Over the past week, Japanese social media has been the scene of a heated debate over the unreality of medieval representations in isekai anime. Users questioned how these animes portray in an idealized and fantastical way a historical period that, in reality, was marked by extremely precarious and difficult conditions.

One of the most discussed points is the lack of hygiene in real medieval societies. Netizens point out that unlike isekai worlds where characters enjoy bathtubs and showers, the reality was very different. In medieval times, there were no bathtubs or showers, and people bathed in rivers only every few days.

The toilets were small, dark huts far from the villages, full of insects and with a rudimentary waste disposal system. Furthermore, oral hygiene was notoriously lacking, and it was common for most people to lose half of their teeth by the age of twenty. The diet was based on dehydrated or preserved foods, which tasted unpleasant and were often infested with insects, and which people ate without worrying.

Medical care in medieval times also leaves a lot to be desired compared to that in isekai anime. Internet users emphasize that there were very few doctors and that the medicine and treatments available were closer to witchcraft than to modern science.

As for laws, they were only effective in large cities and with authorities, while mysterious local rules prevailed in villages. There was no concept of equal human rights, and contracts and promises often involved risk to life. The authority of religion and nobility was so strong that any behavior considered taboo could result in torture or execution.

Economic conditions were also extremely harsh. Markets only opened once a month, forcing people to self-supply all their daily needs. Furthermore, there was no guarantee of the availability or authenticity of the desired products. There was no fixed price for goods, so every purchase had to be negotiated. Even money had to be carefully checked for weight and precious metal content before it was used.

In medieval society, literacy among commoners was virtually non-existent, which contrasts with the literate societies portrayed in many isekai anime (where they can even read and write). Water and firewood had to be collected daily and transported from long distances. There were no rules of etiquette and consideration, which led to frequent conflicts and frustrations.

Furthermore, guilds, which in the anime were often welcoming communities for adventurers, were in reality political and family-based organizations that rarely accepted new members. Slavery, often romanticized in anime, was prohibited by religion, and commoners lived as servants, with practically no rights. Travelers were constantly suspected of being thieves and faced distrust and hostility in each new village.

This debate has led many to reflect on the disparity between fiction and historical reality. While isekai anime continues to be a source of entertainment and escapism, it is important to acknowledge the harsh truths of the past and how they are often softened or ignored in fictional representations.

Source: Yaraon!