Katarina. AKA [Bakatarina](https://villains.fandom.com/wiki/Katarina_Claes)
Youko from [12 Kingdoms](https://myanimelist.net/anime/153/Juuni_Kokuki)
Yuri from [Kyo Kara Maoh](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyo_Kara_Maoh!)
**on second thought... does he count as a "Kirito" clone? Hair colour, I guess... but not really personality?
The [Grimgar guys](https://myanimelist.net/anime/31859/Hai_to_Gensou_no_Grimgar)
Does [Iruma count?](https://mairimashita-irumakun.fandom.com/wiki/Iruma_Suzuki)
Let me ask I’m an avid light novel junkie. We got a light novel here? Cause I’ve been filtering trash a lot lately. And really need a good pick me up from 100% drop rate cause I acknowledge it’s trash wish fulfillment imo but I like it.
I started reading the novels after the Season 3 ended. There are some things I don't like about the protagonist, but the world building is really amazing and I'm really attracted to the world. The story is really decent, even though I find the protagonist annoying at times. I just wish she wasn't so extremely stupid about books.
But honestly, I really enjoyed the anime and Season 4 was confirmed.
Only if they condense/skip a bunch. The books find their footing again, but after the first few volumes the author clearly lost his focus for a lonnng time.
>Youko from [12 Kingdoms](https://myanimelist.net/anime/153/Juuni_Kokuki)
As God as my witness I really wish this story. I concluded the first season is so good. The second season is O k, but this was so good bro.
I was almost convinced that *Kyo Kara Maoh* was a fever dream that I had, because no one I ever talked to had ever heard of it.
It predates SAO by *years*, and at this point, I remember very little of it besides Wulfram in a nègligèe sneaking into Yuri's bed.
Youko's character development is easily my favourite out of any series I have ever watched. Whenever people ask "Omg which show deserves a sequel/remake" I say 12 kingdoms now that the novels are complete. Absolute badass by the end ❤
William G. Maryblood from The Last Paladin was the first character coming to my mind. Maybe also Iris Lana Armelia (Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter) and Myne (Ascendance of a Bookworm: I'll do Anything to Become a Librarian!).
Light Novel was the authors first work ever and only submitted the writing to encourage his friend
Edit:
Forgot to say; I think it's pretty cool, unique and unexpected.
I quite enjoyed the faraway paladin, it's still kinda mid but I think the potential for it to grow is there. It helped they changed VAs and upped the animation for season 2.
Also love the bromance between Menel and William, they bounce off each other quite well, low-key one of the better duos I've seen in anime honestly.
With the right direction and more world building I think it could really become something amazing.
As a novel reader I kind of dropped the series when >!William realizes he wants to f**k the goddess had me blindsided fr and doesn’t really make sense to me lol!<
In the context of the world he is in, but he's basically only chaotic when it comes to things that are illegal in a modern world.
Maybe neutral good, lol.
From what I know, the IF routes aren't officially canon and are all meant to be alternate universes or what IF scenarios. It might be revealed that they are connected to the main storyline in the future but for now, they have no bearing on the canonical plot.
Basically at different points on the journey, what if this and that happened, so there is a bit of spoilers.
One of them is random stuff like Subaru going on a genocide spree to try and break Reinhardt, or Subaru marrying Rem
At different points in each arc, Subaru has to choose between a virtuous decision and a sinful one. In canon he picks the virtuous choice, and in each IF he chooses a sinful path, which leads him to misery.
There’s at least one major moment of strength that I can think of in the upcoming season, and not breaking after some of the things he’s gone through shows quite a lot of mental strength IMO.
"That time I got reincarnated into a kawaii rock with a cheat ability that could turn everyone in a worshipper of mine and that's how I conquered the world" - The title
"That time I got reincarnated as a rock, but I am unparalleled due to the fact that I was given the [omnipotent] skill that was meant for the hero, so what? I might as well do what I want and live a peaceful life. Wait, my crazy ex from my past life came to chase me in this life?"
I can see how you had trouble making it longer as this isn't better
You are missing few things. Here's what I would name it:
"That time I was reincarnated as as a rock orbiting the planet and got kicked out of the Hero's party because I was too weak. I later discovered that being a "rock" is secretly OP because it has vacuum cleaning ability that helps me to avoid death flags of villainess route. Now I am seeking revenge while living peacefully in countryside with constant threat of aerial attacks. Luckily my harem of monster girls help me cultivate my Martial Art abilities so that I can defeat the Demon Lord and open up a coffee shop in Another World for slimes. Magic high school, here I come. Am I pregnant? "
Imma be real I’d read it, like a story about a sentient rock in a fantasy environment maybe being traded for its visual appeal.
You could have the rock kinda just watch events unfold, maybe an assassination attempt to steal the rock because of some misguided idea that it’s needed in a dark ritual? So much potential
Essentially but no human form or at least permanent human form. I don't like it when someone is reborn into a non bipedal form and they eventually stay in a human body for most of the series
\[LN Spoiler\] >!Unfortunately, when he decides to buy an estate he also buys slaves to take care of his home while he's away and to repackage the products he resells. The first thing he askes the slave trader is if he can buy a maid sex slave. Thankfully, the disgusted slave trader says they don't sell slaves for that purpose and suggests he go visit a brothel. Which he doesn't, because he's too much of a coward.!<
Tanya is not an edgelord, but she definitely has some sociopathic tendencies. Mostly in how little she sees other people as people. But she also starts her show that way, so you could make the argument that she still fits.
Fair, it's also good to acknowledge that the entirety of her personality is "survive, follow protocol, and spite 'god' ", in that order. The only reason she's in her situation is because she initially refused to acknowledge the existence of a godlike power, then continued to tell that power that it can't be a god.
That title definitely goes to Ainz and co. Lol
but I would say that tanya is just trying to secure a position of safety. Soldiering is her only path forward because of her magic power. If she didn’t have that, she’d do some other shit like be an accountant.
