Isekai'd Side Characters

[Deleted member 84247]

I actually remembered another thing about this type of isekai, this trope... you got it. It's very common for people to get isekaied into other worlds. Like your usual Japanese\Korean mob boy gets transported into sci-fi or fantasy world. The opposite is also common. The thing that isn't common is isekai of a person from fantasy world 1 to fantasy world 2. The best example is MookHyang dark lady or The Wolf Won't Sleep.

So, this is another way to include the side-character isekai into worldbuilding. You want cultivation but don't want to deal with the usual tropes or Chinese names? Make a cultivator character that got isekaied into your generic fantasy world long time ago, and now this generic fantasy world has cultivation. Or something like that. You don't even need modern people for this trope to be interesting. How fantasy world influenced another fantasy world via isekai, stuff like that is also fun, and something not commonly seen. And it is something I want to do at one point as well. Though, depending on how far you want to take it, the amount of work you will have to do might increase by a lot.

I read a GL story where it was one person getting isekaid from a fantasy world into another one. There were 2 that I read actually, both GL. One of them was an alternate version of the Fantasy world, and another was someone getting sent from a dystopian world to a fantasy world.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I read a GL story where it was one person getting isekaid from a fantasy world into another one. There were 2 that I read actually, both GL. One of them was an alternate version of the Fantasy world, and another was someone getting sent from a dystopian world to a fantasy world.

 

[J_Chemist]

I actually remembered another thing about this type of isekai, this trope... you got it. It's very common for people to get isekaied into other worlds. Like your usual Japanese\Korean mob boy gets transported into sci-fi or fantasy world. The opposite is also common. The thing that isn't common is isekai of a person from fantasy world 1 to fantasy world 2. The best example is MookHyang dark lady or The Wolf Won't Sleep.

So, this is another way to include the side-character isekai into worldbuilding. You want cultivation but don't want to deal with the usual tropes or Chinese names? Make a cultivator character that got isekaied into your generic fantasy world long time ago, and now this generic fantasy world has cultivation. Or something like that. You don't even need modern people for this trope to be interesting. How fantasy world influenced another fantasy world via isekai, stuff like that is also fun, and something not commonly seen. And it is something I want to do at one point as well. Though, depending on how far you want to take it, the amount of work you will have to do might increase by a lot.

Long before even thinking of this, I actually have already set the stage for the cultivator thing and my MC "cultivates" his mana regularly. I just don't exactly explain why or how and the civilization he got it from got their knowledge. Said civilization isn't exactly gone either, but magic has died out quite a bit compared to back them. So the isekai'd individual has left their mark but is certain dead. And their teachings are already in play.

I do also think the idea of a more parallel sort of isekai would be a more wise decision for a character. Someone from a similar world with maybe a different set of skills, or a higher level of said skills so they still qualify as a "Hero" or have the capacity to do bigger and better things without the Modern World knowledge of the 21st century.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

As for what I'm trying to explain, there's nothing I'm trying to explain. I'm looking for you all to explain what you think based on the parameters getting, but only a couple of you have given actual information that have hit the target. I'm presenting my idea of an isekai character and trying to get you all to understand that he's not the MC and he's just a random in the background who isekai'd. Then I just want to know what you think of that character, how you'd write it, and what you would do with it. Also, if you've seen it, explain how it was done.

Then I shall repeat myself.

WHAT DOES HE BRING TO THE STORY?

Look. I once was challenged to make a story about a rock. Ordinary rock. I was paid to write this story, so I do not own it anymore. But I waxed on for 20,000 words about the life of a rock. I started on the side of a mountain, worked my way down the mountain, and slowly, ever so slowly, moved my way to the riverbed, crumbling as it went, slowly turning into a small heart-shaped rock that by sheer accident was picked up by a child, given to the mother as a gift, then found by the child at the mother's deathbed in her purse, for she kept it with her for decades.

My story is about a rock. Ordinary rock. Not a talking rock. Not a rock's perspective. I just describe the rock and what happens to it.

Your isekai character is a rock.

Your description states you will not be making them the MC, just the side character. FINE. They are just like every other side character. Is he more interesting than a rock? If so, you could write about him for at least 20k words. What could you do with him? Anything. I can make a story about a goddamn ROCK falling off a cliff.

"He's just"

You use these words to describe him. These two words tell me that you should DROP THE IDEA.

Let me explain something you might not understand. YOU ARE ASKING FOR PAYMENT FROM EVERY READER. YOUR READER PAYS YOU WITH THAT MOST RARE OF SUBSTANCES...

TIME.

This new character... He is JUST... Just... only. He is nothing more than...

What a waste of time. I don't want to read about someone who is ONLY anything when I could be spending my time on something much more interesting, fun, exciting, horrifying, emotional, or whatever I want. I am giving you my TIME as a reader. Is this character a waste of that time, or are you spending my time wisely?

