, lol. He didn't know the title for into another world series, but loves the genre. InuYasha got me into anime in middle school and will always be one of my top favorites in manga form as well. Overlord is another favorite that I am currently obsessed with and can't wait for more of the anime and manga, reading the light novels.

[@hanakowolf578]

Digimon, InuYasha, and the Dot Hack franchise were my first dips into Isekai! Love these series to this day!

[@Rattle301982]

Inuyasha, Aura Battle Dunbine, and Sword Art Online; lastly Lain Serial Experiments

[@thestrivinghero9536]

if you like SAO, you should really give the .hack// series a chance. The video game trilogy was just HD released on steam and ps4.

[@LysergiaLand-L-25]

I love konosuba i was watching it yesterday

[@USSAnimeNCC-]

My favorite alongside Re:zero

[@Katt1721]

Thank you for including all the shoujo-isekai origins. Occasionally, there's a new shoujo/josei isekai show (Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits last year), but pretty rarely nowadays, and especially rarely in the romance/action genre like with Escaflowne or Fushigi Yuugi.

[@CrunchyrollInsideAnime]

Gladly!! They're so important to the history so it was fun getting to talk about them

[@claramartinez6365]

I loved Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits. I waited every week for new episodes. The art was tacky at first but got better and the music was amazing. I hope it has a second season.

[@Katt1721]

@@claramartinez6365 Thankfully, the source material was at least licensed, so you can always check that out!

[@EastDallasKicks]

Alright boys 7:34 is what we’re all here for “InuYasha”

[@candacewhite9040]

Oh my I watch all these shows. That explains a lot. Lol The 90s was kind to anime. My childhood!!!! Thank you Toonami and now Crunchyroll. And video games.

[@MommieKay]

My Top 3 Isekai: 1. Re: Zero 2. Overlord 3. Konosuba

[@eruantien9932]

I'm going to cheat slightly by including a non-anime (because it's just that good): 1. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (most definitely not suitable for kids, but does include an early example of Truck-kun in the form of a police car). 2. Youjo Senki (so far, I've only got the first 5 volumes of the LN, but they're all excellent, and the anime adaptation is great too; the Japanese VA's nail it). 3. Sword Art Online Abridged (just go watch it, it's absurd how much better it is than it's source material). I don't know what it is about Re: Zero, I should love it, but for some reason I keep bouncing off the show after a few episodes. Overlord I've kinda ruined for myself, the more recent LN entries have been... lesser than the earlier ones, so the anime will have a lot of work to do to maintain the quality of story telling if we get anymore seasons. And Konosuba... Oh blessed Konosuba. So I have a problem with foreign language comedies, it's no fault of the shows themselves, but I really struggle with them (I think it could be due to the timing being thrown off when I'm having to read subs, I'm sure I'd have a great time if I actually understood more than a few words of Japanese); I did have an absolute blast with season 1 when I got to watch it dubbed though. But why the hell have they dubbed season 2 in what seems like every language *except* English.

[@-.Username.-]

I prefer konosuba over re zero

[@Sammy_47]

Never knew what genre it was called, but I love those stories where characters are transported to another world. Inuyasha is my all time favorite; could Bleach be considered the same? Your channel is awesome...you earned another subscriber 😁

[@helgrenze]

Interesting that you didn't mention the Dungeons & Dragons TV series from the mid 80s featuring Toei Animation. It definitely fits the subject.

[@irunasoft]

Some of my favorites isekai: *Re:Zero* *Konosuba* *The rising of the shield hero*

[@Benjamin-vo1og]

Facts

[@Eat_The_Rich142]

mushoku tensei

[@DesertHomesteader]

I just started watching Re: Zero and it I like how it breaks some of the biggest "summoned hero" tropes, among other things. However...for pure entertainment value, I prefer lighthearted shows like How Not To Summon a Demon Lord, That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime or Kemono Michi: Rise Up. Re: Zero started out lighthearted like that but then went really dark.

