Key Takeaways
- Not all Isekai heroes rely on cheat skills – some unearth their hidden talents through trial and error, like Subaru.
- Kumoko uses her predator ability to evolve and survive, showing that sometimes unconventional skills lead to power.
- Abilities like Return By Death, Predator, and Gluttony transform initially weak Isekai characters into overpowered heroes.
Not all Isekai heroes have an awesome cheat skill or bonus ability to assist them after reincarnation, and yet, they still somehow manage to become the most overpowered protagonists around. Being underrated or underappreciated usually doesn’t last too long for these guys, especially after showing the world what they are truly capable of.
Isekai icons such as Kirito (Sword Art Online), Tanya (Saga of Tanya the Evil), Ainz Ooal Gown (Overlord), and many more adapted to their new world with ease and grace. However, in strong contrast, the following brave heroes had to unearth their talents the good old-fashioned way, through trial and error. Fortunately, their efforts are successful, and thus, some truly OP Isekai MCs are born.
Updated on October 3, 2024, by Oluwatokiloba Folami: Viewers may find Isekai anime thrilling because of its ability to transport characters from a mundane world to a magical world. What isekai is particularly known for is giving weak characters overpowered abilities to survive in their new, magical world. Some characters start weak but soon discover that they have an overpowered ability or abilities that catapult them from being weak to strong. These isekai characters often begin their journeys in their unfamiliar world with apparent disadvantages, be it a lack of physical strength, lack of special abilities, social awkwardness, or mere inexperience. Yet, as they navigate their new worlds, they discover hidden abilities that defy expectations and alter the course of their destinies.
13 Kumoko
Predator
Kumoko was a Japanese high school girl who got the short end of the straw when she reincarnated with her other classmates. Her classmates ended up as powerful creatures and individuals, while she ended up as a weak spider in a dangerous and terrifying labyrinth. In this labyrinth, there are monsters more powerful than Kumoko, and she has to survive with nothing but basic human knowledge.
Luckily for Kumoko, an ability she has helps her greatly as she discovers that she has the predator ability, which allows her to consume her enemies and absorb their powers as hers, making her powerful. Slowly and steadily she increases in power, and her predatory ability evolves into gluttony, greatly increasing her chances of surviving in the dangerous labyrinth. Glutonny enhances her predatory ability and additionally allows her to duplicate and potentially enhance the skills of the monsters she consumes. Without this ability, there is no way Kumoko would have been able to survive in the labyrinth as a weak spider.
12 Subaru Natsuki
Return By Death
Subaru is a unique Isekai protagonist because, unlike most Isekai protagonists, he is not necessarily overpowered, and he finds himself in a complex situation that takes a toll on his mental health. Subaru is not blessed with special powers or abilities, but the main ability he has is the return-by-death ability, which is both a blessing and a curse.
When Subaru came into this new world, he was quickly murdered, and it was after he discovered his ability. Return by death gives him the opportunity to go back in time to relive his death, and each time he dies, he returns to a checkpoint in the past, retaining all memories of the events leading up to his death. This ability makes Subaru powerful in the sense that he has valuable information about potential threats, allies’ motivations, and so on. In addition, knowing future events gives Subaru control over outcomes as he can change his strategies and actions based on what he knows will happen.
11 Satoru Mikami
Wisdom King Raphael
Satoru finds himself in another world after being stabbed by an armed man in his previous world, Japan. Initially, he was confused as to what form he took because he knew he was not human anymore. He soon realized that he had been reincarnated as a slime, and in this world, slimes are considered the weakest and lowest creatures. Slimes typically have no powers, but Satoru had overpowered abilities that made him stand out and change his status from weak to overpowered.
This ability is known as predator, and Satoru can consume anything in this world, replicating their powers, their appearance, and whatever abilities they have. It is this ability that makes Satoru a major powerhouse and a known creature in his new world.
10 Ryoma Takebayashi
Slime Taming
Physically speaking, there is nothing particularly special about this eleven-year-old, besides, perhaps, the company he keeps. Initially, reincarnation was a rather solitary affair for Ryoma, who spent three years living in the woods; however, his lack of human interaction essentially boosts his slime-taming abilities, as he learns all there is to know about these gooey beasts.
Ryoma must have the largest slime collection imaginable, with a vast selection of minions who can perform a wide range of tasks, from cleaning to construction to magic-wielding and more. By feeding his slime select substances, he can create all-new creatures, subsequently revolutionizing the world of slime for everyone.
9 Seiichi Hiiragi
Transformation And Enhancement Through The Fruit Of Evolution
- Japanese Title: Shinka no Mi: Shiranai Uchi ni Kachigumi Jinsei
- Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
- Studios: Hotline
Seiichi has always been a bit of an underdog, as the unathletic, forgettable student with not much going for him. He finds himself separated from his classmates after their collective reincarnation and begins eating his sadness away, filling the gaping hole with the seemingly unremarkable local fruit.
In a fortunate twist of fate, these Fruits of Evolution bestow the boy with incredible powers, and just like that, he becomes the alpha male. Seiichi’s evolution grants him immunities and attacks that make him virtually invincible and maxes out most of his magic skills, too, while his devoted harem will fight tooth and nail to keep their beloved safe and content.
