A lot of modern top shows follow the urban fantasy principle: it's our world, but with an added layer of magic, mystery, or something supernatural in general. And there's a reason why authors decide to explore this concept instead of opting for the original worldbuilding — and why it is entertaining for us, the readers and viewers.
First, it's easier to create: you already have a real world as a basis, and all you have to do is spice it up. It helps authors spend less time honing the general lore and pour more energy into the tiniest details of what makes their interpretation of reality so special in comparison to the one we live in now. Also, it's easier to depict the existing locations and cities, easier to draw them, and get inspired by them (we're looking at Shibuya very closely, anticipating the approach of a certain arc of Jujutsu Kaisen).
Second, it makes the story more relatable. If characters, despite being able to level down the buildings with their kicks, are still frustrated by the prices in the supermarket, or still get stuck in the traffic, or still have to deal with the bureaucracy, we feel sorry for them and we consider them a bit more realistic and humane. The setting makes the story more immersive and the characters more natural.
Third, the contrast between our (supposedly) magicless world and the one conjured up in urban fantasy can shine a light on societal problems in a different way and make them more vivid. Through the prism of characters who are granted supernatural powers, ordinary life may seem not so ordinary, Chainsaw Man is a great example of that. Also, this contrast that the application of surreal stuff in the real world creates provides some humorous moments.
Most authors have a unique spin on the fantasy aspects of their worlds. The lore of Cardcaptor Sakura differs from the one in Monogatari series tremendously, Jojo's interpretation is truly bizarre, and K Project adds a bit of a sci-fi utopia vibe to the magical part, making it stand out.
This mix of innate relatability and contrasting magical elements in shows like these is what makes them interesting. While the basis of the world is similar and understandable, the details that make up the fantasy part are interesting to uncover with every new chapter or new episode, and that is what hooks the readers and viewers up.
It's almost like our reality, but not quite.
A lot of modern top shows follow the urban fantasy principle: it's our world, but with an added layer of magic, mystery, or something supernatural in general. And there's a reason why authors decide to explore this concept instead of opting for the original worldbuilding — and why it is entertaining for us, the readers and viewers.
First, it's easier to create: you already have a real world as a basis, and all you have to do is spice it up. It helps authors spend less time honing the general lore and pour more energy into the tiniest details of what makes their interpretation of reality so special in comparison to the one we live in now. Also, it's easier to depict the existing locations and cities, easier to draw them, and get inspired by them (we're looking at Shibuya very closely, anticipating the approach of a certain arc of Jujutsu Kaisen).
Second, it makes the story more relatable. If characters, despite being able to level down the buildings with their kicks, are still frustrated by the prices in the supermarket, or still get stuck in the traffic, or still have to deal with the bureaucracy, we feel sorry for them and we consider them a bit more realistic and humane. The setting makes the story more immersive and the characters more natural.
Third, the contrast between our (supposedly) magicless world and the one conjured up in urban fantasy can shine a light on societal problems in a different way and make them more vivid. Through the prism of characters who are granted supernatural powers, ordinary life may seem not so ordinary, Chainsaw Man is a great example of that. Also, this contrast that the application of surreal stuff in the real world creates provides some humorous moments.
Most authors have a unique spin on the fantasy aspects of their worlds. The lore of Cardcaptor Sakura differs from the one in Monogatari series tremendously, Jojo's interpretation is truly bizarre, and K Project adds a bit of a sci-fi utopia vibe to the magical part, making it stand out.
This mix of innate relatability and contrasting magical elements in shows like these is what makes them interesting. While the basis of the world is similar and understandable, the details that make up the fantasy part are interesting to uncover with every new chapter or new episode, and that is what hooks the readers and viewers up.