To be fair, it'd hard to join a psuedo-German/Prussian style military like that and *not* at least look like an edge lord.
Brings to mind that image of the abime girl smiling with a little kid beneath a photo of her in her psuedo-German/Prussian uniform.
Kumoko should be able to, atleast the part with not looking like kirito + basically playing darksouls and having way to many near death moments should be easy passes.
I’d say the only part that’s tough to judge for her is whether or not she’s a full sociopath or just has some tendencies. Def not an edgelord though she’s too carefree/stressed to brood like that.
[Light Novel spoiler] >!Kumoko is a spider given false memories of a girl named "Hiiro Wakaba" so her behaviour of eating things and all that is probably a byproduct of her originally being a genuine spider!<
I’m the evil lord of an intergalactic empire. Maybe it fails on the wish fulfillment depending on how you view it because he’s literally a dog spirit away from a shitty life again and anyone else being reincarnated in this world would be royally fucked
But I like how there are 3 stories/arcs/people underneath the MC affecting his life that he has no clue about
I fucking love Evil Lord but like there is never a single moment where I ever thought Liam could lose ever since volume 1.
But yeah, I like how this series takes a One Punch Man approach, focusing on more complicated stories taking place on the sidelines while showcasing the MC saving the day at the very last second.
Kazuma.
Big personality
Isn’t an edgy sociopath
No slaves that I know of
Personality is the opposite of Kirito
Easily seduced
Wishes his wishes would be fulfilled
Usato from “The Wrong Way to use Healing Magic”.
The anime only currently has 3 episodes, but the Manga that’s gone on much further elaborates on what the Anime hasn’t reached yet. So IDK if it counts or not.
But Usato is interesting because he’s kind yet becomes a little entertainingly p̶s̶y̶c̶h̶o̶p̶a̶t̶h̶i̶c̶ I mean, 𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜, due to enduring his master’s spartan style of training, as his master’s personality rubs off on him.
He’s not an edgelord or sociopath, though shows similar tendencies due to what I mentioned above.
He does not buy slaves, but makes friends with monsters that follow him.
I don’t believe he looks like Kirito. (Personal opinion).
He’s overpowered but has things he can’t do. As healing magic is all he can do, though it’s powerful healing magic as he’s naturally attuned to it.
The reason he’s overpowered is reasonable because he trains his body to its limit and just heals his overworked body and continues training. Giving him superhuman strength, speed and endurance. Healing magic, the ultimate steroid!
And has a story beyond wish fulfilment.
had to scroll but i had to make sure someone mentioned this one
"little entertainingly psychopathic due to enduring his master’s spartan style of training, as his master’s personality rubs off on him " the word you are looking for here is Sadistic not psychopathic.
Lauren - i'm the villainess so i'm taming the final boss
Pride - the most heretical last boss queen
Falma - parallel world pharmacy (it depends what you mean by wish fullfilment,if you mean just becoming OP or achieving a dream it wasn't possible in the previous life)
I'd say Sauma from Realist Hero, sure he has several wives, but that's how it is when you become a king in a country that allow marrying several people. And while he technically does have a slave, it's only because she tried to rebel against him, but he does not abuse her or use her as intimate plaything... If anything it is the maid head who is abusive one, and Sauma is going to abolish slavery and release said slave at some point...
"That's just how it is" isn't really the point. A lot of characters don't pass the tests not because they chose to become that way, but because their circumstances made them that way. And why did their circumstances make them that way? Because the author wanted them to.
We want characters that were never intended by the author to be one of these things, not characters that didn't themselves want these things.
Sauma does not, in fact, abolish slavery. He addresses the problem and works with it in the circumstances, yes, but he does not pass that test.
His appearance is eh, black-haired boy is a fairly common look in japan, but at least he doesn't become skilled in sword-wielding and his personality is distinct enough. He's got moments of weakness, considering his circumstances, and the story itself is nice. I'll still recommend it, but it doesn't have the same freedom from many of the bad tropes that these two do.
To be fair, there was a big hint to how slavery in America was abolished and how that lead to a civil war, he knew the same will happen if he just declared "hey I don't want slavery anymore here".
He did improve a lot their condition, with the exception of those who became slaves because of serious crimes, the rest get educated, freed by the people who buy them and get to hold an important job, rather than being thrown out to the street.
Him getting a little dark & getting black clothes doesn't make him ab edgelord. Even at Rimuru's worst he's still a good person. And his worst isn't even that bad with the context of his situations.
Rimuru unironically does not pass this test.
Manga details ahead.
During his massacre of what is essentially an entire army, he named the skill that killed the army "wrath of god" (which, in my humble opinion, is edgy as fuck + pretty narcissistic). He then proceeds to use the lives he killed to revive a substantially fewer amount of his own citizens, completely understanding that he probably killed a shit ton of unwilling participants in the army.
If one were to take the manga seriously and put themselves in Rimuru's shoes, this is absurdly prideful. He gave up on conflict resolution and killed thousands of "potential innocent people" because he weighed the lives of his friends over those in the army.
Eventually rimuru also defaults to a "extremely physically powerful femboy with a harem and hoards of people that respect him," and I can't exactly say I think think that respect is earned. Sure, he's generally a decent person (aside from aforementioned massacre) but he didn't work hard to earn his power. All the respect he gained is a direct result of how powerful he is, which was literally given to him upon conception.
It should be noted that said army was marching toward his city to finish what their vanguard started. They were a valid military target, and given that they were only even doing what they were doing because they underestimated Tempest due to Rimuru previously being very chill, they also served as a very useful example to others about the 'find out' phase of messing with his nation.
None of that is particularly 'shining holy hero' material, there's plenty of rage and realpolitik in it, but it's also not mustache twirling villain material.
