Kagome and Kikyo from Inuyasha
Again, the basic method of reincarnation is that someone dies and they are reborn as someone new. The new form depends on their deeds being good or bad. Pretty easy to figure out and work into a story. Now, there are two ways you can see this unfold in fiction.
Reincarnation Over Time
The characters above fall into this one since Kikyo is from ancient Japan where demons existed. Kagome is her reincarnation in the modern age where demons aren’t around anymore. This is easily understood because they are from the same world. It might not look the same, but the soul in question is only passing through time. Not even moving, but waiting for its time to be reborn. Very close to the real world version of reincarnation with only the good and bad deeds missing. The soul is simply brought back in a new body for another life.
Reincarnation Over Dimensions
This method creates a lot more questions since the soul isn’t coming back in the same world they left. A person dies, typically before their time, and is reborn in a new world with powers that will push them above the locals. It’s an easy way to explain how a person from a mundane life gains one of greatness in a world they don’t understand. Unlike being reborn over time, these characters usually retain all of their previous life memories and skills. This is one way they can excel, but creates a culture shock subplot for the starting adventures.
Being reincarnated over dimensions brings up the questions of multi-dimensional travel and how many other worlds are out there. You can really run with the idea, but it can grow big really fast and leave you struggling to control the continuity. Still, it’s a fun challenge and you don’t have to go that far if your focus is on a single character who came over. It still makes some readers wonder if every soul gets this treatment or only special people.
General Thoughts
Don’t really have much here, but I didn’t want people to think this was part of the dimensional one. So, I do enjoy both versions of reincarnation even though I haven’t really tackled it. Closest thing are the champions in Legends of Windemere being ‘reborn’ after the previous group failed. It was only the powers and chosen status jumping over since the souls of the dead stayed dead. This was based entirely on the time reincarnation since they were staying in the same world.
So, what do other people think of this as a plot device? It can be used for more than fantasy.
Legends of Windemere 
While this is not a plot I would use, I have seen it used effectively as we’ve discussed in other posts. I also have seen an offshoot of this plot in a movie. For example, a woman died and her heart was given to another woman. Her grieving husband wound up falling for that woman and coming to the realization that the heart of his wife had returned to him. It was like a rebirth.
LikeLike
That’s a weird story, but I get it. Kind of like a rebirth. Wonder what a good name for it would be. Spiritual reincarnation? Spirit hand off?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was called Return to Me. 😊
LikeLike
But as for the concept, not sure. Maybe return to sender since the husband was the one who allowed the donation of the wife’s heart?
LikeLike
That could work. Though I sense a darkness to that when it comes to organs. Like zombies waking up and going in search of their donated organs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sense a horror story in the making!
LikeLike
Like you say this could grow big fast. It their is one who can reincarnate logic says there are more. Add it multi dimensions and it seems like a tiger by the tail.
LikeLike
Could be fun too. ‘Reincarnated as a Slime’ has multiple characters who were reincarnated into the fantasy world. Works as they were either summoned as champions or just picked by fate as they died.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😁
LikeLike
I guess it could be fun.
LikeLike
As long as the reincarnation is an upgrade.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point.
LikeLike
In her Devery books, Katherine Kerr has her characters reincarnated as they have to learn from mistakes from their previous lives.
But they can’t remember their previous lives, except for magicians; they can, and thus guide the souls in their current incarnation.
LikeLike
Interesting method. Though, how can they learn from their mistakes if they don’t remember? Seems unfair.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s true, but there are those to guide them.
LikeLike
I think reincarnation can work across genres. It shows up in romance, horror, all kinds of places. It’s kind of a must in Isekai stuff.
LikeLike
You have a point. Can’t think of any genre it can’t work with.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Made me think of the movie Heaven Can Wait with Warren Beatty – look it up!
LikeLike
I’ve heard of it. Never saw it though.
LikeLiked by 1 person