TheIsekai genrehas captivated audiences by transporting ordinary characters into extraordinary, often fantastical, realms. While the new worlds are enchanting, it’s the heroes that truly make each story memorable. Plucked from their everyday lives, these protagonists must adapt to unfamiliar terrains replete with magic, monsters, and intrigue.
RELATED:Best Underrated Isekai Anime
Some, like Rimuru Tempest fromThat Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, exemplify leadership and wisdom as they build empires. Others, such as Kazuma Satou inKonoSuba, offer comedic relief while questioning the very essence of heroism. Let’s explore the best heroes who redefine the versatile and compelling nature of isekai.
10Satou Pendragon - Death March To The Parallel World Rhapsody
Satou Pendragon, from the Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody, is a 29-year-old programmer transported to a fantasy world. Initially overwhelmed, he quickly discovers that he’s become incredibly overpowered, possessing a wide array of skills and a high level.
Unlike many Isekai heroes who embark on grand quests, Satou takes a more laid-back approach. He prefers to explore his new world at a leisurely pace, meeting new people and sampling the local cuisine. However, his abilities often thrust him into situations where he must intervene for the greater good.
9Sora And Shiro - No Game No Life
Sora and Shiro, known as Blank, are the sibling protagonists ofgaming anime seriesNo Game No Life. In their original world, they are undefeated gamers who view the real world as just another crappy game. However, their lives change when they’re transported to Disboard, a fantastical world where everything is decided through games.
The duo manipulates the rules of various contests to outsmart opponents, whether they are powerful beings or entire civilizations. Unlike traditional heroes who rely on brute force, Sora and Shiro use strategic thinking to conquer challenges.
8Shirou Emiya - Fate/Stay Night
Shirou Emiya is the main character of thereverse isekai seriesFate/Stay Night. While not strictly an isekai hero, as he doesn’t travel to another world, the series does involve elements of fantasy and alternate realities. Shirou is drawn into a deadly tournament called the Holy Grail War.
RELATED:Best Anime Like Fate/Stay Night
Mages and summoned heroic spirits must fight to obtain the Holy Grail. As a novice mage, Shirou summons Saber, a powerful heroic spirit, to aid him in battle. Though lacking in experience, he is fiercely committed to his ideal of saving others, even at the cost of himself.
7Tanya Degurechaff - Youjo Senki: Saga Of Tanya The Evil
Tanya Degurechaff is the protagonist of Youjo Senki: Saga of Tanya the Evil. She is reincarnated as a young girl in a parallel world resembling early 20th-century Europe engulfed in war. What makes Tanya distinct is her previous life as a cold, calculating salaryman in modern Japan.
Forced to fight in a magical military, Tanya rises through the ranks using her tactical genius and magical prowess. Ruthless, strategic, and driven by self-interest, Tanya is an unconventional isekai hero whose intelligence and moral ambiguity make her a captivating character.
6Natsuki Subaru - Re:Zero: Starting Life In Another World
Natsuki Subaru fromRe:Zero- Starting Life in Another World is suddenly transported from modern Japan to a fantasy world. Subaru initially believes he’s acquired special abilities, only to discover his sole power is Return by Death. This ability allows him to respawn at a fixed point in time after dying.
Far from being a blessing, this power subjects him to emotional and physical trauma as he must repeatedly experience the pain of death and failure. Over time, he learns to strategize, leveraging his unique ability to foresee and prevent catastrophes.
5Kazuma Satou - KonoSuba: God’s Blessing On This Wonderful World!
Kazuma Satou is the main protagonist of KonoSuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World! Unlike typical isekai heroes, Kazuma is remarkably average in terms of abilities. After dying in a comically tragic manner, he’s given the chance to be reborn in a fantasy world.
RELATED:Konosuba: Best Characters, Ranked
Rather than opting for powerful weapons, he impulsively chooses to bring the goddess Aqua along with him. His misadventures with his dysfunctional yet lovable party members provide a humorous take on the isekai genre, making Kazuma a refreshing departure from the norm.
4Ainz Ooal Gown - Overlord
Ainz Ooal Gown, originally known as Momonga, is the main character from the animeOverlord. He’s a player who finds himself trapped in a virtual MMORPG world that continues to operate even after its servers were supposed to shut down.
Taking on the appearance of his in-game character, a skeletal overlord, Ainz is imbued with immense magical powers and commands an army of loyal NPCs. He aims to conquer the world while searching for other human players, making him an captivating and entertaining isekai hero.
3Kirito - Sword Art Online
Kirito, whose real name is Kazuto Kirigaya, is the main protagonist ofSword Art Online. Trapped along with thousands of other players in a virtual reality MMORPG, Kirito must navigate various digital worlds while battling life-threatening challenges. Highly skilled in combat, he initially opts to go solo but gradually learns the importance of teamwork.
Kirito’s character is a blend of formidable swordsmanship and vulnerability, making him relatable. Over multiple arcs that explore different virtual worlds, he evolves from a lone gamer to a hero willing to risk his life for others.
2Naofumi Iwatani - The Rising Of The Shield Hero
Naofumi Iwatani is a key character inThe Rising of the Shield Hero. Transported to a fantasy world as one of the four Cardinal Heroes, Naofumi is tasked with protecting the kingdom from waves of monsters. However, he is quickly betrayed and falsely accused of a crime, leading to his ostracization.
Initially armed only with a defensive shield, Naofumi is forced to adapt and grow stronger through unconventional means. Fueled by betrayal and injustice, he becomes a resourceful and protective figure. His journey from outcast to hero resonates with many fans.
1Rimuru Tempest - That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Rimuru Tempest is the central character of the anime series That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. Originally a 37-year-old human named Satoru Mikami, he is reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world following an untimely death.
Rimuru quickly adapts to his new form and acquires various abilities, including the skill to absorb and mimic other creatures. As he gains power, he gains allies, eventually building his own nation known as the Jura Tempest Federation. What sets Rimuru apart from many other isekai heroes is his emphasis on diplomacy and co-existence.
