History of Isekai in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 16, 2026

Isekai is a Japanese high fantasy subgenre centered on individuals transported to and surviving in another world. Characters often gain significant abilities or status they lacked previously. Transportation methods vary, including death and reincarnation, or summoning by an object or entity. Common settings involve medieval-esque worlds inhabited by humans, humanoids, and monsters. "Reverse isekai" involves characters from other worlds being transported to Earth.

1966: Sally the Witch Released

In 1966, Mitsuteru Yokoyama's Sally the Witch was released and is cited as an early example of reverse isekai stories.

1979: Warrior from Another World Published

In 1979, Warrior from Another World by Haruka Takachiho was published and is considered to be the first modern Japanese isekai story.

1983: Aura Battler Dunbine Released

In 1983, Aura Battler Dunbine was released and is considered to be the first Japanese isekai anime.

2012: Anime Adaptation of Sword Art Online Released

In 2012, the anime adaptation of Sword Art Online was released. This event led to isekai web novels gaining more prominence and Sword Art Online is sometimes considered the start of the modern isekai boom.

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2016: Isekai Banned from Short Story Contest

In 2016, a Japanese short story contest organized by Bungaku Free Market and Shōsetsuka ni Narō placed a blanket ban on any entries involving isekai.

2017: Isekai Manga Series Published

From 2017 to 2019, 385 isekai manga series were published in English, which is about one new series every three days.

2017: Kadokawa Bans Isekai Stories

In 2017, the publisher Kadokawa banned isekai stories in their own anime/manga-style novel contest.

2019: Isekai Manga Series Published

From 2017 to 2019, 385 isekai manga series were published in English, which is about one new series every three days.

May 2021: Kadokawa Announces Isekai Museum

In May 2021, Kadokawa announced that they would open an "Isekai Museum" in July of the same year.

March 2024: Isekai Added to Oxford English Dictionary

In March 2024, the word isekai was added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

2024: Survey of Isekai Viewers Conducted

A 2024 survey of isekai viewers in English-speaking territories found the average age to be about 30. The survey also found that 65 percent of isekai viewers are male.

2024: Isekai Anime Statistics

In 2024, isekai anime were 14 percent of all new anime releases, while also being the second most popular genre in English-speaking territories, just behind action.