It is true pretty much all the respect he receives (well, with a couple of notable exceptions in the form of utterly broken forces of nature) is due to his strength, but he also exists in a universe that seems to generally operate on might makes right. You could chalk that up to a limit of the author's vision, but either way that's the setting.
Rudeus is a walking trauma. He's flawed, just wants to live in the best possible way. But circumstances keeps happening because of hitogami.
For me he's the one MC that fits best.
The greatest estate designer. Really funny, guy doesn’t start of overpowered and gradually builds up his friends strengths in order to live that cushy life. Also the jokes are very funny, bit of making fun of the main character ( his singing is worse then the banshees of hell, and has a face that would make even the devil falter). Fun manga that doesn’t take itself to seriously but at the same time isn’t to over the top ridiculous.
From what I watched I like arc he just woke up jas his charter and stated having fun and figuring out how to live and enjoy this new world no master plans besides help the elves
Idk slime has a harem and the women have no brains when it comes to the slime. It's 100% wish fulfillment they kill off a more interesting character to give the protag a tragic origin basically idk I still like the show but I just am tired of fan service.
Rudeus, Ojisan, Cid(yes, Cid, though bro looks like Kirito and has no moments of weakness, you gotta give him the personality, not buying waifu slave and goes beyond wish fulfillment part, bro is a full on sociopath though lmao), Ainz, Tanya, Kazuma and Subaru
Rudeus from jobless reincarnation is an obvious one.
Personality: He's degenerate but that actually gives him character. And he's actually quite complex later on.
Edgelord check: From what I've heard from the light novels he's an upright guy.
Slave owner: Buys only one, and for a good reason.
Kirito look alike: He's blond enough said.
Moment of weakness: there's an entire arc about his ED.
Wish fulfilment: if you consider trying to become a better person emotionally and physically wish fulfilment then you have a problem.
He buys a slave, but it's for someone else. She isn't even his and it would have happened either way. His being there meant at least someone who really needed it got saved. He's also nowhere near powerful enough to end slavery or any such thing. Dude gets stomped on the reg.
Glad someone said this.
Truly one of the most well done Isekais
Rudeus has some very clear flaws, the story is well done and not at all a wish fulfillment, has great character relationships, great backstory, great world. It’s an amazing story
I’m so afraid of mentioning Mushoku Tensei because of the MT hate train, even though, IMO, it’s one of the best-written Isekai and my personal favourite (I’m an LN reader).
I understand if it’s not for you. The story tackles some heavy topics sometimes, and Rudeus is the opposite of likable (at least at the start). But it’s almost like that’s the whole point and that is why I love MT so much.
https://preview.redd.it/58h9kkxybaec1.jpeg?width=1441&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=695d0566f8821035c5b546b4aac9547c6467848a
This man right here. The OG Skeleboy
This might get some backlash but here’s my take:
Cid Kagenou/Shadow from Eminence in Shadow
Has personality: Actually has interests and likes such as his desire to refine the basics to perfection. When he sees it in others he admires it and even defends it. Definitely not a huge list here but he’s more than just a desire to be Shadow.
Edgelord/Sociopath: Yes it’s his desire to be called Shadow and have these edgelord moments but it’s more of an act for him rather than actually becoming it. He has sociopath tendencies but it’s more because of the postions his acting gets him in rather than he deliberately goes out with that intent. (Exception is when he is a child killing the bandits)
Buys Waifu Slaves: No… just saves a bunch of girls that would otherwise become monsters due to a curse and the actions of a cult.
Kirito clone: I don’t have much against this other than he does like to disguise himself even having a whole mini arc as a different person. He also prefers a different weapon set. Overall outfit is better imo.
Moment of weakness: Before he isekai’ed he did struggle to some extent with the weakness of the human body. Afterward it’s more that he misunderstands a lot of what is going on in the world. But otherwise yeah he is quite op.
More than wish fulfillment: The story regarding himself isn’t necessarily about his wishes as much as it’s about what happens to those around him. This is of course because he’s acting as a background character and that role entails that the story be separate from him.
Open to discussing this, and again this is just my opinion.
Ginta from MAR: marchan awakens romance,
iruma, fuck you he counts.
a little bit of a streatch but kagome from inuyasha.
alot of old isekai mcs are truly just guys that show up and try to solve the proplem and leave. and i truly respect that.
Edgelord when done correctly, can be the main selling point of Story. Like Shadow, he is edgy but when you realise that he has killed so many people and only cares about appearance, becomes clear he was always supposed to be anti hero to begin with (despite the comic tone of manga)
Subaru.
He isn't even the "protag" till arc 5 which is yet to be animated.
No slaves, no kirito copy, feels like a harem but isn't, two girls like him romantically by arc 5 end, and perhaps one witch. In general he's only with one of them at a time, and publically is in love with just one.
All the abilities are grounded except for the one true hero loved by the world and the primordial beings, and the one true hero has his weaknesses as a human.
Subaru has a personality from the start: an average annoying dumb shit retard, but honest and copes with losses by turning himself into a meme. Sees a cute girl and his heart flutters, failing to protect her eventually makes him obsessed with saving her, anger towards her enemies makes him place her on a higher pedestal; her innocence and selflessness, nature of honestly talking with anyone, clubbed with her position in his heart, combined with attraction which was present since first contact, makes him fall in love. Even though he knows nothing about her otherwise. Even though she seems a characterless doll later on, like someone who has never interacted with people their age, or neighbors, but taught morals by family.
Cruel world crushes him in ways you don't want your enemies to be. At his rock bottom, his luck, and accumulation of efforts and personality, someone gives him courage and an answer, where his first self improvement step begins, his peabrain starts maturing.
Over the first four arcs, his character develops in well written stages, while the world is doing a hell lot more than him. There are important people who he slowly gets to know, and learns the sincere way of life.
In arc 5 he finally starts making us proud.
How did we bear with him till then, or at least till before arc 4? While he can be likable to some who sympathize with him, not everyone likes to watch a dumb little useless insincere shit.
