Line #45 Main/StockLightNovelHero


1	[[quoteright:350:[[WebVideo/{{Gigguk}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/slnh.jpg]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:L - R: [[Literature/SwordArtOnline Kazuto Kirigaya/Kirito]], [[Literature/TheMasterOfRagnarokAndBlesserOfEinherjar Yuuto Suoh]], [[Literature/WiseMansGrandchild Shin Wolford]], [[Literature/IsekaiCheatMagician Taichi Nishimura]], [[Literature/InAnotherWorldWithMySmartphone Touya Mochizuki]], [[Literature/DeathMarchToTheParallelWorldRhapsody Satou Pendragon]]]]
3
4	-> ''"He stands out from the crowd a little bit and has a dark brooding edge to him that lets you know that he's the most important dude around. He's just generic enough to project yourself onto, but just stylish enough to look like a cool guy when the chips are down and there's an ass to be kicked."''
5	-->-- '''WebVideo/BeatriceTheGoldenWitch''', on ''Literature/TheAsteriskWar''
6
7	The {{Light Novel\|s}} counterpart to the StockShonenHero. Since this archetype also comes from JapaneseMedia, it shares a lot of overlap but also plenty of differences. In fact, the Stock Light Novel hero would probably be the StockShonenRival in another series, except in this case, we're seeing the story through ''his'' eyes.
8
9	While the StockShonenHero is HotBlooded, BookDumb, and usually starts off at the lower end of the PowerLevel food chain, the Stock Light Novel Hero is typically an UnfazedEveryman, BadassBookworm, DeadpanSnarker or [[TheStoic Stoic]] badass ([[NotSoStoic except when he isn't]]) with [[InvincibleHero power]], [[WeakButSkilled skill]], [[UniqueProtagonistAsset ability]], or [[AllLovingHero moral character]] that puts most other characters to shame. Further, very few shonen heroes are a ChickMagnet, and usually only have one "serious" LoveInterest. The {{Light Novel\|s}} hero commonly gains a [[HaremGenre harem]], [[HaremSeeker wanted]] or [[UnwantedHarem otherwise]], without fail.
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11	Appearance-wise, shonen heroes typically have outlandish costumes, bright and/or spiky hair, and rough facial features. The Light Novel protagonist is, more often than not, an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent, a {{NEET}}, or some other kind of RidiculouslyAverageGuy with dark and/or neat hair and [[{{Bishonen}} soft facial features]]. Even in a fantasy setting, he'll probably be an attendee of the local ExtranormalInstitute or just your average blue-collar joe taking jobs at the AdventureGuild. Costume-wise, the Light Novel protagonist wears either an ordinary high school uniform or some other simple outfit, often equipped with a BadassLongcoat.
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13	While shonen heroes focus more on ''"power growth"'' ([[JapaneseSpirit training hard]], and [[NextTierPowerUp gradually strengthening their abilities]] to prove their worth), the Light Novel protagonist is focused more on ''"power acquisition"''. Rather than training to improve their abilities, the Light Novel protagonist usually starts out already nigh-unbeatable, and typically [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands "unlocks" new abilities as the story goes on]]. Not through training, but merely as a consequence of [[CallToAdventure adventuring]] or overcoming the MonsterOfTheWeek. If the hero is a NonActionGuy, then his growing BattleHarem is often how he faces the SortingAlgorithmOfEvil.
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15	Another way to put this is comparing the powers of a shonen battle manga hero to a muscle that has to be trained and developed, and the light novel hero to a toolset required to [[AbilityRequiredToProceed progress the story]]. In fact, they may already have everything needed to succeed in the first place, but simply [[ShowyInvincibleHero become a lot more stylish at it]].
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17	The light novels are markedly influenced by video games and mix in DatingSim and VisualNovel elements, such as the most common "acquisition" that the light novel hero makes being new members to his [[HaremGenre harem]]. The very [[LevelUpAtIntimacyFive act of romancing the harem]] [[DeusSexMachina may also be how power is achieved.]]
