The Isekai landscape has evolved rapidly over time, turning into a vast expanse of unique narratives and oddly satisfying storylines. While the usual framework for crafting Isekai stories lies in the concept of embarking on a risky adventure in a new world, some series defy this notion with a protagonist that is held back by cowardice and fear.

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Protagonists that start off as cowards in their new worlds are certainly rare, yet they add a sense of relatability to the entire Isekai ordeal. The premise of coward to hero is another intriguing aspect that these anime and manga embody, a narrative that deviates from the usual Isekai heroics that start right off the bat.

6 Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun

Iruma lives in fear of his human identity being revealed.

Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun features a protagonist that isn’t inherently a coward, but the situation at hand forces him to lay low and live in fear. After being sold to a demon by his family, Iruma Suzuki finds himself in a grim affair, though his worries soon dissipate after he realizes the demon merely wants a human grandchild.

While his initial worries fade, Iruma is presented with an even bigger predicament as he finds himself enrolled in a demon school called Babyls. To keep his human identity undiscovered, Iruma is forced to live in constant fear of being caught, and his cowardly nature becomes exacerbated due to his odd circumstances.

5 The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

Ken Usato initially wishes to return home and lies low.

Another dejected and cautious protagonist, Ken Usato finds himself in a fantasy world after an accidental summon meant for the president and vice president of the student council. Instead of relishing the notion of escapism, Ken wishes to return home and tries to find a way to go back.

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With no end in sight, Ken decides to lie low and avoid confrontation in the new world, accepting his fate. However, this changes as soon as he discovers his affinity for healing magic. While Ken eventually decides to jump back in action, he initially refuses to indulge in the adventurous side of the new world, avoiding confrontation and action altogether.

4 Re:Zero Starting Life in Another World

Subaru's timid nature becomes a barrier to his growth.

Re:Zero is another Isekai that features a regular, timid teenager finding himself Isekai’d to a fantasy world. However, Subaru Natsuki’s case becomes all the more bizarre as he discovers an extremely unsettling power in the new world, one that denies the embrace of death and forces him to relive his life again and again.

Gaining a sort of immortality would be any Isekai protagonist’s dream, yet Subaru’s timid and cowardly disposition leads him to a different route. Instead of using his newfound power to rise to the top, Subaru is hell-bent on helping his friends in this new world. However, his character undergoes tremendous growth, turning the once-timid protagonist into a pivotal character.

3 Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi

Mukouda resigns to a life of peace instead of fighting.

Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi’s protagonist isn’t some wimpy character, though he tries his best to avoid fighting or any sort of conflict. Despite being summoned to a new world as a hero of the Kingdom of Reijseger, Tsuyoshi Mukouda walks out of the situation by claiming a lack of combatant skills, resigning himself to a life of solitude and peace.

With a power to cheaply purchase food from modern day Japan, Mukouda gains the ability to dish up impeccable food. With this newfound power, Mukouda roams the land and cooks gourmet food for his familiars and the people he meets in his journey, satiating the palates of all those he comes across. Instead of taking the heroic route, Mukouda lies low and avoids fighting, alluding to a somewhat cowardly disposition.

2 KonoSuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!

Kazuma isn't too keen on heroics and avoids dangerous confrontations.

KonoSuba is one of the few comedy Isekai anime to have left a mark on this expansive genre, and rightfully so, as this parody Isekai weaves together the most popular elements of this niche. However, most of the show’s success can be attributed to Kazuma’s deadpan personality and blunt quirks.

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After a mortifying death, Kazuma is given the choice to give life another shot in a fantasy world, though he is blindsided by the life-threatening work and low salaries of adventurers. Instead of taking on the role of a hero, Kazuma relinquishes all heroics and turns to his old shut-in gamer antics.

1 Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious

Seiya's overly cautious nature stems from fear.

Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious presents exactly what it promises – a cautions hero afraid to take risks. Seiya Ryuuguuin is summoned to a new world to save it from imminent doom, yet the goddess who summons him is in for a surprise, as this overpowered hero likes to take his sweet time preparing for all possible scenarios.

While cautiousness isn’t necessarily tied to cowardice, Seiya’s overly cautious disposition stems from his fears. Despite possessing overpowered stats, he fights weak opponents and buys excessive potions to stay safe. It’s safe to say that Seiya’s cautious behavior can be traced back to cowardice and fear of the unknown.

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