Should we create a poll to move isekai out of genre?
I will agree with the majority that isekai is by NO MEANS a genre. It's scope is too limited on the story, it is usually a one-time action rather than a setting or mood which persist throughout the story. A genre is something that persist throughout the story. All it describes is a (usually one-time) transition in setting.
While I am at it, are space travel manga also isekai? I have never looked to see. But, they do fit the one requirement given by its name. Although I expect isekai to refer to a more mystic process... then again, how different are a warping spaceships, teleporting, and a summoning circles? They all get you to your destination near instantaneously. Perhaps they use the same technology inside?
Anyone have stricter requirements for isekai? How many of said requirements must be fulfilled?
My requirements:
Body/Soul Transferred to another world in a magical/fantasy like process.
common themes, of which I require 0 to be fulfilled:
gain powers from transfer.
transferred against their will.
cannot easily return.
I am following at least one manga with the tag that breaks each of those options. Although none that break all 3.
That said, I could conceive a space based isekai that I would accept:
Space travel isekai attempt [Short Story]. (I am sorry for the world that I wrote this.)
Another possible reason for being stuck on that planet:
Warps can only flow from a high energy potential location to a low one. It would take a millennia to travel back without warping, or more energy than the world can produce to overcome the energy potential difference. (stolen from
Sokushi Cheat ga Saikyou Sugite, Isekai no Yatsura ga Marude Aite ni Naranai n desu ga)