Summary
- Isekai anime challenge traditional hero narratives by showcasing misunderstood protagonists mistaken for villains.
- Characters like Sora, Catarina, Naofumi, Hajime, and Ainz explore complex themes of morality and survival.
- Through unique backstories and experiences, these protagonists navigate worlds where power dynamics shape their actions.
Isekai anime often feature protagonists who have no regard for the characters around them, since they were transported away from their original world. As a result, a new narrative has gained traction, one where the protagonist, intended to be the hero of the story finds themselves mistaken to be the antagonist, either due to their actions or circumstances.
7 Great Isekai Anime With No Magic Systems
These isekai anime offer a refreshing change from the usual tropes of this genre by removing magic systems altogether.
This intriguing concept adds layers of complexity to the traditional hero’s journey, turning tables on expectations and exploring the consequences of being misunderstood. Sometimes their actions are rooted in heroism, and sometimes self-preservation, with that in mind, here are some isekai anime where the protagonist is mistaken for a villain.
5 No Game No Life
Sora
No Game, No Life
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- 1
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Streaming Service(s)
- HIDIVE, Hulu
Although the step-sibling pair, Sora and Shiro, are the main protagonists of the story, Sora is the main object of focus here. Taking on the identity of Blank, a duo of undefeated gamers, Sora and Shiro tormented the gaming world with their superior skills and intellect. They eventually defeated a God, who transported them to a world in which decisions are made through games.
Sora can be quite mean, showing no mercy or remorse to those who crumble at the hands of Blank, even going as far as mocking his opponents. However, his demeanor changes when he is without Shiro, becoming quite introverted and meek.
4 My Next Life As A Villainess
Catarina Claes
My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!
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- 2
- Studio
- Silver Link
- Creator
- Satoru Yamaguchi
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Catarina spent most of her life as the spoilt and mean daughter of a nobleman after being reborn into the world of Fortune Lover, an otome game, as the villainess. However, after bumping her head, she remembers her past life and decides to change for the better, thereby becoming a completely new and selfless person trying to protect herself from the result of the game—her getting exiled or killed.
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Whether they're trapped in video games or reincarnated in fantasy worlds, these isekai protagonists put their gaming knowledge to good use.
However, the steps she takes to avoid those situations begin to slowly affect the relationship dynamics between her and the other characters in the world.
3 The Rising Of The Shield Hero
Naofumi Iwatani
The Rising of The Shield Hero
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- 3
- Studio
- Kinema Citrus, DR Movie
- Japanese Title
- Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari
- Based On
- Novel & Light Novel
- Creator
- Aneko Yusagi
- Number of Episodes
- 50
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
When the Shield Hero was summoned into the new world, he was summoned alongside three other heroes who were supposed to help battle the calamities that plagued their world called Waves. Unlike him, the other heroes received actual weapons and became sweethearts of the kingdom by extension regardless of their personalities.
Naofumi Iwatani was hated by everyone in the kingdom due to his status as the Shield Hero, with the princess even going as far as falsely accusing him of rape, which got him exiled from the kingdom. The series follows his adventures through their world, as he tries to survive and gain the trust of the citizens of this new world.
2 Arifureta: From World Strongest To Commonplace
Hajime Nagumo
Arifureta: From Commonplace To World's Strongest
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- 3
- Studio
- Asread, White Fox, Studio Mother
- Japanese Title
- Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Creator
- Ryo Shirakome
In his previous life, Hajime was often bullied by his classmates, and this carried on even after they were transported to a new world. While all his classmates gained powerful abilities and skills, he was only given the ability to transmute materials. He was eventually betrayed by his friends and pushed down a dungeon. He ate monsters to stay alive and created weapons to escape the dungeon, with this experience bringing out a different side of him.
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With protagonists resigning themselves to a quaint existence, these isekai anime feature lightweight narratives without any overpowered action tropes.
After escaping and becoming a hybrid, he no longer cares for anyone but himself, even going as far as killing people who hold him back. He behaves like a true antagonist, often displaying how twisted and brutal he is now, as a result of the traumatic experiences he has had. His only goal is to find a way to return to Japan and will stop at nothing to make it a reality.
1 Overlord
Ainz Ooal Gown
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
- Studio: Madhouse
- Number Of Episodes: 52
Following the server shutdown of YGGDRASIL, Ainz Ooal Gown, formerly known as Momonga was transported into the game as his skeleton avatar. He took up the name of his former guild to send a message to people who might have also been transported alongside him.m Ainz is naturally the strongest character in the world and is responsible for the safety of Nazarick.
He also developed a twisted moral compass due to a combination of being power drunk and the fact that he is surrounded by NPCs. This is evidenced by how he has no qualms about taking lives and committing other crimes he would not have done in his previous life. The anime serves as a window into the inner ramblings of the mind of a being with limitless power and limited ethical concerns.
10 Anime That Blur The Lines Between Good And Evil
These anime tread on gray areas, blurring the lines between good and evil.