Summary
Isekai anime often feature protagonists who have no regard for the characters around them, since they were transported away from their original world. As a result, a new narrative has gained traction, one where the protagonist, intended to be the hero of the story finds themselves mistakento be the antagonist, either due to their actions or circumstances.
This intriguing concept adds layers of complexity to the traditional hero’s journey, turning tables on expectations and exploring the consequences of being misunderstood. Sometimes their actions are rooted in heroism, and sometimes self-preservation, with that in mind, here are some isekai anime where the protagonist is mistaken for a villain.
Although the step-sibling pair, Sora and Shiro, are the main protagonists of the story, Sora is the main object of focus here. Taking on the identity of Blank, aduo of undefeated gamers, Sora and Shiro tormented the gaming world with their superior skills and intellect. They eventually defeated a God, who transported them to a world in which decisions are made through games.
Sora can be quite mean, showing no mercy or remorse to those who crumble at the hands of Blank, even going as far as mocking his opponents. However, his demeanor changes when he is without Shiro, becoming quite introverted and meek.
Catarina spent most of her life as the spoilt and mean daughter of a nobleman after being reborn into the world of Fortune Lover, an otomegame, as the villainess.However, after bumping her head, she remembers her past life and decides to change for the better, thereby becoming a completely new and selfless person trying to protect herself from the result of the game—her getting exiled or killed.
However, the steps she takes to avoid those situations begin to slowly affect the relationship dynamics between her and the other characters in the world.
When the Shield Hero was summoned into the new world, he was summoned alongside three other heroes who were supposed to help battle the calamities that plaguedtheir world called Waves. Unlike him, the other heroes received actual weapons and became sweethearts of the kingdom by extension regardless of their personalities.
Naofumi Iwatani was hated by everyone in the kingdom due to his status as the Shield Hero, with the princess even going as far as falsely accusing him of rape, which got him exiled from the kingdom. The series follows his adventures through their world, as he tries to survive and gain the trust of the citizens of this new world.
In his previous life, Hajime was often bullied by his classmates, and this carried on even after they were transported to a new world. While all his classmates gained powerful abilities and skills, he was onlygiven the ability to transmutematerials. He was eventually betrayed by his friends and pushed down a dungeon. He ate monsters to stay alive and created weapons to escape the dungeon, with this experience bringing out a different side of him.
After escaping and becoming a hybrid, he no longer cares for anyone but himself, even going as far as killing people who hold him back. He behaves like a true antagonist, often displaying how twisted and brutal he is now, as a result of the traumatic experiences he has had. His only goal is to find a way to return to Japan and will stop at nothing to make it a reality.
1Overlord
Ainz Ooal Gown
Following the server shutdown of YGGDRASIL, Ainz Ooal Gown, formerly known as Momonga was transported into the game as his skeleton avatar. He took up the name of his former guild to send a message to people who might have also been transported alongside him.m Ainz is naturally the strongest character in the world and is responsible for the safety of Nazarick.
He alsodeveloped a twisted moral compassdue to a combination of being power drunk and the fact that he is surrounded by NPCs. This is evidenced by how he has no qualms about taking lives and committing other crimes he would not have done in his previous life. The anime serves as a window into the inner ramblings of the mind of a being with limitless power and limited ethical concerns.
