Individuality in Isekai

Re:Zero is an anime that focuses on an otaku named Subaru, or a person who consumes Japanese entertainment through manga and anime, who is depressed until suddenly, he gets instantly transported into another world. To him, this is just like what he read in the anime and manga where the main character would get all the girls and become very powerful. Rather than staying as a “nobody,” the main character would instantly become a “somebody” or an individual with achievements and power. While many would claim that Re:Zero translates well to the US because it is a breath of fresh air by going against the very saturated tropes of isekai, I would argue that it is actually because anime showcases how the main character gains his own individuality from his hard work through developing and finding his character rather than relying on some power that was magically given to him, a common trope found in most of the isekai genre. Don’t get me wrong, individuality is a common theme in almost every isekai that has been created, but this one in particular shows not only his struggles through his journey, but problems that have been brought over from his old world. In Japan, individuality is something that isn’t a big cultural value because they believe that fitting in is politer, however most of the US values the idea of individuality, which can be seen through branded objects, accessories, and stickers to make oneself different from others. Additionally, America has this whole idea of an “American Dream” where Americans would work hard to achieve their goal of a happy life, good housing, and a family. By combining both individuality and hard work, this anime is a perfect example of what Americans strive to do. Subaru, in his old world, wanted to just stay at home and be nonproductive, until he is forced to another world where he must work hard to protect those that he deems precious to him, or else they are all lost. With the only ability of “returning by death,” he has to rely on the power of others to achieve his goal while keeping his power a secret. Eventually, he is able to do all of this and begins to accumulate achievements, which in turn creates him into somebody who he’d never thought he would ever become.