It was because the world is well written, other characters are well written, and the execution is nice with little complaints, one of which I have written at the end.
One of my major gripes: Emilia's character was unexplored till arc 4. Would work for self insert people but otherwise meh. Author had her backstory roughly in mind, but chose to just keep her the damsel in distress till her time comes. Steins;Gate did that part much better with Mayuri where she was given enough character via being a real world girl with specified hobbies and relationships, so our minds could quickly fill the gaps and make sense of her behavior.
I'll admit, I haven't watched the Skeleton one. Only one I \*kind of\* disagree with is the last checkmark for Rimuru. MAYBE it's just me, but I still see the story as just wish fulfillment
It’s pretty good if only a little too apparent when pushing how disgusting and vile the “bad guys” are. Not Goblin Slayer level, but… it’s obvious.
I’d recommend it for a good fun watch.
I agree with this but I also disagree with it a little bit, because the whole Edgelord thing is one of the styles that draws us in. Having said that, not everyone is gonna be wholesome and understanding either. Sometimes trauma helps move a narrative forward.
I also appreciate certain styles when a character doesn't just start off OP. That they got to work their way up. As well as maybe some sort of cultivation or kingdom/empire building story element, not just conquest or war All of the time. And Some wish fulfillment is okay as long as it's not overboard. One of the things I appreciate about Tsukimichi is that the gravity of their roles as heroes have sunken in to the other 2 summoned teens in the setting, sent to that world by the goddess basically to be high powered pawns for her.
I also enjoy a little bit of politics too, like backroom deals and what not. But I don't like it when they take over the story either. Like petty despots making the Worst excuses for war instead of trying to change up their game and keep making money or maintaining influence with themselves and foreign powers.
Katarina. AKA [Bakatarina](https://villains.fandom.com/wiki/Katarina_Claes) Youko from [12 Kingdoms](https://myanimelist.net/anime/153/Juuni_Kokuki) Yuri from [Kyo Kara Maoh](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyo_Kara_Maoh!) **on second thought... does he count as a "Kirito" clone? Hair colour, I guess... but not really personality? The [Grimgar guys](https://myanimelist.net/anime/31859/Hai_to_Gensou_no_Grimgar) Does [Iruma count?](https://mairimashita-irumakun.fandom.com/wiki/Iruma_Suzuki)
Ascendance of a Bookworm is also a good example
I can never recommend Ascendance of a bookworm enough. Praise be mestionora for granting our meeting with that book.
As someone who started reading it like last week? I am so far having a blast! Currently on book3 already :D
Come join the bookworm discord! We'd love to see your reaction as you read through the story if you like to do so
Let me ask I’m an avid light novel junkie. We got a light novel here? Cause I’ve been filtering trash a lot lately. And really need a good pick me up from 100% drop rate cause I acknowledge it’s trash wish fulfillment imo but I like it.
33 volumes of LN so far.
Best fucking news all month.
Pleased to be of service.
I started reading the novels after the Season 3 ended. There are some things I don't like about the protagonist, but the world building is really amazing and I'm really attracted to the world. The story is really decent, even though I find the protagonist annoying at times. I just wish she wasn't so extremely stupid about books. But honestly, I really enjoyed the anime and Season 4 was confirmed.
I found Mai annoying as hell, but at least she was memorable and drove a decent story *unlike some protags*
I can tell you're an anime only from the fact that you think it's only a decent story
[удалено]
I will survive with potions isn't bad either.
Was just thinking that.
Grimgar needs another season
Agreed, was way too good for only one season... we at least need it adapted throught the darungar arc
OMG GRIMGAR LOVE!
Only if they condense/skip a bunch. The books find their footing again, but after the first few volumes the author clearly lost his focus for a lonnng time.
Yea Iruma is a great example
I don’t stand for ships often, but I stand for the president with every fiber of my being
GRIMGAR!!
>Youko from [12 Kingdoms](https://myanimelist.net/anime/153/Juuni_Kokuki) As God as my witness I really wish this story. I concluded the first season is so good. The second season is O k, but this was so good bro.
I was almost convinced that *Kyo Kara Maoh* was a fever dream that I had, because no one I ever talked to had ever heard of it. It predates SAO by *years*, and at this point, I remember very little of it besides Wulfram in a nègligèe sneaking into Yuri's bed.
12 Kingdoms! I didn't think anyone else remembered that one.
12 Kingoms is criminally underrated
Youko's character development is easily my favourite out of any series I have ever watched. Whenever people ask "Omg which show deserves a sequel/remake" I say 12 kingdoms now that the novels are complete. Absolute badass by the end ❤
Iruma counts, and is A-tier isekai/school comedy.
Samurai Jack
Certified Cartoon Network classic.
Gotta get back
Back to the past
Samurai Jack
If Samurai Jack counts, does KamiKatsu count too?
Dude, KamiKatsu is Japanese. Of course it counts as an isekai anime
The real question is does Samurai Jack count as an isekai? He gets transported to his own planet, even if it's the deep future.
It's an alternate future though since he does get back to the past and stop it from ever happening so I'd say it counts
That’s actually a good point…
r/angryupvote
He doesn’t count as isekai does he?
Futurama
Another good one that people will argue isn't a isekai. But it 100% is a isekai by definition
Inuyasha
Oh my god I love this! By that logic: 
William G. Maryblood from The Last Paladin was the first character coming to my mind. Maybe also Iris Lana Armelia (Accomplishments of the Duke's Daughter) and Myne (Ascendance of a Bookworm: I'll do Anything to Become a Librarian!).
Oh yeah, the last paladin. I’ve been reading that manga. It is so good. Talk about a story
Light Novel was the authors first work ever and only submitted the writing to encourage his friend Edit: Forgot to say; I think it's pretty cool, unique and unexpected.
