I have more mommy issues in that sense, but both my parents have a problematic relationship with me and tend to prefer my brother more so reading about loving families is a huge comfort to me, especially when the mc came from troubled past and gets reincarnated/transmigrated into said loving family. In other words, I can totally understand why they're so popular.
Am I the only one that reads these things just for the sole purpose that the story is an isekai? I don't care if it's romance, fantasy, modern, medieval, comedy, action, adventure or anything at all. I am just a sucker for isekais because I like seeing or reading how characters can adapt to the situation in a WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD. I also tend to imagine myself in many different situations like time traveling, dimension crossing, aliens and monsters etc. It's really fascinating xd
I'm in the same boat. Dad left when I was twelve, but that was more relief than anything. I've been lucky enough to have two amazing step dad's since then, but my initial trauma from bio-dad, and the death of my first step dad had definitely left me with some abandonment issues.
I enjoy these for all the same reasons others are.
Nothing wrong with that either, but technically this one isn't isekai. She's originally from this world and hasn't travelled to a different world at all. Unless you mean social-economically. Just saying.
Fantasy writing is always about fufilling, well, fantasies. That's what makes them so satisfying. Whether that's a desire for power, love, attention, novelty/adventure, or financial and emotional security, we project ourselves into the protagonists to fulfill those desires.
You can usually break down any story into these "goals" if you will. For instance most Shonens are complete power trips where an increase of strength solves all problems. Shoujo is usually more about gaining emotional security and attention from idealized men. Seinens and Josei are more complex and geared to a more complex audience with more complex desires.
You don't need to analyze it deeply to enjoy it though. I just wanted to comment about this particular niche raising in popularity. Keep loving reading. ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ノ~
I think it says something about society that fantasy manga about fathers actually caring about their daughters is becoming popular. Exactly what, I don't know, but it says something.
Like, the typical Shoujo is finding a powerful, handsome dude who'll love a plain girl forever just for being normal (or being too quirky, too whatever). Add whatever stage dressing to that as you please. (Fantasy prince, highs school elite, overbearing CEO, etc, etc) It's the usual drivel geared towards peeps insecurity of not being "good enough" to be loved. " Look, this plain secretary caught her dream boss's eye just because she bought mint ice cream every day! If she can be loved, some day maybe my prince charming will find me too!"
And that's fine. We all read fantasy as a way to feel good.
But this trend of "Powerful Daddy cares about me in a non-sexual way, and protects me even in a male dominated society." speaks to a different sort of insecurity. The fact that this resonates with so many readers is..... Well I have a lot of mixed feelings about it.
In one way, I'm glad that caring fathers is being represented in media. We need more heros and role models for young men that it's ok to show affection to your kids, especially daughters. And that you can be manly and powerful and still caring. It's not "effeminate" to care about children. That's how things get normalized. Through media like this. Even if this is more geared towards girls.
In another way, I find it disturbing that we need to turn to fantasies like this to fulfill that need for fatherly affection in our lives. It resonates so strongly because it's lacking in real life.
Thoughts? Opinions?