Isekai'd Side Characters

Theirl

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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.
but how will u know that said person is isekaid? if the person in question dont admit? like out of nowhere someone invent coca cola and there is a chapter of the mc going to on a date to this new place that sell this knew frizli drink called coca?
 

J_Chemist

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but how will u know that said person is isekaid? if the person in question dont admit? like out of nowhere someone invent coca cola and there is a chapter of the mc going to on a date to this new place that sell this knew frizli drink called coca?
Exactly. We as the externals, the readers, will immediately recognize the Isekai. The name. The look. The personality. The way they interact with the world. The things they do and the things they say. We will know they are an outside influence to the world, but the Main Cast will think them to be something akin to a monster or alien. They know this person was summoned or appeared out of nowhere, depending on the story chosen, but they don't know where they came from or the depth of their knowledge.

And, to top it off, while it is important to the world and the story, the Main Cast don't loiter with the character or give them the googly eyes that maybe the host nation gave them. The Main Cast just sees them as spare parts, or as just another adventurer with big dreams and their mind in the clouds compared to the reality of the world.

Or, as myself and Gebel sort of discussed- they might make that Coca Cola you mentioned and the Main Cast come across it, think it an odd item, and somehow come across the Isekai later on. Maybe they need something from the Isekai to aid them in their journey, or maybe the Isekai approaches them.

The Isekai does not take center stage at any point. While in their own bubble off screen they might be important, but to the MC and his allies, the Isekai is just another name on a supporting list of characters they will come across in their journey.
 

Theirl

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Exactly. We as the externals, the readers, will immediately recognize the Isekai. The name. The look. The personality. The way they interact with the world. The things they do and the things they say. We will know they are an outside influence to the world, but the Main Cast will think them to be something akin to a monster or alien. They know this person was summoned or appeared out of nowhere, depending on the story chosen, but they don't know where they came from or the depth of their knowledge.

And, to top it off, while it is important to the world and the story, the Main Cast don't loiter with the character or give them the googly eyes that maybe the host nation gave them. The Main Cast just sees them as spare parts, or as just another adventurer with big dreams and their mind in the clouds compared to the reality of the world.

Or, as myself and Gebel sort of discussed- they might make that Coca Cola you mentioned and the Main Cast come across it, think it an odd item, and somehow come across the Isekai later on. Maybe they need something from the Isekai to aid them in their journey, or maybe the Isekai approaches them.

The Isekai does not take center stage at any point. While in their own bubble off screen they might be important, but to the MC and his allies, the Isekai is just another name on a supporting list of characters they will come across in their journey.
so u want to use isekai to suplement the world building so that u can bring more recent moral dilemas and topics without breaking the reader imersion?
 

J_Chemist

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i suport that no one would see that coming
It depends on the creative writing. While they would not die right away, if they die at all as I always leave it up to possibility on how I want to swing things, they would have enough of an impact to warrant plenty of screen time before either getting merc'd or the Main Cast moves on to do other things. While the Isekai also goes off to do their own thing.
 

laccoff_mawning

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If we have an Isekaied character, I feel like he should be special- The hero (Not protagonist, hero). If he Isn't, why would people go to all the effort of summoning him? Sure, we could say it was just a waste of time and it didn't work out, but then, it feels incomplete. Pointless, even. Again, Why go to the effort of introducing him as a summoned character, when you could just make him a hero from the normal world? I don't like pointless things.

In short, Making summoned characters incompetent simply because they aren't the MC of the story leaves a somewhat bad taste in my mouth. Its a very nihilist idea.

As such, I do not think this idea would work if the protagonist in the story out-does the summoned hero. The summoned hero must be special.

So, if we want to make a story in which the summoned hero appears as a side character, possibilities are:
- A "superhero" who saves the day when the protagonist is in mortal danger (Ie, the entire town is about to be destroyed or something and the local residents including mc have held out as long as they could)
- A distant hero who's achivements of killing the demon lord (or whatever he did) caused global changes,
-A comedic relief chuuny character who nobody believes is overpowered but is actually overpowered and does actually save people.

Another possibility would be that there are many people from another world, and the story is more about how a native of that world tries to navigate around all these summoned individuals. for example, a guild receptionist trying to deal with the aftermath of whatever crazy stunt op summoned person pulled.

If he isn't being summoned into the world, then I'm thinking something along the lines of a cultivation story's "3000 realms" or whatever, in which the characters falls into the world due to some battle between mighty beings, and he needs to just try and survive in some way.

