RESULTS: Are Mario and Michael Jordan Isekai Protagonists? See How You Voted!
Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment
After asking all of you, we now have factual statistics on what non-anime media we should consider an Isekai or not. A big thank you to the over 1,100 voters who chimed in for this poll! Let’s dive in and check out what’s now an Isekai and what piece of media isn’t transported to another world.
Space Jam
77% Isekai/23% Not An Isekai
Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment
In the world of basketball, there are a lot of debates on who is the Greatest of All Time. One of the top candidates for that is, of course, Michael Jordan. Which now begs the question: Do we have to consider MJ in the conversation of best Isekai protagonists, too? Anyway, congratulations to Michael Jordan on now being an Isekai character!
The Wizard of Oz
84% Isekai/16% Not An Isekai
Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment
One of the earliest well-known forms of Western movie media that truly dabbled into the Isekai genre, it’s no surprise you would vote The Wizard of Oz as an Isekai. It would be interesting to see the reasoning of those who said no, so if that was you, sound off down below in the comments on why you don’t think it’s an Isekai. Regardless, Dorothy is gonna wear her red slippers into the world of the Isekai genre.
Final Fantasy X
42% Isekai/58% Not An Isekai
Image via Nintendo
This was perhaps the first surprise result of the poll as I was certain more people would vote yes on Final Fantasy X. There’s definitely an argument to be made both ways. That all hinges on what you think of how Tidus goes from Zanarkand to Spira and if that’s within the laws of Isekai or not. I’d personally say yes, but the majority of you say no, so sorry Tidus, you don’t get to be in an Isekai.
Tron
60% Isekai/40% Not An Isekai
Image via Disney Plus
When you think traditionally about what we expect from Isekais, the world characters end up in is often in the fantasy realm, whereas Tron goes in a different direction and lets you dive into a computer. But that still fits the idea of what an Isekai can be! So, the next time you hop into your own computer, you too can be an Isekai character!
The Chronicles of Narnia
83% Isekai/17% Not An Isekai
Image via Amazon
Between all of the books and movies, this is another series that seems like a lay up when it comes to determining if it’s an Isekai or not. These kids love being transported into the world of Narnia and have for nearly 100 years now. As do a lot of the fans of this series, given the popularity it’s maintained for decades. If you find yourself dealing with a lion, a witch, and/or a wardrobe anytime soon, just know you’re about to hop into an Isekai.
Lost
9% Isekai/91% Not An Isekai
Image via Hulu
OK, I’ll be real with all of you. I highly suspected this would get a resounding “no” when I included it in the list. However, I applaud the 9 percent of you who voted “yes” because it would’ve been very humorous if we could add Isekai to the list of how Lost is a wild and weird television series. For now though, Lost will have to exist outside of the Isekai spectrum on its own island.
Kirby and the Forgotten Land
60% Isekai/40% Not An Isekai
Image via Nintendo
Everyone’s favorite pink ball, Kirby’s latest adventure saw him get yoinked from his normal world and transported to a new world called, well, New World. Which is a pretty typical starting point for an Isekai. After all, where else is Kirby going to run into things such as old cars, big traffic cones, or vending machines? If nothing else, it’s hard to argue that Kirby isn’t the most wholesome Isekai protagonist now.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
80% Isekai/20% Not An Isekai
Image via Penguin Random House
Another classic story you could certainly say is a big archetype for the Isekai genre as a whole. The book that would go on to see countless adaptations under the Alice in Wonderland title, the story has certainly become a very famous example of what happens when you wake up in another land. So, let’s all go hang out with some giant playing cards and a weird looking cat in a funky new world.
Dragon Quest III
42% Isekai/58% Not An Isekai
Image via Nintendo
Dragon Quest III is a strange one to consider as it’s not a game where you spend most of the game in a different world, but near the end you go to a Dark World and end up finding items from the first Dragon Quest to help you. You could certainly argue that it’s an Isekai, but it’s also easy to see why someone might think it doesn’t fit the criteria. Maybe that HD-2D remake will shed more light on this debate in the near future.
The Neverending Story
65% Isekai/35% Not An Isekai
Image via Warner Bros. Entertainment
What happens when you’re reading a book and realize the characters know you’re reading their story and that begins to influence the story? Well, that’s when you get a story that never ends, of course. I mean, if I can get transported into the world of a book and it also has a banger theme song that accompanies it, sign me up to get transported there right away!
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers
55% Isekai/45% Not An Isekai
Image via Square Enix
Arguably the best expansion for the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, Shadowbringers saw the Warrior of Light get transported to the First, a world that had been split from the Source. It’s certainly a strange, yet familiar world with similar concepts, but it’s own set of problems for you to deal with. Plus, you can also say this gets another Isekai on top of it when you factor in that characters from the NieR series find their way into Final Fantasy XIV through this expansion. So much Isekai to go around!
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
70% Isekai/30% Not An Isekai
Image via Tubi
That Mario fella has been in the news a lot lately. Seems people are really animated about him currently! This quiz took it way back to one of his first animated appearances in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! where each episode sees former pro wrestler Captain Lou Albano as Mario go to the Mushroom Kingdom, through the use of pipes, of course. If anything, between Kirby and now Mario, I think we’re learning that Nintendo is just chock full of Isekai protagonists.
There you have it, the new (un)official Isekais that can be added to your fantasy world collection! Just be careful not to fall into another world yourself or you might become the next Isekai protagonist!
Are there any decisions here you disagree with? Why did you vote the way you did? Let me know in the comments!
Jared Clemons is a writer and podcaster for Seasonal Anime Checkup and author of One Shining Moment: A Critical Analysis of Love Live! Sunshine!!. He can be found on Twitter @ragbag.