[@emsninja6176]

Inuyasha is my favorite and it was my first anime that ever got into.

[@kingkronosdc84psn]

Kermit smoking a blunt with two katanas LMAO

[@axelprino]

Thanks, for quite some time I've been trying to remember the name of that magical girl show that had someting to do with computers and fighting virus, it was Corrector Yui. I watched that in the early 2000's so the memory was kinda fuzzy, but as soon as I saw the character something clicked inside my mind so I went to MAL to read the description and yep, it was that one. Although I'm pretty sure I watched almost the whole thing back then so I suppose the spanish dub actually got completed unlike the english one. Not planning to rewatch it anytime soon but it's nice to know it actually existed and it wasn't just my brain smashing together fragments from other series.

[@Splaith]

Monster Rancher overlooked yet again.

[@AvangionQ]

Thanks for introducing me to El Hazard ... an isekai anime classic from before my time ... 💗 Also, Mahou Shoujo Tai Arusu, an isekai I've never even heard of, despite it being from 2004 ... 🧙‍♀️

[@princessjello]

First isekai anime: Inuyasha First Isekai title: The Chronicles of Narnia Favorite at the moment: Log Horizon

[@thestrivinghero9536]

If you like Log Horizon, you'd probably like the .hack series. Like he said in the video, it's typically credited for being the first "stuck in an MMO" type anime.

[@honeybnoir824]

Inuyasha technically aired on the Adult Swim block on Cartoon Network during late Saturday nights in the 2000's when they just aired anime geared toward a more mature audience, not on Toonami. Although I'm not sure if was ever aired on the Toonami revival that started around 2012.

[@stevenjones2673]

Overlord, Saga of Tanya the Evil, Overly Cautious Hero, Konosuba, Devil is a Part-timer, Spirited Away, Arifureta, No Game No Life, Inuyasha, Mushoku Tensei, the John Carter of Mars series, Peter Pan- all great in different ways.

[@marine76a]

Dude make your own channel. You're killing it.

[@ValientHero]

so glad to see Digimon being mentioned in this

[@RandomUser-er3ob]

Pause and Select made a great video criticizing this video’s definition and examples of isekai

[@amderrsom]

I was expecting a cringy obvious informational video,but this was surprisingly well written,and the host was interesting,nice job crunchyroll inc!

[@MultiDarkZen]

Now and Then, Here and There is an awesome isekai anime

[@nightcoreakane2410]

Technicly speaking the first Japanese animated series that revolves around the idea of people getting transported too a fantasy world was the 1983 Dungeons and Dragons cartoon.

[@DanA-zf8bt]

I’m a simple man: I see Inuyasha, I click.

[@DanA-zf8bt]

Jose C Who are you talking to? Chill.

[@DanA-zf8bt]

Jose C Lol ok so you should post that comment on the main page so the uploader sees it

[@DanA-zf8bt]

Jose C No worries, man.

[@nothing-but-milk9176]

12 kingdoms is a pretty cool one that people often don't mention.

[@hanrukian924]

SAO was the first anime I watched and it was very enjoyable

[@AvangionQ]

SAO, makes me wish they didn't use time skips, focused on a group trying to clear 100 floors of a dungeon, rather than any harem plots ... that said, SAO alternative was good.

[@ksy_ng]

Escaflowne is... just amazing (the serie, not the movie... both are good, but i grew up with the serie ). And if you're interested in something more "colorful" Magic Knight Rayearth is something you should watch.

[@psychomagi]

Finally some love for Fushigi Yuugi. I love dit when I first saw it back in 1999. It's dated, but it's still great.

[@demowomble6438]

Drifters was some underrated, love how he mentions it.

[@ren_kitsune]

I think it'd be helpful to also differentiate the first isekai stories from the latest with the latter coming out of seisetsu sites

[@KMO325]

I've watched this genre as long as I've watched anime, but the first time I recognized it as it's own genre was .Hack//Sign

[@n1hondude]

InuYAsha, not InuWAsha lol Good video :) I'm glad to see El Hazard gets some recognition :D

[@sleepingterror7]

thank gawd someone else said this lolol it was lowkey bothering me lolol

[@waterenjoyer01]

He has an accent you fucking turd.

