Best Isekai Anime With Frustrating Protagonists

Key Takeaways

Isekai protagonists often have frustrating flaws, causing viewers to cringe at their actions.
Overpowered and noble protagonists like Kirito in Sword Art Online can be frustratingly bland to watch.
Morally complex protagonists like Ainz Ooal Gown in Overlord can frustrate fans as they fall into villainy.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast and psychologist, I’ve had the pleasure of observing numerous characters traverse through their unique journeys, each with their own set of flaws that make them human. Among these intriguing personalities, Rudeus from ‘The Misfit of Demon King Academy’ stands out as a character who, despite his admirable qualities, struggles with an all-too-common flaw: perversion.

Right now, Isekai anime is incredibly popular, and it’s all thanks to hits like “Sword Art Online.” With studios producing more Isekai than ever, fans are generally thrilled. However, with so much content being released, it can sometimes be challenging not to find the different shows feeling repetitive or similar.

One aspect that’s often appealing about isekai stories is the unusual characters who find themselves transported to another world. However, these protagonists can sometimes become irritating to follow due to their questionable decisions and problematic personalities. It’s common to appreciate an isekai anime, but feel awkward when the main character speaks up. The following series are all engaging, yet their leads could benefit from a stern conversation now and then.

1 Rimuru Tempest – That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime

This Lovable Little Slime Can Be A Little Too Naive And Forgiving

The anime series “That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime,” initially released in 2018, has achieved significant popularity, primarily due to its charming main character. It stands out as one of the top kingdom-building isekai shows, following the transformation of a seemingly ordinary protagonist into a slime monster ruler of his own territory, and eventually, a Demon Lord. Generally speaking, Rimuru’s growth makes him an appealing figure to support.

While Rimuru’s charm might seem appealing at first glance, there are moments that make him difficult to watch. Early in the series, he displays inappropriate behavior towards female characters and an overly sexualized perspective. Additionally, his naivety and forgiving nature can be problematic, often leading to more complications. The anime’s unique aspect is that most enemies eventually join Rimuru’s side. However, his overly diplomatic approach invites trouble, while his occasional displays of toughness, such as the massacre of thousands to become a Demon Lord, can be excessive.

2 Kazuma Satou – Konosuba: God’s Blessing On This Wonderful World!

Lazy, Petty, And Cowardly, Kazuma Isn’t The Stereotypical Hero

It’s becoming more common for anime writers to challenge traditional genre stereotypes, such as the case with the character Kazuma Satou from the series “Kazuma.” Instead of creating a typical isekai hero who is powerful and noble, they aimed to dismantle these tropes by designing a protagonist like Kazuma Satou. This character, however, is far from the norm – he’s self-centered, fearful, and lewd, displaying actions that can be seen as morally ambiguous.

Mostly, this show is designed to make us laugh, and generally, a protagonist with obvious flaws can be quite amusing. However, when encountered in larger amounts, Kazuma’s character can become quite frustrating rather than enjoyable. He doesn’t undergo much character development, particularly regarding his self-centeredness. His lewd behavior and inconsistency on gender equality issues often come off as more irritating than humorous. Fortunately, by the conclusion of Season 3, he was granted some personal growth and started showing concern for his teammates.

3 Subaru Natsuki – Re:Zero

Frustrating By Design, But A Good Guy Deep Down

Similar to Kazuma Satou from Re:Zero, Subaru is intentionally designed to be exasperating. However, unlike Kazuma, Subaru is generally more tolerable and has a valid explanation for his annoying behavior. If you were the one who could only aid by repeatedly dying and resetting time but couldn’t disclose this fact to others, you might also become quite tiresome in their company.

Tappei Nagatsuki, the mind behind Subaru, has admitted that he intended for Subaru’s character to be imperfect and aggravating. This is evident in Subaru’s habit of acting impulsively without fully considering the consequences. These hastily made decisions, often motivated by a misplaced sense of heroism, frequently lead to more complications than solutions, as seen during the royal selection arc – one of the most captivating arcs in the anime to date – where Subaru neglected to account for the political repercussions of his actions.

Unlike several isekai protagonists, Subaru tends to take time adjusting to new environments and can appear quite naive. However, this aspect of his character is what keeps the series intriguing. Following Season 1, Subaru undergoes significant character growth as the show delves into the psychological impact of his abilities and their role in some of his more challenging choices.

4 Kirito – Sword Art Online

He’s An Overpowered Marty Stu

The anime “Sword Art Online” didn’t originate the isekai genre, yet it significantly contributed to its widespread popularity. Initially, many viewers admired the main character, Kirito, in this series when it first aired; however, as the story unfolded, some grew frustrated with him. Despite being one of the bravest protagonists in isekai anime, he’s also exceptionally powerful, which has raised concerns for some viewers. Regrettably, this power doesn’t always seem to be something that Kirito has truly earned.

