The 'Native Isekai' meme highlights a shift in the popular anime genre where protagonists aren't transported from Earth but are natural-born inhabitants who possess the overpowered traits, knowledge, or RPG mechanics typical of Isekai heroes. This trope gained traction as viewers began noticing characters who felt like they belonged in a 'portal fantasy' despite being locals. It is frequently used to satirize the predictability of modern fantasy writing, the 'stat-screen' obsession, and the 'Main Character Energy' that makes certain heroes feel like they are playing a video game in their own reality.