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19	As the genre evolves, it has split into [[Administrivia/InternalSubTrope several types of stock Light Novel protagonists]], with their UniqueProtagonistAsset being tweaked depending on the setting:
20
21	[[index]]
22	[floatboxright:
23	Components:
24	+ StandardJapaneseFantasySetting
25	+ ExtranormalInstitute
26	+ SummonEverymanHero
27	+ TrappedInAnotherWorld
28	+ ReincarnateInAnotherWorld
29	+ NewLifeInAnotherWorldBonus
30	+ StockLightNovelEveryman
31	+ StockLightNovelCalamityPrincess
32	+ HerosSlaveHarem
33	+ {{Polyamory}}
34	+ NextLifeAsAFictionalCharacter
35	+ RebornAsVillainessStory
36	+ SlowLifeFantasy]
37	[[/index]]
38
39	* '''[[StockLightNovelEveryman The Everyday Hero]]:''' This guy lives in a world that's LikeRealityUnlessNoted. If he goes to school, it will be on the more mundane end, if a bit quirky. Should this guy be an adult, he'll usually be stuck as a {{Salaryman}} or a freeter, or in some more unfortunate cases may become a {{Hikikomori}} or a {{NEET}} due to pressure. His special skills tend to focus around social talents, such as AwesomenessByAnalysis or being TheHeart of the group. Sometimes, he'll be [[MostWritersAreWriters a light novel author or videogame creator himself]]. The TropeCodifier of this variant is Kyon from the ''Literature/HaruhiSuzumiya'' series. See the full trope at StockLightNovelEveryman.
40	* '''The Fantasy Hero:''' This type of hero lives in a StandardFantasySetting, a futuristic setting, or an UrbanFantasy that is almost like our own, except with magic. As a young man, the schools he attends are, at the very least, {{Extranormal Institute}}s. If he lives in (or becomes trapped inside) a fantasy world, he can be anything from a complete nobody to a nobleman or even royalty. Where he begins doesn't usually matter much, though, because when his special ability awakens, it'll likely be some sort of StoryBreakerPower that instantly [[RagsToRiches shoots him to the top of the social sphere]], and even if his power level is rather mediocre, his pragmatism will see that he can apply his abilities in ways that others have never thought of. The TropeCodifier of this archetype is Touma Kamijou from ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'', who still possesses some unique traits that reflect how this character archetype developed from the StockShonenHero in the early days of light novels.
41	** '''[[TrappedInAnotherWorld The Isekai Hero]]:'''[[note]]"I" = Different; "Sekai" = World. So, literally, "Different World"[[/note]] An extremely popular subtype that falls into the Isekai genre, where protagonists are transported to another world either by [[SummonEverymanHero being summoned]] or [[ReincarnateInAnotherWorld reincarnation]], where you can expect them to have a NewLifeInAnotherWorldBonus. If said world is an RPGMechanicsVerse then they will likely be a GodlikeGamer. In practice, these guys are pretty much a fusion of Everyday and Fantasy types: all the upbringing and modern knowledge of a mundane protagonist, plus the supernatural abilities and skillset of a fantasy one. Some may even involve a creator of a game or story being drawn inside their own creation. The TropeCodifier of this archetype is Kirito from ''Literature/SwordArtOnline'', while that of the ReincarnateInAnotherWorld variant is Rudeus Greyrat from ''Literature/MushokuTenseiJoblessReincarnation''[[note]]Keep in mind, the original novel was actually first released back in 2014. It wasn't until 2021 when the anime was released, when the trope had already became commonplace thanks to many other anime adaptations that had released before[[/note]].
42	** '''[[SlowLifeFantasy Slow Life Hero]]''': A blend somewhere between the "Everyman" and "Hero" variant. The "Slow Life" protagonist is usually a very gifted, talented, or even powerful individual who has retired from (or actively avoids) an action-oriented, adventurous life. All they want is to live a quiet, comfortable, and hassle-free life, despite possessing more than enough power or skill to be one of the strongest or most useful adventurers around. Any {{Big Bad}}s or [[MaouTheDemonKing Demon Lords]] that need defeating are SomeoneElsesProblem. Inevitably, this character will still wind up caught in the middle of conflicts and have to save the day completely by coincidence, much to his or her chagrin. Satou in ''Literature/DeathMarchToTheParallelWorldRhapsody'' is the first example of this character type to gain large-scale prominence and is the TropeCodifier of this archetype--and as he possesses many of the traits of straight Isekai Heroes, he also shows how this archetype evolved from it.
