Types and Styles of Isekai
By LotsChrono
Main 3 Types
Isekai, in its simplest form, is a story in which a protagonist (or group of characters) is thrown into another, usually fantasy, world. The usual three types of isekai are Reincarnation, Transmigration, and Summoning.
For r eincarnation, a protagonist is thrown into another world, residing within a new body, usually after an unfortunate death and likely beginning as a newborn.
For t ransmigration, a protagonist enters the world with his age and body intact. Though, his race could be changed through a whim.
For s ummoning, a protagonist is teleported from his world into another due to the actions of a person or group.
For either of the three, memories could be kept or not; though the default usually is.
Main 4 Styles
Full-Isekai
A story where everything revolves around the summoned, reincarnated, or transmigrated protagonist. This type usually takes place in an easily immersive, but generic, world. As most readers are already familiar with the setting present in these types, the worldbuilding does not have as much of a need to be fleshed out as others.
Essentially, a Full-Isekai is wish-fulfillment (or fluffiness) first and everything else second and, although the specific story may have one or two things that are unique, it is mostly generic and trope-filled. Plot points arise like checkmarks and action much the same. Furthermore, drama (though it can exist) isn’t what pushes readers to enjoy the story, but more than likely the continual climb of the MC’s strength, the increase in lovers, or just simply diabetics inducing fluffiness.
That does not mean a Full-Isekai is bad or lesser than the others. After all, there are always readers available for this type, so write it with no shame. A story is only as good as the enjoyment it brings.
*The ‘full’ in the name is short for ‘fulfillment.’ Yes, I added another ‘l’ to make it sound good.
Dynamic-Isekai
Usually having a cast just as fleshed out as the MC, this type of isekai has a moving world where nothing waits for the main character to step into. Though this naturally lends itself to a more political nature with the fantasy land as the stage, it does not have to be.
Perhaps what separates a dynamic isekai from a full-isekai is two things:
(1) The main drive of the story. While the latter is usually chalked up to ‘get stronger’ or ‘live comfortably’, the former is likely to be more complex or maybe even unknown until a certain point. (2) The world. As dynamic isekai takes place in a non-generic world, it usually has a lot more worldbuilding than others, and a lot more variety and uniqueness in its design.
As a particular note, a Dynamic-Isekai is more likely to have arcs that weave together to form a continual, fleshed-out, story. Conflicts don’t just start and end, they expand.
Soft-Isekai
Usually, this is an isekai where few things are known or explained about the world (especially its power system) and, more than likely, the story takes place in a sort of bubble that exists onto itself. It is an isekai where the fantasy elements are used more so to disguise or set-up a deeply emotional or psychological story.
Essentially, the world merely exists to facilitate a human-centered story, nothing more. This type is usually written in a more contemporary, and flowery, style than most light novels.
Dark-Isekai
An otherworld story where the main draw is its bleakness and darkness. Lots, and lots, of suffering should be expected. Usually, simply trying to survive the harsh world is the task weighing on the protagonist’s mind. Though it can have many other drives.
The world itself doesn’t have to be harsh, but what comes the MC’s way (or those around them) must be; physically, psychologically, or both. As a side note, however, a Dark-Isekai can exist in which the protagonist or those they care for aren't struggling but, rather, their enemies are.
Sub-Types
These are similar to tags in nature and are the lesser of the 3 main types of isekai.
Virtual-Isekai
An isekai where the main character enters (or can enter) a game world, whether permanently or not, as the bulk of the plot takes place in a virtual or simulated reality.
Famous examples include: ‘Sword Art Online’, ‘Accel World’, and ‘Infinite Dendrogram.’
Exvirtual-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist enters a world that, though once virtual, is no longer so. Usually, as his once in-game character.
Famous examples include: ‘Overlord’, ‘Kuma Kuma Bear’, ‘Log Horizon’, ‘She Professed Herself the Pupil of the Wiseman,’ ‘How Not to Summon a Demon Lord’, ‘A Wild Last Boss Appeared!’, ‘The New Gate’, ‘Demon Lord, Retry!’, ‘Skeleton Knight in Another World’, and ‘Night Ranger.’
Alternate-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist enters a world like earth (modern, past, or future) which has fantastical elements.