8 Mitsuha Yamano
Teleportation Between Worlds
Poor Mitsuha has had a horrid life, but now that she has been given a second chance, she refuses to waste a single opportunity. Fortuitously bestowed with a unique teleporting ability, this innovative go-getter can alternate between two worlds, swopping between the contemporary reality of Japan and her new Isekai setup.
To ensure she can retire in comfort, Mitsuha gathers up anything potentially valuable from her “old” world and barters it with the medieval residence in her groundbreaking general store. This entrepreneur can travel to any location she can clearly picture in her mind (from memories or “Woogle” images), across dimensions with some bonus language and healing skills, to boot.
7 Naofumi Iwatani
Legendary Shield
Out of all the heroes summoned to the incorrigible Melromarc Kingdom, Naofumi gets the short end of the stick and is immediately labeled as incompetent. What use is a Shield Hero who can’t attack? Apparently, it’s best not to keep this waste of space around.
Naofumi’s defensive abilities are practically unparalleled (just leave Bofuri’s Maple out of it) but very limited on the offensive front; which is where his companions come in. He may be a sitting duck in solitude but Naofumi becomes an unstoppable force when teaming up with his loyal harem, as they compensate for each others’ shortfalls with unwavering faith in the almighty Shield.
6 Hiraku Machio
Unparalleled Farming Skills
Technically speaking, Hiraku has no powers or magic abilities to speak of but can still achieve impossible feats with his trusty All Purpose Farming Tool in tow. While a piece of agricultural equipment doesn’t sound very intimidating, it essentially helps Hiraku to become the master of his own little kingdom (with the accompanying harem and everything).
Hiraku’s Tool can transform into anything even slightly farming-related while also lightening the load (figuratively and literally.) Combined with this green thumb’s ingenious designs, he practically builds an entire self-reliant village amidst the Forest of Death, singlehandedly, essentially becoming the most powerful human in the realm.
5 Maya
One-Hit Kill
Unlike her brother, Maya has not spent years honing her RPG skills and inadvertently molding herself into the perfect Isekai heroine. Yet somehow, her reincarnation produced substantially better results than Asahi’s. This doting, lovesick sister couldn’t be more average (except for her stellar physique and disturbing brother complex) but now, her stats are quite literally off the charts.
With no real ambition of her own, other than protecting and seducing Asahi, Maya basically becomes an undercover bodyguard and her brother’s secret weapon, and could quite easily qualify for a God-level rank if given the chance. One-Hit Kill is more than just a catchy title.
4 Makoto Misumi
Powerful Magic And Physical Strength, Creation Magic, and Language Comprehension
Although Tsukuyomi endeavored to make his newest hero as powerful as possible, the spiteful Goddess had less supportive plans in mind. Unimpressed with the “ugly duckling,” she strips Makoto of his heroic honorifics and banishes him to the outskirts of the world, with only a language-based Isekai Bonus to rely on.
Fortunately for Makoto, his parents actually originated in this strange land, so the trip back “home” ultimately awakens his superhuman magic, turning an ordinary teenager into a God-level mage with astronomical mana reserves at his disposal. His healing and archery talents become especially useful while becoming a babe magnet is just an added perk.
3 Yuna
Bear Suit Powers
Yuna was just like any other gamer girl rockstar until she accepted an undisclosed gift, which became the Portkey to her Isekai experience. She isn’t granted any cool abilities to compensate for being trapped in this MMORPG-inspired land (not that she’s complaining about the 24-hour gaming opportunity); however, Yuna’s cringeworthy new gear comes with the epically cute bells and whistles.
Normally, Yuna wouldn’t be caught dead in a fluffy, kawaii onesie or obsessing over bears, but that’s the price she has to pay if she wishes to become a top-notch heroine once again. With her Kumakyuu and Kumayuru companions by her side and their multifarious all-bear attacks, Yuna the NEET becomes an unstoppable savior of the weak.
2 Rein Shroud
Beast Taming
- Japanese Title: Yuusha Party wo Tsuihou sareta Beast Tamer, Saikyoushu no Nekomimi Shoujo to Deau
- Genres: Adventure, Action, Fantasy
- Studios: EMT Squared
Rein is considered to be so incompetent by the Hero’s Party that they unceremoniously boot him out of their clan (and regret their decision immensely, but as they say, hindsight is 20-20) At first glance, he doesn’t appear to be unexceptional; however, Rein can tame a mind-boggling amount of beastssimultaneously, whereas others can only control one creature at a time.
Essentially, Rein has a steadfast army of animals in his service whenever necessary, with a potent selection of rare high-class ultimate species under contract, too. Furthermore, these alliances also enable the demi-humans to share their strength with Rein, conveniently elevating him to superhuman status.
1 Satou Kazuma
Steal, Intelligence, And Luck
Despite his chuunibyou complex, Kazuma doesn’t have much to rely on after his reincarnation, and no, forming a party with some seemingly top-ranking bombshells doesn’t technically help much, either. Instead of carefully selecting a beneficial “cheat item”, he only gets a melodramatic Aqua and some good luck to keep him alive in KonoSuba.
Fortunately, Kazuma is more considerate when choosing his talents after reincarnation and learns that Luck and Steal work perfectly together. While it is certainly helpful when collecting girls’ panties, Verdia (aka Beldia) clearly underestimates this unpredictable ability. Additionally, he learns a wide range of spells and skills from different classes, making him one of the most versatile characters in Belzerg and beyond.