43	** '''[[LoserProtagonist The Loser Hero]]:''' A particular form of {{deconstruction}} of the InvincibleHero often associated with this genre. Usually present in isekai stories, this hero finds that they have been dropped off in the fantasy world, but either has not been given any of the power typically expected OR the powers they are given are AwesomeButImpractical. This hero will find themselves struggling early on in the story, being on the lower end of the power food chain and have to slowly work their way up by gradually amassing power or skills (not unlike a Shonen hero). Typically comes in two different flavors: a lighthearted comedic tone where the hero's lack of resources often leads them to be treated as a ButtMonkey, while the second is a DarkerAndEdgier take where the hero's disadvantage in this world subjects them to a long string of brutal hardships. The two most famous examples of this archetype are Kazuma Sato from ''Literature/KonoSuba'' as the comedic variant, and Subaru Natsuki from ''Literature/ReZero'' as the serious variant. If the Loser Hero is abused too much, he can become...
44	** '''The Revenge Hero:''' A DarkerAndEdgier counterpart to the Fantasy Hero who usually possesses many of the same traits: being {{summon\|EverymanHero}}ed or {{reincarnate\|InAnotherWorld}}d, having a NewLifeInAnotherWorldBonus, and possessing a RidiculouslyAverageGuy appearance. However, this hero has been severely wronged in some way by one (or several) [[CardCarryingVillain vile antagonists]] and the story revolves around him using his powers [[PayEvilUntoEvil to pay back their evil]]. In contrast to the usual idealism, this hero has a [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism deeply cynical]] view of the world and is likely to engage in morally-dubious behavior himself -- for example, the [[HerosSlaveHarem members of his harem are likely to be slaves]]. The [[NominalHero only thing preventing him from being an outright villain]] is [[GrayAndBlackMorality antagonists' complete lack of redeeming qualities]]. This archetype was first popularized by the titular ''Literature/GoblinSlayer'' and Naofumi Iwatani of ''Literature/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'', being cynical takes on the Fantasy Hero and the Isekai Hero, respectively. Later imitators continuously up the ante, exploring how reprehensible they can make their heroes' actions while retaining the PowerFantasy.
45	* '''The "Princess" Heroine''': The DistaffCounterpart subtype, introduced in the late [=2010s=] and early [=20s=], being an opposite-gender counterpart of the stock fantasy and isekai protagonist. As the name would suggest, this type of protagonist is AlwaysFemale and shows up in light novels aimed at women. While, like her cousin the StockShoujoHeroine, she's not likely to be a fighter ([[GuysSmashGirlsShoot or, if she is one, is usually a ranged magician or marksman]]), her knowledge and interpersonal relationship skill are her greatest power.[[note]]It is important to note that not all female light novel protagonists fall into this type; some are simply {{Gender Flip}}s of the standard male hero, with all the personality and power that entails.[[/note]] While this archetype had existed for quite a while in niche light novels, Myne from ''Literature/AscendanceOfABookworm'' was the first example to gain widespread prominence.
46	** '''[[NextLifeAsAFictionalCharacter The Otome Heroine]]:''' This type has ''also'' developed its own subtype in which the heroine is reincarnated as a character from an [[RomanceGame otome game]] that she has played in the past. The variance typically lies in exactly ''which'' character she's become. The character often takes the role of a BlitheSpirit that changes the hearts and minds of several other important people within their new world or [[GivingRadioToTheRomans someone considered a genius for bringing new advances from the modern world]].
47	** '''[[RebornAsVillainessStory The Otome Villainess]]''': A popular variant of the Otome Heroine, in which the protagonist, or central character, is the game's "villainess". Usually this means, in order to avoid a DownerEnding for herself, she has to take the story OffTheRails. The TropeCodifier of this variant is Catarina Claes from ''Literature/MyNextLifeAsAVillainessAllRoutesLeadToDoom'', who, ironically, was conceived as a ''[[UnbuiltTrope parody]]'' [[UnbuiltTrope of this archetype]].
48
49	While this is not quite the OmnipresentTrope that [[StockShonenHero its shonen cousin]] is (due to being newer), [[FollowTheLeader it's getting there]]. See our [[Analysis/StockLightNovelHero Analysis Page]] for a quick explanation of why this trope became so successful, so quickly.
50
51	See also HaremGenre for another genre it overlaps with, and SchoolgirlSeries for one feminine counterpart. See also MartyStu for a trope this archetype frequently overlaps with.
