Every year, roughly two dozenisekai anime protagonistsembark on otherworldly adventures. Some of them are handed god-like powers, while others have to make do with just their wits and charm. A few characters become leaders and establish kingdoms, while others are satisfied to build harems filled with girls (or, rarely, guys) who love them unconditionally. Whether they are heroes, villains, or something in between, they are the glue that holds their stories together; if they fall short of expectations, the anime is likely to be forgotten soon after airing its final episode.
With hundreds of shows available, certain MCs will always rise above the crowd and cement themselves as all-time great personalities. While the genre has a reputation for relying on cookie-cutter protagonists who cater to the most common denominator, themost loved isekai anime main charactershave earned their popularity.
Here are some criteria and things to keep in mind:
Honorable Mentions
There are roughly a billionisekai anime MCs, many of whom have earned fanbases. While somewhat polarizing, the following isekai anime protagonists are generally loved or, at least, liked.
Producing three great seasons,Ascendance of a Bookwormis among the most consistent isekai anime of all time, and Myne is a big reason why the show works so well. Going against the grain for this type of genre, the protagonist is specifically reborn into a physically unwell child, to the point that she often finds herself bedridden.
Although she does eventually become relatively strong, Myne never fully stops coming across as a vulnerable child who is just trying to make the most of a challenging situation, all the while pursuing a love of books stemming from memories of a former life. She is also surrounded by adult characters who do not always have her best interests in mind.
The most endearingspider in animehistory, Kumoko is not only delightful but also goes through quite a bit of development throughout her journey. While the adaptation only covers a portion of the light novel’s story, it does a fantastic job of highlighting the protagonist’s initial humanity and gradual incorporation of more monster-like traits. In the meantime, she remains constantly lovable, funny, and even optimistic.
Stuck in a new world as a spider was not in Kumoko’s life plan, and she is initially terrified of her strange circumstances. These early episodes emphasize the protagonist’s relatable and realistic fears, and they make her eventual growth all the more satisfying.
In an attempt to craft themost lovable isekai protagonistever,Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kunalmost crosses the line into sympathy overkill, at least initially. Iruma is treated like dirt by his awful parents, and they even sell him to a demon. The latter takes his new charge to the Netherworld and enrolls him at aschool filled with studentsand teachers who would happily have a human for dinner. On paper, Iruma’s existence is an endless tragedy; in execution, this peculiar turn of events changes the protagonist’s life for the better.
Despite being put through hell for most of his life, Iruma maintains an unshakable positive outlook that is born out of his natural inclination to treat people (and demons) with kindness. He tries to see the best in everyone he meets, and he is willing to put himself at great risk to protect those closest to him. Just an all-around swell guy who radiates love without expecting the same in return.
Villainess isekai animehave a habit of featuring protagonists with similar personalities and journeys. More often than not, a woman is reincarnated as a game or novel’s noble villain who is regarded as the absolute worst person ever. While the concept in general is starting to get repetitive by this point, that was not the case whenMy Next Life as a Villainess’s Catarina made her debut, especially since the light novel and anime adaptation helped popularize this type of character.
Innocent and upfront, Catarina wears her emotions on her sleeve, which endears her to not only the in-universe characters but also the audience. Using her charm as an inadvertent superpower, Catarina shows a constant willingness to be herself and indulge in harmless hobbies that set her apart from the crowd.
A character does not have to be a sweetheart to be beloved. Isekai has way too many vaguely “nice” MCs who are so similar that they might as well all come from the same factory.KonoSuba’s Kazuma is different. He is manipulative, vindictive, short-sighted, arrogant, perverse, and dishonorable. He seems capable of making every situation worse, a talent he shares with hisdysfunctional party members.
Yet, Kazuma is comfortably among themost beloved isekai anime charactersof all time, along with being one of the most memorable. His awfulness paves the way to plenty of hilarity, especially since he is regularly punished for his selfishness. Conversely, Kazuma sporadically steps up to help those in need, putting himself in danger despite not being remotely powerful.
Speaking of protagonists who are not sweethearts,Overlordpushes this concept to its limit by featuring a protagonist who is about as “evil” as they come within the isekai genre. Stuck in a fantasy world that resembles a game he played,Momonga is so ridiculously overpoweredthat he is pretty much untouchable, especially since he is supported by NPC allies who can trounce most enemies without any issue. As he seeks to learn more about this universe and also provide a haven for himself and his makeshift family, Momonga (or Ainz Ooal Gown) accidentally starts on a path toward world domination, a path that sees him establish a kingdom that treats humans better than his neighbors.
Although he is extremely intimidating and merciless when angered, Ainz is generally fair and usually provides his weaker enemies with a way out that would limit casualties. More importantly, he treats his beloved subordinates with genuine affection, coming across as a kind and benevolent ruler at times. He can also be very funny, which is the easiest way to ensure that an isekai anime protagonist becomes beloved.
No Game, No Life’s star has faded slightly over the last decade, especially now that it has become clear asequel seems set to never materialize. The fanservice is even more divisive than usual for this type of anime, and Steph is one of the most polarizing female characters in the isekai genre.
For all the show’s frustrating elements, Sora and Shiro are still loved. Although the former takes center stage a bit more than the latter, the genius siblings are ultimately a package deal, both in-universe and as anime icons. As individuals, they have their shortcomings; combined, they create a complete protagonist. Sora and Shiro are funny, intelligent, ambitious, and slightly arrogant, and they are different in each of these areas.
Arguably the mostbeloved isekai anime MCof all time, Rimuru makes a great first impression and never really lets up after that point. After he dies trying to protect his friend, the MC is reincarnated as the weakest monster imaginable, a turn of events that should have terrified him. However, instead of wallowing in self-pity, Rimuru quickly sets out to make the most of this bizarre situation, and his irresistible positivity and desire to make the new world a better place instantly attract followers who will do anything for him.
Although he can sometimes come across as a bit passive, Rimuru is a being driven by whimsy and a love for life, especially the quiet moments spent with the people most important to him. Although peaceful for the most part, he can be straight-up monstrous if somebody threatens or hurts those he loves, and these moments are generally awesome.
