Unleashing the Underdogs: 10 Weakest Isekai Protagonists

Isekai, a subgenre of Japanese anime and manga, has gained immense popularity over the years. Transporting ordinary individuals into fantasy worlds, it offers thrilling adventures and epic battles.

While most isekai protagonists possess incredible powers and abilities, there are a few who stand out for their lackluster strengths. In this article, we delve into the world of underdogs and present the top 10 weakest isekai protagonists.

Tsuyoshi Mukouda (Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill)

By a twist of fate, Tsuyoshi Mukouda, a regular salaryman, finds himself unexpectedly summoned as a hero to the Kingdom of Reijseger in a parallel world to help them improve the strength of their military prowess.

However, Mukouda being cautious and skeptical of the royal family's motives, manages to convince them to allow him pursue a simple and peaceful life as he only has a non-combat skill known as the "Online Supermarket".

His skill "Online Supermarket" can only be used to make convenient and cost-effective purchases of various food products and kitchen utensils from his motherland Japan.

During one of his travels, Mukouda's luxurious food made with ingredients never seen before in this new world soon catches the eye of the legendary beast, Fenrir.

In order to have Mukouda's cooking on a daily basis, Fenrir becomes his familiar and thus begins their tale of traveling the world together while savoring the delights of delicious delicacies.

Kazuma Satou (KonoSuba)

Kazuma Satou finds himself in a comical and unconventional fantasy world. He was an ordinary high schooler who died an embarrassing death before being unexpectedly given the chance to start a new life in a fantasy world.

However, his weakness lies in the fact that he is not the traditional hero archetype. He lacks physical prowess, magical talent, and even financial stability as a matter of fact.

Kazuma's journey is marked by his comical misadventures and his unique approach to problem-solving, relying on his wit and unconventional skills rather than raw power.

Sadao Maou (The Devil is a Part-Timer!)

Sadao Maou, also known as Satan, is the main character of The Devil is a Part-Timer!

In his original world, he was a feared and powerful demon lord. However, after being defeated in battle, he finds himself transported to modern-day Tokyo and loses his powers.

Forced to adapt to a mundane lifestyle, Sadao takes on a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant to get by, while looking for ways to reclaim his former strength.

The Devil is a Part-Timer! presents a unique twist on the isekai genre by exploring the struggles and growth of a once-powerful demon lord in the human world.

Haruhiro (Grimgar: Ashes And Illusions)

In Grimgar, Haruhiro is transported to a gritty, realistic fantasy world with no recollection of himself whatsoever aside from his name.

The story follows his journey along with his companions who are in the same situation too, as they struggle to survive and adjust to their new reality.

Unlike many isekai stories, Grimgar focuses on the hardships and realistic struggles faced by Haruhiro and his friends when suddenly awakened in a fantasy world of monsters and magic.

They are not immediately blessed with extraordinary powers or knowledge, but instead, start off as ordinary weak human beings who need to navigate through the dangers of this world and adapt to it.

Yotsuya Yusuke (I'm Standing on a Million Lives)

Yotsuya Yusuke, an ordinary high school student, finds himself transported to a fantasy world one day as part of a game-like scenario along with two of his classmates.

They encounter a Game Master who informs them that they have been chosen as Players and must complete quests to save both the fantasy world and the real world from impending doom.

Each player is given a unique role and a set of abilities, but Yotsuya finds himself with the "Farmer Class", which is considered the weakest. He quickly realizes that he possesses no special powers or abilities like his fellow classmates.

Due to being physically weak and having no extraordinary powers, Yotsuya begins to shine through his determination and resourcefulness as he learns to adapt and make the most of the limited tools at his disposal.

Subaru Natsuki (Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World)

Subaru Natsuki, the protagonist of Re:Zero is transported to a fantasy world, where he discovers he has the ability to return to a specific point in time upon death.

While this power initially seems advantageous, Subaru's weakness lies in his lack of combat skills and the toll his deaths take on his mental and emotional well-being.

He is relatively weak and heavily reliant on others for survival to the point that he dies too easily, experiencing multiple deaths before being able to accomplish anything noteworthy.

Myne (Ascendance of a Bookworm)

A young woman named Myne, who is an avid book lover and finds herself transported into a medieval fantasy world. However, her joy is short-lived as she discovers that books are a rare and precious commodity in this new world, and literacy is a privilege reserved for the noble and wealthy.

Undeterred, she embarks on a mission to create her own books, defying societal norms and expectations. Along the way, Myne encounters various obstacles, from navigating the complexities of a rigid class system to dealing with political intrigues and economic struggles.

Not only Myne doesn't awaken with any extraordinary abilities, she even finds herself in a body afflicted with a life-threatening illness that severely limits her physical capabilities.

Her condition prevents her from engaging in typical daily activities and tasks that others take for granted, making her one of the weakest isekai protagonists ever.

Souma Kazuya (How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom)

Souma Kazuya, the main character, is an ordinary college student suddenly summoned to the fantasy world of Elfrieden to become its king.

Unlike traditional heroes who possess extraordinary abilities or wield powerful weapons, Souma relies on his intellect, strategic thinking, and administrative skills to rebuild the kingdom.

His weakness lies in his physical limitations, as he is not a skilled warrior or magic user. However, it is through his resourcefulness and ability to utilize the talents of others that he compensates for his lack of physical strength, ultimately becoming a formidable leader who revitalizes the kingdom.

Saitou (Handyman Saitou in Another World)

The protagonist of the anime, Saitou is a Japanese handyman possessing a diverse range of skills like picking locks, appraising and repairing items, and is quite capable of tackling various tasks.

However, despite his competence, he finds himself severely undervalued and underpaid. When he finally musters the courage to voice his dissatisfaction to his boss, he is fired and is dismissed as easily replaceable.

As if this weren't enough misfortune, fate takes a cruel turn when Saitou is unexpectedly struck by a truck and tragically killed while on his way home. Instead of dying, Saitou finds himself transported to another world.

In this strange realm, he encounters a party of adventurers comprising a female knight, a moonlight fairy, and a mage. Coincidentally, they are actively seeking a new member for their party, someone with precisely the kind of skill set possessed by Saitou.

Thus begins Saitou's journey as an adventurer while actively assuming the thief of the party by using the skill set from his previous life.

Masato Oosuki (Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?)

Masato Oosuki is a typical high school student who suddenly finds himself trapped in a virtual reality game. Upon realizing that he is in a game, Masato starts to dream about being the main character.

However, he is accompanied by his overprotective mother in this fantasy world. Not only this, it turns out that his mother, Mamako, has far better abilities than him and is overpowered to the boot.

Masato is often overshadowed by his mother's strength and has to rely on her support and protection in various situations. Apart from having inferior physical strength and combat skills, Masato also lacks confidence and is in a constant state of self-doubt.