Famous examples include: ‘Neet Receives a Dating Sim System.’
Reverse-Isekai
An isekai in which a protagonist from a fantasy world enters our earth, or a different earth that lacks the fantastical elements.
Time-Isekai
An isekai wherein the main character uses an element of time travel (usually to the past) to gain an advantage over his peers or enemies. Famously, this type is used to set-up revenge stories.
Famous examples include: ‘Redo of Healer’ and ‘Nidome no Yuusha.’
Progressive-Isekai
An isekai in which the main focal point is the protagonist entering a new world as a child and progressing through time normally, using their maturity and intellect to do things right. Growing as an individual.
Famous examples include: ‘Mushoku Tensei’ and ‘The Beginning After The End.’
Apocalypse-Isekai
An isekai in which the world of earth (though following a central protagonist) is pushed into a series of challenges or trials, that take place within a different dimension or space, set in place by an all-powerful figure or system of sorts.
Famous examples include: ‘Reincarnator’, ‘Omniscient Reader’, and ‘The Tutorial is too Hard.’
Familiar-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist is transported into a novel or gameworld that they have once encountered, with little to no obvious advantage. Usually, the main character makes up for their weakness by using their knowledge of future events or the world itself.
Famous examples include: ‘Dungeon Defense’ and ‘Omniscient Reader.’
Cross-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist, permanently or temporarily, switches gender after or during the process of entering another world.
Monster-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist becomes another race aside from human; beastly or humanoid. This has to be the main staple of the story, not merely a gimmick.
Famous examples include: ‘That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime’, ‘So I’m a Spider, So What?’, ‘The Reincarnated Vampire Just Wants an Afternoon Nap’, ‘The Death Mage who Doesn’t Want a Fourth Time’, and ‘Skeleton Knight in Another World.’
God-Isekai
An isekai where the protagonist starts out already all-powerful. Untouchable by the world’s inhabitants in power or something of equivalent value to them. This type lends itself to what is essentially a slice-of-life with fancy coloring. If it is not a slice of life, it’s comedy. If it is not that either, though rare, it is then a story mainly carried by emotional and relationship drama.
Famous examples include: ‘The Eminence in Shadow’ and ‘In Another World with My Smartphone.’
*Do not confuse a godly MC with simply an overpowered protagonist. One is untouchable and can practically do anything they wish, the other can be beaten but has advantages.
Military-Isekai
An isekai in which earthly weapons, such as guns and tanks, being used in a fantasy setting is the main staple.
Famous examples include: ‘Gate.’
Segmented-Isekai
An isekai in which a portion of earth (a country, a military base) is sent into another world.
Unwanted-Isekai
An isekai where, though the protagonist is summoned, is unwanted or abandoned by those around him.
Famous examples include: ‘The Rising of the Shield Hero’ and ‘Arifureta.’
Management-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist has to manage and develop something; a kingdom, a dungeon, an army, etc.
Famous examples include: ‘Lazy Dungeon Master’, ‘Hikikomari Kyuuketsuki no Monmon’, ‘How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom’, and ‘Release That Witch.’
A.I-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist implements the use of artificial intelligence to help them on their journey.
Famous examples include: ‘Warlock of the Magus World.’
System-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist has and utilizes a system.
Dream-Isekai
An isekai, though rare, in which the protagonist enters an imaginative, fake, world of either their own creation or another’s. Usually, through a dream-like state.
Famous examples include: ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘The Wizard of Oz.’
After-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist enters the world of the afterlife.
Famous examples include: ‘Dante’s Divine Comedy.’
Villain-Isekai
An isekai in which the protagonist plays the role of the central-villain within the plot of the story. That does not mean the protagonist must be evil (at least not by their own metric), but simply be an individual which much of the world or characters is against.
From otome game villainess to being a dungeon lord, and to being a master-mind behind the scene of a comedic tale, this type can be quite versatile in how a writer may implement it.
Famous examples include: ‘Overlord’ and ‘Dungen Defense.’
Endnotes
Obviously, this is just my thoughts on isekai and, as you can probably already tell, the styles and types can be mixed and matched however you may like. As a note, I made up the names for them myself. Furthermore, thanks to the people who gave their inputs and improvements in the last version of this.