Multiverse

The meaning of “multiverse”

“Multiverse” is a scientific term that means that there is another universe that we cannot observe, separate from the one we live in now. In Japanese, it is called “multiverse.” The other universes that exist in the “multiverse” are sometimes called “parallel universes.”

In a broad sense,Parallel Worlds” is synonymous with the concept of “parallel worlds.” However, while a parallel world refers to a world created by branching choices within the same universe, a multiverse refers to a completely different, independent universe.

The unobservable universe…The universe, which is believed to have been born 13.8 billion years ago, is still expanding to this day.
As humans, we use light and electromagnetic waves to make observations, and it is impossible for us to observe the entire universe, which continues to expand faster than the speed of light. This gives rise to an unobservable universe. The unobservable universe has no effect on the Earth, and can be said to be a so-called “other universe.”

Similar words include “Metaverse” is sometimes confused with “, but the two are completely different.

The metaverse is a three-dimensional virtual space on the internet.
In the metaverse, various buildings are lined up, and users can operate their avatars to shop, interact with other people, and live just like in the real world. It is mainly used in the gaming sector, but in recent years it has been attracting attention from the business and entertainment sectors.

Origin and etymology of “multiverse”

A term coined by the American psychologist and philosopher William James in 1895. Unlike “universe,” which refers to a single universe, the multiverse is called “multiverse” because it is made up of “multiple” universes.

There are many different theories about the “multiverse.”

One of the most well-known theories is the “bubble universe,” which is derived from the “inflationary cosmology,” which believes that the universe underwent rapid expansion (inflation) soon after its birth. In the bubble universe theory, it is believed that the universe is being created infinitely like bubbles through inflation. It is speculated that each bubble universe may have slightly different physical laws, or may be similar to the universe we live in.

Another representative theory is the “many-worlds interpretation,” which was proposed in 1957 by American physicist Hugh Everett III. This theory states that “if options arise for a certain event, there are an infinite number of worlds in which those options can occur.”

What all of these theories have in common is that in addition to our own universe there exists another universe that we cannot observe.

A representative work that uses the multiverse is “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” In this work, Spider-Men active in different universes come together in one universe to fight against evil.

Like the works mentioned above, the multiverse is often used as a theme in festival-like works where many characters gather. Works with a multiverse setting can be divided into those in which characters from various universes gather in one world, and those in which the protagonist travels to various universes on his own.

Examples of using “multiverse”

On social media, it is occasionally seen being used in the same sense as “world line” or “parallel world.”

“A multiverse is born from the stage and TV versions”

“I wonder if ____ is still alive somewhere in the multiverse.”

“The voice actor for XX has changed. I guess that just means we've entered the multiverse.”

Parallel World

World Line

Trip

Reverse Trip

Metaverse