In many novels featuring an overpowered main character, he/she starts as a weak and helpless individual. Often underestimated and looked down upon by peers villains, they must live with the disrespect. However, as the story progresses, they gradually become stronger until they become an unstoppable force.
Here are 20 novels where the MC starts as a “trash” character but eventually becomes overpowered (OP).
Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World
In this novel, the MC Subaru Natsuki, transported to another world, has no special abilities or powers. He is initially weak and inexperienced, but he eventually gains the power to “Return by Death,” allowing him to rewind time whenever he dies. Through trial and error, Subaru becomes more skilled and powerful, allowing him to take on even the toughest opponents.
The King’s Avatar
The MC Ye Xiu, a former professional gamer, was forced to retire due to his declining skills. He takes on a job as a manager at an internet cafe, but he eventually returns to the gaming world as a mysterious player known only as “Lord Grim.” Through his determination and skill, Ye Xiu becomes one of the most powerful players in the game.
Against the Gods
In this novel, the MC Yun Che is a weak and crippled individual who is looked down upon by his peers. However, he eventually gains the power of the Evil God’s Profound Veins, which allows him to absorb the power of other living beings. Through his relentless training and determination, Yun Che becomes one of the most powerful individuals in the world.
The Legendary Moonlight Sculptor
The MC Lee Hyun is a poor and desperate individual who takes on a job playing a virtual reality game to earn money. However, he soon becomes obsessed with the game and spends all of his time playing it. Through his hard work and dedication, Lee Hyun becomes one of the most powerful players in the game, earning the title of the “Legendary Moonlight Sculptor.”
Tales of Demons and Gods
In this novel, the MC Nie Li, a weak and dying individual, transported back in time to his younger self. With his knowledge of the future, Nie Li sets out to change his fate and become one of the most powerful individuals in the world. Through his intelligence and cunningness, Nie Li becomes a formidable opponent feared by all.
Solo Leveling
The MC Sung Jin-Woo is a weak and struggling hunter who is constantly ridiculed by his peers. However, he gains the power to level up and become stronger by defeating monsters. Through his determination and skill, Sung Jin-Woo becomes one of the most powerful hunters in the world, feared by both humans and monsters alike.
The Beginning After the End
The MC Arthur Leywin is a former king who dies and is reincarnated into a new world as a weak and helpless child. However, he retains his memories and knowledge from his past life, allowing him to quickly become one of the most powerful individuals in the world. Through his strategic thinking and combat skills, Arthur becomes a force to be reckoned with.
Beginning After the End, a highly regarded novel is a well-made story. Not only there’s action, but also brilliantly executed characters. Great development and reckoning characters!
The Rising of the Shield Hero
The MC Naofumi Iwatani is a weak and inexperienced individual who is summoned to another world as one of four legendary heroes. However, he is betrayed and falsely accused of a crime, causing him to become an outcast. Through his determination and skill, Naofumi becomes a powerful warrior who is feared by his enemies.
Rising of the Shield Hero is a decent novel. With good characters, decent plotline, it’s just enjoyable to read or watch.
Dungeon Defense
The MC Dantalian is a demon lord who is initially weak and powerless. However, he gains the power to control the minds of others, allowing him to manipulate his enemies and gain the upper hand. Through his cunning and intelligence, Dantalian becomes a formidable opponent who can conquer dungeons and defeat powerful enemies.
The Reincarnated One Doesn’t Want to Cheat
The MC Renya is reincarnated into a new world with the power to manipulate space and time. However, he refuses to use his powers to cheat or take advantage of others and instead chooses to work hard and train his skills. Through his determination and perseverance, Renya becomes one of the most powerful individuals in the world.
Death March to the Parallel World Rhapsody
The MC Ichiro Suzuki is transported to a parallel world as a level 1 adventurer. However, he gains the power to manipulate reality, allowing him to create and control anything he desires. Through his creativity and strategic thinking, Ichiro becomes one of the most powerful individuals in the world.
Overlord
The MC Momonga is a powerful overlord who rules over a virtual reality game. However, when the game is shut down, Momonga gets transported into the game world as his character. Momonga now has to live in this game world and rule the entirety of it.
Overlord is an excellent Isekai novel with good action sequences . Personally, Overlord is very enjoyable to read or watch.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
The MC Rimuru, reincarnated into a new world as a slime monster now has to go through various challenges. However, he gains the power to absorb the abilities of those he devours, allowing him to become stronger.
This is probably one of the better Isekai novels out there since there’s not only action, but also a good storyline.
The Dungeon Seeker
Noir, a weak and helpless guy, betrayed and left for dead in the dungeon is reincarnated. Now, he has the power to control darkness and become one with his surroundings. Through his determination and skill, Noir becomes one of the most powerful dungeon explorers in the world.
Dungeon Seeker is an excellent novel that follows a simple plotline but executes things very well.
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
The MC Hajime Nagumo is transported to another world as a weak and helpless individual. However, he gains the power to absorb the abilities of monsters, allowing him to become stronger. Through his determination and skill, Hajime becomes a formidable opponent who is feared by all who oppose him.
Martial World
The MC Lin Ming is a weak and inexperienced martial artist who is ridiculed by his peers. However, he gains the power of the Martial God, allowing him to become one of the most powerful martial artists in the world. Through his determination and skill, Lin Ming becomes a legendary figure who is revered by all.
The Gamer
The MC Jihan Han is a weak and powerless high school student who gains the power to live life as if it were a game. Through his determination and skill, Jihan becomes one of the most powerful gamers in the world, able to manipulate reality and control his surroundings.
The New Gate
The MC Shin is a powerful player who is trapped in a virtual reality game. However, when he completes the game, he finds himself transported to a new world as his character. Through his determination and skill, Shin becomes a legendary figure who is revered by all.
Dungeon ni Deai wo Motomeru no wa Machigatteiru Darou ka
The MC Bell Cranel is a weak and inexperienced adventurer who is ridiculed by his peers. However, he gains the power to level up and become stronger through his trials and battles. Through his determination and skill, Bell becomes one of the most powerful adventurers in the world.
The Strongest Dan God
The MC Nie Li is a weak and powerless individual who is ridiculed by his peers. However, he gains the power to manipulate time and space, allowing him to become one of the most powerful individuals in the world. Will Nie Li change his destiny in his second life?
The Strongest Dan God is a decent novel with good romance, action and a tab-bit of cultivation. The MC is the best part of the novel.
In conclusion, the journey of trash becoming OP is a popular trope in novels and has provided readers with some of the most compelling and inspiring stories in literature. These novels not only provide thrilling action and adventure but also teach valuable lessons about perseverance, determination, and the power of hard work. So, if you’re looking for a good read that will keep you on the edge of your seat and inspire you to achieve greatness, be sure to check out these top 20 novels where the MC is trash that becomes OP.
