7 Controversial Protagonists in Isekai Anime You Need to Know

Main Insights

Ainz from
Overlord
undergoes a transformation from hero to antagonist, creating division among fans due to his multifaceted character.
Cid from
The Eminence In Shadow
fully embraces the over-the-top isekai tropes, generating a mixed response from audiences.
Hajime from
Arifureta
embarks on a revenge-fueled journey that ventures into dark territory, eliciting varied opinions.

Anime has consistently delivered memorable characters, garnering general consensus on their popularity or unpopularity. Icons like Spike Spiegel, Edward Elric, and L are frequently hailed as some of the most cherished heroes in anime history.

Conversely, there exists a category of characters that spark contention, often because they harbor certain flaws that some fans can overlook while others cannot. In the isekai genre, a few of these divisive characters stand out and can genuinely split fan opinions.

7 Ainz Ooal Gown

Initially Promising, But Fans Are Now Divided

Upon its release in 2015, Overlord quickly gained a following thanks to its intriguing isekai premise featuring an overpowering lead and a captivating universe. Fans enjoyed following Ainz as he navigated the complexities of this world, often amused by his occasional innocence.

However, as subsequent seasons unfolded, it became evident that Ainz was not the unambiguous hero many had thought, but rather a complex character veering towards villainy. This nuanced progression has resonated with some viewers, while others feel disenchanted. Ainz’s motivations for his darker actions tie back to his role as a caretaker of a monster race crafted by his close friends, making him both a fascinating and divisive figure.

6 Kagenou people

A Divisive Edge Lord

Cid Kagenou from The Eminence In Shadow embodies the essence of a polarizing character by design. The series has a tendency to parody and revel in the cringe-worthy cliches of contemporary isekai, showcasing exaggerated powers, nonsensical harems, and morally gray protagonists.

While many viewers have embraced this comedic approach—reflected in the show’s second season and favorable ratings on MAL—others find Cid’s over-the-top persona to be distasteful. His extravagant abilities and commitment to his heroic image can be entertaining, yet they sometimes resonate with troubling fantasies, leading to mixed reactions among the audience.

5. Hajime Nagumo

Plagued by Revenge

Hajime is an average teenager pulled into an alternate world alongside his peers. While his classmates receive powerful abilities, Hajime ends up with what seems like a useless skill at first. After being betrayed and left to die, he survives, acquires significant power, and ends up with a harem—classic isekai motifs familiar to Arifureta.

The crux of Hajime’s characterization lies in his revenge-driven narrative, leading him down a dark trajectory. This quest raises eyebrows among some viewers, who struggle to sympathize with a character whose rage manifests in extreme ways.

4 Ask Degurechaff

A Grown Man in a Child’s Form May Not Resonate with All

Tanya Degurechaff from The Saga Of Tanya The Evil is a contentious character for various reasons. Primarily, she is depicted as an antagonist, and her actions often do not bode well for audience sympathy. More strikingly, Tanya is a reincarnated adult male housed within the body of a young girl.

Initially a salaryman who meets his end and defies the God he refers to as ‘Being X’, Tanya is merciless and war-hungry, making it challenging for viewers to rally behind her. Coupled with the show’s war-torn setting reminiscent of World War II, where her faction draws unsettling parallels to the Nazis, it’s no wonder that Tanya evokes such strong and mixed feelings.

3 Kirito

The Iconic Start of the Genre

Sword Art Online may not be the first isekai ever created, but it undeniably played a crucial role in the genre’s exponential growth and the adoration that followed.

What makes Kirito a polarizing figure is his role as the archetypical isekai ‘Mary Sue’: a character who is so exceedingly competent that he seems bereft of genuine conflict or development. His effortless successes led many fans to grow fatigued with him, making Kirito a controversial figure in the anime community.

2 Naofumi Iwatani

His Revenge Quest Results in Ethical Dilemmas

The Rising Of The Shield Hero stirred controversy from its first episode, tackling sensitive themes of assault and false accusations within a socially charged context. Naofumi’s story commences with his unjust accusation of assault, setting off a season filled with his rage and resentment.

This journey towards vengeance sees Naofumi acting in ways that some viewers find morally objectionable, particularly through the lens of his relationship with Raphtalia, which many interpret as rooted in slavery. Furthermore, his assembly of a harem adds to the unease around his character, alienating certain audience members.

1 Rudeus Greyrat

Perceived as an Unredeemable Pervert

Rudeus Greyrat begins his journey in Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation as a socially awkward otaku, embodying behaviors that many may deem problematic. After being isekai’d as an infant, he aims to reinvent himself.

Despite his personal growth, his past identity continues to haunt him. For many, Rudeus remains an adult in a child’s body, and his inappropriate encounters with younger characters cast him in a negative light. Although he demonstrates character development, the label of a pervert is one he struggles to shed.

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