History Main / InvincibleHero

* ''Literature/UnnamedMemory'': Oscar is already strong enough to breeze through Tinasha's trap-ridden tower at the start of the story and possesses a sword that nullifies magic, but on top of that Tinasha herself protects him with a spell that repells nearly all physical attacks and trains him so that he becomes strong enough to kill a witch (i.e. her) if the need arises. By the end of volume 2, there's isn't a single human who would stand a chance against him in a duel. The only thing that comes even remotely close to threatening his life ends up being [[spoiler:a poison needle used in a sneaky way by an assassin diguised as a court lady.]]

* Lina, the [[AntiHero anti-heroine]] of ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'', is less of this trope than it warrants, but it is painfully obvious how fellow mages Zelgadis, Amelia, and Sylphiel are out-classed against her, as she is the only person among them (and probably the entire world) who can both beam-spam the most powerful spell in the verse's BlackMagic, and can also draw power from [[GuardianOfTheMultiverse the Lord of Nightmares.]] She also shows ridiculous insight and intelligence often in random bursts, whereas normally she is fairly smart, but not inquisitive - the reverse happens with [[TheSmartGuy Zelgadis]], who is normally book-smart, but fails at battle strategies. It is her that takes down every single demonic being that the group encounters, which makes Xellos' comment of all four main characters being "[[TitleDrop Slayers]]" of demons far less credible - Lina defeated Shabranigdo while the others were taken down in one blow each. Filia, a Golden Dragon, Naga, [[GoldfishPoopGang her alleged rival]], and Pokota, a prince, are probably the only people that could rival her, but Filia is a [[HolierThanThou stuck-up, prissy, and naive]] priestess who often refuses to take part in the group's antics, Naga is incredibly flaky, and Pokota is stuck in the body of a [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter stuffed animal]], knocking down his use by a solid margin.

* {{Deconstructed|Trope}} in ''Manga/MyHeroAcademia''. All Might is considered this by the public as he never seems to have lost a fight and considered the "Symbol of Peace" and the man throw down when need be. But most of these feats are what was given to the public to keep the ideal going; in truth, by the time of the main story, he was severely weakened following a skirmish with a powerful villain that destroyed most of his body and surgeries could only do so much. Thus he could only turn into his buff form for about 3 hours a day and had to work quickly within that time frame. [[spoiler:Still, when he finally does fight All-For-One within the series with his depleting power (this time due to the fact that he had given it to Midorya), he gives it his all and manages to come out on top one more time before being forced to retire.]]

* ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'': This is one problem that AntiHero Accelerator can run into at times: his powers are so unbelievably strong and versatile that there are very few situations that are any threat to him whatsoever, even after he's been {{depower}}ed to some extent. Like Alucard of ''Manga/{{Hellsing}}'', he tends to keep the fans' interest because it is usually ''very'' entertaining watching him slaughter all the bad guys, and the focus of his battles is usually on his inner character rather than the carnage he's perpetuating.

* The [[UsefulNotes/KaijuDefenseForce Japanese Self-Defence Force]] in ''Literature/{{Gate}}'' never lost a single engagement - they won them all with sadistic ease. {{Justified|Trope}} most of the time since they are a modern, relatively well-funded [[InsistentTerminology armed force]] that has to face mostly [[MedievalStasis pre-medieval armies of legionnaires armed only with spears, shields, bows and arrows]] and [[OurDragonsAreDifferent the odd dragon]]. However, when they start simultaneously [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomping]] American, Russian ''and'' Chinese [[ElitesAreMoreGlamorous Spec-Ops units]], things start to smell exceedingly fishy for a country that has been nominally anti-militaristic since UsefulNotes/WorldWarII. The fact that [[WordOfGod the author]] is ex-JSDF himself and has expressed some [[PatrioticFervor strong feelings about Japan and the world]] doesn't help.