52
53	Also see StockLightNovelCalamityPrincess, for one of his common {{Love Interest}}s.
54
55	----
56	!!Examples:
57
58	[[index]]
59	* StockLightNovelHero/{{Literature}}
60	[[/index]]
61
62	[[foldercontrol]]
63
64	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
65	* ''Anime/DogDays'': Cinque Izumi is a near-perfect example, even though he's one of the rare cases where he isn't from a light novel. He starts off as an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent where he was an [[TheAce ace athlete]] before abruptly being [[SummonEverymanHero summoned]] to [[TrappedInAnotherWorld another world]] inhabited by [[LittleBitBeastly animal people]]. In that other world he's TheChosenOne and becomes TheHero with a very large UnwantedHarem comprised of the many girls there. He's the WorldsBestWarrior and is on the verge of becoming an InvincibleHero, being gifted with a LegendaryWeapon and an assortment of powerful skills. Though personality-wise he's quite cheerful and fun-loving which is more in line with a Shonen hero.
66	* ''Manga/TheDungeonOfBlackCompany'': A comedic take on the trope, Kinji Meiyuu is a shrewd, selfish businessman who managed to finally build his ideal lifestyle by accumulating a massive sum of wealth and power which allow him to live forever as a {{NEET}} and avoid the trap of being a {{salaryman}}. However, he is then whisked away to a fantasy world run by greedy and abusive corporations that force workers to toil in dungeons for rare materials. Refusing for this to be his new lot in life, Kinji begins hatching zany and risky schemes in order to be the one at the top of the hierarchy. Unlike most characters of this type, Kinji is definitely a NominalHero; there is very little difference between himself and the people he's up against. Also, while Kinji's fighting skills are practically non-existent, he's still crafty enough to be able to outsmart most threats he faces, and also gains a gang of loyal "friends" and powerful weapons to help him out.
67	* ''Manga/KemonoMichi'': Animal Mask is a powerful pro-wrestler who also happens to adore animals way too much. He is summoned to another world to fight the vicious, carnivorous demon beasts plaguing the world, but refuses to harm any "beast" or "[[BeastMan beast person]]" (everyone else is a fair game, [[WouldHitAGirl regardless of gender]]) and instead begins to tame them for his dream of opening a pet shop. Later his rival, Manchurian Ogre (nicknamed "[[MaouTheDemonKing MAO]]") is summoned to oppose him. The show takes the standard [[TrappedInAnotherWorld isekai tropes]] and mercilessly parodies them, with Animal Mask being ''exceptionally strong'' but considered a pervert and weirdo for how much he loves animals and beast men (to the point that the latter is comedically compared to sexual harassment).
68	* ''Manga/KillerSharkInAnotherWorld'' features Talon and Schuman Naroke, a pair of characters who appear independently of each other and hit just about every listed part of the archetype: pale, short black hair, reincarnated from an unremarkable life with great power, and pursued by a personal harem who all want to marry them. The manga gives ''very'' little respect to them, with both being devoured by the titular killer shark in the same chapter they're introduced. Their internal monologue also reveals that their initially genial HumbleHero personas are a facade, with both coming off as SmugSnake-types who only became heroes because they were promised their gifts would make it easy, and neither being particularly torn up when one of their prospective love interests gets devoured but breaking down into InelegantBlubbering when they get injured.
69	* Yoshichika Tsurugi of ''Anime/LuckAndLogic'' basically fits this trope dead-on. He's the most powerful [[OurMagesAreDifferent Logicalist]] in the country if not the world and a seasoned combat veteran, has the standard light novel protagonist [[RidiculouslyAverageGuy appearance]], and gets assigned to a squadron made up of nothing but [[MagicalGirl cute girls]] (with [[TheOneGuy one token guy]]). He immediately and effortlessly takes command from [[{{Tsundere}} their leader]] (who's implied to have held the position for a very long time), and despite the girls being presented at the start of the series as [[ActionGirl capable fighters]], they start [[{{Chickification}} needing]] [[DamselInDistress to be rescued]] [[BadassDecay by him]] more and more the further the series goes on. In fact, this is {{lampshade\|Hanging}}d as [[spoiler:the {{Rival Turned Evil}} (the aforementioned token guy)'s justification for his FaceHeelTurn is his jealousy that Yoshichika arrived and almost effortlessly managed to do everything that he himself had been [[HardWorkHardlyWorks working hard to do on his own, but never quite got there]], which made him [[TheCorruptible susceptible]] to being taken over by the BigBad]].
