There is a deep ocean of Japanese comics, and all kinds of genres and stories exist, and in a trench somewhere is where the mangas of OP MCs lie.
But still, in this corner of the manga world, there are tons of stories, and finding a great OP MC manga is a satisfying experience. But, of course, a lot of them have the usual unnecessarily long titles (thank the anime gods, Rimuru is actually a gem).
Observing a character overpowering everything with sheer might is captivating. Frequently, it’s merely the beginning, however, this same beginning is sufficient to defeat imprudent adversaries.
Here is a list of the best mangas that made us root for the protagonist, even though we know full well that they can break through obstacles like a rock does to an egg.
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20. Suppose a Kid from the Last Dungeon Boonies Moved to a Starter Town?
Do not be discouraged by the needlessly long title; this is a satisfying one despite how stupid it sounds.
The premise of this manga, fondly shortened to LasDan, is about a novice adventurer named Lloyd Belladonna, supposedly the weakest resident of Kunlun, who goes to the city to make his soldier dreams come true.
Lloyd is actually one of the strongest humans in the world. Growing up in a village founded by the ancient saviors of humanity, neighboring the unconquerable Last Dungeon, the poor kid develops a skewed common sense. Hilarity ensues.
This cute and innocent character’s adventure beyond his town is not easy. For regular people, at least. But Lloyd’s extreme power helps more than he realizes.
19. Sakamoto Days
Who could have known that a friendly man with a ponytail who runs a grocery store is really a retired super-assassin?
If you find yourself poring over this list, you’re probably expecting precisely that.
Taro Sakamoto was once known as the best assassin of all time, striking fear in his unlucky enemies.
Then, suddenly, Sakamoto finds love and settles down, spending his retirement days in peace. But, unfortunately, this death god is still hounded by his past.
This humorous/action comic puts a fresh spin on the retired assassin but still cool stereotype.
Despite looking like a gentle dad, Sakamoto is a sheathed blade that remains sharp, occasionally displaying his strength whenever his family and friends face danger.
18. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
Amongst a whole class of isekai’d high school students, Hajime Nagumo is the unlucky dude who got the lowly Transmutation skill, a commonplace ability usually artisans and smiths possess.
Hajime starts off optimistic but, during a training exercise, is betrayed, leading to his fall down a dreaded labyrinth.
Hajime fights his way back to the surface, utilizing the true potential of his ability, but this time he sheds his naivety and dons a grimmer, yet more badass, personality.
The now white-haired, gun-toting avenger explores more dungeons while collecting the occasional beauty, growing ever stronger and more dangerous.
17. Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody
One day, following an exhausting debugging session, computer programmer Ichirou Suzuki awakens and discovers he is in an alternate realm, now as a young person named Satou.
He also discovers that the world appears to be a contest, and a powerful gathering of reptile individuals is approaching him to defeat his character, who is at Level 1.
Satou defeats a bunch of foes using a move named Meteor Shower and reaches Level 310, way past the highest level permitted in the game.
And what if you unexpectedly acquire huge stats and skills stronger than everyone else? Satou’s response was to go sightseeing, and that’s exactly what he did.
This MC goes from one place to another, eating delicacies and saving damsels in distress while exterminating some trifling demon lords along the way.
16. Mashle: Magic and Muscles
This is kinda like Harry Potter, but there’s no Hagrid to tell Harry he’s a wizard. Instead, we have Mash Burnedead, a magicless dude who overcomes normalcy with pure muscle.
Having no magic in a magical world, Mash resorts to physically training his body. He gains a Saitama-like workout powerup, developing an insane physical power so potent he can overcome any obstacle with sheer strength.
When the world’s powers endanger the peace he protects, Mash chooses to join a magic school and earn the name of Divine Seer.
He begins his tale at the school and triumphs over his magical colleagues with his absurd power, which he frequently dubs “Strength Sorcery.”
15. The New Gate
Picture Sword Art Online, but the main character never leaves the game after beating the final enemy and instead embarks on a fresh journey.
The New Gate is the exact game, and Shin is the skilled warrior who completed the challenging game by defeating Origin.
Shin is transported 500 years into the future of the in-game world, but this time everything is corporeal. Unfortunately, the danger is also more real than ever.
The upside, however, is that Shin discovers that he has become more than twice as strong as before he defeated the final boss.
With the help of his non-player character assistants, who turned into respected leaders with incredible strength, Shin ventures through the familiar yet strange land, hoping to discover answers.
