Anime’s Worst Genre is Dying (& That Could Be a Good Thing)

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I’ve been watching anime, manga, and light novels for years, and for the last decade, one genre has completely dominated everything. It’s been incredibly popular and successful, gaining a huge fanbase – and a lot of people who really dislike it! But lately, I’m noticing a shift. It feels like the reign of that particular genre might be coming to an end, which is good news for those of us who were getting a little tired of it.

A new report indicates that sales of isekai stories have dropped considerably in the last year. This isn’t just a temporary dip – it looks like audiences are losing interest in the genre. While many isekai stories still exist, this could create issues for anime studios considering adaptations, as demand appears to be fading.

One of the Most Controversial Anime Genres is Dying the Death

Kadokawa, a large Japanese media company known for anime, manga, and video games, recently announced its yearly earnings. The report revealed a significant downturn in sales, which the company blames on focusing too much on familiar and previously successful content instead of trying new things.

Isekai and similar light novel styles have become so popular that they’ve overshadowed other types of stories, leading Kadokawa to focus heavily on them. To address this imbalance, Kadokawa announced it will revamp its publishing strategy, being more careful about which books it chooses to publish and turn into anime.

Many viewers have been waiting for a change, as the ‘isekai’ genre has attracted almost as much criticism as it has fans. A common complaint about recent anime, manga, and light novels is that they often rely on tired tropes and shallow power fantasies that all feel very similar.

The main characters are all unusually gifted, easily overcoming any challenge they face, which predictably attracts a lot of romantic attention. However, these characters are quite flat and feel very much alike, and the stories take place in a typical, uninspired medieval fantasy setting with little unique detail.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing about isekai stories is their reliance on the ‘reincarnation’ idea, which often feels pointless. It makes you wonder why these stories aren’t just standard fantasy tales without the need for the isekai element at all. And with the return of strong, traditional fantasy manga and anime – like Delicious in Dungeon, for example – isekai stories actually seem weaker in comparison.

Kadokawa seems poised to potentially move the industry beyond its current fascination with isekai stories. But it’s still unclear what new trend will take its place.

What’s the Next Big Thing in Anime?

Even if Kadokawa produces fewer isekai stories, other companies might continue to release them. This could lead to audience fatigue, as there are still many isekai works in development. Some companies will likely try to maximize profits from existing projects, which could ultimately harm the isekai genre as a whole.

I’ve noticed a lot of people are getting tired of the ‘isekai’ genre, but it’s hard to say what will take its place. It doesn’t seem like anything new is really stepping up to fill the void just yet.

These works are likely popular because they follow many of the same patterns as other successful fantasy reincarnation anime, giving them a lot of potential for success. Battle shonen anime and manga have been the most defining and popular form of these media since the 1990s.

While this type of story is still expected to be the most popular, several major action series like Jujutsu Kaisen have recently finished. So far, nothing has quite stepped up to fill the void. Kaiju No. 8 was promoted as a potential successor, but it hasn’t had quite the same impact.

The anime and manga world currently faces some significant gaps. As the popularity of isekai stories begins to decline, it may be up to established, long-running series to regain prominence and support the industry.

Cyberpunk is Always There When in Need

Cyberpunk anime was incredibly popular in the 80s and 90s, and the first Ghost in the Shell anime film is a classic example. Now, with a new Ghost in the Shell anime on the way and the hit series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, this futuristic style of animation could be entering a new era of popularity.

I’m really excited about the potential for a huge mecha anime comeback! It feels like the genre is gaining serious momentum in the 2020s. And speaking of classics, Neon Genesis Evangelion is still unbelievably popular – it’s amazing how it continues to get new life and projects even decades after it first aired!

One of the biggest benefits of mecha anime for studios is the strong demand for related merchandise like collectibles and model kits – these are far more common than similar items for isekai shows. As the anime and manga industries look for new trends beyond isekai, it’s important for publishers and studios to learn from past successes and avoid repeating mistakes.

Many Western fans recall a slump in the late 2000s when anime and manga became much less popular and sales dropped sharply. This happened because too much content was released too quickly, with companies trying to bring over and translate everything they could, believing anything would be a hit.

We could easily see this happen again, considering the sheer number of unoriginal, formulaic isekai anime still being produced with the hope of finding the next big hit. To keep the anime industry interesting and prevent burnout, Kadokawa and other companies should be more selective and avoid trying to force every anime into a major trend.

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2026-05-23 17:43