This has led to accusations that Kirito is a male Mary Sue, also known as a Marty Stu.

As a dedicated fan, I find myself often grappling with the overpowering nature and plot armor of Kirito in “Sword Art Online.” These elements tend to diminish the suspense during crucial moments. The scarcity of challenges he faces results in an absence of emotional depth, making him appear somewhat monotonous to behold. His generic kindness and heroism can be frustratingly predictable at times; it’s as if he was designed by a template.

5 Ainz Ooal Gown – Overlord

Morally Ambiguous, Mentally Weak, Ainz Falls Into Villainy

In the series Overlord, Ainz Ooal Gown initially appears as a typical isekai protagonist with strong abilities, flaws, and generally good intentions. However, as the story unfolds, Ainz finds himself in situations requiring morally questionable actions. These choices, often stemming from misinterpretations and poor communication, make his transformation into a seemingly unavoidable villain feel intensely frustrating yet compelling to watch.

In the series Overlord, there are numerous wicked characters, and many viewers found it disheartening as the main character, Ainz, gradually evolved into one of them. Throughout the anime, Ainz performs despicable deeds such as mass murder and subjugation, exceeding typical levels for this genre. He’s mentally frail and often resorts to these actions to fulfill the expectations of his NPC followers and demonstrate his superiority. Despite the fact that Ainz presents a morally complex protagonist who breaks isekai conventions, it doesn’t lessen the frustration of watching a previously endearing character transform for the worse.

6 Rudeus Greyrat – Mushoku Tensei Jobless Reincarnation

A Protagonist Held Back By One Frustrating Flaw

Fans of anime often encounter divisive protagonists in the isekai genre, but Rudeus Greyrat stands out as particularly problematic. Far from being a hero, Rudeus is more of an underdog who’s transported into another world only to be reborn as a baby and forced to start over. Despite viewing this as an opportunity for a new beginning, Rudeus consistently struggles to overcome his primary character weakness.

In the realm of anime characters, Rudeus stands out as exceptionally lewd, even by the standards set within the genre. At 34 years old but appearing youthful, his interactions with the series’ young characters are disquieting and inappropriate. He expresses excitement at the prospect of bathing with Sylphie, attempts to peek at Eris while she is changing, and consistently displays lewd behavior throughout the anime. This is particularly vexing because Rudeus possesses numerous admirable qualities such as determination, loyalty, intelligence, and empathy. From the onset, he acknowledges his flaws and endeavors to better himself. Throughout the anime, he undergoes character development, but it remains frustrating to witness him relapse into his lewd behavior instead of permanently overcoming it.

7 Naofumi Iwatani – The Rising Of The Shield Hero

One Event Makes Him Cynical, Distrustful, And Bitter

In crafting “The Rising of the Shield Hero,” director Tako Abo bravely tackled sensitive and contentious themes. This approach resulted in a protagonist who is ethically complex and at times difficult to empathize with, particularly during Season 1. Naofumi Iwatani, initially a sympathetic university student, undergoes a significant transformation when he’s falsely accused of sexual misconduct, which profoundly alters his character.

As the people around Naofumi mistreat him based on false accusations, he grows more jaded, suspicious, and resentful. Given the circumstances, this reaction can be empathetic, but it’s disheartening, especially when directed at Raphtalia. Despite his past struggles, it’s not justifiable for him to act like a taskmaster towards her. Following Princess Malty Melromac’s betrayal, Naofumi has valid trust concerns; however, it takes an exasperatingly prolonged period before he begins to trust his allies and treat them with the respect they deserve.

8 Cid Kagenou – The Eminence In Shadow

A Delusional Cringe Lord And Exasperating Character

Cid Kagenou serves as another illustration of a character intentionally designed to be vexing, as The Eminence in Shadow anime takes the conventional isekai genre and amplifies it significantly. Upon being transported to an alternate world, Cid ascends to the head of the Shadow Garden organization, acquiring extravagant and overwhelmingly powerful abilities in the process. However, Cid’s mental state is questionable, his actions are often uncomfortable, and he harbors a strong desire for power.

Cid does possess certain flaws, most of which stem from his personality traits. These quirks can add humor to his role as the main character, but they often lead to frustration because he doesn’t seem to grow or change much. His limited understanding of emotions makes it hard for him to form genuine bonds and understand his true feelings towards the Shadow Garden members. As a leader, Cid is self-centered, focused solely on his own ambitions, and overly dependent on luck. While Cid might have been intentionally designed to be frustrating, Daisuke may have gone too far in achieving that effect.

2024-11-05 07:34