In this essay, Guest Writer Ash Mojica explores how the fantasy subgenre Isekai—defined by an everyday protagonist transitioning into a fantastical alternate world—has deep roots in manga, anime and classic female-led stories like Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. In these narratives, the physical journey between realms serves as a metaphor for the transitional phase of girlhood, placing young heroines at the center of monumental adventures. Read more now!