Isekai Anime Protagonists That Make Clever Use Of Boring Powers

Key Takeaways

Some protagonists in isekai anime have underwhelming powers, making them underpowered in their new world.
Being overly cautious, as seen with Seiya in “Cautious Hero,” can still lead to victory.
Kazuma in “KonoSuba” is underpowered but uses luck to improve his abilities and survive.

As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the world of isekai anime has been a rollercoaster ride, to say the least. From power-packed protagonists to those who seem to have drawn the short straw, the diversity in abilities never ceases to amaze me.

Characters who find themselves transported to a mystical or alternate realm frequently receive extraordinary abilities that help them navigate their unfamiliar surroundings. These talents are often numerous and strong, rendering the main character powerful, but not always. In some instances, they may be endowed with minimal or no additional powers at all, leaving them relatively weak compared to their new environment.

Characters such as Shiro, Sora from “No Game, No Life”, and Kazuma in “Konosuba: God’s Blessing On This Wonderful World” initially find themselves in worlds that they consider perfect or ideal. Yet, their experiences don’t always turn out as expected, especially when they discover their powers are not as strong as desired. In such circumstances, these worlds may lose some of their allure and become a source of stress. Despite being saddled with unimpressive abilities, characters like these find creative ways to overcome obstacles, transforming seemingly unfavorable situations into opportunities for success.

5 Seiya Ryuuguuin (Cautious Hero)

Extreme Caution

Isekai Anime Protagonists That Make Clever Use Of Boring Powers

Most Isekai heroes are spontaneous, as they would not think twice before going after a villain or embarking on an adventure. They might strategize and put things in place to ensure their victory, but even when the odds are not in their favor, their hopes of gaining victory do not vanish because they believe in themselves. However, things are not that easy for the cautious hero, Seiya. Unlike most protagonists, he takes extra caution before fighting a villain.

Through Risarte, the summoning deity, Seiya inherits a careful disposition. This caution, though sometimes tedious due to his reluctance for risks and lack of adventurous spirit, becomes an asset for him. He leverages it to bolster his strength. Consequently, when he faces adversaries, the outcome is often predetermined in his favor, as victory is all but assured for Seiya.

4 Touya Mochizuki (In Another World With My Smartphone)

A Smartphone With Access To The Internet

In today’s society, a smartphone is indispensable, but Touya assumed it would be just as beneficial in the fantastical realm he unexpectedly entered. Regrettably, his assumption proved false. His smartphone, while intelligent, was rather dull and severely limited within the magical world where he landed following an untimely demise.

In the imagined realm, a smartphone is seen as a potent resource, granted by divine intervention at Touya’s request. However, its advanced capabilities pale in comparison to its former abilities in Touya’s past life. There aren’t many ways for him to amplify the phone, but he strives to make the most of it. He employs the smartphone to gather intel about his old world and apply that knowledge in this new one. Additionally, he utilizes the mapping feature on the device to assist with navigation within the unfamiliar landscape of the new world.

3 Subaru Natsuki (Re:Zero)

Return By Death

In a world where everyday life is turned upside down, I find myself embodying Subaru from the captivating series “Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World.” Suddenly, a simple trip to the grocery store spirals into an unexpected journey to another realm. This new world proves to be ruthless, claiming my life multiple times. Yet, with each demise, I’m bestowed a second chance by the envious witch, allowing me to rewind time and learn from my mistakes. The power may seem mundane at first, but its potential for devastation is truly awe-inspiring.

Experiencing one’s own demise repeatedly can become disheartening, even tedious over time. Yet, Subaru manages to turn this unique ability into something useful. He employs it for gathering details, formulating strategies, and navigating challenging predicaments.

2 Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime)

Absorb

A businessman meets an unexpected end and awakens in a mystical realm as a slime named Rimuru. Although slimes are often regarded as the most feeble creatures within this world, Rimuru discovers he possesses an exceptional talent for absorption – a skill that initially appears rather unremarkable as it enables him to assimilate various objects, animals, and more. However, Rimuru soon learns that his seemingly mundane power is anything but ordinary; it holds immense potential.

In this apparently unremarkable ability, Rimuru found a means to outsmart his novel realm. Swiftly leaving behind his frail slime identity, he assimilated monsters, beasts, and various organisms, mirroring their abilities and harnessing them for growth.

1 Kazuma Satou (KonoSuba)

Luck

In a twist that was both amusing and regrettable, Kazuma met his untimely end. Since there’s no turning back the hands of time, he was granted the opportunity to be reborn in a different realm instead. Unfortunately, his fresh start didn’t go as planned – unlike many other characters in this genre, he lacked any extraordinary abilities, placing him among the underpowered Isekai protagonists.

In the realm he finds himself, Kazuma’s unique gift is an abundance of luck. This talent, reflected in a high ‘luck’ stat, he utilizes in an unexpected manner to boost his “Steal” skill. The Steal ability, as its title suggests, allows him to pilfer items from others, the most prized possession being the target. For certain women, it might be their undergarments, while for Mitsuraji, his prized sword was the object of choice. Without this extraordinary luck, Kazuma wouldn’t have been able to amass additional skills and, truthfully, endure in the fantastical world of KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!

2024-09-06 09:33