* Sibling Tatsuya and Miyuki Shiba of ''Literature/TheIrregularAtMagicHighSchool'' are practically TropeCodifier for this, since they are both without any effort, defeat any enemy and stronger than anyone else in the novel universe, so much so that the characters themselves begin to discuss it. And although in the future it gets an explanation, since [[spoiler:Miyuki is the perfect DesignerBaby]], Tatsuya's abilities are still so abnormally powerful that he can instantly calculate the sequence of any spell or even blow up a planet.
** The reason for this lies in the fact that the author, by his own admission, prefers long dialogues and intrigues, and not battles, so in the original web-novel, most of the battles were even almost instantaneous.
* ''Literature/LegendOfTheGalacticHeroes'':
** Played with in Yang Wenli, who ''never'' actually militarily loses anything in which he plays a part, even against incredible odds. ''Ever.'' To his allies, he's a HopeBringer, to his enemies he's a HeroKiller, and on both sides, he's FamedInStory. However, his role as the Invincible Hero is subverted often and PlayedForDrama by Yang himself when he candidly admits that the moment he stops being invincible is also the moment he stops being a hero. By the end we find [[spoiler:he's NotSoInvincibleAfterAll]]. Also, while Yang ''does'' win almost any battle as long as he's involved, it's often mentioned and hinted that he'll still lose in some areas. For example, while he nearly kills Reinhard during Battle of Vermillion, [[spoiler:Mittermeyer captures Alliance's capital, forcing Yang's fleet to ceasefire]]. In two other battles he wins over the Empire, capturing back Iserlohn Fortress, but [[spoiler:he lost Bucock and Fischer, one being his father figure, and another the "heart" of his fleet]]. It's even notified that [[spoiler:Yang won't stand a chance if Reinhard attacks again after Fischer is killed]].
** Reinhard, on the other hand, is also considered as Invincible from the beginning of the story to the point that [[spoiler:he effectively ends the whole war and unifies the universe ''halfway through the story'']], but interestingly he'll always feel that his victory isn't complete when Yang is there to disrupt him from getting a total victory. The only real time he gets a crushing defeat is the Battle for the Corridor [[spoiler:where he lost two top admirals to Yang's ragtag fleet]].

* The Hero in ''Literature/{{Maoyu}}'' is a level 99 ''VideoGame/DragonQuest'' protagonist, and is practically unbeatable in combat. However, this level of power makes him feel apart from humanity. He and the Demon Queen are trying to find a way to save the world peacefully.

* Sora and Shiro, the brother/sister duo from ''Literature/NoGameNoLife'', seem to not only win every game they play, but also have every move of their opponent planned out in advance. [[spoiler:However, they do occasionally "tie" when the outcome is still favorable to them.]]

* Ainz in ''Literature/Overlord2012'' is a level 100 MMORPG player character who, along with his similarly leveled NPC minions and guild HQ that was considered one of the hardest dungeons in the game it came from, are all TrappedInAnotherWorld. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on the circumstances), even the most legendary of creatures considered leagues above anything any mortal man could hope to challenge are mid-tier at best when compared what was in the MMORPG. It's increasingly shown that the only thing that could actually give Ainz and his henchmen a run for their money is another level 100 player character (none of which have yet appeared in present time,) or one of his direct underlings going rogue [[spoiler:which eventually happens when Shalltear is mind-controlled by a World-class item]]. To get around the protagonist and his party being so overpowered, the plot focuses mostly on Ainz exploring the New World, his political maneuvering among the various nations (both as Overlord Ainz and his adventurer persona Momon that he uses to infiltrate the Adventurer's Guild,) and the far less invincible natives he affects.

* Lina, the [[AntiHero anti-heroine]] of ''Literature/{{Slayers}}'', is less of this trope than it warrants, but it is painfully obvious how fellow mages Zelgadis, Amelia, and Sylphiel are out-classed against her, as she is the only person among them (and probably the entire world) who can both beam-spam the most powerful spell in the verse's BlackMagic, and can also draw power from [[GuardianOfTheMultiverse the Lord of Nightmares.]] She also shows ridiculous insight and intelligence often in random bursts, whereas normally she is fairly smart, but not inquisitive - the reverse happens with [[TheSmartGuy Zelgadis]], who is normally book-smart, but fails at battle strategies. It is her that takes down every single demonic being that the group encounters, which makes Xellos' comment of all four main characters being "[[TitleDrop Slayers]]" of demons far less credible - Lina defeated Shabranigdo while the others were taken down in one blow each. Filia, a Golden Dragon, Naga, [[GoldfishPoopGang her alleged rival]], and Pokota, a prince, are probably the only people that could rival her, but Filia is a [[HolierThanThou stuck-up, prissy, and naive]] priestess who often refuses to take part in the group's antics, Naga is incredibly flaky, and Pokota is stuck in the body of a [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter stuffed animal]], knocking down his use by a solid margin. This mostly applies to the anime and the novels.