WHat can you do with the character? Well, he's from another world. He could change everything, or just be a quirky side character. If he's JUST anything... don't bother. If he is going to be something important, then you need to add him to the story.

You are describing a character who is USELESS FLUFF. Get rid of useless fluff. Trim your story down.

Get rid of anything that wastes your reader's time.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Long before even thinking of this, I actually have already set the stage for the cultivator thing and my MC "cultivates" his mana regularly. I just don't exactly explain why or how and the civilization he got it from got their knowledge. Said civilization isn't exactly gone either, but magic has died out quite a bit compared to back them. So the isekai'd individual has left their mark but is certain dead. And their teachings are already in play.

Sounds cool.

I do also think the idea of a more parallel sort of isekai would be a more wise decision for a character. Someone from a similar world with maybe a different set of skills, or a higher level of said skills so they still qualify as a "Hero" or have the capacity to do bigger and better things without the Modern World knowledge of the 21st century.

Well, you can play around this. Even if they don't qualify as a Hero, it can still be interesting, see my second example. A local story instead of something grand. More than that, a person don't even need to have some breakthrough knowledge or powers. Sometimes you simply have to look at a problem from a different angle, and this isekaied person might provide just that.

Some basic stuff as an examples. Let's assume you have some kind of an engineer from steampunk world come to a fantasy world. Will they need steam engines in the fantasy world? Depends, but let's assume magic is more efficient. Is this engineer completely useless then? No, since his ideas might act as an inspiration for alchemists or artificers. He influences them, they influence him, and he acts as a catalyst to break the status quo. Something like this.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

Then I shall repeat myself.

WHAT DOES HE BRING TO THE STORY?

Look. I once was challenged to make a story about a rock. Ordinary rock. I was paid to write this story, so I do not own it anymore. But I waxed on for 20,000 words about the life of a rock. I started on the side of a mountain, worked my way down the mountain, and slowly, ever so slowly, moved my way to the riverbed, crumbling as it went, slowly turning into a small heart-shaped rock that by sheer accident was picked up by a child, given to the mother as a gift, then found by the child at the mother's deathbed in her purse, for she kept it with her for decades.

My story is about a rock. Ordinary rock. Not a talking rock. Not a rock's perspective. I just describe the rock and what happens to it.

Your isekai character is a rock.

Your description states you will not be making them the MC, just the side character. FINE. They are just like every other side character. Is he more interesting than a rock? If so, you could write about him for at least 20k words. What could you do with him? Anything. I can make a story about a goddamn ROCK falling off a cliff.

"He's just"

You use these words to describe him. These two words tell me that you should DROP THE IDEA.

Let me explain something you might not understand. YOU ARE ASKING FOR PAYMENT FROM EVERY READER. YOUR READER PAYS YOU WITH THAT MOST RARE OF SUBSTANCES...

TIME.

This new character... He is JUST... Just... only. He is nothing more than...

What a waste of time. I don't want to read about someone who is ONLY anything when I could be spending my time on something much more interesting, fun, exciting, horrifying, emotional, or whatever I want. I am giving you my TIME as a reader. Is this character a waste of that time, or are you spending my time wisely?

WHat can you do with the character? Well, he's from another world. He could change everything, or just be a quirky side character. If he's JUST anything... don't bother. If he is going to be something important, then you need to add him to the story.

You are describing a character who is USELESS FLUFF. Get rid of useless fluff. Trim your story down.

Get rid of anything that wastes your reader's time.

But sometimes a side character has a trait that is what makes them interesting. This is probably a poor example, but Ryuk in Death Note is well known for his love of apples. In that story it is significant, as it relates to the whole wanting to be a god, and him being a god of death himself. I am sure you can make the isekai bit as a significant enough thing to color the side character's personality.

 

[J_Chemist]

Sounds cool.

Well, you can play around this. Even if they don't qualify as a Hero, it can still be interesting, see my second example. A local story instead of something grand. More than that, a person don't even need to have some breakthrough knowledge or powers. Sometimes you simply have to look at a problem from a different angle, and this isekaied person might provide just that.

Some basic stuff as an examples. Let's assume you have some kind of an engineer from steampunk world come to a fantasy world. Will they need steam engines in the fantasy world? Depends, but let's assume magic is more efficient. Is this engineer completely useless then? No, since his ideas might act as an inspiration for alchemists or artificers. He influences them, they influence him, and he acts as a catalyst to break the status quo. Something like this.

So a supporter-type, you think? That's certainly a trait that I wasn't thinking of, actually. My idea was to bring an adventurer-type (if that wasn't obvious). And I planned to have them clash with the actual MC at some point or have them die because of them overestimating their abilities and underestimating the challenges of the new world.

