The Best Isekai Anime & Manga Where The Hero Is A Delinquent

Summary

• Isekai provides a unique take on delinquents by showcasing characters defying norms and embracing their darker sides.
• Protagonists like Hajime, Izayoi, and Tanya exhibit varying levels of delinquency that challenge typical isekai stereotypes.
• The delinquent trope is reimagined with characters like Leon, Takuma, and Kazuki, each adding unique twists to their role.

The delinquent archetype has always been an interesting trope in anime and manga alike. While it is traditionally centered on school environments, isekai anime has several subversions of what delinquents can be. Be it refusing to comply with authority, challenging what is considered the norm, or taking a unique approach to exploring their new fantasy worlds, their delinquent personalities stand out and add a refreshing twist to the isekai genre.

Whether in manga or anime, they portray their arrogant and nonchalant selves in unique ways. Even though it could be an original character trait or acquired as a result of external factors, these delinquents leave a lasting impression nevertheless.

8

Arifureta: From Commonplace To World’s Strongest

Hajime’s Transformation After Facing Betrayal

Hajime Nagumo was not always the delinquent type. He was just a timid, kindhearted boy who got average grades while playing games at home or helping out his parents. However, after the betrayal of his classmates in a fantasy world, one could say he entered his demon arc.

He became ruthless and cold, capable of killing anyone who stood in his way, even his classmates. His delinquency was so extreme that Ehit feared him for his lack of morals, as he even became capable of killing civilians. Hajime also despises the god Ehit and has no interest in him or those who worship him.

7

Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren’t They?

Izayoi The Rebellious Genius

Izayoi Sakamaki, the main protagonist of the three who were invited to Little Garden, is the type that does whatever he wants without a care in the world. He pursues personal pleasure no matter the heavy stakes, insisting on things such as handicaps to make high-stakes games even more enjoyable.

He is the kind of hero that dominates with his strength, wit, and skill no matter the opponent, even if it is a god. Despite being such a problem and a delinquent, he has good sides as well. He believes strong powers should only be used on strong opponents and is willing to fight for the weak should it be otherwise.

6

Saga Of Tanya The Evil

Tanya’s Opposition To Being X

Being X, who appears in the two worlds the protagonist of this anime has experienced so far, thrives on people’s faith. He believes he should be worshiped or revered for what he does, but the protagonist denies his very existence.

Unlike most people, the protagonist of this anime, Tanya Von Degurechaff, believes in logic without personal emotions and rejects Being X’s ideology. This leads to his reincarnation as Tanya, as Being X wants to force her to believe in him, ensuring she has to rely on him by faith to survive. Despite this, Tanya hates him and is set on killing this god, even as a mortal.

5

Trapped In A Dating Sim: The World Of Otome Games Is Tough For Mobs

Leon’s Defiance Of Nobility

Leon Fou Bartfort’s hatred for the Otome Game, even before his reincarnation, had always been high, so when he somehow gets trapped in a world he already despises, he does not hesitate to take action that favors him despite being a mob character.

Originally meant to be a background character, he rebelliously takes a major role by using his knowledge of the game to his advantage. He also disregards higher nobility and refuses to suck up to them. He does not even play fair when he challenges them, ensuring the odds will always remain in his favor, even if he has to use underhanded methods.

4

How Not To Summon A Demon Lord

Acting As A Ruthless Demon Lord

With great power comes great changes, and Takuma Sakamoto’s reincarnation as the Demon Lord Diablo definitely brought about changes in his persona. Once an introverted character who just played games and was afraid of talking to women, he now portrays himself as a delinquent, acting cocky with a no-nonsense approach to threats.

However, the anime portrays his delinquency in a comedic manner, as he is still introverted deep down. He consciously acts as a delinquent and an antihero, displaying his overwhelming power and dominance and demanding respect from friends and foes alike, being very careful of showing his original shy persona.

3

My Death Flags Show No Sign Of Ending

Kazuki’s Struggle Against His Villainous Reputation

• Published: August 6, 2015
• Author: Izumi
• Illustrator: Kameda Seiji
• Number of Chapters: 96

The delinquency in the case of this manga is not the rebellion of the hero against the morals of the world, but a rebellion against that of his own character. Before Harold Stokes was possessed by Kazuki Hirasawa, he was very selfish and arrogant. He had no concern for human life and a very foul mouth, earning him the title “King of Trash.”

Kazuki Hirasawa, now in Harold’s body, refuses to accept his villainous personality and acts like a kind, selfless individual, even at the cost of altering the game’s storyline and creating unknown futures. Sadly, he could not get rid of Harold’s foul mouth.

2

Isekai Shikkaku

The Journey Of A Nihilist

• Published: October 2, 2019
• Author: Hiroshi Noda
• Illustrator: Takahiro Wakamatsu
• Number of Chapters: Unknown

This manga follows the story of Sensei, a young man who journeys through a fantasy world. Sensei is a nihilist and has tried to commit suicide multiple times, with his last attempt, a double suicide with his lover, leading to his reincarnation by Truck-kun.

In this new world, he ignores his role as an adventurer with a mission to slay the Demon King, instead going on a journey to find his lover in this fantasy world. On this journey, he uses his skill, Storyteller, to give other reincarnated characters the chance to rewrite their stories while he delinquently ignores his purpose.

1

Yankee Wa Isekai De Seirei Ni Aisaremasu

A High School Delinquent Loved By Spirits

• Published: August 2016
• Author: Kuroi, Heiho
• Illustrator: Yamakawa
• Number of Chapters: 42

Zero Manai comes as the full traditional high school delinquent; he is mean-looking and absurdly strong when it comes to fights. However, some of his actions portray him as more than just that, such as when he jumped in to save a child from an accident and ended up dying himself, leading to his reincarnation in a fantasy world.

The manga plays with his delinquency by giving him a gift that comedically contrasts with his personality: the gift of being loved by spirits. It makes use of this contrast to create a lot of comedic and heartwarming moments, giving the manga a unique charm despite having a delinquent protagonist.