UlasanAnime.com – The prevalence of slavery as a plot device in isekai web novels has become a significant topic of discussion, particularly with the rising popularity of series like “The Rising of the Shield Hero” among Western anime fans. This essay delves into the reasons behind this trend, exploring the author’s translation of an essay by Japanese author ε-(´???; ) titled “I Tried Thinking About the Common Isekai Slave Circumstances Realistically?”.
Why is slavery such a common plot device in isekai web novels? It?s something I?ve touched upon in earlier blog posts and Twitter threads, but it?s only become a big question within the last year or so, thanks to The Rising of the Shield Hero?s general popularity with the Western anime community. What was once a curious oddity within the light novel subculture has gotten much more visible now. And thanks to America?s fraught history with chattel slavery and persisting political issues regarding how that history is taught and remembered, isekai slavery is a more controversial topic there.
As a result of all the recent chatter, I became curious about why slavery became such a trend on Narou in the first place. I stumbled upon a story called 「普通に異世界奴隷事情について現実的に考えてみた」 (?I Tried Thinking About the Common Isekai Slave Circumstances Realistically?). It?s an essay/short story that explores the topic. I thought it was interesting so I reached out to the author ε-(´???; ) and obtained their permission to translate it. Here is the translation:
https://frogkun.com/2019/07/01/i-tried-thinking-about-the-common-isekai-slave-circumstances-realistically/
The discussion around slavery in isekai narratives offers a welcome, albeit somber, distraction from more immediate tragedies, such as the KyoAni fire. The author acknowledges the sensitive nature of the topic and the timing of the discussion, especially in relation to events like Anime Expo.
The author posits that the perception of slavery, whether chattel or otherwise, differs between Western and East Asian cultures. However, they argue that this distinction is secondary to the contemporary context in which these Japanese light novels are being written. The inclusion of slavery in these works can be seen as a modern interpretation, drawing from historical concepts to articulate the feelings and experiences of 21st-century individuals in Japan.
Furthermore, the essay suggests that the portrayal of slavery in many light novel adaptations leans towards a form of sexual slavery, often found in eroge. Even in cases where overt sexual exploitation isn’t the focus, the dynamic between enslaved individuals and their benevolent masters creates a space for viewers to inject sexuality. This is exemplified by the devotedness of characters like Raphtalia to her master in “Shield Hero,” a relationship that allows for varied interpretations of the master’s role.
You might also be interested in : Here are a few paraphrased titles in English, keeping the original meaning, avoiding excessive clickbait, maintaining a similar length, and not adding new entities, numbers, or years:
These fictional relationships, the author notes, are often ambiguous due to a lack of modern analogues or because their real-world counterparts are too grim for escapist fantasy. The core issue, akin to discussions surrounding the idol industry, is the continued existence of modern slavery, both chattel and sexual. The essay finds it disingenuous to incorporate such serious themes into light novels for reasons disparate from the reality of human trafficking.
The irony of isekai stories featuring slavery lies in the disconnect between the creators and consumers of these narratives and the reality of modern slavery. Terms like “human trafficking” are more commonly used today, suggesting a potential future where isekai narratives might engage with contemporary issues more directly, perhaps becoming a “transcendental brain meme.”
The author expresses a hopeful naivety that increased awareness of modern human trafficking, an issue Japan has been significantly involved in, could render the isekai slavery discussion less relevant. This parallels the author’s view on “idol” discussions in the West; a clearer understanding of real idol culture would prevent confusion with fictional portrayals. Similarly, knowledge of modern-day slavery could curb the tendency to confuse fantasy self-inserts and problematic signaling with the horrors of real-world exploitation.
The situation is described as “chilling,” as it highlights a societal inability to distinguish fact from fiction, often due to misinformation or willful ignorance. The author draws a parallel to the human trafficking issue in Japan, where impoverished youths are drawn into the sex trade due to lack of options. In these cases, systemic socioeconomic oppression replaces magical spells and metal chains, presenting a grim reality where even a “better life” in a poorer country is framed as an improvement, masking the underlying exploitation.
A postscript mentions the documentary “YOU wa nanishini nippon e” (Why Did You Come to Japan?), which interviews laborers under the TITP program, potentially shedding light on similar issues. Another postscript humorously suggests “Dr. Stone” could be considered an isekai. The final postscript revisits the prevalence of slavery in isekai, suggesting it may symbolize societal oppression. The author posits that while direct depictions of human trafficking might be too raw, “magical slavery” with kind masters offers a comfortable fantasy, mirroring the ideal of a supportive work environment. This concept extends to the desire to be the master rather than the subservient, positioning isekai slavery as a proxy for complex human relationships within the societal structure, re-imagined as “magical slavedom.”