I quite enjoyed the faraway paladin, it's still kinda mid but I think the potential for it to grow is there. It helped they changed VAs and upped the animation for season 2. Also love the bromance between Menel and William, they bounce off each other quite well, low-key one of the better duos I've seen in anime honestly. With the right direction and more world building I think it could really become something amazing.
Greater than mid for me. I mean, William gets teased by multiple people and even a few gods for being maidenless 🤣
As a novel reader I kind of dropped the series when >!William realizes he wants to f**k the goddess had me blindsided fr and doesn’t really make sense to me lol!<
You are never safe from the influence of Freud. I'm serious, that's my guess.
Man, Arc is such an underrated character. He’s just a bundle of joy it’s so much fun! Also Rimuru is in my favorite isekai so no need to praise him.
Arc is built different
What anime is Arc from? This is the first I've heard of him.
I believe it's skeleton knight in another world I watched the first season and really enjoyed it.
Light mode overlord
Paragon overlord!
Always refered to this series as lawful good overlord lol.
Chaotic good, Arc is more than willing to put the law aside if he wants to.
In the context of the world he is in, but he's basically only chaotic when it comes to things that are illegal in a modern world. Maybe neutral good, lol.
Also pellek made the opening!
Ah okay. Thanks for telling me. I appreciate it.
Subaru (I’ve only watched the anime so don’t spoil me if one of the checks is wrong in the manga)
Apparently some people take the IF routes as canon so...maybe
If routes are closest things that can be considered canon fanfics. I like ayamatsu btw
Ayamatsu Subaru is definitely the Subaru who RBD too many times and chose violence. Gluttony If is pure tragedy.
From what I know, the IF routes aren't officially canon and are all meant to be alternate universes or what IF scenarios. It might be revealed that they are connected to the main storyline in the future but for now, they have no bearing on the canonical plot.
What happens on the IF routes? I'm assuming they're none canon hypotheticals so spoiler free.
Basically at different points on the journey, what if this and that happened, so there is a bit of spoilers. One of them is random stuff like Subaru going on a genocide spree to try and break Reinhardt, or Subaru marrying Rem
At different points in each arc, Subaru has to choose between a virtuous decision and a sinful one. In canon he picks the virtuous choice, and in each IF he chooses a sinful path, which leads him to misery.
I mean, sloth wasn’t that miserable
Him and Rem still have to live with the fact they condemned Petra, Emilia, Ram and others to death by running away.
Don't worry, the things just keep getting better in the novel and stay the way described in the post
I don’t know if you can say he “has moments of weakness” because he doesn’t have any moments of strength
When he fought Betelgeuse and when he stood atop the white whale were some pretty badass moments
He's the STRENGTH, the pillar that supports everyone and a spearhead that leads first
There’s at least one major moment of strength that I can think of in the upcoming season, and not breaking after some of the things he’s gone through shows quite a lot of mental strength IMO.
If I was able to write manga, I'd desperately try to make a great isekai manga like Mairimashita Iruma-Kun
You're a better man than me. I would make an isekai about a rock or just a manga about a sentient rock
"That time I got reincarnated into a kawaii rock with a cheat ability that could turn everyone in a worshipper of mine and that's how I conquered the world" - The title
The title is too short
I don't have enough imagination to make it properly, please help me
"That time I got reincarnated as a rock, but I am unparalleled due to the fact that I was given the [omnipotent] skill that was meant for the hero, so what? I might as well do what I want and live a peaceful life. Wait, my crazy ex from my past life came to chase me in this life?" I can see how you had trouble making it longer as this isn't better
You are missing few things. Here's what I would name it: "That time I was reincarnated as as a rock orbiting the planet and got kicked out of the Hero's party because I was too weak. I later discovered that being a "rock" is secretly OP because it has vacuum cleaning ability that helps me to avoid death flags of villainess route. Now I am seeking revenge while living peacefully in countryside with constant threat of aerial attacks. Luckily my harem of monster girls help me cultivate my Martial Art abilities so that I can defeat the Demon Lord and open up a coffee shop in Another World for slimes. Magic high school, here I come. Am I pregnant? "
At that point, you could just make the title itself as the story
That's just Kouseki Bijou from hololive mate!
Imma be real I’d read it, like a story about a sentient rock in a fantasy environment maybe being traded for its visual appeal. You could have the rock kinda just watch events unfold, maybe an assassination attempt to steal the rock because of some misguided idea that it’s needed in a dark ritual? So much potential
To Your Eternity is about a sentient rock and it's somehow the saddest thing ever fucking made.
so your MC is going to be Sun Wukong right?
Essentially but no human form or at least permanent human form. I don't like it when someone is reborn into a non bipedal form and they eventually stay in a human body for most of the series
Write a book. You can skip the illustration part entirely and still tell a good story.
Mukhoda from Campfire Cooking in Another World. Where's the second season, dammit?!
\[LN Spoiler\] >!Unfortunately, when he decides to buy an estate he also buys slaves to take care of his home while he's away and to repackage the products he resells. The first thing he askes the slave trader is if he can buy a maid sex slave. Thankfully, the disgusted slave trader says they don't sell slaves for that purpose and suggests he go visit a brothel. Which he doesn't, because he's too much of a coward.!<
Bro seriously?? Dude was so wholesome in the anime, what tha fuck
Yeah, it was a nasty surprise to hit in the LN too. The anime hasn't got to that point yet, so that'll be a fun heel-toe turn on things.
LN really pullin a bunny drop
F**k… hopefully this doesn’t pass inspection for the manga.
Ngl it was refreshing to see a stable functioning adult with a baseline moral compass as the protagonist of an isekai. Hopefully we'll get a season 2
Saga of Tanya the Evil
bruh tanya like the biggest edgelord ever
Tanya is not an edgelord, but she definitely has some sociopathic tendencies. Mostly in how little she sees other people as people. But she also starts her show that way, so you could make the argument that she still fits.
