Updated May 12, 2024 by testing

There is nothing quite like an unexpectedly powerful MC to keep the readers on their toes and rooting for them. Despite being incredibly skilled in one way or another, they hide their full power and use it when the time is right. 

Don’t you just love when a character comes up and says “this isn’t even my final form”? It’s crazy to see just how truly powerful our underrated main characters can be!

Now, it’s time for the boss’ music to start! Here is a list of…

 

10 Manga That Has Protagonists Who Hide Their True Strength    

 

10. Saitama from One Punch Man

Information
Title	One Punch Man
Genre	Action, Comedy, Superhero
Author	One
First Published	2009
Chapter Count	171

If you haven’t of the literal one-hit wonder himself, Saitama, he is the main character in the One Punch Man manga series. This manga has a TON of powerful heroes and villains! 

Despite having such a colorful cast of characters in this manga, no one compares to Saitama. One punch is all it takes. Though there are a few enemies in the manga that needed him to use more than a few punches. This shows just how incredible his punches are. 

Saitama was a simple man. He was just helping around his city, not really looking for fame until he formally applied to be a hero. Even then, he rarely got recognition for the formidable foes he had to face. 

This is definitely one of the most overpowered characters you’ve ever seen. There is just so much action you have to see in the manga! Being able to kill opponents with a few punches may sound boring but trust me, it’ll knock you right off your seat. 

 

9. Sora and Shiro from No Game No Life

Information
Title	No Game No Life
Genre	Fantasy, Isekai
Author	Yu Kamiya
First Published	November 23, 2013
Chapter Count	192

The brother and sister duo of Sora and Shiro is unstoppable. Why? Because they already have some of the world’s best gaming skills! “Gaming skills” sounds a bit broad and too vague but we come to see that they can demolish ANYONE at ANY GAME. 

Well, to be more specific, they both have incredible analytical skills and can make intelligent decisions even when faced with super high stakes. 

No Game No life takes place when Sora and Shiro are put to the test with a chess match by a mysterious challenger. After a lot of effort and teamwork, the two defeated this person. Little did they know this was a god! 

They are then taken to another world where they would be able to flourish using their strength, which was games.  Our super siblings are able to easily outmaneuver dangerous creatures and people alike using their wits. 

What could be one of their secrets? It’s keeping your true power hidden. They don’t let anyone know that they are playing right into their hands. 

Seeing how powerful this duo can be against all these formidable and practically impossible-to-beat foes is going to keep you on the edge of your gaming chair.

 

8. Kumoko from So, I’m A Spider, So What? (Kumo Desu ga, Nani ka?)

Information
Title	So, I’m A Spider, So What?
Genre	Adventure, Isekai
Author	Okina Baba
First Published	July 9, 2016
Chapter Count	55

This is an interesting character. Kumoko is a spider; a plain and simple spider. She was a simple girl who got isekai’d and reincarnated as a spider in another world. 

For some people, her being a spider already makes her quite a formidable foe. For others, her being a spider is nothing to worry about in a fantasy world. Little do they know that this spider is going to need a whole lot more than just a slipper. (and before you think about it, even both slippers won’t do). 

She is clever and quick-witted when using her abilities to their fullest. Kumoko slowly becomes stronger and stronger as the series goes on. She overpowers creatures you would only dream about fighting as an MC. 

No one expected this itsy-bitsy spider to do more than crawl up the water spout. Catch her entire fight up the food chain on the web!

 

7. Kiyotaka Ayanokoji From Classroom of the Elite (Yōukoso Jitsuryoku Shijō Shugi no Kyōshitsu e)

Information
Title	Classroom of the Elite
Genre	Psychological, Thriller, Drama
Author	Syougo Kinugasa
First Published	January 27, 2016
Chapter Count	63

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji is the epitome of hiding his strength. In this manga, we have a class with an interesting assortment of students. None are a match for Kiyotaka and they have no clue. 

Our main character surprisingly does not like showing off and drawing too much attention to himself. He intentionally scored exactly 50 points in all of the 100-point tests. This takes some extreme intellect to know exactly which answers to make right and wrong on your tests. 

He makes calculated moves throughout the entire series. In this story, we get to see some amazing character development. It is a very down-to-earth manga that discusses some real-life problems.

 

6. Rimuru Tempest From That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime (Tensei Shitara Suraimu Datta Ken)

Information
Title	That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime
Genre	Isekai, Fantasy
Author	Fuse
First Published	April 7, 2017
Chapter Count	98 (Still Ongoing)

Most people don’t look twice whenever they see a slime. Slimes are just another low-level enemy. This is NOT the case with Rimuru!

We start off with the classic isekai story. Our main protagonist was living an ordinary life as a Japanese man until he was met with his untimely death. He was reincarnated in another world and another form. 

Some of his many overpowered abilities would be his godspeed regeneration and his gluttony that can enable him to gobble up anything! 

Not only that but he has the most important asset of all… the knowledge of anime and video games! (this is going to be the most powerful creature in the world) He uses everything he knows and puts it to good use while still keeping a low profile.

Rimuru makes sure everyone gets to do their part and help each other out. This sublime slime is an insanely strong leader and fighter that you’d want to see more of.

