J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has cast a long shadow over fantasy for over seven decades. From elves and dwarves to epic quests and ancient prophecies, Middle-earth's fingerprints are everywhere—in books, movies, games, and tabletop RPGs. But according to actor and writer Erika Ishii, that's precisely the problem.
In an exclusive interview with Collider about the upcoming Worlds Beyond Number graphic novel, Ishii didn't hold back. “I have a hot take,” they said. “I think that a lot of people need to stop riding Tolkien's dick.”
Before you think this is a Tolkien takedown, Ishii clarified they're a lifelong fan. “I wrote a thesis on The Lord of the Rings. I have an Arwen dress from each movie that I wore to the midnight premieres. I'm a huge Lord of the Rings fan.” Their critique isn't aimed at the author himself, but at how modern fantasy has misunderstood his work.
The Misunderstood Roots of Fantasy
Ishii argues that many creators borrow Tolkien's surface-level tropes—like elf-dwarf racism or monolithic evil races—without understanding their origins. Tolkien drew heavily from mythology, fables, and folklore, but later works often treat his conventions as mandatory rather than inspired. “People misunderstand a lot of the fantasy tropes that he popularized,” Ishii explained. “We should go towards a lot more of that and a lot less of the things that we take for granted.”
This perspective aligns with a growing trend in fantasy: moving away from inherently good or evil races toward more nuanced worldbuilding. Modern tabletop RPGs, novels, and games increasingly emphasize culture and individual identity over racial stereotypes. Ishii believes fantasy should keep evolving, not stagnate in Tolkien's shadow.
Looking Beyond the Familiar
Ishii pointed to fellow Worlds Beyond Number co-creator Aabria Iyengar as a model for fresh storytelling. “One of the reasons I love Aabria in a fantasy campaign is that she didn't grow up with any fantasy tropes, and so she has no idea or preconceptions. She just does what makes storytelling sense.” For Ishii, that's the key: fantasy is strongest when creators aren't afraid to break convention.
“When he did it, it was great and interesting, and he had reasons for doing it,” Ishii said of Tolkien. “But it doesn't have to be all fantasy. It doesn't have to be canonical for all fantasy.” They'd happily retire any trope, from ancient prophecies to chosen ones, if it means pushing the genre forward.
For fans looking to explore fantasy beyond the familiar, check out our list of low fantasy movies that are perfect from first scene to last or dive into the best fantasy books of the 2020s so far. And if you're curious about what's next, Tracy Deonn's 'Legendborn Cycle' might be the adaptation you've been waiting for.
Ishii's message is clear: fantasy has room to grow beyond Middle-earth. The genre's future lies in embracing new myths, not recycling old ones.