* Kirito of ''Literature/SwordArtOnline''. He's shown to be ridiculously smart (having built a top-of-the-line custom gaming PC at age 14, knowing how to hack SAO's code, among other things), and is easily considered the best player. He wins every fight with little effort. In fact, one of the only times he's ever lost was when his opponent ([[spoiler: the BigBad himself, the creator of the game]]) cheated. There's one scene in particular in which a gang of player-killers rush him. He stands still, completely unfazed while he explains that his health regeneration skill is so high that ''it refills at a faster rate than his enemies can deal out damage.'' Later on, he gains a sword skill that is exclusive to him and him alone. Even when his health is depleted to zero, he somehow wills himself back to life to land the finishing blow on Kayaba. Then, in [=SAO2=], he transfers to the FirstPersonShooter-themed Gun Gale Online, and immediately begins consistently and handily defeating his opponents, despite having never played the game or any firearm-based [=MMOs=], and going up against players with far more experience than him. It isn't until the end of [=SAO2=] that he actually loses a fight fair and square, and by that point, it hardly matters.

* [[Characters/RickAndMortyRickSanchez Rick Sanchez]] from ''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty''. [[NominalHero For a certain definition of "hero"]]. Even given the SadistShow nature of the series, Rick is notable for his impressive win record against villains. He has gone up against galactic governments, alien scientists, impossibly vast and powerful extradimensional beings, and even the Devil himself, and he has outsmarted and defeated all of them. Even alternative versions of himself have been made fools of. Only a single episode so far has ended with Rick not coming out on top. [[spoiler:It's ''not'' the Season 2 finale which sees him being arrested by the galactic government; he allowed himself to be captured so he could bring it down from the inside. [[OneManArmy And he does]].]] [[spoiler:He has, however, been bested by Evil Morty. He only escapes death because Morty saves him at the last second.]] The Season 3 finale is also another rare failure for Rick, as [[spoiler:all has plans have fallen apart and Jerry is back with Beth, and the family are stronger than ever.]] Season 4 finale also is a moment of failure for Rick, [[spoiler: as both Space Beth and Normal Beth have rejected Rick alongside Morty and Summer, and that episode ends with Rick lamenting upon his mistakes.]]

** In "Vindicators 3 The Return Of World Ender", Rick brutally kills the [[OmnicidalManiac World Ender]] [[spoiler:''offscreen. In a matter of hours''. '''''While being so drunk that he doesn't even remember doing it the morning after.''''']] Good grief.

* Suzaku Kururugi of ''Anime/CodeGeass'' is a {{perspective flip}}ped version of this trope. He's always able to take down the "bad guys" with his SuperPrototype [[MiniMecha Knightmare Frame]], and always foils [[MagnificentBastard Lelouch's]] plans--but Lelouch is the ''protagonist''. Invoked by the Camelot research team, who name the afore-mentioned SuperPrototype '''[[FridgeBrilliance the "Lancelot"]]'''. Played straight toward the end when [[spoiler:he and Lelouch end up on the same side and he effortlessly defeats the most powerful knight in the series, even after he reveals his future-reading superpower]].

%%* {{Discussed|Trope}} in the [[Creator/IsaacAsimov Black Widowers story]] "[[Franchise/{{Batman}} Northwestward]]"

* Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse:

'''Fry:''' That's because he was [[ComicBook/SpiderMan bitten by a radioactive]] Franchise/{{Superman}}!

* The creators of ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice2010'' mentioned that they weakened a number of characters for the show so that they wouldn't be {{Story Breaker|Power}}s. ComicBook/{{Superboy}} and Miss Martian in particular are far less powerful than their comic book counterparts, and this may extend to Franchise/{{Superman}} and ComicBook/MartianManhunter as well.