14. Kaiju No. 8
Kaiju No. 8 is a story about a man who became a monster. Living in a kaiju-infested world, 32-year-old Kafka Hibino aspires to join the Defense Force but has failed the assessment numerous times.
After giving up his dream of destroying monsters, Kafka resigns to becoming a member of the post-battle cleanup crew, Monster Sweeper Inc.
His life changes when a tiny talking monster flies into his mouth, instantly transforming him into a humanoid monster with superhuman strength.
A unique twist on the kaiju theme, Kaiju No. 8 is not your average monster comic. The character Kafka, who is 32 years old and past his best, adds to the already special mix of elements in a story that grabs you from the beginning.
13. Re:Monster
Here’s a superb addition to your (overflowing?) list of isekai manga. Written in diary format, Re:Monster is the reincarnation tale of one Tomokui Kanata, who got offed by a yandere childhood friend. Yikes.
In his new life, Kanata becomes Rou, a lowly goblin who eats his way to OP-ness. Goblin Rou slowly gains skills and boosts from his meals, evolving into variants of higher beings.
Re:Monster stands out because of its slow pace and introspective speeches, creating a different feel compared to the typical fast-paced battles and sudden power boosts in other isekais.
12. Farming Life in Another World
If you want a much more relaxed and laidback isekai, here’s a manga for you.
Machio Hiraku is given an opportunity to start again with benefits in another world. Nevertheless, instead of becoming a typical super-powered reborn, Hiraku chooses to be a cultivator and relish a peaceful existence.
Since this manga gained a spot on this list, there’s a catch, of course. The otherworldly God gives Hiraku an overpowered tool called All-Purpose Farming Tool (AFT).
With just a thought, he can plant and grow anything. But, of course, he can cut anything, too: grasses, trees, a monster or two, and sometimes, even a mountain.
This attractive isekai storyline is already planned to air in 2023, a proof of how excellent of an isekai Farming Life is.
11. LV999 Villager
Please carefully reread the title. This manga is indeed about an extraordinary villager. Imagine a non-player character in a game who realizes they can earn currency by defeating creatures. Kagami Kouji does precisely that until he reaches the highest level, 999.
In a world where God blesses some people to become heroes or sages, Kagami breaks the code by becoming an overpowered villager—the lowest of roles.
Although the protagonist lives a laidback life despite gaining such an absurd level, he sometimes displays his power by saving people and towns, proving that you don’t need to be a blessed hero to save lives.
10. The Hero is Overpowered but Overly Cautious
Seiya Ryuuguuin will always be remembered as a top-notch slime slayer.
On his initial day as a summoned hero in Gaeabrande, he completely destroys a slime by continuously using his most powerful skills.
Is that overkill? For most people, probably. But Seiya’s answer to that question is a resounding “No.” That’s just how our cautious hero rolls. He’s the lion who uses all his strength even when hunting a rabbit.
And as a master of multiple kinds of magic, he has the right to and ability to prevent any enemy from counter-attacking. Seiya is just trying to avoid a bitter mishap he once suffered.
9. Skeleton Knight in Another World
Skeleton Knight is what happens when you put a lazy yet adventurous Ainz in a more laid-back isekai manga. Just like his OP fellow skeleton MC, Arc wakes up and finds himself transported to his favorite game’s world as his in-game character.
Arc, of course, uses his monstrous powers to become an adventurer and save people, as isekai’d MCs often want to do. But, unfortunately, he soon steps on the toes of important people, wrapping him up in a conflict he can surely end with a skill or two.
Trigger warning, though, some chapters contain rape and gore. Apart from that, Arc is a likable character who doesn’t necessarily take the world seriously and enjoys his newfound life.
8. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord
One day, Rem Galleu and Shera Greenwood make a choice to call for a Demon Lord servant to assist them with their issues. However, based on the name of this manga, it didn’t go as planned, in a way.
The girls instead become the slaves of the NEET Takuma Sakamoto. Luckily for them, Sakamoto came as his game avatar Diablo, a high-level sorcerer with top-grade equips and maxed-out stats.
Being a strong demon king, he easily fixes the girls’ issues and more. Diablo’s funny thoughts are entertaining, and the difference between his lazy self and his confident demon lord look makes this a good addition to the few likable isekai mangas.
7. The Misfit of Demon King Academy
Speaking of demon lords, here’s one that needs no introduction. Anos Voldigoad is probably one of the mightiest MCs ever imagined.
Finding himself reincarnated during an era of peace, Anos notices how the tranquil times weakened his descendants and magic as a whole. So he aims to regain his former prestige as the Demon King, and he restarts his conquest in the Demon King Academy.