 

5. Yato From Noragami 

Information
Title	Noragami
Genre	Supernatural, Action, Adventure, Comedy
Author	Adachitoka
First Published	July 15, 2011
Chapter Count	99 (Still Ongoing)

Noragami follows the story of a man on a mission; a god with a goal. I’ll try to keep this as spoiler free as I can while still telling you about our main character, Yato. 

Yato is a deity that wants to be worshiped and feel famous. Okay, yes I know this is about a list of MCs that are op but hide it… BUT hear me out. 

He is an actual god that can do crazy things but he knows his target audience, the masses. So what does he do? He does simple jobs like finding lost pets and cleaning out houses. 

This man is a god but hides his real power behind the menial everyday tasks that he does for the neighborhood. Since this manga is still ongoing, you can expect a lot more to come from this!

 

4. Banaza From Chillin Different World Life Of The EX-Brave Candidate Was Cheat From Lv2 (Lv2 kara Cheat datta Moto Yuusha Kouho no Mattari Isekai Life)

Information
Title	Chillin Different World Life Of The EX-Brave Candidate Was Cheat From Lv2
Genre	Adventure, Comedy, Isekai, Fantasy
Author	Kinojo Miya
First Published	October 11, 2020
Chapter Count	32 (Still Ongoing)

Now, this is a cheat code everyone would definitely fight for. Banaza was just a run-of-the-mill character. He didn’t have anything too extraordinary or spectacular about him. That is until he reached level 2?! 

This main character got ALL the possible skills and magical spells! Everything is in the palm of his hand at the unbelievable level of 2. What a buff! No level-up has ever hit this hard before. 

With all that power in his possession, he still does everything at a steady pace. He does not try to show off or make it known that he got the biggest upgrade in history. 

We’ll see more of how he lives his everyday life while having literally every possible ability in that world.

 

3. Leonardo Watch From Blood Blockade Battlefront (Kekkai Sensen)

Information
Title	Blood Blockade Battlefront (Kekkai Sensen)
Genre	Science Fiction, Action, Supernatural
Author	Yasuhiro Nightow
First Published	January 5, 2009
Chapter Count	33

Leonardo is next on our list! He may not look like a strong fighter, which is always helpful in dangerous cities, but looks have never been so deceiving. 

He is very quick-witted and responds to action impeccably. Even when he’s scared, he leoaps (get it? Leo? Leaps? Leoaps?) to help. Aside from that, he has an overpowered ability, his eyes. 

Despite having the Eyes of the Gods, he does not abuse it or go looking for fights. He could use this power more to defend himself every day but he only uses it when he needs to. 

Some of the townsfolk see him as a target with no way to protect himself. Fun fact, he has been pickpocketed so many times that he has already developed strategies for hiding his money in his clothes. He really picks which fights he wants to face. 

Leonardo is a strong character you want to Watch out for!

We follow his story as he finds out more about his given power and how he can help save his younger sister in the process. He ends up doing a whole lot more than that too with the Libra organization! 

 

2. Mikado Ryuugamine From Durarara!!

Information
Title	Durarara!!
Genre	Urban Fantasy, Action, Suspense
Author	Ryohgo Narita
First Published	December 26, 2009
Chapter Count	57

We have had some crazy strong characters in this list but here’s another type of overpowered. This is a bit of a spoiler so I will warn you now of this man’s power. 

This is a manga that focuses a lot on gang wars and personal battles. We get into the backstory behind each side and see just how intense everything can get in this city of suspense.

Mikado is the creator of this cyber gang of sorts, simply known as Dollars. This group likes to say that they are a group without any rules to follow. That all changed when the other gangs attacked from within their cyber walls. 

He can command hundreds with just a few buttons. It may not be the superhuman strength we are used to seeing but wow would this be an op thing to do in a tight situation!

The manga has so much more action and conflict that keeps readers wanting more!

 

1. Adele von Ascham From Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?! (Watashi, Nōryoku wa Heikinchi de tte Itta yo ne!)

Information
Title	Didn’t I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!
Genre	Fantasy, Isekai, Magic, Adventure
Author	FUNA
First Published	August 5, 2016
Chapter Count	17 (Still Ongoing)

When you’re about to get isekai’d and you meet a god of some kind, what would you ask for? What would you want to bring with you? What would your final request be? Would you want to have an extraordinary life waiting for you?

Our unique main character Kurihara Misato has an interesting answer. She just wanted to have average abilities in her next life. This was an unexpected favor to ask.

The next thing she knows, she was reincarnated as Adele von Ascham. If that name doesn’t sound regal enough, she is now the daughter of a noble and has some overpowered magic. (I guess God said no to that request, huh?)

Regardless of how strong she became, she still wanted to live a simple everyday life. She went to a regular school and tries to live out her ideal and peaceful life. It’s a handful trying to keep all your potential and power from being seen. 

Now you know this would not be the case when you see that even God didn’t want her to have a boring life. This is also spectacular news for us readers because we get to come along for the whole magical trip.

 

Conclusion 

If you saw these characters for the first time, would you think they’re overpowered? It will definitely teach most to not judge a book by its cover. Be sure to check out more blogs about Overpowered MCs that surprise everyone!

It’s so cool to see just how well these mcs can hide what they are really capable of! Be sure to check out just how they go from the unlikely to the unstoppable!