* Franchise/{{Superman}} is perhaps the most famous example, albeit one DependingOnTheWriter. He's just really hard to take out in a "fair" fight when the KryptoniteFactor isn't in play (or JokerImmunity for certain archvillains such as ComicBook/{{Darkseid}} or ComicBook/LexLuthor). Not all writers know how to write a good Superman story that [[ForgotAboutHisPowers lets Superman use his powers competently]] but that doesn't [[StoryBreakerPower instantly kill all tension in the plot]].

---->'''Franchise/TheFlash (Wally):''' This is the man who said he couldn't live up to his legend... he's wrestling an angel.

** Creator/JossWhedon talked about the difficulties of WB putting together a ''[[Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica JLA]]'' movie versus his own massive success with ''Film/{{The Avengers|2012}}''. He pointed out that the Avengers are easier to write and film since they all either have relatable problems or are weak enough to write action scenes for, while comparatively, characters like Superman and Franchise/WonderWoman are seen as "gods" without many flaws [[note]]despite the fact that [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor one of the Avengers is]] [[PhysicalGod literally a god.]][[/note]]. Add in other powerhouse characters like Franchise/GreenLantern and Franchise/TheFlash, and it becomes very difficult to write convincing threats for the group in a cinematic setting.
* Much like Superman, Franchise/{{Batman}} is memetically thought of as this. While he suffers several personal losses, in the public's eyes he rarely loses battles. What? He's CrazyPrepared and a master of the BatmanGambit!

** Batman exemplifies this trope in ''Franchise/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica''. He has to since he wouldn't survive his first mistake against a JLA-class menace.

* Lampshaded in Robert Kirkman's "Brit" comics. The hero's one power is that he's invincible.

'''Fry:''' That's because he was [[Comicbook/SpiderMan bitten by a radioactive]] Franchise/{{Superman}}!

* Some in the ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' fandom depict Reimu Hakurei as this, an unstoppable force not unlike a Determinator but with much less motivation required. Storyline-wise this is somewhat accurate; the main purpose of the spellcard system is to let anyone have a fair go at Reimu while ruling out the possibility of accidentally killing her, as her existence is necessary for the setting's continued existence. On the other hand, she ''has'' lost a number of fights in the multiplayer games' story modes and was outright stomped by Watatsuki no Yorihime, who herself is a clearer example, capable of defeating [[TimeMaster Sakuya Izayoi]], [[OurVampiresAreDifferent Remilia Scarlet]], [[DarkMagicalGirl Marisa Kirisame]] and Reimu herself, all of them considered some of the strongest players in Gensokyo, ''in succession''. It is later revealed that she actively {{defie|dTrope}}s this in Imperishable Night: her last word, ''Fantasy Heaven'', has her fly away from reality and it is said that the only reason it doesn't make her unstoppable is due to a self-imposed time limit. For reasons only known to herself, she tries to [[HoldingBackThePhlebotinum limit the use of this ability]] to the absolute minimum, even if it could theoretically solve many of her problems (like the above Watatsuki no Yorihime.)

* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' has been accused of becoming one in later installments of the franchise. No matter how daunting a task may be, he usually ends up solving it with little to no issue and at worst will just get beaten down by the villains for a while before recovering and coming out on top regardless. This is most evident in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'' where, despite being locked up and tortured[[note]]The torture line was added in the English script, which is why he doesn't show any signs of it.[[/note]] for six months and Eggman taking over most of the world, Sonic shows no signs of being worse for wear from it and ends up turning the whole situation around in the span of a few hours. The [[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics Archie Comic]] made it the most apparent after its short-lived ContinuityReboot, where one of the mandates SEGA inforced on it was that Sonic could only ever face a temporary setback that must be undone in the span of that issue.

* ''VideoGame/{{Yakuza}}'': As the series goes on, Kazuma Kiryu is basically treated as an unstoppable force of nature that simply cannot be beaten in a fair fight (which is why villains often resort to threatening Haruka). At best, certain characters like [[TigerVersusDragon Taiga Saejima]] can get close to a stalemate, but never a full victory. This becomes most evident in [[spoiler:"Like a Dragon", where he single-handedly takes on Ichiban and (ignoring the ArbitraryHeadCount) his entire crew (including another Han) and [[HeadsIWinTailsYouLose beats them with little trouble]] while likely holding back]].