Highlights
- Healers are often overlooked as main characters in stories, but their unique perspectives and abilities can make for entertaining plots.
- Some healers in anime and manga are portrayed in unconventional ways, such as being used as resurrection bots or causing harm with their spells.
- There are various anime and manga that feature healers as main characters, ranging from historical dramas to lighthearted gag stories.
A staple of any adventuring party is the healer who supports the team with buffs and recovery effects. Without them, no hero or warrior would last long on their quests. Despite the importance of healers, not many are the main characters in their own stories. They're relegated to sidekicks or background characters.
10 Anime Healers Who Are Useless
If anyone is looking for medical attention, it’s probably best to avoid these terrible anime healers.
This is especially true for isekai since protagonists who can do a bit of everything are usually more popular. However, someone who specializes in one thing can offer a unique perspective and plot that can be just as entertaining.
8 Live Dungeon!
MyAnimeList: 6.92
- Author: Reitou dy
- Illustrator: Mika Pikazo
- Published: 2016 to Present
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Tsutomu Kyoutani is an average guy who gets isekai'd into the game he is playing. In this mysterious world, dungeon raids are broadcast like live sports and treated like a game, since raiders can respawn after dying. Tsutomu's job is White Mage, which is known for its healing and recovery spells.
10 Isekai Anime & Manga With Gamer Protagonists
Whether they're trapped in video games or reincarnated in fantasy worlds, these isekai protagonists put their gaming knowledge to good use.
The problem is, White Mages don't act like they would in-game. They're used as resurrection bots and human shields instead. With his knowledge of gaming strategy and tactics, Tsutomu is determined to show what a real White Mage can do.
7 Kono Healer, Mendokusai
MyAnimeList: 7.02
- Author: Tannen ni Hakkou
- Illustrator: Tannen ni Hakkou
- Published: 2019 to Present
- Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Healers are meant to be helpful, but that certainly isn't always the case. Karol is a cleric who isn't interested in healing or helping. In fact, her spells and magic mostly cause harm to their recipient. By happenstance, she meets rookie adventurer Alvin and curses him by accident. Now he can't stray too far from Karol, or he'll die.
This manga mostly follows their journey together and mostly consists of Karol savagely roasting Alvin at any given opportunity. It's a charming gag story with no real plot, but it's great for a lighthearted read and a good chuckle.
6 Hidamari no Ki
MyAnimeList: 7.07
- Aired: 2000 to 2000
- Episodes: 25
- Studios: Madhouse
- Genres/Themes: Action, Award Winning, Drama, Historical, Medical, Samurai
What are doctors if not healers? They may not have magic, but doctors still administer treatment and help people recover. Hidamari no Ki is a historical anime that follows a young samurai trying to uphold ancient traditions and a medical student trying to spread Western medicine in Japan in 1886.
The author of the original manga is Osamu Tezuka, and part of the story is based on the life of his great-grandfather, who was a physician pushing for the acceptance of Western medicine. The medical student in the story even shares his family name: Tezuka.
5 The Wrong Way To Use Healing Magic
MyAnimeList: 7.32
- Author: Kurokata
- Illustrator: Reki Kugayama
- Published: 2017 to Present
- Genres: Action, Fantasy, Isekai
In isekai, protagonists usually get in trouble for having odd or unique powers. Ken Usato is summoned to another world with two classmates, and while they have magic befitting heroes, he has healing magic. He's not disappointed, but everyone around him is terrified.
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Nowadays, Isekai anime are inescapable. For every Sword Art Online and Overlord, there is a great but underrated isekai anime.
It turns out the most famous healer is a woman named Rose. She's a spartan woman who made a name for herself by fighting on the front lines, healing herself and her allies while completely crushing the enemy.
4 Black Jack
MyAnimeList: 7.56
- Aired: 2004 to 2006
- Episodes: 61
- Studios: Tezuka Productions
- Genres/Themes: Drama, Medical
Black Jack is the story of a wandering doctor named Hazama Kuroo who deals in unknown diseases and mysterious medical cases. Although he has no actual medical license, he's notorious for being a genius in the field of medicine and science and for his impeccable surgical skills.
In this anime, each episode has its own story. Whether dealing with underground gangs or those stricken by poverty, Dr. Kuroo finds a solution before the show ends. Despite this, Kuroo does develop as a character, learning about love and nature.
3 Snow White With The Red Hair
MyAnimeList: 7.76
- Aired: 2015 to 2015
- Episodes: 12
- Studios: Bones
- Genres/Themes: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Shirayuki is an herbalist working at an apothecary, living a slow life comfortably. Unfortunately, she's forced to flee when the prince demands she become one of his concubines. Shirayuki cuts her hair and absconds into the woods. She is found not too long after.
Luckily, she meets Zen, the prince of a neighboring kingdom, and his guards. Using his status, he's able to save Shirayuki, and in return, she dedicates her skills to him as a means of repaying him. Her new life starts as a herbalist in the royal palace.
2 JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable
MyAnimeList: 8.50
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- Aired: 2016 to 2016
- Episodes: 39
- Studios: David Production
- Genres/Themes: Action, Adventure, Supernatural
Each iteration of Jojo's Bizarre Adventure can be vastly different from the last because themes and characters change in each one. In Part 4, the main character is Josuke Higashikata, a descendant of Joseph Joestar. His stand is called Crazy Diamond, and with its power, he can return or restore anything to a different state in its history.
6 Things JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Does Better Than Most Other Action Shonen Anime
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has outshone many of its contemporaries; here is how.
The story revolves around Josuke protecting his hometown of Morioh from evil stand-users and other malevolent threats. Using his ability to restore things, Josuke can deal with problems in unique ways, displaying his ability to help and harm others.
1 Mushi-Shi
MyAnimeList: 8.66
- Aired: 2005 to 2006
- Episodes: 26
- Studios: Artland
- Genres/Themes: Adventure, Mystery, Slice of Life, Supernatural, Adult Cast, Historical, Iyashikei
Mushi-Shi is an episodic anime that follows Ginko as he travels across Japan solving problems related to Mushi. Mushi are spirits that inhabit the world, though they're usually invisible to most people. They have no sense of right and wrong and exist more like natural phenomena.
Often, people interact with mushi by accident, causing problems in their lives. As a researcher, Ginko chases rumors and stories of strange happenings to learn more about mushi and helps victims along the way.
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Slice-of-life isekai are laid-back with a focus on a niche that may not be normally exciting, but are perfect for cozy vibes and a light watch.