everyone else is a returnee

2 min read 16-01-2025

The isekai genre, a staple of Japanese fantasy literature and anime, thrives on a core premise: a protagonist from our world is transported to a fantastical realm. But what if that premise is flipped? What if everyone else is the returnee, and our protagonist is the truly unique one? This intriguing concept offers a fertile ground for compelling narratives, subverting expectations and exploring fascinating themes.

The Familiar Stranger: A Unique Perspective

The "everyone else is a returnee" trope is a refreshing twist on the typical isekai formula. Instead of the protagonist being the fish out of water, they are the one surrounded by individuals who are already adapted to, and often exploiting, the magical world. This creates a unique dynamic, forcing the protagonist to navigate a society shaped by the experiences and agendas of those who have already "returned."

The Returnee Society: A World Built on Past Lives

Imagine a world where common knowledge includes concepts like "level grinding," "status windows," and the intricacies of various magic systems. The established social order, politics, and even economies might be fundamentally shaped by the collective memories and skills of countless returnees. This creates opportunities for rich world-building, exploring how the influx of individuals with prior knowledge alters the course of history.

Challenges and Opportunities for the "Original"

This unconventional setup presents several narrative challenges for the protagonist. They might struggle to understand the world's nuances, constantly facing subtle social cues and established power structures built upon the returnees' shared experiences. They'll be the outsider, even in a world filled with outsiders.

However, this also offers unique opportunities. The protagonist's "naivety" could be their greatest strength. Free from the ingrained biases and assumptions of the returnees, they can offer fresh perspectives, challenge the status quo, and perhaps even discover hidden truths about the world and the returnees themselves.

Subversions and Explorations

This trope lends itself to various subversions of traditional isekai narratives:

The Power Dynamic: Instead of the protagonist gaining power through leveling up, they might use their unique perspective and unburdened mind to outmaneuver the returnees. This could lead to political intrigue, social commentary, or even a thrilling game of wits.
The Mystery of the Isekai: The very nature of the isekai and the return process might be a mystery, with the protagonist's unique position giving them access to clues and secrets hidden from the returnees.
The Ethical Quandaries: The returnees may have exploited the world for their own gain, creating ethical conflicts for the protagonist to grapple with. Do they expose their secrets? Do they join them, or fight against them?

Examples in Popular Culture

While not explicitly labeled as "everyone else is a returnee," several works hint at this concept. Many stories subtly introduce characters with seemingly innate knowledge of fantastical elements, suggesting a past experience beyond the narrative's immediate scope. Analyzing these examples can help us understand the nuances and potential of this captivating trope.

Conclusion: A New Frontier in Isekai

The "everyone else is a returnee" trope offers a significant departure from the typical isekai formula. By inverting the established power dynamic and exploring the unique challenges faced by the "original," this concept allows for engaging narratives that question established tropes and explore deeper themes of identity, society, and the impact of the past on the present. This is undoubtedly a fertile area for future exploration within the ever-evolving landscape of the isekai genre.