Best Cynical Protagonists In Isekai Anime And Manga

Cynical characters in isekai anime and manga are a recurrent trope in this genre, though not many of them end up as the true heroes of the story and sometimes, they tend to be more aligned with the evil side.

But, from all the cynics in isekai anime, there’s a list of the most cynical ones, and here they are sorted out following certain criteria, like true goals, attitude towards the world, and if they are still redeemable or have fallen to their cynical side. So, here are the best cynical protagonists in isekai anime and manga.

8

Ainz Ooal Gown (Overlord)

Not A Hero, Not A Villain, Just A Cynical Ruler

This former gamer turned into an evil Overlord who sees everything around him as a game board and directs the pieces as he pleases. Ruthless, pragmatic, and cynical, he still carries some lingering remnants of his former humanity somewhere in his consciousness.

So, he is not a full-fledged monster, just dangerously walking the thin line between what’s right and wrong. This unburdened morally gray vision of reality is what makes Ainz such a masterful strategist, able to outmaneuver his foes with style and without any contemplation.

7

Kazuma Satou (Konosuba)

Dangerously Walking The Line Between Heroism And Village Idiot

Kazuma Satou got thrown into a new and fantastical isekai experience, though the way he was transported to another world should have prevented him from what he was about to experience.

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Kazuma is a sarcastic, self-deprecating, reclusive, and a natural-born cynical individual, who enjoys spending time lazing around more than risking his skin by living adventures. When something goes wrong, he will be the first person to say: “I told you so,” and the worst part is that he will be right most of the time.

6

Naofumi Iwatani (The Rising Of the Shield Hero)

Behind His Cynical Attitude, He Hides A Hurtful Truth

Not every isekai story ends up with the main character being treated fairly. In the case of Naofumi Iwatani, who got betrayed early on his adventure, cynicism is a defense mechanism that allows him to cope with the selfishness (and sometimes absurdity) of the people living in this world he was thrown into.

His gritty determination is what made him able to break away from that cycle of violence he was trapped into, enduring inhuman amounts of shunning, insults, and mistreatment. Over time, he rose above those who belittled him and became a true hero. However, his cynical nature remains intact.

5

Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime)

Can Be Vile, Can Be Vicious, And Also Cynical

Formerly known as Mikami Satoru, this cynical and pragmatic salaryman became a Slime once he got reincarnated in another world. Throughout the series, the protagonist known as Rimuru Tempest has suffered dozens of changes both psychologically and physically.

However, he never loses his sense of humor, which balances out his oftentimes detached (and ruthless) attitude when he deals with his enemies. This seemingly harmless Slime grew to become a true monster, then a Demon Lord/Dragon God with incredible powers. His enemies do well to fear him, and few survive his anger.

4

Hajime Nagumo (Arifureta: From Commonplace To World’s Strongest)

Your Average Man Against Humanity Attitude

Hajime Nagumo wasn’t always a cynical and detached human being, but when his former classmates left him to die in the great Orcus Labyrinth he experienced what human cruelty was capable of. Afterward, his personality greatly mutated (as well as his biological nature) and he had to mature in a rush, as he tried to survive whatever the cost.

When he emerged from the depths, followed by Yue, Nagumo was no longer a naive boy, but a cynical, edgy, and overpowered individual capable of breaking apart anyone who stood in his way. Perhaps, that’s what made him even more powerful than anything else that happened in that wretched place.

3

Satou Pendragon (Death March To The Parallel World Rhapsody)

Cool And Detached, But Also Cynical

As a former programmer and loner, Satou has a cynical strain that cannot be changed no matter how fantastical his experiences in Rhapsody were. Living adventures as a magician, merchant, and reluctant pseudo-harem “master,” Satou has acquired the title of Lord Pendragon, a name that he picked because he is a fan of old chivalry tales.

His laid-back, often goofy nature hides a very sharp mind, which is constantly analyzing what is happening around him, looking for better prospects in business or good outcomes from dangerous situations. He is most definitely a survivalist: not the hands-on type, but one of those who has a knack for commanding people into doing the tasks for him.

2

Subaru Natsuki (Re:Zero)

Death Has Taken A Toll On Him

From victim to chosen leader, Subaru’s cynicism is deeply rooted in the constant traumatic events that lead him to countless deaths and resets. Nobody has had to go through what Subaru experienced, and even his enemies have recognized that their minds would break if they had gone through an endless cycle of death and rebirth.

Throughout the series, Subaru goes from absolute despair to a paragon of the people in one of the most incredible character developments of anime. Though he is quite a divisive isekai anime character, often compared to other “edge lords” from the anime culture.

1

Saitou (Handyman In Another World)

Just Your Average Handyman, Doing God’s Work In Another World

Saitou the Handyman is perhaps one of the best characters in the isekai anime culture. A former Japanese part-timer who knows a little bit of everything related to craftsmanship, and building, and thanks to his experience doing odd jobs, he turned into a jack-of-all-trades.

His skills are rare in that fantasy world, though often are underappreciated by the many fantastical characters that accompany him during his adventures. His silent cynicism contrasts perfectly with the many larger-than-life individuals he is accompanied by: from a powerful archmage who is slowly losing grasp of his memory due to Alzheimer’s, to a critical, snappy, and sometimes cruel fairy who is strangely obsessed with coins.

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