No More Isekai

[Macha]

As of 11 December 2025, all reincarnation processes must comply with Chinese laws and receive approval from Beijing. This has had a devastating impact on the isekai genre.

Authors are now required to submit detailed paperwork explaining the metaphysical mechanism of rebirth, the ideological alignment of the new world, and whether the protagonist’s cheat skills contribute to long-term social harmony.

Any main character seeking reincarnation must first obtain CCP authorization. Unauthorized truck-kun incidents are strictly prohibited.

These regulations apply only to reincarnation. If the protagonist is summoned, teleported, or accidentally sucked through a glowing portal, no approval is required.

 

[Cipiteca396]

The sad part is that I can't tell if this is real, a joke, or satire.

 

[Envylope]

Ah shucks, Mickey. That's quite the conundrum there...I'll fuckin' do it again, hyuck.

 

[Eldoria]

The local protagonist smiles, sitting cross-legged while enjoying tea.

 

[Woolen_Monkey]

Truck-kun is going through a rough patch now. Heard he can’t even afford to get a new windshield.

 

[Alski]

Why use THAT CCP when you can use Crowd Control Productions(CCP), they make games and understand you better.

 

[AliceMoonvale]

One of the MANY things I don't like about the Chinese government tbh.
For chinese dramas I watch, since 2021 I think, they started cracking down on reincarnation, historical narratives and 'gender' preservation.
The censorship is insanity.

 

[Racosharko]

 

[Louhi]

One of the MANY things I don't like about the Chinese government tbh.
For chinese dramas I watch, since 2021 I think, they started cracking down on reincarnation, historical narratives and 'gender' preservation.
The censorship is insanity.

I miss watching something like Ruyi or Yanxi. Now they only allowed it if has core socialist values and positive energy.

 

[AliceMoonvale]

I miss watching something like Ruyi or Yanxi. Now they only allowed it if has core socialist values and positive energy.

I loved both of those. New dramas barely hit anymore, but at least some purely fantasy ones do.

 

[CinnaSloth]

I believe this old meme is appropriate here.

 

[JayMark]

I have to inform the Chinese characters in my isekai that they aren't in compliance and are legally required to go back to their old lives.

 

[Macha]

The sad part is that I can't tell if this is real, a joke, or satire.

You decide.

 

[triflight]

You decide.

Here's the article link without a paywall:

Panchen Lama says reincarnation must follow Chinese laws, be endorsed…

archived 11 Dec 2025 03:36:48 UTC

archive.ph

More about the specific law here:

State Religious Affairs Bureau Order No. 5 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

China passed this law in 2007 and it's officially titled: "Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism."

In Tibetan Buddhism, spiritual leaders (most famously the Dalai Lama) are believed to be reincarnated into a young child after death. Upon their death, many rituals are carried out to find the reincarnated individual and allow them to inherit the position. The purpose of this law is to restrict who can be selected as the next Dalai Lama or other spiritual leaders, essentially making it so that only those approved by China's government can be leaders of the faith.

For those unaware, Tibet is an autonomous region in China, similar to Hong Kong in governance, and religion is a big deal there. The current Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, is currently in exile in India after China put down an armed uprising in Tibet in 1959.

Here's the crucial details: the current Dalai Lama is 90 and is preparing for his eventual death and subsequent reincarnation. The Dalai Lama recently said that his office alone would have the power to select the next Dalai Lama. Subsequently, the Panchen Lama (the 2nd highest leader after the Dalai Lama) stated that reincarnated living Buddhas (which the Dalai Lama and other are considered) "must be identified within China and approved by the central government."

Why is this happening: In 1995, the 11th Panchen Lama was reincarnated. The Dalai Lama acknowledged a certain candidate while China's government recognized a different candidate. The Dalai Lama's candidate has not been seen in public since then although China says he's living a normal life and has graduated university. China's candidate serves as the current Panchen Lama and also in China's government.

That's basically why this law exists and what's happening now. It might be a haha funny moment to say it's illegal to reincarnate in China but there's a reason!

(Isekai authors can breathe a sign of relief as unless their characters are living Buddhas that are being reincarnated, they are unaffected by this law)

 

[NotaNuffian]

To be fair, I thought @Macha is on a Thanos quest to snap all of isekai works in SHF to dust due to its insipid, repetitive genre revolving door policies.

Also the policy only affects the Chinese Buddhism, so it's all good.

One of the MANY things I don't like about the Chinese government tbh.
For chinese dramas I watch, since 2021 I think, they started cracking down on reincarnation, historical narratives and 'gender' preservation.
The censorship is insanity.

Next thing you will hear the CCP scream "FOR THE PRESERVATION OF OUR GREAT MAINLAND!!!" as they send volleys of nukes, digital first, physical maybe.

 

[Radek]

It is a LOCAL law, NOT international one.
So it should ONLY apply to Chinese living in China and Chinese owned companies/sites.

So (I believe only) webnovel (where if you compare prices with paper books (if you want to binge read something) it will be more expensive + filled with advertisings) will be affected and Chinese (if caught, because they would need to share where they live) authors.

Post title like from a news website, misleading, baiting and having wrong information...



Law is more likely aimed at Japan to minimize influence of their authors main genre of writing. Let's not forget about Asian triangle of hate (Japan, China and Korea).

 

[Leti]

To be fair, I thought @Macha is on a Thanos quest to snap all of isekai works in SHF to dust due to its insipid, repetitive genre revolving door policies.

She is doing Sailus's work.

 

[NotaNuffian]

She is doing Sailus's work.

I miss the wrath rep.

 

[Louhi]

I loved both of those. New dramas barely hit anymore, but at least some purely fantasy ones do.

Most new dramas are the same. Only the character names are different.

 

[HotConsensualSalt]

As of 11 December 2025, all reincarnation processes must comply with Chinese laws and receive approval from Beijing. This has had a devastating impact on the isekai genre.

Authors are now required to submit detailed paperwork explaining the metaphysical mechanism of rebirth, the ideological alignment of the new world, and whether the protagonist’s cheat skills contribute to long-term social harmony.

Any main character seeking reincarnation must first obtain CCP authorization. Unauthorized truck-kun incidents are strictly prohibited.

These regulations apply only to reincarnation. If the protagonist is summoned, teleported, or accidentally sucked through a glowing portal, no approval is required.

I'm not even finna lie; the prospect of "no more isekai" filled me with a distinct, pervasive glee. Then i read the article and had a real "yes but no, not like this" monkey's paw moment. Real rollercoaster of emotions here at 0430