T.K._Paradox
Was Divided By Zero: Found Glovebox Jesus
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2021
- Messages
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Isekai is a genre also known as portal fantasy before anime popularized the term, the genre exploded into popularity due to its mass appeal and endless potential.
However the genre more often than not focuses around medieval European settings and classical fantasy elements, unfortunately due to a mass appeal many cookie cutter stories involving this genre happened to roll out.
This usually involves a bland, bashful protagonist who forms a harem of young women due to him simply being nice, and having an over powered ability handed to them – sometimes literally – by God.
Thankfully we have example on how to the most generic of these tropes excellently, due to our very own @Hans.Trondheim and his Saint Series and fair warning spoilers ahead:
The Main Character: Cardboard or Kuro?
Arguably the most important part of the story is the main character and how interacts with the world.
The main problem with most isekai protagonists is they are characters at all, but a template for the author – and the readers – to project themselves.
A dark haired, medium height young man that is not attractive nor ugly. Usually in highschool, they are not too smart or dumb. Not athletic or fat just as plain as can be.
Kuro on the other hand is a grown ass man who is quite reserved and intelligent, he thinks quick on his feet and is willing to humble himself to ask for help instead of being a walking, talking Deus Ex Machina.
Up until recently he had no special powers to speak of and had to rely on his wit and experience with people to help him get out of conflict.
Instead of being a VR headset for you to strap-on Kuro's point of view shows a confused man trying his best to make it through a strange and unique world.
Supporting Cast: Fan Service or Fan Favorite
Like most Isekai this is a harem story, which would have you believing that supporting characters are mostly women and you'd be correct, and you'd also assume that they are probably big chested bimbos that have the personality and character of a blow up doll.
In which you'd be wrong, as an example I'd like to use some of the most reoccurring characters: Maddie, Ruro, and Lily.
Maddie is the equivalent of a pope and God amongst humans, and despite her holy almost untouchable appearance in reality she is needy, possessive and a worry wart. Always worrying about how she can do her best to fulfill her role as the Saint and live her life as a normal girl.
She doesn't fall head over all heels for Kuro when she meets him for the first time, she grows to love him over months and the time he takes to understand and love her not as the Saint but as herself.
Ruro is the Beastman Saint fulfilling a similar role as Maddie, however she is a wild, free spirit who puts herself and her whims above sainthood sometimes.
She is one of last of the former hero's party who is still alive who holds on to her past tightly and takes an interest in the mysterious powerless man her friend the human Saint had summoned.
Impressed by his leadership, kindness, and ingenuity she bonds herself to Kuro much to his chagrin.
And finally Lily, a wonderful meek girl and head maid to the human Saint and also a former warrior who contains a dark past.
Due to Kuro's influence she manages to step out of her pasts shadow and show herself again, unafraid of the future once more.
Antagonists: Generic Demon Lord or Godly Chessmaster
Most isekai antagonists are a rehashed MMORPG big bad demon lord, however the main antagonist for the most series is a devious string puller who hides behind the curtain of friendship and a guiding hand.
Who manages to fool four nations and their leaders, including one that can see the future.
As you can see the hidden puppeteer is more of a threat than your average demon lord.
Setting: Realms, Realms, Realms
The many countries in isekai usually resemble a strange version of western European feudalism or absolute monarchy that are barely fleshed out.
However the realms of the Saint Series are beautiful woodlands like the home of the elves that deal with irrigation problems along with public uproar.
Clashing feudal politics inside of a theocracy that deal in underhanded deals and refuse to move from tradition despite the harm it causes to their land.
And the rolling deserts of the demon continent, known for it is knowledgeable people, and harsh teachings that have mysterious origins.
In Conclusion:
As you can see the Saint Series isn't your average isekai, I highly recommend this wonderful series. Once more I would like to call out its author @Hans.Trondheim for making such a wonderful series.
And for you non-isekai fans I hope this series will change your mind.
However the genre more often than not focuses around medieval European settings and classical fantasy elements, unfortunately due to a mass appeal many cookie cutter stories involving this genre happened to roll out.
This usually involves a bland, bashful protagonist who forms a harem of young women due to him simply being nice, and having an over powered ability handed to them – sometimes literally – by God.
Thankfully we have example on how to the most generic of these tropes excellently, due to our very own @Hans.Trondheim and his Saint Series and fair warning spoilers ahead:
The Main Character: Cardboard or Kuro?
Arguably the most important part of the story is the main character and how interacts with the world.
The main problem with most isekai protagonists is they are characters at all, but a template for the author – and the readers – to project themselves.
A dark haired, medium height young man that is not attractive nor ugly. Usually in highschool, they are not too smart or dumb. Not athletic or fat just as plain as can be.
Kuro on the other hand is a grown ass man who is quite reserved and intelligent, he thinks quick on his feet and is willing to humble himself to ask for help instead of being a walking, talking Deus Ex Machina.
Up until recently he had no special powers to speak of and had to rely on his wit and experience with people to help him get out of conflict.
Instead of being a VR headset for you to strap-on Kuro's point of view shows a confused man trying his best to make it through a strange and unique world.
Supporting Cast: Fan Service or Fan Favorite
Like most Isekai this is a harem story, which would have you believing that supporting characters are mostly women and you'd be correct, and you'd also assume that they are probably big chested bimbos that have the personality and character of a blow up doll.
In which you'd be wrong, as an example I'd like to use some of the most reoccurring characters: Maddie, Ruro, and Lily.
Maddie is the equivalent of a pope and God amongst humans, and despite her holy almost untouchable appearance in reality she is needy, possessive and a worry wart. Always worrying about how she can do her best to fulfill her role as the Saint and live her life as a normal girl.
She doesn't fall head over all heels for Kuro when she meets him for the first time, she grows to love him over months and the time he takes to understand and love her not as the Saint but as herself.
Ruro is the Beastman Saint fulfilling a similar role as Maddie, however she is a wild, free spirit who puts herself and her whims above sainthood sometimes.
She is one of last of the former hero's party who is still alive who holds on to her past tightly and takes an interest in the mysterious powerless man her friend the human Saint had summoned.
Impressed by his leadership, kindness, and ingenuity she bonds herself to Kuro much to his chagrin.
And finally Lily, a wonderful meek girl and head maid to the human Saint and also a former warrior who contains a dark past.
Due to Kuro's influence she manages to step out of her pasts shadow and show herself again, unafraid of the future once more.
Antagonists: Generic Demon Lord or Godly Chessmaster
Most isekai antagonists are a rehashed MMORPG big bad demon lord, however the main antagonist for the most series is a devious string puller who hides behind the curtain of friendship and a guiding hand.
Who manages to fool four nations and their leaders, including one that can see the future.
As you can see the hidden puppeteer is more of a threat than your average demon lord.
Setting: Realms, Realms, Realms
The many countries in isekai usually resemble a strange version of western European feudalism or absolute monarchy that are barely fleshed out.
However the realms of the Saint Series are beautiful woodlands like the home of the elves that deal with irrigation problems along with public uproar.
Clashing feudal politics inside of a theocracy that deal in underhanded deals and refuse to move from tradition despite the harm it causes to their land.
And the rolling deserts of the demon continent, known for it is knowledgeable people, and harsh teachings that have mysterious origins.
In Conclusion:
As you can see the Saint Series isn't your average isekai, I highly recommend this wonderful series. Once more I would like to call out its author @Hans.Trondheim for making such a wonderful series.
And for you non-isekai fans I hope this series will change your mind.
Or is it me again, and I misunderstood this sentence?