However, having a surprise support individual show up and begin to manipulate/change a country or way of life for a portion of the world could have a similar effect of "wat dah hale-" from the MC and Co.

But, the support character wouldn't have as... I guess, direct(?) effect on the MC. The Main Cast would wander through or see items created by the Isekai character but may never directly contact them. If they do, it likely wouldn't be in any meaningful capacity unless the Cast needs one of those new tools or new inventions the Isekai is making. There's also the simple option. Maybe they're just a basic commoner who is using their knowledge to fix some common issues, like farming, and making it more efficient. Or they're an engineer teaching architects more efficient ways to build...

I see. Naruhoedough.

 

[Theirl]

Edit: I'm adding this up top. I'm not looking for examples. I'm looking for a discussion on the topic. Your thoughts and viewpoints, things you would like to see, things you hated, and things you would do different. Examples are nice but I'm not reading any stories provided. Give them if they enhance your discussion point, otherwise it's not helpful. Thank you.

---

Hello. I've been thinking. Cooking, if you will.

View attachment 23049

The typical light novels and anime that have been produced lately tend to focus around an isekai'd individual who's transposed from one world to another. Whether done through magic or a runaway truck. Of course, these individuals become the center of the story, our main character, and we watch these characters interact with their new world/situation. We watch them either become OP, useless, or Kings of Nations. Sometimes, albeit rarely, they even become anti-heroes. Haven't seen a villain yet.

But, what if they were a side-character? Your MC and their group of friends/lackeys are going along and then all of a sudden they hear of some bullshittery going on in some other land. Fast forward and then they either hear about some exploits being done by a new adventurer who seemingly came out of nowhere or they hear about how some backwater country decided summoning magic was a good idea and now they've got a menace to socie-I mean a Hero in their midst. Alternatively, the party could just stumble across this person when they're doing regular business.

Rather than use the isekai as a tool/upfront trope, I present to you this; They're there, running amuk, but they're nothing more than a side piece on the overall board of the story. Their presence is felt and known, but they are not in the spotlight.

Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? Alternatives?

I mention this because I think I might try to sling one of these characters into my own story, as I am always on the lookout for creative ways to drag someone into a life of suffering.

View attachment 23050

Hehehe

there is a group of heroes that were going to sleep in a famous inn. in that inn the owner was a particular asian dude with his hair covenientle covering his eyes. the owner pissed that after being isekaid didnt receive a cheat, and was living a boring life as a inn got jealous over the hero, being the hero surrounded by pretty girls. one elf, one hot saint and a red haired swordwoman.
after crying alone in a corner a shady old man gave him an evil eye relic that could make a woman go on heat, and using that the poor side character would help the hero to outsource his bed problem to himself

#364718
this series have 5 chapter for now u wont be able to find all of them in this blessed site if u are curious send a pm an i will help u find it

 

[J_Chemist]

Hehehe

there is a group of heroes that were going to sleep in a famous inn. in that inn the owner was a particular asian dude with his hair covenientle covering his eyes. the owner pissed that after being isekaid didnt receive a cheat, and was living a boring life as a inn got jealous over the hero, being the hero surrounded by pretty girls. one elf, one hot saint and a red haired swordwoman.
after crying alone in a corner a shady old man gave him an evil eye relic that could make a woman go on heat, and using that the poor side character would help the hero to outsource his bed problem to himself
View attachment 23056

#364718
this series have 5 chapter for now u wont be able to find all of them in this blessed site if u are curious send a pm an i will help u find it

That's just a regular isekai. That's not a story with an isekai'd person as a side character uninvolved with the main cast.

He is the main cast.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

So a supporter-type, you think? That's certainly a trait that I wasn't thinking of, actually. My idea was to bring an adventurer-type (if that wasn't obvious). And I planned to have them clash with the actual MC at some point or have them die because of them overestimating their abilities and underestimating the challenges of the new world.

However, having a surprise support individual show up and begin to manipulate/change a country or way of life for a portion of the world could have a similar effect of "wat dah hale-" from the MC and Co.

But, the support character wouldn't have as... I guess, direct(?) effect on the MC. The Main Cast would wander through or see items created by the Isekai character but may never directly contact them. If they do, it likely wouldn't be in any meaningful capacity unless the Cast needs one of those new tools or new inventions the Isekai is making. There's also the simple option. Maybe they're just a basic commoner who is using their knowledge to fix some common issues, like farming, and making it more efficient. Or they're an engineer teaching architects more efficient ways to build...

I see. Naruhoedough.

Another idea I just had. Lets assume fantasy world 1 has democracy, while fantasy world 2 is a monarchy. Would their views influence each other via isekai? Even simpler example. Religion. One extremely smart zealot from fantasy world 1 gets into fantasy world 2, and oh boy, world 2 is in trouble.

