Isekai as a genre thrives on escapism — the fantasy of being reborn into a world where your old limitations don’t apply. But that fantasy often gets diluted by lazy power scaling. Too many protagonists start as walking cheat codes, breaking the world’s logic with “limitless mana” or “instant evolution” powers.
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What once symbolized wonder and self-discovery has, in many cases, become a shortcut to gratification. That’s why the rare isekai where the protagonist isn’t overpowered feels refreshing — they restore tension and uncertainty to a formula that’s otherwise become predictable. When strength isn’t handed to the hero, the stakes return. Fights have meaning and triumphs feel genuinely earned.
5. Now and Then, Here and There
Now and Then, Here and There might not look like your typical isekai, but it’s one of the rawest and most harrowing takes on the genre. Shuzo “Shu” Matsutani, an ordinary and optimistic boy, gets transported to a bleak, dystopian world ravaged by war and environmental collapse. Here, Shu has no special power — just his sheer will to survive and protect the people he cares about. Shu’s optimism is constantly tested as he faces the horrors of war.
He’s beaten, tortured, and forced to witness the worst of humanity, but he refuses to abandon his principles. His compassion, initially dismissed as naive, become his greatest strengths as he tries to protect others, particularly a girl named Lala-Ru, who possesses a mysterious power tied to water, the most precious resource in this barren land.
4. The Devil is a Part-Timer!
Who would have thought that the mighty Demon Lord Satan could become a humble fast-food worker? In The Devil is a Part-Timer!, the once fearsome ruler of Ente Isla is forced to flee to modern-day Tokyo after a catastrophic defeat. Stripped of his powers and stuck in a world where magic is scarce, Satan (now going by Sadao Maou) takes up a part-time job at “MgRonald’s” to make ends meet. The brilliance of this series lies in its humor and subversion of expectations.
Instead of conquering nations, Sadao battles customer complaints and minimum wage. While he retains some magical abilities, they’re hardly enough to make him overpowered, and he must navigate mundane life like a regular human. The show cleverly flips the isekai trope on its head, focusing on personal growth, adaptability, and the absurdity of a former demon lord learning the value of hard work and kindness. It’s a refreshing take on the genre that proves you don’t need flashy powers to be a compelling protagonist.
3. The Rising of the Shield Hero
Naofumi Iwatani’s journey in The Rising of the Shield Hero is a masterclass in perseverance. Summoned as one of four legendary heroes to save a kingdom from destruction, Naofumi is saddled with the weakest weapon: a shield. To make matters worse, he’s falsely accused of a heinous crime, shunned by society, and left to fend for himself.
Unlike the other summoned heroes who quickly gain strength and status, Naofumi starts at rock bottom. His shield prevents him from attacking directly, forcing him to rely on strategy, resourcefulness, and his allies to survive. Naofumi’s not handed power on a silver platter, and his victories are hard-earned. This makes him one of the most relatable isekai protagonists, as his growth is rooted in determination and grit rather than sheer strength.
2. Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions
In Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions, survival is the name of the game. A group of strangers wakes up in a mysterious, medieval fantasy world with no memories of their past lives. Unlike most isekai, where characters quickly adapt to their new surroundings, this anime shows the brutal reality of being powerless and unprepared.
The protagonists aren’t heroes — they’re just ordinary people thrust into a dangerous world where they must fight monsters for food and money. Their struggles are visceral and slow-paced, emphasizing the weight of every decision. Death is permanent, and battles are messy, desperate affairs. The lack of overpowered characters makes the story deeply human, as the group relies on teamwork, trial and error, and bonds to survive.
1. Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World
Re:Zero is one of the most emotionally taxing isekai anime out there, and much of that is thanks to its protagonist, Subaru Natsuki. Transported to a fantasy world with no explanation, Subaru seems like he’s destined to be the typical overpowered hero. But instead, he’s given a single, devastating ability: “Return by Death,” which allows him to rewind time every time he dies.
Far from a blessing, this power becomes a curse as Subaru endures countless deaths — each more painful and traumatic than the last. Unlike most isekai protagonists, Subaru isn’t strong, smart, or talented. His only weapon is his determination to keep going, no matter how hopeless the situation seems. The show’s brilliance lies in its exploration of Subaru’s psyche as he grapples with failure, self-doubt, and the weight of his choices. Re:Zero stands out as an isekai that prioritizes emotional depth over flashy action, proving that strength comes in many forms.
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Image Courtesy of Netflix
