The isekai anime genre is known for main characters who display incredible feats of martial skill and overwhelming magical powers, but there are also characters who know how to take charge both on and off the battlefield. These characters use their impressive abilities and intelligence to not only defeat their opponents but also amass immense wealth, become powerful political figures and be world-famous heroes.
The isekai genre often represents a second chance for anime protagonists where they can be the person they always wanted to be or shape the world to how they always envisioned it. However, this "power fantasy" element of isekai doesn't always have to center around an untouchable defense or flashy one-hit K.O's. It's time to shine the spotlight on isekai's richest, most famous and politically savvy protagonists.
Satou Kazuma (KonoSuba)
Satou Kazuma was an average student in Japan who eventually died and was transported to a magical fantasy world. Although Kazuma started with below-average skills, he more than made up for it with his absurdly high luck stat. His luck allows him to seldom lose a game of chance, and meant he was able to win enough money to put a casino out of business.
Wiping out a casino is an impressive feat, but Kazuma's real source of wealth comes from his deal with the Devil. After selling his knowledge of modern technology, Kazuma becomes the richest adventurer in his world. He goes from sleeping in a barn to paying off the debt of a noble. Without a doubt, Satou Kazuma is the definition of a rags-to-riches story.
Tanya von Degurechaff (Saga of Tanya the Evil)
Originally a Japanese salaryman, Tanya was reincarnated as a young girl in an alternate Europe as punishment for refusing to acknowledge a powerful being as God. At the age of nine, Tanya enlisted in her country's military and quickly rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant. She also graduated from War College as one of the twelve knights.
Although significantly younger than the soldiers she leads, Tanya has proven herself to be an effective and ruthless leader. Those under her tend to follow her commands without objection, as they know that disobedience will be met with harsh punishment. Her combat skills and tactical mind make her a valuable asset to her country's military, and a dangerous opponent to meet on the field of battle.
Shiroe (Log Horizon)
Shiroe was a graduate student who was heavily invested in the MMORPG "Elder Tale." He developed a great deal of experience in the game after playing it for eight years. Eventually, Shiroe becomes stuck inside the game, and with his experience and knowledge of it, managed to create his own influential guild called Log Horizon.
Shiroe is an expert strategist who leads his guild both in and outside of combat. His guild wields significant political power in the world of Elder Tale. The Log Horizon guild has forced abusive guilds to disband and formed powerful alliances with other guilds. Shiroe's strategies and rank of guild master have earned him the reputation of a mastermind in the game.
Ainz Ooal Gown (Overlord)
Similar to Log Horizon, Overlord is about a skilled player who is trapped inside an online game. The series' main character Ainz has spent years building and improving his guild, of which he is the guild master. Ainz's dedication to the game has manifested itself in the colossal guild headquarters called the Great Tomb of Nazarick and the gargantuan horde of treasure that lies inside.
The guild headquarters was an extremely difficult dungeon that Ainz's guild conquered. Since Aniz is the sole member of his guild, that basically means he owns the entire headquarters and all the wealth that has been collected there over the years.
Senku Ishigami (Dr. Stone)
Starting your own kingdom certainly counts as a form of success. After being de-petrified in a world lacking technology, Senku's main objective has been to rebuild civilization. In pursuit of his goal, Senku has formed the Kingdom of Science. The goal of this kingdom is to reintroduce science and technology back into the world.
Senku acts as one of the main leaders of the kingdom and makes many of the strategic decisions on how the kingdom advances. With his impressive intelligence, the kingdom has made great technological strides, such as controlling electricity and creating medicines. Senku has made quite a name for himself in this new world as a cunning genius and an effective leader.
Rimuru Tempest (That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime)
Rimuru is another isekai protagonist who has started his own nation. After his death as a salaryman in the real world, Rimuru was reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy one. He then meets a powerful dragon who Rimuru befriends. The dragon granted a protective blessing upon Rimuru.
The superpowered slime soon develops a friendship with the monsters living inside the Great Jura Forest, who quickly named Rimuru their leader. The Jura Tempest Federation is then formed, with Rimuru as their ruler and commander-in-chief. Rimuru now defends his nation from foreign powers that seek to destroy his country.
Sora and Shiro (No Game No Life)
The dual protagonists of No Game No Life have bigger goals than ruling a single country. After step-siblings Sora and Shiro beat a god at a game of chess, they are transported to a world where all disputes are settled with games. The two then go on to win a tournament to decide the next ruler of the human nation of Elkia.
However, simply being the leaders and representatives of the human race isn't enough for Sora and Shiro. Their ultimate goal is to challenge all of the other species that exist in this strange new world and rule over them as well -- all so they can have a rematch with the god that sent them here.
Kazuya Souma (How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom)
True to the name of the series, Kazuya Souma doesn't solve his problems with fancy sword skills or magical powers, but rather with political cunning. The failing kingdom of Elfrieden was unable to pay war tributes to their neighboring country, so Souma was summoned into their world to be traded instead.
In order to save himself, Souma came up with an economic plan to raise money for the war tributes. His plan impressed the king of Elfrieden so much that he abjugated the throne to Souma and engaged his daughter to him. Souma's effective economic and militaristic reforms have since turned Elfrieden into a successful nation.