In the world of manga, there are countless stories of heroes saving the day, but what happens when the hero gets kicked out of the party? The answer lies in a unique subgenre of manga that explores the aftermath of being ostracized by the group of chosen ones. Here are the top 10 manga where the main character is kicked out of the hero party.
“The Rising of the Shield Hero” by Aneko Yusagi
“The Rising of the Shield Hero” follows the story of Naofumi Iwatani, a college student who is summoned to a parallel world along with three other heroes. Each hero is tasked with defending one of the four kingdoms from waves of monsters. However, Naofumi is betrayed by a fellow hero and falsely accused of a crime, leading to his expulsion from the hero party. Naofumi is left with nothing but his shield and a growing sense of resentment towards the world that has wronged him. He must navigate this new world alone, with only a few allies to rely on. The story follows his journey as he attempts to clear his name, regain his reputation, and save the world from the waves of destruction.
“Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest” by Ryo Shirakome
In “Arifureta,” Hajime Nagumo is a high school student who is summoned to a fantasy world along with his classmates to become heroes. However, while exploring a dungeon, Hajime is betrayed by one of his classmates and left for dead. He awakens to find himself alone, weak, and with no hope of returning home. Hajime must use his wits and newfound abilities to survive in a world filled with danger and betrayal. He becomes a powerful adventurer, gathering allies along the way and confronting his former classmates in epic battles.
“Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” by Ao Jyumonji
“Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” follows a group of strangers who awaken in a fantasy world with no memories of their past lives. They are tasked with becoming adventurers and earning enough money to survive in this new world. However, the group begins to fall apart when one member dies in battle, leaving the others to question their purpose and motivations. The main character, Haruhiro, is forced to confront his doubts and fears as he struggles to find a reason to continue fighting.
“Goblin Slayer” by Kumo Kagyu
In “Goblin Slayer,” the titular character is a lone adventurer who is dedicated to exterminating goblins, a race of creatures that are often underestimated and overlooked by other adventurers. He is feared and reviled by others due to his extreme methods, but he is the only one willing to take on the goblin threat. The story follows Goblin Slayer as he battles against the goblin hordes and attempts to prevent them from causing further harm to innocent people. He is often seen as an outsider by other adventurers, but his dedication and skill make him a force to be reckoned with.
“The Hero and His Elf Bride Open a Pizza Parlor in Another World” by Kaya Kizaki
“The Hero and His Elf Bride Open a Pizza Parlor in Another World” takes a comedic twist on the hero-kicked-out-of-the-party trope. The main character, Kaname Sudo, is a hero who has been betrayed and expelled from the hero party. He then decides to start a pizza parlour in a fantasy world with his elf bride, Iris. The story follows the couple as they navigate the challenges of starting a business in a new world and deal with the occasional monster attack. Despite the light-hearted premise, the story touches on themes of acceptance and finding a new purpose in life.
“Konosuba: God’s Blessing on This Wonderful World!” by Natsume Akatsuki
In “Konosuba,” Kazuma Sato is a shut-in gamer who dies and is reincarnated into a fantasy world. He is given the option to take any item with him on his journey and chooses to bring the goddess Aqua. However, Kazuma quickly realizes that Aqua is not the helpful companion he thought she would be. After a series of misadventures, Kazuma finds himself kicked out of the hero party and forced to start his team with Aqua and two other quirky adventurers. The story is a comedic take on the hero’s journey, with plenty of hijinks and humour to keep readers entertained.
“Re:Monster” by Kanekiru Kogitsune
In “Re:Monster,” the main character, Tomokui Kanata, is reincarnated as a goblin after being killed by a truck in his previous life. He quickly discovers that he can absorb the abilities of creatures he eats, and he uses this power to become a powerful leader among the goblin tribe. However, Tomokui’s ambition and thirst for power eventually lead to his expulsion from the tribe. He sets out on a quest for revenge and begins to build his army of monsters to take on his former comrades. The story is a unique take on the hero’s journey, with the main character starting as a lowly goblin and rising to become a powerful leader.
“The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic” by Kurokata
In “The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic,” the main character, Ryuji, is a healer who is expelled from the hero party due to his inability to use offensive magic. He sets out on his own and begins to develop his healing magic in unusual ways, such as using it to create weapons and traps. Ryuji soon finds himself embroiled in a conflict with an evil organization that threatens the safety of the kingdom. He must use his unconventional healing magic to protect those he cares about and save the day. The story is a unique twist on the traditional hero’s journey, with the main character relying on his healing abilities rather than offensive magic.
“The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious” by Light Tuchihi
In “The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious,” the main character, Seiya Ryuuguuin, is summoned to a parallel world to defeat the demon king. However, he is known for being overly cautious and spends an excessive amount of time preparing for battles. Despite his immense power, Seiya is expelled from the hero party due to his cautionary nature. He then begins to train on his own, becoming even stronger and more prepared for the final battle. The story is a comedic take on the hero’s journey, with the main character’s extreme caution providing plenty of laughs.
“The Reincarnated Prince and the Kingdom in Woe” by Maruino
In “The Reincarnated Prince and the Kingdom in Woe,” the main character, Eric, is a prince who dies and is reincarnated into a fantasy world. He discovers that his new body is much weaker than his previous one and that he is no longer the prince he once was. Eric is kicked out of the royal family and sets out to make a name for himself in the world. He begins to gather a team of adventurers and takes on quests to help those in need. The story is a unique take on the hero’s journey, with the main character starting as a prince and falling from grace before rising again to become a hero.
In conclusion, the theme of being kicked out of the hero party is a recurring trope in the manga, and these 10 titles offer some of the most exciting and entertaining examples. From comedic takes on the hero’s journey to more serious and action-packed stories, these manga showcase a wide range of characters and plots. Whether you’re a fan of fantasy, action, or comedy, these mangas are sure to satisfy your cravings for an exciting read. So why not give one of them a try and discover a new favourite manga series? You might just find yourself rooting for the underdog as they strive to become the true heroes of their respective worlds.
