Is My Story Isekai?

[DismaiNaim]

I kept seeing this term pop-up over and over, and so I googled it. Here's what it gave me:

a character is suddenly transported to or reincarnated in another world, often a magical or video game-like one. The protagonist frequently gains new powers or forms and must adapt to survive and thrive, leading to adventures in the new world

That's basically it. Only thing it takes twenty chapters to get to the "new world" and his "powers" don't show up until chapter 55

 

[Dec]

Assuming the "new world" is in another universe, then yes. It is Isekai.
Doesn't matter if he gains powers or not, nor how long it will take.
As long as MC "ceases to exist" in their original world and "appears" in another world by any means, under any form, it is Isekai. If they are capable of returning or not is of no matter here.

 

[Hoshino]

It has nothing to with powers. Isekai means other world. if your mc is transported into a another world, it counts as an isekai-nya

 

[Rhaps]

Aw hell nah, I'm not having this conversation again.

But basically yes, if it has those elements or just have the transported to another world, its Isekai.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Both by strict definition (Other Place) and common usage (Reincarnated or regressed to another place) you're description above qualifies. UNLESS you don't want it to.
Without the reincarnation/regression element, it would more accurately be "portal fantasy" but with it, Isekai. Again, unless you, as the author, do not want it to BE Isekai. You may get some arguments that it should be, but it is YOUR story and does not have to use that label if you don't want it to.

 

[DismaiNaim]

Specifically, he grew up in one village and is told by the Emperor to go fight a war somewhere else that turns out to be utterly unlike anything he's ever imagined.

But there's no magic portal. He just walks there.

The question is if I add that tag to my metadata will Isekai fans be disappointed?

 

[CharlesEBrown]

Specifically, he grew up in one village and is told by the Emperor to go fight a war somewhere else that turns out to be utterly unlike anything he's ever imagined.

But there's no magic portal. He just walks there.

The question is if I add that tag to my metadata will Isekai fans be disappointed?

PROBABLY. Maybe not but probably.

 

[Deleted member 167438]

Yes.

But I'd also consider the Outlander series an Isekai so ?

 

[MajorKerina]

Sure. Depends on whether you want it to be

 

[DismaiNaim]

Sure. Depends on whether you want it to be

I personally have no idea. I've been seeing this word a lot like WTF is this even. Only today I decided to finally look it up.

But your comment makes me wonder if there's a deeper meaning attached to it?