Anos is an ancient freak who retains his godly powers, only sacrificing his old war-weary body to end an interspecies war. If not for that, nothing can stop him, not even time.
6. The Irregular at Magic High School
Surely Godsuya cannot be absent from a list like this. Tatsuya Shiba is basically everything in The Irregular at Magic High School: he is a part-time student, a part-time genius inventor, a part-time super soldier, and a full-time badass.
Tatsuya is often known as a deity for a reason.
He is a powerful genius who can effortlessly conquer any obstacle and awe his colleagues, particularly women, to the point where he has attained fame as an anime character illustrating the Gary Stu trope.
Despite Tatsuya being, well, Tatsuya, the pace and world-building are intriguing enough to merit your attention. This manga’s blend of magic and science is one of the best and most memorable in recent years.
5. Mob Psycho 100
A lazy-looking MC, check. Ridiculous overpowered abilities, check. A modest hero who isn’t really trying that hard but can annihilate enemies when provoked, big check.
The popular web manga artist ONE has a firm grasp on what makes OP MCs easily likable.
In Shigeo Kageyama’s, or Mob’s, situation, his simplicity as the main character creates a strong difference when he transforms into a god-like state at ???%. The change is totally awesome in every way.
Hence the nickname Mob, like a background character. You can place him in a backdrop of any manga, and he’ll seamlessly blend in. What’s more, the author’s style somehow enhances the disparity.
It’s incredible how someone’s messy lines bring to life fantastic characters. It appears to be a clever technique: engaging readers without their guard up, only to surprise them with a fantastic story disguised as unusual drawings.
4. Overlord
Praise Ainz Ooal Gown, for sure. Among all the isekai games, Overlord gained fame, surpassing its popular forerunner, Sword Art Online.
Ainz is a high-tier undead peerless in both magic and physical combat. He experiments on the limits of his morality and discovers his new undead self doesn’t seem to have an ounce of it.
And when a broken character eliminates the need to pity outsiders, he can single-handedly mow down armies with overwhelming force and blatant disregard.
Overlord creates a memorable world with noteworthy characters using conventional tropes to entrap the isekai-hungry fans of the mid-2010s.
Truly, a well-deserved top-tier spot in the world of light novels, manga, and anime.
3. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
There are a lot of isekai shows nowadays. Many anime fans avoid them, but this one is loved by both old and new fans.
As a humble slime who wins the lottery to go to a fantasy world with the bug-like skill called Predator, he first ‘respawns’ in the Sealed Cave, where a strong dragon, Veldora Tempest, was locked up.
He forms a bond with the dragon and helps unseal him by consuming his dragon body through Predator. This jumpstart helps Rimuru gain power and evolve beyond what a tiny slime could ever dream of.
By using specialized abilities to combine and improve, Rimuru builds a powerful group of followers and establishes a high-ranking position in the world.
This godly slime’s adventures towards world domination and the safekeeping of Tempest City’s denizens probably hit a sweet spot for the isekai-snubbing manga and anime enthusiasts.
2. Dragon Ball Z
Whenever an overpowered character comes out, “Can he beat Goku, though?” will always be the obligatory question. And any answer to this question will always be fun, especially on anime forums.
DBZ, considered the grandfather of modern shounen, is probably on the list of honorable mentions now. But as an anime fan, you can’t overlook Goku in the MC talk.
Goku and his power-cliffing antics will always be the standard of superpowered protagonists. The sheer destruction and power of DBZ fights are in a different league.
What’s more impressive is that almost every manga and anime fan grew up with Goku and saw him transform from an adorable alien monkey to a literal God of Destruction.
1. One Punch Man
This. This is the manga that just effortlessly tops any overpowered MC list. It’s not only the protagonist who overwhelms enemies; the art made by Yusuke Murata also packs quite a lethal punch itself.
Saitama is ONE’s other powerful MC who appears blank.
In a world with lots of superheroes, Caped Baldy is a B-class hero who likes video games, manga, and shopping for deals.
But there’s a reason why the manga’s title is One Punch Man: Saitama can obliterate Dragon-level monsters in a single punch. Because of this, his fights are too easy and short, and the greatest enemy he faces is boredom.
OPM is beloved by fans not only because of his easy battles. Saitama is essentially a non-conformist, satisfied with residing in an affordable solitary dwelling, far from the glamorous existence of A-rank and S-rank superheroes.
The trope-defying comedy manga about a man who struggles with being way too powerful while also being outrageously underrecognized is not something new, but Saitama sure did put a (dull-looking) face on an overused MC archetype.