Since it became popular a bit over a decade ago, the isekai genre has continued to enjoy a massive fanbase in Japan and overseas. Now, it continues to be a hot topic, especially with isekai now being listed in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Recently, the Oxford English Dictionary added 23 Japanese words in its latest update (via The Guardian). Among these is isekai, showing just how popular the genre, and anime in general has become.
Isekai Is Now an Official Word in the Oxford English Dictionary
Of course, isekai is a real Japanese word that means “another world” or “different world” in English.
Among anime fans though, isekai is a popular sub-genre of fantasy that often features a protagonist getting transported into another world.
There are various types of isekai. There’s the more common isekai where a protagonist finds himself in a European fantasy-like world such as Re: Zero. Then there’s the MMORPG-inspired isekai such as Sword Art Online.
Of course, there are also reverse isekai titles such as The Devil is a Part-Timer, where fantasy characters are transported to Earth.
While not all these genres have proper names, the word isekai has now become so widely used that the Oxford English Dictionary has an entry for it.
The dictionary’s meaning for the word also aligns with its original Japanese meaning, though the definition is a bit more specific.
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What Does Isekai Mean in the Oxford English Dictionary?
Instead of being just a literal translation of the original Japanese meaning, Oxford’s definition of isekai is based on its use as an anime genre.
The official definition reads:
A Japanese genre of science or fantasy fiction featuring a protagonist who is transported to or reincarnated in a different, strange, or unfamiliar world.
Along with this definition, the dictionary entry also states that the word can be used to refer to an anime, manga, or video game in the genre. Plus, the word isekai is also listed to be a frequently used modifier.
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Fans React to Isekai’s ‘Official’ Meaning
The reactions from anime fans range from surprise to cheer, with many being happy about the word’s inclusion.
As for reactions to its dictionary definition, it seems that there are no negative reactions, though this makes sense given how accurate the definition is regarding how the word is used.
What did get some funny reactions were the other Japanese words and terms that were added, including fan service, tokusatsu, and mangaka.
Do you think other Japanese words should be added to the Oxford English Dictionary? Let us know if you have other words in mind in the comments.
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