Here's how one key scene might have gone if Bella really was the nerd she claimed;
Well, those novels are aimed at women. Yeah, RPG mechanics would help explain some of the broken logic but I don't think it would connect with most women.
I don't know about it. There have been an incredible pushback this year in regards to all of it. Moreover, JP are detached from the world where gender norms are changing. They have their own stuff going on, but it is different. As for CN or KR, they are even further from it. A reminder, recently KR game developing studio did a purge and fired every woman who was connected to 'feminism'.
Overall, I've seen it used as nothing but a stupid fetish, with no actual exploration of this topic. It can still be a new trend, cause we never know, but as is, it is a niche fetish. Same as, for example, netorare.
I think it's fairly obvious that, at the very least, this won't be the next trend. Female superhero lead movies aren't doing as well as male leads, and people still mock wuss men characters in movies. Further, movies and books that push this are usually banned in China, which is a big market. It'd take a massive shift in perception in the world, and I don't think that'll happen in the next 3-5 years. We've been in the falling action of isekai as a genre for about 2 years now, so we're just waiting to see what single or plural series end up selling like hot cakes that ends up driving the new genre, and I don't see any evidence that gender bender series are doing well enough to actually drive a wider trend.
Well, we can never know. Maybe it will be the next trend. Personally, I agree with you, but again, we never know. Another point I want to make is, female superhero lead movies aren't doing as well because they are garbage. First wonder woman with Gal did really well, apparently it was a good movie. I don't know, didn't watch it. The point is, they can do well and can be popular. And we need one really popular work, not 10 mediocre ones, so in theory it can happen.
I think space operas are a pretty good bet, though I think I'd place it as the trend after next. Too much of the star wars audience is still hanging on with the Mandalorian. After it's really dead for good, I think it's got a good chance. Though I'd gladly be wrong. I was a huge fan of star wars before Disney. I loved the expanded universe, bought dozens of books. It's definitely one of the better guesses today.
Three or Four trends from now, it's a good chance. By then, twilight will be old enough that it could be a resurgent genre.
Yes, I think it is going to be Regression, and maybe Villains novels.
I don't think Star Wars will ever truly die. It's one of the biggest, if not the biggest, franchises in the world. It'll just lose popularity until its a well known but relatively obscure franchise, like what Star Trek has become. Everyone knows what Star Trek is and it's still pumping out new content, but it's actual audience is extremely niche.
Rather than Next trend, isn't that the current trend of KR webnovels? Dungeons and Regression.
I think Apocalypse fantasy stories are pretty popular they just haven't made it to anime yet is all. Rather I think stories like 'I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game' or 'Pick Me' will be more popular. They fall under the genre of falling into the type of games where characters die and there's no undoing any choice as you fight to the end. They introduce many amazing characters who you get to love and feel sad when they die whilst putting you on edge hoping your favorite one doesn't die.