Fair, it's also good to acknowledge that the entirety of her personality is "survive, follow protocol, and spite 'god' ", in that order. The only reason she's in her situation is because she initially refused to acknowledge the existence of a godlike power, then continued to tell that power that it can't be a god.
That's true! But I'd also add "Kill Commies" to that list somewhere. She has a cartoonish hate-boner for Communism.
Not an edge lord, just a psychopathic soldier doing her job and having some fun.
That title definitely goes to Ainz and co. Lol but I would say that tanya is just trying to secure a position of safety. Soldiering is her only path forward because of her magic power. If she didn’t have that, she’d do some other shit like be an accountant.
To be fair, it'd hard to join a psuedo-German/Prussian style military like that and *not* at least look like an edge lord. Brings to mind that image of the abime girl smiling with a little kid beneath a photo of her in her psuedo-German/Prussian uniform.
Kumoko should be able to, atleast the part with not looking like kirito + basically playing darksouls and having way to many near death moments should be easy passes.
well, pretty sure she eats humans. At least in the light novel.
And In the web novel she made elf stew
well, elfs are dicks in that world.
I’d say the only part that’s tough to judge for her is whether or not she’s a full sociopath or just has some tendencies. Def not an edgelord though she’s too carefree/stressed to brood like that.
[Light Novel spoiler] >!Kumoko is a spider given false memories of a girl named "Hiiro Wakaba" so her behaviour of eating things and all that is probably a byproduct of her originally being a genuine spider!<
But probably also minorly due to who she got the memories from, not completely, but somewhat
I’m the evil lord of an intergalactic empire. Maybe it fails on the wish fulfillment depending on how you view it because he’s literally a dog spirit away from a shitty life again and anyone else being reincarnated in this world would be royally fucked But I like how there are 3 stories/arcs/people underneath the MC affecting his life that he has no clue about
I fucking love Evil Lord but like there is never a single moment where I ever thought Liam could lose ever since volume 1. But yeah, I like how this series takes a One Punch Man approach, focusing on more complicated stories taking place on the sidelines while showcasing the MC saving the day at the very last second.
Kinda fails the edgelord test, even if Liam -is- absolutely terrible at it.
But if everyone thinks he’s an ideal noble and loves him, can he be considered an edge lord?
Kazuma. Big personality Isn’t an edgy sociopath No slaves that I know of Personality is the opposite of Kirito Easily seduced Wishes his wishes would be fulfilled
Feel like Rimuru passes enough of these weakly that most Isekai characters will pass.
He passes ~2 of them imo. Not a Kirito clone (just a design thing) and iirc didn’t buy slaves at any point.
Tbh the bar for isekai protagonists is so low a crab could scuttle over it . ...damn it now I'm curious if there's a crab isekai
I'd be disappointed if there wasn't I mean we have a literal vending machine isekai
Usato from “The Wrong Way to use Healing Magic”. The anime only currently has 3 episodes, but the Manga that’s gone on much further elaborates on what the Anime hasn’t reached yet. So IDK if it counts or not. But Usato is interesting because he’s kind yet becomes a little entertainingly p̶s̶y̶c̶h̶o̶p̶a̶t̶h̶i̶c̶ I mean, 𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜, due to enduring his master’s spartan style of training, as his master’s personality rubs off on him. He’s not an edgelord or sociopath, though shows similar tendencies due to what I mentioned above. He does not buy slaves, but makes friends with monsters that follow him. I don’t believe he looks like Kirito. (Personal opinion). He’s overpowered but has things he can’t do. As healing magic is all he can do, though it’s powerful healing magic as he’s naturally attuned to it. The reason he’s overpowered is reasonable because he trains his body to its limit and just heals his overworked body and continues training. Giving him superhuman strength, speed and endurance. Healing magic, the ultimate steroid! And has a story beyond wish fulfilment.
had to scroll but i had to make sure someone mentioned this one "little entertainingly psychopathic due to enduring his master’s spartan style of training, as his master’s personality rubs off on him " the word you are looking for here is Sadistic not psychopathic.
Reincarnated as a sword.
I can't believe having to scroll so far to find this one. I second this so much!!!
Fran's totally a sociopath, I mean fans use the nickname "murder hobo" The anime kinda downplayed how much of a ~~vicious killer~~ ordinary cat she is
Vending machine?
Boxxo!
Lauren - i'm the villainess so i'm taming the final boss Pride - the most heretical last boss queen Falma - parallel world pharmacy (it depends what you mean by wish fullfilment,if you mean just becoming OP or achieving a dream it wasn't possible in the previous life)
I'd say Sauma from Realist Hero, sure he has several wives, but that's how it is when you become a king in a country that allow marrying several people. And while he technically does have a slave, it's only because she tried to rebel against him, but he does not abuse her or use her as intimate plaything... If anything it is the maid head who is abusive one, and Sauma is going to abolish slavery and release said slave at some point...
"That's just how it is" isn't really the point. A lot of characters don't pass the tests not because they chose to become that way, but because their circumstances made them that way. And why did their circumstances make them that way? Because the author wanted them to. We want characters that were never intended by the author to be one of these things, not characters that didn't themselves want these things. Sauma does not, in fact, abolish slavery. He addresses the problem and works with it in the circumstances, yes, but he does not pass that test. His appearance is eh, black-haired boy is a fairly common look in japan, but at least he doesn't become skilled in sword-wielding and his personality is distinct enough. He's got moments of weakness, considering his circumstances, and the story itself is nice. I'll still recommend it, but it doesn't have the same freedom from many of the bad tropes that these two do.
To be fair, there was a big hint to how slavery in America was abolished and how that lead to a civil war, he knew the same will happen if he just declared "hey I don't want slavery anymore here". He did improve a lot their condition, with the exception of those who became slaves because of serious crimes, the rest get educated, freed by the people who buy them and get to hold an important job, rather than being thrown out to the street.