But I guess all I really want to say is...
I want to bring in an Isekai character to kill them in a spectacular way.
Unless he's dying to save the world, no. Bad idea. Needs longer in the oven.
 

J_Chemist

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If we have an Isekaied character, I feel like he should be special- The hero (Not protagonist, hero). If he Isn't, why would people go to all the effort of summoning him? Sure, we could say it was just a waste of time and it didn't work out, but then, it feels incomplete. Pointless, even. Again, Why go to the effort of introducing him as a summoned character, when you could just make him a hero from the normal world? I don't like pointless things.

In short, Making summoned characters incompetent simply because they aren't the MC of the story leaves a somewhat bad taste in my mouth. Its a very nihilist idea.

As such, I do not think this idea would work if the protagonist in the story out-does the summoned hero. The summoned hero must be special.

So, if we want to make a story in which the summoned hero appears as a side character, possibilities are:
- A "superhero" who saves the day when the protagonist is in mortal danger (Ie, the entire town is about to be destroyed or something and the local residents including mc have held out as long as they could)
- A distant hero who's achivements of killing the demon lord (or whatever he did) caused global changes,
-A comedic relief chuuny character who nobody believes is overpowered but is actually overpowered and does actually save people.

Another possibility would be that there are many people from another world, and the story is more about how a native of that world tries to navigate around all these summoned individuals. for example, a guild receptionist trying to deal with the aftermath of whatever crazy stunt op summoned person pulled.

If he isn't being summoned into the world, then I'm thinking something along the lines of a cultivation story's "3000 realms" or whatever, in which the characters falls into the world due to some battle between mighty beings, and he needs to just try and survive in some way.

But I guess all I really want to say is...
I agree and never have otherwise disagreed- the Isekai needs to be special in some way. Hence why he stands out. While not an integral person to the plot itself, as the story will not derail because of their existence by any means, nerfing them and making them rather useless is a waste of a character. The Isekai needs to be an individual capable of Main Character antics. Whether they are skilled in battle or otherwise skilled in the support-role (like being able to make grand things or develop them).

However, they do not need a front row position like the Super Hero role. That steals from our MC and the Main Cast. Their existence should be supplemental, not distracting. Otherwise the readers will say "well, then why not shift to that guy?" Because while the Isekai is special, their snowflake nature only makes them unique and stand out.

I do like the idea of maybe saving the Main Cast in some capacity, this could be utilized as a sort of catalyst for either companionship or interaction. The Isekai off in their own part of the world, making a name for themselves, only to stumble across the Main Cast by happenstance and helps them through a tough spot. Then, seeing individuals with similar strength or maybe even contrasting ideals, attempts to join the Main Cast to achieve their own goals or try to apply influence to the Main Cast in some way.

The other two options are not viable. The "Demon Lord" in this instance is already hooked on the Main Male Lead and technically isn't even on the playable board yet, though they do exist. The Isekai will never see this individual or fight with them. It's not their role. As for the Chuuni- no. I'll throw them into a hole.

The idea is to find the niche way to keep the Isekai in the secondary role without wasting their ability. As I can see from examples provided, it's a difficult game to play, and as you actually point out (and some others), it can turn into a massive waste of a character/trope. And that is precisely why I'm asking and happy for the response.

We all have different views on how the Isekai should be treated. And I've already learned much even from the dissidents to the idea of making him a lesser force in the plotline.

Unless he's dying to save the world, no. Bad idea. Needs longer in the oven.
Reckon that there is driven by the previous desire to make him special.

Death remains on the table. The Isekai can die and will die if the opportunity is given, because the Isekai isn't a special snowflake. They're just another individual with additional abilities. Making them a shining, unkillable beacon is stupid and the trope needs to die. Don't remain narrow in the idea that someone who got merc'd in a past life can't get merc'd a second time, because I'll make it happen lickety-split and without remorse and have him killed by a feral Kobold. I've done something similar to a character before and I'll do it again. No shame.
 

laccoff_mawning

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I suppose the main problem Is that I'm thinking of story concepts, while you are thinking more of adding it into an existing story, and so I guess a lot of care is needed in how to put one in nicely. Ok, one more thought:

One important thing about the Isekai topic is, of course, why/how they were summoned in the first place, with that:
The idea is to find the niche way to keep the Isekai in the secondary role without wasting their ability.
So here, I suggest the idea of the isekaied person having a goal they need to fulfill? If their arrival was "accidental", I guess they would become a scholar looking for a way home.