[@meisiulie2059]

- Sword Art Online Series - Dot Hack Sign - InuYasha Series - Fushigi Yuugi series

[@orvillekidder9901]

The video game Myst. Uses a book to transport the player to a different world. The Shiel Hero also uses a book to end up in another world.

[@noodle714]

I need truck-kun to hit and my family/friends so we can go to another workd

[@dranoradragonqueen1494]

I find it interesting the Sword Art online actually bounced back and forth between being stuck there and coming and going from the world as you pleased. I liked the sense of culture and the what if's log horizon asked. The big ones it asked where what kind of governments would players agree to if they didn't have the government or a ruling body determining it for them, and how would the npc's now having a normal human intelligent do in response, and then how would the players in turn react the npc's having more life to them then in game. Truly fascinating. It did hint that the show might get to a point where people could jump back and forth from human to game world with no issue. So glad they are continuing forward. Oh and rise of the shied hero is getting two more seasons. Horay! I love that one too for the whole having to struggle to be the hero and not necessarily wanting to be but maybe learning to like the world once it gives him a chance.

[@AosorarisuUnedited]

Monster Rancher and Magination were my favorite when I was young. But I do like that the newer ones are more trope breakers, where the worlds react a bit more 'realistically' despite being fantastic and the characters aren't as shallow.

[@speedboosted8807]

Why do I hear Sims Medieval ost?

[@brucenatelee]

Jumanji 2017 and Jumanji 2 are also Western-isekai. I tried to make a list about movies like this and completely forgot about Last Action Hero. What about that Idris Alba movie as the Gunslinger? Didn't see it, but wondering.

[@charlieedwards4331]

My favorite isekai series are Magic Knight Rayearth, Fushigi Yugi, Vision of Escaflowne, Inuyasha and Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle!

[@masteranimation2008]

Bleach is an Isekai, change my mind. That's probably why I became addicted to it.

[@tuckafree22]

Miguel Peña yea i was thinking it was

[@ducksoop.x]

The directino and ending of that anime made me want to Isekai myself.

[@ArkOfAges]

I wouldn't put Bleach in the same category as Isekai. While Ichigo dose go to another world, it's more like taking the occasional flight to a different country than moving to an entirely new way of life. Also the spirit world is pretty much just parallel with the living world and constantly influences it. With that said, I think it was a crying shame that the author got burnt out and ended the series prematurely.

[@bloodnessx]

yeh its actually an isekai but for status reasons, its an emberrasment, for calling bleach an isekai

[@mohebbi71]

I gotta say, I cant wait for more Shield Hero action:)

[@SahzD]

I really enjoy these CR videos with Tim. Thank you!

[@BushidoBrownSama]

The El Hazard OAV is sooooo underrated

[@azure5584]

Yim Lyu is a treasure and you'd best not let anything happen to him. Also, SPONSOR SENZAWA ALREADY GODDAMN IT, CRONCHYROOOOLLL TAKE MEEE HOOOMEE!

[@SM12Killer3]

Overlord. Nice vid though

[@CrunchyrollInsideAnime]

Thanks!

[@GatsuRage]

I always thought digimon existed thanks to those "tamagochis" electronic pets that were a HUGE deal back on early 2000s.

[@Paragon..]

For some reason I don't get tired of Isekai, even though the premise is the same, there are so many different takes on the genre and the stories range from comedy to psychological horror and even a show about building mechs. Hell even the cheap and short Isekai Quartet which by all accounts normally be viewed unfavorable. But the characters in those shows, the magic, the power, the wisdom and courage really make up for the flooding of Isekai shows. Their variety is acceptable. And I want more.

[@squidapus3609]

5:03 is that keijo!!!!!!!!

[@sydarthian]

Oh my gosh, I found myself loving all the shows with this concept, but had no idea it was an actual genre.

