Key takeaways
-
Unconventional isekai protagonists challenge typical hero narratives and choose different or selfish paths in fantasy worlds.
-
Characters like Boxxo and Kazuma prioritize personal desires over heroism, challenging traditional isekai norms and expectations.
-
Some protagonists such as Tanya and Rudeus reject heroic ideals, driven by personal goals, revenge, survival, or knowledge rather than heroism.
The isekai genre is one of the most prominent of all anime genres. With isekai shows comes an overpowered character who is reincarnated in a fantasy world. However, that’s just for the typical isekai show. Some characters decide to change the usual isekai script, either by choice or circumstance, challenging the typical isekai narrative of righteousness and peace.
Flipping the script, these unconventional isekai protagonists don’t typically acquire strength on a platter of gold, nor do they have their life as one in which they defeat all of their adversaries. Better yet, they would prefer to dispense with the hero moniker and live their lives however they want, even if they become cowardly and selfish villains.
8
Boxxo
An unconventional protagonist in the truest sense
The very act of being reincarnated into a vending machine defies the typical script present in various isekai shows, and the series Reborn as a vending machine It has always stood out for its plot. Like the entire series, the main vending machine character is nothing like usual, especially when it comes to his build.
As a vending machine, the main character is able to see and hear, but cannot speak beyond the words normally programmed for a vending machine to welcome customers. Named Boxxo after a young adventurer who stumbles upon a strange device in a fantasy world, Boxxo travels in a fantasy world as a vending machine, not primarily to save lives or be a hero, but simply to serve others.
7
kazuma
Laziness over heroism
The protagonist of the Konosuba The anime series is unique. Unlike the typical hero who seeks to defeat the demon king and become a hero who brings justice and fairness to all, Kazuma is rather a lazy individual who prefers to simply sit back and live a luxurious life.
Kazuma considers that the very idea of heroism is not his style, as he always hesitates to put himself in danger for others; Furthermore, in terms of abilities, Kazuma is more or less a normal human who was reincarnated in another world without any abilities, not even a commendable amount of stamina.
6
subaru
Shaped by pain and perseverance rather than mastered skills
Natsuki Subaru is the definition of an emotionally vulnerable character. At the beginning of the series, Subaru may seem like the typical isekai hero; However, the first few episodes show him as he really is: an emotional wreck.
Like Kazuma, Subaru initially sought to take the easy way out in his dealings; However, the consequence always came in the form of exhausting death. While being reborn every time he died was the only ability he had, the deaths were nonetheless painful. But going through repeated failures, which is quite unusual for an isekai protagonist, Subaru presses on and tries to prove himself through resilience rather than skill.
5
Tanya Von Degurechaff
antihero protagonist
This anime character defies that her destiny is planned for her. Despite being a skilled and respected combatant, Tanya Von Degurechaff refuses to be a hero and only strives to leave her life alone. Furthermore, she is willing to become a demon to her enemies to achieve that goal.
In addition to challenging the normal isekai trope figuratively, throughout the Evil Tanya Saga, Tanya goes against Being X, the being responsible for her reincarnation. Typically, most isekai characters would obey whatever god they encountered upon reincarnation, but not Tanya Von Degurechaff. Reincarnated as a skilled combatant or not, Tanya only seeks to fulfill her desires and not let herself be repressed by heroic ideals.
4
ludeo
A deeply flawed hero
A 34-year-old NEET who is reincarnated in a fantasy world with a talent for magic is typical of isekai shows; However, Rudeus defies the trope by being severely affected by the consequences of his actions, whether past or present. Be it the rejection of the female protagonist, erectile dysfunction, complex relationships, and various forms of trauma, Rudeus suffers from all of them.
As an isekai character, Rudeus shows that while he has a greater affinity for magic than others, that’s all there is to it. In terms of the trauma he experiences and the loss he suffers, Rudeus is nothing like your average isekai character and might be better off as an average human.
3
hajime
Driven by revenge and not heroism
Most isekai characters follow the more common hero route or the everyday life route, as they prefer to live their new life free of problems. However, Hajime Nagumo decides to take revenge on his classmates.
After being reincarnated into a new world with his classmates, someone orchestrates his death. By surviving, Nagumo gains power, but he is not satisfied with simply being stronger than those who despised him; he would rather stomp on them and search for them to do just that. Instead of becoming a traditional hero, Hajime embarks on a path driven by revenge and a desire to settle scores.
2
mine
Revolutionize a fantasy world through books and not skills
As an avid book lover who was reincarnated, Myne did not decide to embark on heroic passions or live the rest of her life carefree. Instead, she decided to impact her world like most isekai heroes, but not through combat or magic, but through literacy, knowledge, and books!
Reincarnating in a world where books are only kept for the high and powerful, Myne decided to create her own. As a character, Myne bears an uncanny resemblance to Senku from doctor stone and it’s like its isekai version. With inventions, innovations and many books, he strives to change the world.
1
Kumoko
Focus on survival rather than heroism
This character’s journey is actually very different from typical isekai narratives. Kumoko begins as a human who is reincarnated as a spider in a maze; However, unlike Rimuru Tempest, who quickly adapted to reincarnating as a slime, Kumoko’s situation was more that of having a teenage mind in a spider body. He found it strange and absolutely disgusting to eat certain insects and monsters to survive and not starve to death.
Additionally, most of Kumoko’s journey is more about surviving as a lesser species in a dungeon, as opposed to the typical isekai hero, who would be granted the ability along with the vision to conquer the dungeon. For Kumoko, his body underwent reincarnation and then her mind was slowly but surely reconditioned into that of a spider.