WASEI-EIGO IN ISEKAI MANGA

Abstract

This thesis examines the role of English-derived loanwords, particularly wasei-eigo ‘Japanese-made English’, in game isekai manga, through a qualitative analysis of Shangri-La Frontier volumes 1-3 and interviews with native Japanese speakers. It explores how these words or constructions contribute to genre identity, linguistic creativity, and cultural hybridity. Findings show that wasei-eigo is used to enhance immersion and express modernity, often used for their differences in nuance and connotations as well as for creative wordplay. The study also reveals blurred boundaries between wasei-eigo and other loanwords among speakers, suggesting a flexible, context-driven understanding. Ultimately, wasei-eigo is found to function as a creative linguistic resource central to the identity of this manga subgenre.