[@harrycozens01]

5:25 - that dude definitely got his outfit design from Spike Spiegel.

[@ironrussell1]

I just watched your video. I feel like you have some bias on history! When you went back to the origins of Isekai, it amazed that you failed to credit one of the oldest Isekai movies and an American classic, the 1939 movie "The Wizard of OZ" .

[@tajanaecole1246]

My first Isekai anime was Sailor Moon and then InuYasha. In the early 2000's I was introduced to Fushigi Yuugi. I love all three of them, but I have to say my favorite one out of the three would be InuYasha, next Fushigi Yuugi, and then Sailor Moon. Specifically in that order.

[@illyasvielvoneinzbern4743]

How to not summon a demon lord , that’s why I came

[@saint3211]

I don't even know if this counts but i watched .hack//sign before fushigi yuugi and inuyasha. It was slow but god damn I loved it.

[@saint3211]

Ok, I just got to the bit where it got a mention, also how did I forget digimon??

[@lrc3847]

And everyone forgot Blackstar, the Cartoon where an Astronaut ended on another universe.

[@ramoncastro4737]

Digimon, konosuba, SAO, Overlord, Reincarnated as a slime and shield hero

[@billywingrove27]

I have been reading novels long before watching anime. The isekai genre is huge in the novels. And there are so many good isekai's who are yet to be adapted into an anime. Right now one of the best isekais is getting an anime adaptation , and thats Arifureta. Hope they dont censor or cut much of it tho.

[@VangaurdTDS]

The Magicians tv show is a pretty interesting and meta take on the genre.

[@toradora1439]

Great video, loved it.

[@joeywall4657]

Sally the Witch!! Awesome!

[@lifeofbekahh]

My favorite isekai anime inuyasha and I’m currently watching the fushigi yuugi anime 😊

[@disdjsad]

Hunterxhunter is the best isekai Ik its only one ark

[@timlyu8326]

justin ., I cant wait for Greed Island DLC

[@jkud3332]

When Fairy Tail, JoJo, and Bleach also have isekai arcs

[@disdjsad]

@@jkud3332 yes xD

[@disdjsad]

@@everestaexillifek yes

[@mn1q]

Robotech; Thanks for the awesomely informative video!

[@realisticpatrickface9766]

Favorite is SAO, idc what people say, it was one of the first anime I watched and I'll always stay loyal

[@CrunchyrollInsideAnime]

Aww!

[@MustacheDLuffy]

Still can’t deny those giant plotholes and writing that involves heavy pandering of people’s emotions (ethos)

[@lrdalucardart]

@@MustacheDLuffy Well the author was forced to continue a story he hadn't plan to extend, ever wonder why the story didn't reach the 100th floor? Well the author was running out of time to preset his "story" to the judges for the award nominees. He just happened to be the top1 nominee for the award in the end, lucky him. Once he got the award, he got questioned with "so where is the follow up?". That's why some arcs fell so "forced", specially after the Aircrad, that's the real reason. He now has the chance to write the story the way he wanted, step by step, you can check the LN's for SAO: PROGRESSIVE if you are interested.

[@MustacheDLuffy]

That type of things suck, but he’s still an awful author for not at least trying to make the series make any logica, sense. The original anime for aincrad is 12 episodes, 12 EPISODES. screw not being interested in continuing the series, he wasn’t interested in it in the first place, it was extremely short which wouldn’t make any author tired at all unless they simply didn’t care

[@parmenterlore]

I'm a little surprised that Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid wasn't mentioned, but whatever :)

[@xanderman55]

Shield Hero Slime Overlord Grimgar Log Horizon Konosuba Re:Zero GATE How not to Summon Demon Lord 12 Kingdoms

[@Shoyo_the_Chaos_Gremlin]

First Isekai: Inuyasha First Isekai Title: A Midsummer Night’s Dream? Fav Isekai at the Moment: That Time I Reincarnated as a Slime, Log Horizon, & The Devil is a Part-Timer