Imagine your MC travels the world, everything is okay, and then there is a sudden uprising in random country simply because they summoned a religious person. Then MC notices that this new religion has already seeped into other countries as well. And the zealot don't even need to survive till the end and become a pope or some something. They can die and be canonized as a saint.

 

[J_Chemist]

Another idea I just had. Lets assume fantasy world 1 has democracy, while fantasy world 2 is a monarchy. Would their views influence each other via isekai? Even simpler example. Religion. One extremely smart zealot from fantasy world 1 gets into fantasy world 2, and oh boy, world 2 is in trouble.

Imagine your MC travels the world, everything is okay, and then there is a sudden uprising in random country simply because they summoned a religious person. Then MC notices that this new religion has already seeped into other countries as well. And the zealot don't even need to survive till the end and become a pope or some something. They can die and be canonized as a saint.

Ah I do think both characters would be heavily influential, but then you have the problem like the dude in KamiKatsu had. If the people don't know what the Isekai is talking about, then they are less likely to go along with it. Now if there's a foundation of things already, like Religion, then I can see it getting exploited. Same with a government.

But both of those are honestly boring and I would merc the Religious fool in two chapters. Not that I wouldn't enjoy the zealotry, but because I don't want to bring that mess to my novel. Really not a fan of zealots and religion in the first place so I already know my bias would bleed red into that story arc.

The Government Isekai though, the problem there is the requirement for a lot of side-tracking. It would derail the story because I would have to not only explain the old government getting toppled, but I'd have to go into detail on the Isekai, his government, and find a way to glaze over all of his achievements. If I don't do that, then it seems like a sort of Lego-set happens where I pull out one flag and just plug in another. There's little substance story-wise aside from "it happens because plot", which I've tried to avoid in my story overall. Everything has a reason and has been explained, making the small cogs in the machine mesh. If I break that status quo with the Isekai, I feel like that would go against the precedent I've set with my Readerbase.

And side-tracking the story for that level of character is what I want to avoid. Otherwise, now I've got two MC's running around. One is the real MC, the other is a sort of "side MC".

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Ah I do think both characters would be heavily influential, but then you have the problem like the dude in KamiKatsu had. If the people don't know what the Isekai is talking about, then they are less likely to go along with it. Now if there's a foundation of things already, like Religion, then I can see it getting exploited. Same with a government.

But both of those are honestly boring and I would merc the Religious fool in two chapters. Not that I wouldn't enjoy the zealotry, but because I don't want to bring that mess to my novel. Really not a fan of zealots and religion in the first place so I already know my bias would bleed red into that story arc.

The Government Isekai though, the problem there is the requirement for a lot of side-tracking. It would derail the story because I would have to not only explain the old government getting toppled, but I'd have to go into detail on the Isekai, his government, and find a way to glaze over all of his achievements. If I don't do that, then it seems like a sort of Lego-set happens where I pull out one flag and just plug in another. There's little substance story-wise aside from "it happens because plot", which I've tried to avoid in my story overall. Everything has a reason and has been explained, making the small cogs in the machine mesh. If I break that status quo with the Isekai, I feel like that would go against the precedent I've set with my Readerbase.

And side-tracking the story for that level of character is what I want to avoid. Otherwise, now I've got two MC's running around. One is the real MC, the other is a sort of "side MC".

My bad, didn't put it into consideration.... Buuuut... you can always use those ideas for other works! Problem solved.

 

[J_Chemist]

My bad, didn't put it into consideration.... Buuuut... you can always use those ideas for other works! Problem solved.

How dare you tell me to do more work.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

How dare you tell me to do more work.

I was thinking of using my princess powers and order you to only use my examples, but I got lazy. Can't a princess be lazy??

 

[J_Chemist]

I was thinking of using my princess powers and order you to only use my examples, but I got lazy. Can't a princess be lazy??

Maybe if she's got a dumptruck booty and a rather large pair in the chest area. Otherwise, no.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Maybe if she's got a dumptruck booty and a rather large pair in the chest area. Otherwise, no.

 

[J_Chemist]

You asked.

 

[Theirl]

That's just a regular isekai. That's not a story with an isekai'd person as a side character uninvolved with the main cast.

He is the main cast.

well there is one the guy that run away to the montain well its a bit of a spoiler but

Spoiler: isekaid

he sister is a isekaid person and is a side character

 

[RepresentingWrath]

You asked.

 

[J_Chemist]

well there is one the guy that run away to the montain well its a bit of a spoiler but

Spoiler: isekaid

he sister is a isekaid person and is a side character

Hm, closer, but this is more focused on the Isekai being a side character. Not a main character in any sense. They are off doing their own thing, doing their own life, and the actual MC perceives them doing said activities. But we don't ever get a POV from the Isekai.