Whether fans like it or not, it’s undeniable that isekai is everywhere when it comes to anime. Not only does the genre have several entries per new anime season, but it’s also completely overtaken fantasy stories within the medium. Thankfully, the fantasy genre seems to be making a comeback in anime, though not quite in the way that some people expect.
The upcoming Summer 2023 anime season has a few notable fantasy shows coming, with one being an anime adaptation of the video game Atelier Ryza. This and other fantasy anime aren’t quite the self-serious epics of the 1980s and 1990s. Instead, they revel in romance, comedy, and more grounded slice-of-life story elements, showcasing a different side to fantasy.
The Best Fantasy Anime of the Past Were Serious Epics
When most fans think of classic fantasy anime, thoughts immediately race to shows with epic, dramatic, and mythical fare. One great example is the beloved series Record of Lodoss War, which is seen by many as the quintessential fantasy anime. Given that it was inspired by tropes from the Western RPG Dungeons & Dragons, this definitely makes a lot of sense. Several others of this ilk are known not only for their serious storytelling but also for how graphic and violent they could be. Perhaps the most notorious example of this would be Berserk, which is well-known for its brutal manga source material in particular. Even the somewhat over-the-top Bastard!, while almost comedic at points, had a generally dark and gritty tone and aesthetic.
Historical settings—or at least variations on them—were somewhat more common. This type of fantasy was the norm when it came to epic fantasy anime back in the day, to the point where the hilarious series Slayers stood out due to its almost satirical nature. In the modern anime landscape, however, even that sort of show is a rarity. That’s especially the case with more serious fantasy, which has been completely replaced by isekai. Almost every epic fantasy series begins with an everyday salaryman or shut-in teenager being run over by the ever-present “Truck-kun” and being reincarnated into another world. The genre is so ran through itself that it’s now a conveyor of attempts to parody or subvert different archetypes to varying degrees of success or charm. It’s perhaps for this reason that non-isekai fantasy anime are taking on certain properties in the Summer 2023 season.
Even Non-Isekai Fantasy Anime are Following Isekai’s Trends
Many of the newest non-isekai fantasy anime are taking a step back from epic fantasy and instead being almost comedic or tongue-in-cheek. For instance, the anime adaptation of Helck focuses on a human criminal who ends up being the greatest contestant in a demon tournament. It’s in many ways the same trend seen in shows such as Mashle or even The Irregular at Magic High School, which themselves are both fantasy shows (though not of the epic variety). Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout is an adaptation of the video game of the same name, and like its source material, the anime has a much more chill vibe than anything involving ancient prophecies or a band of heroes with a great destiny.
This emulates another trend in isekai and anime in general: an increasing focus on slice-of-life stories. Even if there is an overarching narrative and “endgame” to the story, a lot of the episodes will take a step back and emphasize everyday interactions and antics between the cast. This usually results in some sort of romance, namely if copious amounts of fanservice or doe-eyed waifus are involved. Hero Classroom has a set-up like many fantasy novels and fantasy anime, as it focuses on characters at a magical school. If anything, it’s an isekai that’s simply missing the reincarnation, as it would easily fit into the genre with its more lax scope. Transitioning into these lower stakes seems to be what’s needed for non-isekai fantasy anime to get a chance nowadays, and it’s nothing like the genre’s glory days. In fact, it only reinforces just how pervasive isekai’s many tired tropes have become, with the once-tired worlds of classic sword and sorcery being a long-forgotten memory.