As the Isekai genre continues to transport ordinary individuals from their mundane lives into fantastical parallel worlds, audiences worldwide continue to be captivated by the protagonists who embark on journeys filled with peril and adventure. Most Isekai protagonists begin as individuals unfortunate in some regard, with lingering desires, wishes, and regrets. Their new lives and worlds allow them to try again and take on a grander or more mellow kind of life.
One of the defining traits of Isekai protagonists is their possession of extraordinary abilities unique to the world they find themselves. Whether mastering powerful magic spells, possessing unrivaled strength, or demonstrating exceptional swordsmanship, these protagonists display levels of power that set them apart from the inhabitants of their new world. Their abilities become sources of fascination and admiration, drawing viewers and readers into their world and igniting their imaginations. Regardless of the criticism the genre receives, 2023 has produced good additions to the Isekai pool. Of this summer’s Isekai anime releases, here are the strongest protagonists.
5 Luciel – The Great Cleric
The Great Cleric takes viewers into the captivating world of Galdardia, where gods and destiny intertwine. At the center of this tale stands Luciel, a former office worker from Earth who defied his predetermined fate and found himself reincarnated in Galdardia. Luciel, armed with the talent of holy attribute magic and a determination to lead a peaceful life, embarks on a journey that will redefine his existence. As the main character of the series, Luciel initially struggles to adapt to his new reality. Being utterly ignorant of the world's common sense, he is met with skepticism and deemed naive by those around him.
However, his true potential shines when he officially joins the Healer's Guild and undergoes rigorous training that astounds others. Even after transitioning to the Adventurer's Guild, Luciel continues to push his limits, guided by the experienced adventurer Brod. Through a divine bet between Earth's God of Destiny and Galdardia's Chief God, Luciel was granted the power of Good Luck, a skill that plays a significant role in his survival in the new world. Luciel regularly drinks Substance X, also called ‘God Lament,’ which aids mana recovery and enhances his abilities.
4 Pastry Mille Morteln – Sweet Reincarnation
Pastry tragically passed away before he created the world's greatest pastry. When he returns as a nine-year-old boy, Pastry gets a second chance to realize his lifelong ambition. Pastry's character is defined by his unwavering determination and his unique combination of culinary expertise and magical abilities. With memories of his past life intact, Pastry possesses an impressive amount of mana capacity, allowing him to delve into the realm of magic.
His magical talent, known as ‘transcription,’ allows him to replicate spells, objects, and movements. This versatile ability grants him a range of possibilities, from transferring wounds to multiple opponents to mimicking the techniques of others during combat. Beyond his magical prowess, Pastry's past life as a skilled pastry chef elevates his character even further. His passion for creating sweet treats fuels his determination and serves as a driving force throughout the story.
3 Ryouta Satou – My Unique Skill Makes Me OP Even at Level 1
Ryouta Satou's journey begins when he dies from overworking at a black company and finds himself reincarnated in a new world. However, he faces a significant inconvenience—his level is fixed at level one. Despite this setback, Ryouta possesses a unique skill he uses to create cheat objects from monsters that have been defeated. Determined to overcome his limitations, Ryouta leverages this skill to its fullest extent, maximizing his stats and equipping himself with formidable gear, even at level one.
Although his level remains stagnant, his parameter increases with every monster he defeats and the subsequent acquisition of seeds of power. This steady growth empowers him with a non-standard status filled with exceptional rankings. Moreover, Ryouta self-taught himself the martial art known as ‘Gun fu’ to defend himself in this new world. His weapon of choice, a wild west handgun, allows him to battle effectively against various monsters he encounters.
2 Hart Zenfis – Am I Actually the Strongest?
Am I Actually the Strongest? tells the story of Hart Zenfis, also known as Reinhart Orteas. He is reborn as a baby and abandoned by his royal parents, who believe he has no powers. But Hart proves them wrong. Despite the harsh start to his life, Hart relentlessly pursues becoming stronger.
With his Barrier Magic, he can create a variety of barriers, manipulate their shape, and control objects within them. The barriers can range from small needle-like structures to room-filling enclosures; he can even change their colors. Hart's expertise in Barrier Magic allows him to utilize it for various purposes, such as flight, concealing objects, and manipulating the environment. He can also use the barriers to reflect the outside world, enabling him to communicate, gather information, or even create a miniature internet.
1 Pride – The Most Heretical Last Boss Queen: From Villainess to Savior
Pride Royal Ivy takes center stage in this anime. Initially, Pride is depicted as the final boss and a despicable villain in the game ‘To a Beam of Light With You.’ However, the story takes an intriguing turn when a high school student is reincarnated into the eight-year-old Princess Pride. Pride resolves to survive and become kinder. She sets out to save her father and the kingdom from impending doom.
Pride possesses exceptional intellect and combat prowess, making her a formidable opponent even as a child. In her first encounter, she effortlessly defeats her swordsmanship teacher, despite wielding a sword for the first time. Similarly, she demonstrates a natural sense of fighting and quickly subdues knights using only a sword and gun, weapons she had never used before.