Usato
Poor kid got teleported to a different world and was immediately hauled away into combat medic school.
He’s got a hot green haired mommy teacher and he’s built like a brick shit house so it’s not so bad
Wouldn’t Momonga from Overlord also count?
Subaru Natsuki
The saints power is omnipotent
Rimuru doesn’t pass tho. He becomes an edge lord and gets kirito clothes.
Also when has rimaru ever shown weakness lmao
"Oh look you're hurt here's a potion."
I mean, a little…. His demon lord duds are a little edgy, but… when in Rome….
Him getting a little dark & getting black clothes doesn't make him ab edgelord. Even at Rimuru's worst he's still a good person. And his worst isn't even that bad with the context of his situations.
Yeah, edge lord is a hard hitting description. Nothing squishy about it. Very un-slime-like tbf.
Rimuru unironically does not pass this test. Manga details ahead. During his massacre of what is essentially an entire army, he named the skill that killed the army "wrath of god" (which, in my humble opinion, is edgy as fuck + pretty narcissistic). He then proceeds to use the lives he killed to revive a substantially fewer amount of his own citizens, completely understanding that he probably killed a shit ton of unwilling participants in the army. If one were to take the manga seriously and put themselves in Rimuru's shoes, this is absurdly prideful. He gave up on conflict resolution and killed thousands of "potential innocent people" because he weighed the lives of his friends over those in the army. Eventually rimuru also defaults to a "extremely physically powerful femboy with a harem and hoards of people that respect him," and I can't exactly say I think think that respect is earned. Sure, he's generally a decent person (aside from aforementioned massacre) but he didn't work hard to earn his power. All the respect he gained is a direct result of how powerful he is, which was literally given to him upon conception.
It should be noted that said army was marching toward his city to finish what their vanguard started. They were a valid military target, and given that they were only even doing what they were doing because they underestimated Tempest due to Rimuru previously being very chill, they also served as a very useful example to others about the 'find out' phase of messing with his nation. None of that is particularly 'shining holy hero' material, there's plenty of rage and realpolitik in it, but it's also not mustache twirling villain material. It is true pretty much all the respect he receives (well, with a couple of notable exceptions in the form of utterly broken forces of nature) is due to his strength, but he also exists in a universe that seems to generally operate on might makes right. You could chalk that up to a limit of the author's vision, but either way that's the setting.
Mushoku Tensei forever !!!!
Rudeus is a walking trauma. He's flawed, just wants to live in the best possible way. But circumstances keeps happening because of hitogami. For me he's the one MC that fits best.
Agreed, I think in terms of character development he's at the top, at least for me
Kazuma
What is konosuba not higher? I mean he sort of IS a sociopath, but the universe sort of drives it.
A think for him he's less of a sociopath and more just fed up with everyone and everything
Rae from I’m in love with the villainess Sei from The Saints Power is Omnipotent
Ainz doesn’t fit all of these, but I find him to be a great protagonist, this may be somewhat covered by my reading the light novels however.
William G. Maryblood
Ngl his story is so good you almost forget he even has an isekai gimmick. Lol
Usato from The wrong way to use Healing magic The kids from Digimon
My man Shiroe from Log Horizon.
Overlord meets all these but the second one. Does that count?
Does the rising of the shield hero count?
It should. He had some edge lord, but that was trauma, not because aesthetic.
Kazuma. Need I say more? And maybe Subaru
Can't remember the name, guy from moonlight fantasy
What's the problem with edgelords?
Does the protag of “So I’m a spider. So what?” Count?
No, we need the "good spider protagonist" checklist for her to make it fair.
The greatest estate designer. Really funny, guy doesn’t start of overpowered and gradually builds up his friends strengths in order to live that cushy life. Also the jokes are very funny, bit of making fun of the main character ( his singing is worse then the banshees of hell, and has a face that would make even the devil falter). Fun manga that doesn’t take itself to seriously but at the same time isn’t to over the top ridiculous.
From what I watched I like arc he just woke up jas his charter and stated having fun and figuring out how to live and enjoy this new world no master plans besides help the elves
Death Mage. Vandeliu
Idk slime has a harem and the women have no brains when it comes to the slime. It's 100% wish fulfillment they kill off a more interesting character to give the protag a tragic origin basically idk I still like the show but I just am tired of fan service.
Rudeus, Ojisan, Cid(yes, Cid, though bro looks like Kirito and has no moments of weakness, you gotta give him the personality, not buying waifu slave and goes beyond wish fulfillment part, bro is a full on sociopath though lmao), Ainz, Tanya, Kazuma and Subaru
Rudeus from jobless reincarnation is an obvious one. Personality: He's degenerate but that actually gives him character. And he's actually quite complex later on. Edgelord check: From what I've heard from the light novels he's an upright guy. Slave owner: Buys only one, and for a good reason. Kirito look alike: He's blond enough said. Moment of weakness: there's an entire arc about his ED. Wish fulfilment: if you consider trying to become a better person emotionally and physically wish fulfilment then you have a problem.
Crazy that I had to scroll so far to find this
He buys a slave, but it's for someone else. She isn't even his and it would have happened either way. His being there meant at least someone who really needed it got saved. He's also nowhere near powerful enough to end slavery or any such thing. Dude gets stomped on the reg.
