Summary
- Isekai anime characters are incredibly overpowered, breaking the system with brute force.
- Unique abilities like Return by Death or Predator make protagonists formidable beyond imagination.
- Characters like Subaru, Hajime, and Sora & Shiro are terrifyingly broken, unstoppable forces in their respective worlds.
In isekai anime, death is not the end, instead, it is often the start of something wildly overpowered, adventurous, and magical as characters find themselves in a fantasy world. Making these characters overpowered makes them broken, in the sense that they are overwhelmingly strong, skilled, or clever, so that nothing poses a real threat, as they break the system to work in their favor.
8 Most Beloved Isekai Anime Protagonists, Ranked
Not every isekai anime main character is born equal. In a genre known for divisive protagonists, here are the most loved MCs.
Whether it is due to absurd stat boosts or untouchable intelligence, these characters operate on a level far beyond everyone else. Some earned their power through suffering and growth, while others were handed cheat skills from the start.
7 Subaru Natsuki
Re:Zero − Starting Life In Another World
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- TV Tokyo, AT-X
- Studio
- White Fox
- Creator
- Tappei Nagatsuki
- Number of Episodes
- 65
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
At first glance, Subaru does not seem broken, he has no sword skills, no magic, and no divine blessings, making him pretty normal. However, his one ability, Return by Death, somewhat makes him a broken and terrifying protagonist. Every time Subaru dies, time rewinds to a specific save point, allowing him to relive events, retain all memories, and eventually brute-force his way to the best outcome.
This ability forces Subaru to learn from the tragedy, betrayal, and loss he faces, no matter how painful. The ability also makes him an unkillable tactician who can solve impossible scenarios through sheer willpower and endless suffering, but at the cost of his losing his mind.
6 Hajime Nagumo
Arifureta: From Commonplace To World’s Strongest
Arifureta: From Commonplace To World's Strongest
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2019 - 2025-00-00
WHERE TO WATCH
- Network
- AT-X
- Studio
- Asread, White Fox, Studio Mother
- Creator
- Ryo Shirakome
- Number of Episodes
- 42
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Hajime starts as the weakest in his class, until he’s betrayed and falls into an abyss. His life transforms in this abyss as he eats the meat of deadly monsters to survive, and this causes his body to mutate, granting him superhuman strength, regeneration, and powerful monster-like abilities.
Fall 2024 Preview: Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest Season 3
Arifureta Season 3 delivers epic battles, improved animation, and Hajime’s power-fueled journey in a thrilling new arc of this isekai adventure.
By the time he reunites with his classmates, Hajime is not just strong, he is a one-man army with the firepower of a modern military, and the mindset of a cold-blooded killer hungry for revenge. His transformation from being a bullied teen to a powerful antihero is what makes him terrifyingly broken.
5 Kelvin
Black Summoner
Black Summoner
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2022
- Studio
- Satelight
- Creator
- Doufu Mayoi
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- Based On
- Light Novel
Kelvin willingly gives up his memories in exchange for extra skill points and uses them to become a Summoner, a rare and powerful class. From day one, he has been broken, proving his strength by taming a top-tier demon lord, defeating powerful enemies effortlessly, and constantly maxing out his stats through battles.
He learns advanced magic, swordsmanship, and martial arts, making him deadly in every form of combat. What makes him dangerous is his personality, he is a full-blown battle junkie who does not fear death and enjoys fighting overwhelming odds just to get stronger.
4 Sora & Shiro
No Game, No Life
No Game, No Life
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2014 - 2014
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Creator
- Yuu Kamiya
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- HIDIVE, Hulu
Sora and Shiro prove that one does not need magic to be unstoppable. They might not have magic, weapons, or even strength as they are both kids, but their brains are their ultimate weapon and all they need. Sora and Shiro are the unbeatable sibling duo known as Blank, masters of logic, manipulation, and psychological warfare. They find themselves in a world where everything is decided by games, and it is no surprise that they quickly rise by outsmarting gods, nations, and mythical races.
Their ability to predict opponents’ moves, exploit rules, and set traps within traps makes them borderline unstoppable. Even when the odds are against them, they never lose because they have already planned ten steps ahead.
3 Seiya Ryuuguuin
Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered But Overly Cautious
Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 2, 2019
- Studio
- White Fox
- Creator
- Light Tuchihi
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
From the start, Seiya’s power levels are off the charts, but with all these powers, he does not throw caution to the wind. In fact, he is extremely cautious, which makes him absurd. He overtrains before every fight, buys backups for his backups, and nukes enemies even after they’re dead, just in case.
What makes Seiya broken is the combination of his powers and his cautious nature, as his strategic paranoia turns out to be justified, as even god-level threats are not enough to catch him off guard.
2 Rimuru Tempest
That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 5, 2018
- Studio
- 8bit
- Creator
- Fuse
- Number of Episodes
- 72
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Rimuru starts as a lowly slime but quickly evolves into one of the most broken beings in anime. He has a unique skill called Predator that lets him absorb any creature or object and gain its powers. Rimuru evolves into a Demon Slime, gains the ultimate skill Raphael, an all-knowing AI, and becomes a True Demon Lord.
Rimuru does not just defeat enemies; he absorbs them, adapts instantly, and becomes stronger after every battle. He’s a nation-building, god-tier entity disguised as a smiling blob. Everyone who comes across him is surprised by the level of power he has, and his opponents stand no chance against him.
1 Ainz Ooal Gown
Overlord
Overlord
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2015 - 2022
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Creator
- Kugane Maruyama
- Number of Episodes
- 52
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Netflix
Isekai brings wildest dreams to life because no Japanese salaryman would think that they would find themself in a fantasy world as the strongest undead. This is the new reality of Ainz as he went from being a salaryman to an undead Overlord in his favorite game. Ainz can cast over 700 spells, most of which can instantly wipe out enemies, control time, or reshape reality. He’s immune to poison, mind control, and nearly every form of magic.
With instant death spells, world-class items, and a loyal army, Ainz wins and dominates. Every move he makes feels like part of a grand strategy, even when he is winging it.
8 Isekai Anime With Endearing Friendships Between Male Characters
The power of friendship is strong in these isekai anime shows that showcase a wholesome bond between male characters.