The novelty of seeing the world from an animal's perspective. For example, in 'Watership Down', we get to understand how rabbits view their world, their fears of predators and their search for a safe place. It's like entering a whole new world that we don't usually think about.
A great 'Reincarnated as an Animal' story is the one where a character is reincarnated as a deer. In the forest, this deer had to learn how to avoid predators like wolves and bears. It had to find the best grazing spots and became part of a herd. The deer learned about the changing seasons and how to migrate to better areas during winter. Another instance could be reincarnation as a fish. Swimming freely in the ocean, exploring coral reefs, and escaping from bigger fish were the daily adventures. Well, these stories often explore the different natures and experiences of various animals.
The character development. In 'Reincarnated as a Slime', the slime protagonist starts from being a weak creature and gradually becomes a powerful and respected leader. We see his growth in terms of power, knowledge, and relationships, which is very engaging.
A well - known'reincarnated as an animal novel' is 'Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH'. In this story, Mrs. Frisby, a mouse, has to deal with the challenges of protecting her family. The rats in the story were part of an experiment and have gained intelligence. Another example is 'The Jungle Book' by Rudyard Kipling, which shows the life of Mowgli, a human boy raised by wolves in the jungle among other animals.
The element of starting anew in a different world or life is exciting. It allows for unique adventures and growth that we don't get in our normal lives.
One way is by making the animal have an internal conflict. Say a human is reincarnated as a snake. The snake might struggle with its natural instinct to hunt and kill because the human part of it has moral objections. This creates an interesting character as it tries to find a balance. Also, authors can make the animal character form unique relationships. A reincarnated dog might befriend a group of outcast animals and together they form a sort of misfit family, which is a great way to build character.
The scientific facts. For example, in a good scientific animal novel, you can learn about an animal's unique hunting skills. This adds a sense of authenticity to the story.
The unique bond between humans and animals in a scifi context. For example, in a story where a person can communicate with alien animals through some high - tech device. It's fascinating to see how they interact and understand each other.
The unique perspectives of animals make animal mystery novels interesting. For example, in 'Watership Down', we see the world through the eyes of rabbits. Their instincts, social structures, and how they deal with threats create a sense of mystery. Also, the unknown elements in their habitats, like hidden dens or unexplored areas, add to the intrigue.
One popular one is 'So I'm a Spider, So What?'. It follows the story of a girl who is reincarnated as a spider in a dungeon. The novel details her struggles to survive and evolve in this new form.
A frequent theme is the use of prior gaming knowledge. The protagonist will use their understanding of game mechanics such as stats, leveling up, and strategy to their advantage in their new animal life. For instance, if reincarnated as a wolf, they might use strategies like those in RPGs to hunt more effectively. Another theme can be the exploration of a new world. As an animal, they explore areas that were inaccessible before and uncover secrets of the animal kingdom.