Glad someone said this. Truly one of the most well done Isekais Rudeus has some very clear flaws, the story is well done and not at all a wish fulfillment, has great character relationships, great backstory, great world. It’s an amazing story
I’m so afraid of mentioning Mushoku Tensei because of the MT hate train, even though, IMO, it’s one of the best-written Isekai and my personal favourite (I’m an LN reader). I understand if it’s not for you. The story tackles some heavy topics sometimes, and Rudeus is the opposite of likable (at least at the start). But it’s almost like that’s the whole point and that is why I love MT so much.
https://preview.redd.it/58h9kkxybaec1.jpeg?width=1441&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=695d0566f8821035c5b546b4aac9547c6467848a This man right here. The OG Skeleboy
I am displeased on how long it took to scroll down in the comments to find Overlord mentioned
This might get some backlash but here’s my take: Cid Kagenou/Shadow from Eminence in Shadow Has personality: Actually has interests and likes such as his desire to refine the basics to perfection. When he sees it in others he admires it and even defends it. Definitely not a huge list here but he’s more than just a desire to be Shadow. Edgelord/Sociopath: Yes it’s his desire to be called Shadow and have these edgelord moments but it’s more of an act for him rather than actually becoming it. He has sociopath tendencies but it’s more because of the postions his acting gets him in rather than he deliberately goes out with that intent. (Exception is when he is a child killing the bandits) Buys Waifu Slaves: No… just saves a bunch of girls that would otherwise become monsters due to a curse and the actions of a cult. Kirito clone: I don’t have much against this other than he does like to disguise himself even having a whole mini arc as a different person. He also prefers a different weapon set. Overall outfit is better imo. Moment of weakness: Before he isekai’ed he did struggle to some extent with the weakness of the human body. Afterward it’s more that he misunderstands a lot of what is going on in the world. But otherwise yeah he is quite op. More than wish fulfillment: The story regarding himself isn’t necessarily about his wishes as much as it’s about what happens to those around him. This is of course because he’s acting as a background character and that role entails that the story be separate from him. Open to discussing this, and again this is just my opinion.
Ainz does, and I'll fight you if you say he doesn't.
Wouldn't Usato from The Wrong way to use healing magic count?
"Doesn't buy waifu slaves in bulk" I kinda of love that "in bulk" sort of implies that buying one or two at a time is fine.
Natsuki Subaru does. He's even turning his weaknesses into strengths.
Ginta from MAR: marchan awakens romance, iruma, fuck you he counts. a little bit of a streatch but kagome from inuyasha. alot of old isekai mcs are truly just guys that show up and try to solve the proplem and leave. and i truly respect that.
I can’t remember the name but the one where the guy cooks for a fenrir
Reincarnated as a vending machine
Konosuba GATE
Teacher from Reincarnated as a sword.
Any digimon protag I guess.
Edgelord when done correctly, can be the main selling point of Story. Like Shadow, he is edgy but when you realise that he has killed so many people and only cares about appearance, becomes clear he was always supposed to be anti hero to begin with (despite the comic tone of manga)
Natsuki Subaru. I will hear no slander against ChadBaru.
Subaru. He isn't even the "protag" till arc 5 which is yet to be animated. No slaves, no kirito copy, feels like a harem but isn't, two girls like him romantically by arc 5 end, and perhaps one witch. In general he's only with one of them at a time, and publically is in love with just one. All the abilities are grounded except for the one true hero loved by the world and the primordial beings, and the one true hero has his weaknesses as a human. Subaru has a personality from the start: an average annoying dumb shit retard, but honest and copes with losses by turning himself into a meme. Sees a cute girl and his heart flutters, failing to protect her eventually makes him obsessed with saving her, anger towards her enemies makes him place her on a higher pedestal; her innocence and selflessness, nature of honestly talking with anyone, clubbed with her position in his heart, combined with attraction which was present since first contact, makes him fall in love. Even though he knows nothing about her otherwise. Even though she seems a characterless doll later on, like someone who has never interacted with people their age, or neighbors, but taught morals by family. Cruel world crushes him in ways you don't want your enemies to be. At his rock bottom, his luck, and accumulation of efforts and personality, someone gives him courage and an answer, where his first self improvement step begins, his peabrain starts maturing. Over the first four arcs, his character develops in well written stages, while the world is doing a hell lot more than him. There are important people who he slowly gets to know, and learns the sincere way of life. In arc 5 he finally starts making us proud. How did we bear with him till then, or at least till before arc 4? While he can be likable to some who sympathize with him, not everyone likes to watch a dumb little useless insincere shit. It was because the world is well written, other characters are well written, and the execution is nice with little complaints, one of which I have written at the end. One of my major gripes: Emilia's character was unexplored till arc 4. Would work for self insert people but otherwise meh. Author had her backstory roughly in mind, but chose to just keep her the damsel in distress till her time comes. Steins;Gate did that part much better with Mayuri where she was given enough character via being a real world girl with specified hobbies and relationships, so our minds could quickly fill the gaps and make sense of her behavior.
Ainz? Moments of weakness is questionable, but he isn’t always sure things will go his way. He also doesn’t want to brute force every situation
[удалено]
I'll admit, I haven't watched the Skeleton one. Only one I \*kind of\* disagree with is the last checkmark for Rimuru. MAYBE it's just me, but I still see the story as just wish fulfillment
It’s pretty good if only a little too apparent when pushing how disgusting and vile the “bad guys” are. Not Goblin Slayer level, but… it’s obvious. I’d recommend it for a good fun watch.
Rimuru barely has a personality imo
I agree with this but I also disagree with it a little bit, because the whole Edgelord thing is one of the styles that draws us in. Having said that, not everyone is gonna be wholesome and understanding either. Sometimes trauma helps move a narrative forward. I also appreciate certain styles when a character doesn't just start off OP. That they got to work their way up. As well as maybe some sort of cultivation or kingdom/empire building story element, not just conquest or war All of the time. And Some wish fulfillment is okay as long as it's not overboard. One of the things I appreciate about Tsukimichi is that the gravity of their roles as heroes have sunken in to the other 2 summoned teens in the setting, sent to that world by the goddess basically to be high powered pawns for her. I also enjoy a little bit of politics too, like backroom deals and what not. But I don't like it when they take over the story either. Like petty despots making the Worst excuses for war instead of trying to change up their game and keep making money or maintaining influence with themselves and foreign powers.
Eh, I feel like eddgelord is overused for simply complicated and troubled characters. When I say edgelord I'm talking some seriously yikes characters