If it were deliberate (say, a fairy/magical being summoned them), then they would have a specific goal to fulfill. When they fulfill that goal, they would return to their world. That way, provided the MC and the summoned character's goal don't have too much in common, there is no reason to stick them close to the MC.

Also,
like out of nowhere someone invent coca cola
This is genius. Why have an action isekai character when you can have a slow-life isekai character? :3
 

J_Chemist

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I suppose the main problem Is that I'm thinking of story concepts, while you are thinking more of adding it into an existing story, and so I guess a lot of care is needed in how to put one in nicely. Ok, one more thought:

One important thing about the Isekai topic is, of course, why/how they were summoned in the first place, with that:

So here, I suggest the idea of the isekaied person having a goal they need to fulfill? If their arrival was "accidental", I guess they would become a scholar looking for a way home.

If it were deliberate (say, a fairy/magical being summoned them), then they would have a specific goal to fulfill. When they fulfill that goal, they would return to their world. That way, provided the MC and the summoned character's goal don't have too much in common, there is no reason to stick them close to the MC.
Indeed, the reason behind their summoning is crucial. Whether it be accidental or on purpose, the why is also important. I do like that you brought it up. The idea I had was to incorporate the "Demon Lord" who's sleeping as a reason. I.e; the monsters/minions are cropping up again and the nation needs the help of an external Hero to combat them. But, that's boring. Simple and straight forward, easy to implement, but stale. There's no depth and it's been beaten into the dirt.

A scholar who is looking for a way back, however, adds potential for foolery. Maybe it was by accident that they transplanted, or a God's mistake. There's also another detail I've been withholding that could align with this, and now I'm quite keen on making it happen...

But you have caught on to the key part: there's no need to have the Isekai stick around. They are meant to be a background force. A passing gale of wind that appears, makes themselves known, then either dies or continues on off screen. Their presence is continued to be felt but there is no focus on them directly. Occasional updates on them raiding some castle or fighting some large monster are easy examples of how to make that shtick work.

:blob_hmm_two: Hm... Now we're making bread rise.

Also,

This is genius. Why have an action isekai character when you can have a slow-life isekai character? :3
This would, again, depend on the type of support individual they are. It'd be easy to slot such a character in and then take them out, since they're naturally planted in one place, but it is rather 2 dimensional in that aspect as well. Making this sort of character an Isekai is worthless since the Trope doesn't get used effectively. If they're a support-role Isekai, then they need to have some kind of heavy influence. The idea of having them invent something culinary based would work more as a side story, not something integral to the plot.

The randomness of their appearance can also be integral to their character, but I would rather them not just pop in like some assassin showing up in the night. I want them to be felt, or at least noticed. It doesn't have to be a huge impact but something subtle. Like the creation and spreading of candy all of a sudden, or yes, the appearance of cola in some restaurants.
 

NotaNuffian

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No, the MC is not a mob. The side character is the isekaid character. Like you have a typical Fantasy MC (not isekai), and the story is told from their perspective. However, they run into a random bartender (or other thing), and that guy is from Earth.
Oh.

So typical isekai but with the added meeting with "folks from hometown"?

You might as well throw in the "multi-earths" BS at this point, like what they usually does.
N-Nota. :sweating_profusely: What?

As Envy said, it's a regular fantasy novel. Characters are typical adventurers with some of their own backstories and they're going on their adventure/journey. The plot is moving along and then word starts going around about some Hero or powerful Adventurer who cropped up and is now making waves with their exploits. That Hero/Powerful entity is the isekai'd person. But, the story doesn't revolve around them. They're just another side character that pops up every now and again because of some wack-o out of this world accomplishment, but the MC and the party continue on their own plot.

Or, also as Envy said, the main party comes across this random character that seems or is entirely out of place. Turns out they got Isekai'd and are now in the MC's world. Just doing their own thing, living their best (or worst) life.
So a storyline with multiple plot lines.

Good luck juggling and seeimg how they intertwine.
 
D

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Oh.

So typical isekai but with the added meeting with "folks from hometown"?

You might as well throw in the "multi-earths" BS at this point, like what they usually does.

So a storyline with multiple plot lines.

Good luck juggling and seeimg how they intertwine.
No, not the typical isekai. The story isn't an isekai! Only the side character was isekaid. Not the MC. The MC is from that world.
 
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