[@shadowwatcherproductions5281]

Inuyasha is the best shonen and Isakei anime in my opinion. To be fair, I've only seen a few other shonen anime like Dororo, Rerouni Kenshin, Fairy Tail, Fullmetal Alchemists Brotherhood, and Pokemon, but InuYasha has and always will be, my all time favorite action anime, Isakei or not. It's just got a nice blend of story, characters, comedy, thrills, and of course, romance. Not to say it's a perfect Isakei, because it surely has its own problems, but it's been the only long-running Isakei and shonen series I've been able to finish.(l have finished FMAB, but that only had around 70 something episodes so it doesn't count). I have tried to watch other Isakei series similar to InuYasha in terms of a historical backdrop, Fushigi Yuugi being one of them, but they just don't hold a candle to InuYasha. The one other Isakei show other than InuYasha that I found to be enjoyable enough to finish wasn't even an anime, but a Kdrama called Faith/The Great Doctor, and I think the biggest reason I like it so much was because it reminded me so much of InuYasha. So, while I can probably watch all of these new and old shonen and Isakei titles in anime and tv and enjoy them, InuYasha will always reign supreme for both shonen and Isakei genres in my heart🐶❤

[@CherrySquishee]

DnD and Captain N The Game Master were my first 2. 😋

[@CrunchyrollInsideAnime]

I forgot about Captain N!!! Woah

[@drewbarna2191]

Now and Then, Here and There is my favorite besides Spirited Away.

[@ShiningSakura]

for those who don't know maho shojo tai arusu is called tweeny witches in english.

[@WildBillCox13]

Informative and enjoyable. Thanks for posting. I inked it around.

[@CrunchyrollInsideAnime]

Thanks!

[@kamilosan89]

Hack series is my favorite isekai lovely

[@raffaelerao50]

I think technically Inuyasha is not a real isekai. Isekai generally refers to a protagonist putted in a completely different world, but in Inuyasha Kagome just travels to the past of her own world. Ok in the past there are monster and demons that don't live in the present, but it still the same world (think about the tree where Kikyo seal Inuyasha or the temple, you can see them in both worlds). Anyway there is mistical/magical stuff in the present too and is completely disconnected from the past (the best example is episode 12) so these two world are not so different.

[@Rusty_Raven_]

Need to know origin of hat. Magic man from Adventure Time?

[@magallanthepenguin9132]

Yeah the western going into different worlds doesn't involve dying and then transported into another world XD. So many MC die and then a God or goddess transports them

[@timlyu8326]

Whats YOUR favorite Truck-kun moment?

[@CarrotBo2]

When truck-kun ate my waffles. Oh wait you said favorite

[@TheAnimeEncyclopedia]

It's when Truck-Kun was late and his cousin Tractor-Kun made the best anime death.

[@hardlucknate6769]

2 55 i wish that was me 😭

[@F-4E-58-MC]

i see by the noble phantasm excalibur you hold that you sir are a man of culture.

[@yohannbiimu]

Why didn't you bring up Urusei Yatsura as a "reverse" Isikai?

[@chermia97]

I've been on an isekai manga/manhwa/manhua/novel binge reading since the last week of April ahhh i'm afraid there's nothing for me to read anymore ☹

[@blackphoenix77]

What, no mention of Those Who Hunt Elves?

[@davidlender6671]

Truck kun makes an appearance

[@StarlasAiko]

The first isekai anime I have watched were Visions of Escaflowne and El Hazard...the first isekai manga I read was Magic Knight Rayearth...my favourite was for a long time Inuyasha, but currently I am particularly fond of Log Horizon. And as to your question...I would rather live in a dangerous world full of goblins and Dragons than in a safe world full of conformity and humdrum.

[@martarodriguez2054]

Would sailor moon count as reverse isekai? or reverse reverse isekai?

[@clau_sing_]

I see InuYasha, I have to click. My favorite Isekai anime ❤️❤️

[@Tohru1993]

i hope fushigi yugi have remake because i want see that before i hit 40