The Different Types of Isekai Protagonists
Isekai is an incredibly popular genre in anime. It serves as a form of escapism for the viewer who envisions themselves in the shoes of the protagonist exploring the often extravagant world they find themselves cast into. It, therefore, makes sense that the protagonists of isekai anime find themselves at the center of some major conflict or prophecy, to which they are the key.
It is also unsurprising that the vast majority of isekai main characters excel in this new world. What is surprising however is the subgenre wherein they are not so good at what they do, either laughably weak in the new world or even mediocre.
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In Inuyasha Kagome finds herself in feudal Japan as the reincarnation of a warrior priestess. After shattering a powerful jewel she recruits the aid of a demon in recovering the stolen pieces. She is, however, through her own failings responsible for the jewel breaking in the first place. Throughout the series, her skills do improve, but she is certainly not leaving a life of failure for one of prowess.
Kirito from Sword Art Online on the other hand thrives within the digital world. When he and a limited number of others are trapped within a virtual reality game where the options are death or victory he quickly rises as the best in the new paradigm with skills that others can’t even approach. He shows confidence in these skills as well, proudly choosing to work alone for the beginning of his time there.
Both of these characters can be read as audience stand-ins, both still explore fantastical realms and do meet beings that the audience can only dream about. However, their very nature sets them apart and allows people to self-insert in very different ways. Characters
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