The word “Anti-Hero” within anime triggers some renowned names such as Eren Yeager and Light Yagami. While there are a handful of Anti-Heroes, these two have played an essential role in establishing a prominent demand for self-centered heroes.
What is Anti-Heroes?
You can assume anti-heroes as the rebellious cousins of typical heroes. They break rules, they often put their own interests first leaving the least care for consequences. Despite all these wild characteristics, they somehow ended up saving the world in a remarkable way.
Well talking about Isekai themes, it’s quite rare to find anti-heroes in it. We have compiled a list of some Isekai anime where Mc is a badass anti-hero.
What is Isekai Anime?
Isekai anime is all about getting sucked into a different world.
Imagine you’re just minding your own business, and bam! You’re transported to a fantasy realm, video game world, or parallel universe where you’re not a lousy person like the real world. It’s like a wild adventure where you become the hero of a totally different dimension.
Let’s delve egoistic- antiheroes into the enchanting world of Isekai animes.
7: Naofumi Iwatani (The Rising of The Shield Hero)
Naofumi Iwatani from “Rising of the Shield Hero” is the epitome of an anti-hero protagonist but before character development. He starts as a kind and optimistic individual like a perfect Otaku but turns cynical and distrustful due to the betrayal and prejudice he faces.
Initially, Naofumi is just a commoner Otaku who is living with ease before he is chosen as the shield Hero for another world savior. As a Shield Hero, he is considered to be a most useless hero but his determination paved the road to becoming a respectful hero.
To be considerate, his anti-heroic arc was little to no, as his character constantly evolves following the storyline. Rising of the Shield Hero is a captivating anime where mc is an anti-hero in the developing arc. For reference, among Isekai theme animes, it’s still one of the best and its 3nd season is in development for airing at the end of 2023.
6: Seiya Ryuuguuin (Cautious Hero)
You can picture Seiya Ryuuguuin from “Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious” as a selfish and anti-heroic protagonist for his unwillingly done faults. Either way, you can assume him an unlucky protagonist who causes trouble not only for foes but for the people he defending.
For example, while facing the weakest and most harmless slime monster, Seiya uses his most powerful attack. And he justifies his nonsense action by stating that he didn’t want to take any chances, even though it was clear the creature posed no threat.
Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious is an Isekai anime where mc is an anti-hero and dumb.
5: Momonga (Overload)
As an undead overlord in a virtual reality game, Momonga becomes trapped and seeks to dominate this new world for his own gain, showing little regard for the inhabitants.
The story follows Momonga as he adapts to this new reality, renaming himself Ainz Ooal Gown. He establishes a powerful guild of loyal followers and embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of the world while asserting dominance over it. Throughout his journey, he manipulates and uses others to achieve his goals, showcasing a dark and self-centered side that defies traditional heroic norms.
You can judge his anti-heroic approach with an event when he tests his power on a group of adventurers. Instead of showing mercy or compassion, he intimidates them with overwhelming strength, leaving them in fear and awe of his abilities.
4: Lugh Tuatha Dé (The World’s Finest Assassin Isekai)
Lugh Tuatha Dé, from the anime “World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat,” is a fascinating character who embodies the archetype of an anti-hero. With his self-centered nature, he adds an intriguing twist to the usual protagonist mold.
When the world’s greatest assassin “Lugh Tuatha Dé” got killed by the corporation he works for all his life, he got a chance to reincarnate in another magical world by a goddess, on a pact to use his skills for saving the world.
Once, in a crucial battle against formidable foes, Lugh’s sacrifices innocent lives for his own advantage without giving it a second thought. You can estimate his self-proclaimed personality with such a horrible event.
3: Sora and Shiro (No Game No Life)
Sora and Shiro from “No Game No Life” are brilliant gamers with a selfish and anti-heroic approach. These siblings prioritize their own desires above all else, showing no concern for others. They see the world as a game and aim to conquer it all, including the virtual world of Disboard.
The story features two hikikomori brothers “Sora and Shiro. Both brothers become urban legends for their proficiency in gaming. Eventually, they get transported to the gaming world of Disboard, an alternative world based on various types of games.
Showcasing their cunning and unapologetic nature, they manipulate, deceive, and outwit their opponents in other world games, revealing a darker and more self-centered side to the typical protagonist role.
2: Nagumo Hajime (Arifureta)
Nagumo Hajime, mostly known as an op character is an anti-hero protagonist. To begin with, he was like a wholesome high school student, but after experiencing a betrayal by his classmate in another world, he undergoes a drastic change.
One can estimate his devilish personality by an event when despite having powers; he denied saving others and prioritize his own well-being. Rather than regretting his selfish choice, this incident marks a turning point for him, solidifying his belief in self-preservation above all else.
1: Tanya (Saga of Tanya The Evil)
Saga of Tanya the Evil is an Isekai anime where MC is a dreadful Anti-hero in the form of Tanya Degurechaff, although the anime name is describing the rebellious nature of the protagonist in itself. Tanya embodies a complex and morally ambiguous character.
With an Isekai theme without harem or ecchi elements, a ruthless salaryman reincarnated into a young girl in a war-torn world and becomes a self-centered and vengeful individual. One event that solidifies Tanya’s self-proclaimed ideology is when she mercilessly eliminates enemy soldiers during a battle.
Despite her superiors’ orders to spare the enemy, Tanya sees them as hindrances to her personal goals and decides to eliminate them without remorse. This event showcases her disregard for human life and her relentless pursuit of power and self-preservation.