70	* ''Manga/ParallelParadise'': Youta is a unique example of the [[TrappedInAnotherWorld Isekai Hero]], an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent who violently enters the world (via falling from a third-story building window) he is the [[TheOneGuy only male human being in the parallel world]] whose touch can cause FantasticArousal to any female character in the world. Unlike most examples, while he isn't a bad fighter, most of the female characters are much more skilled in combat than he is. Moreover, Youta ReallyGetsAround, but in the context of the world, this is also justified because [[YourDaysAreNumbered most of the female characters cannot live past 19-20]] [[MateOrDie unless he sleeps with them]].
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72	* ''Anime/RedoOfHealer'''s main character Keyaru is a dark example (picture [[Literature/TheHeroLaughsWhileWalkingThePathOfVengeanceASecondTime Kaito]] without any informed consent), similar to ''Literature/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' minus the [[TrappedInAnotherWorld isekai part]] and with the SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism turned so far into the "cynicism" end that it's at serious risk of [[BrokeTheRatingScale breaking the scale]]. Main character Keyaru, a young apple farmer, finds out that he is a Hero destined to fight alongside a party of other legendary heroes. Unfortunately for Keyaru, his power is healing, and he's a healer of the [[EmpathicHealer empathic variety]]. Even more unfortunately, the kingdom where he lives is [[TheEmpire a hopelessly corrupt tyranny]] and a WorldOfJerkass, and the "heroes" he's to fight alongside are awful to match and don't really need much healing in the first place, so he's MadeASlave and mostly used as a pack mule [[RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil and a sex toy]]. By the time he manages to break himself free of their hold, he is a deeply broken VillainProtagonist whose sole reason for existing is [[PayEvilUntoEvil dishing out proportionately horrific revenge]], almost always involving KarmicRape galore. As usual for the trope, Keyaru is a GuileHero with the obligatory [[StoryBreakerPower "cheat"]] ability (turns out, the umbrella of what classifies as "healing" [[ShapeShifting is]] [[OneHitKill much]] [[JackOfAllStats more]] [[{{Telepathy}} more]] [[MindManipulation versatile]] than you'd think). His obligatory harem, however, is unusual - about half of it consists of people with a similar grudge to his to whom he's giving a chance to act out their revenge in return for helping him with his, while the other half were {{Brainwashed}} into joining.
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74	[[/folder]]
75
76	[[folder:Fan Works]]
77	* [[DeconstructedCharacterArchetype Deconstructed]] with [[Anime/ReCreators Charon]] in ''Fanfic/CindersAndAshesTheChroniclesOfKamenRiderDante''. TheAce who is dressed in all black and whose love interest is the StockLightNovelCalamityPrincess, with the fanfic adding in that he's an isekai protagonist. Charon lampshades how he's meant to represent the common Japanese teen by saying how he'd be able to blend in. However, when talking with Syo, he brings up how he could barely remember the life he had before reincarnating into Earthmelia, having an identity crisis in the process. He also brings up how the constant fighting with the Avalon Brigade has been leaving him fatigued, reflecting how long-spanning these sorts of stories go.
78	* ''Fanfic/FateRevelationOnline'': Subverted with Kirito. He's one of the front-line players, but he's OvershadowedByAwesome by most of the other people in the guild he's not quite joined. Illya is the best mage in the game bar none (and a decent warrior besides), Shirou is the best warrior in the game bar none (and a decent mage besides), Asuna is [[JackOfAllStats universally well-rounded]], and everyone else has a [[UniqueProtagonistAsset Rare Element]] that helps them stand out from the crowd. Kirito, by contrast, merely has the Ether element, which works best when you have another element paired with it. This isn't always a bad thing--since Kirito isn't trying to hide his strength, he's able to give the Moonlight Black Cats a lot more help than canon, and they don't get slaughtered when they face an unexpectedly powerful enemy. Likewise, he never really gets a harem because all the girls are helped by other people instead of him. His only love interest is Asuna.
79	* ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainSeekerOfCrocus'' has Augustine Sycamore become one of these as he's a dark-haired scientist who gets transported onto the Infinity Train, has an advantage because he has a Garchomp with Mega Evolution, and later obtains his own Persona. He also is an AllLovingHero and later a GeniusBruiser after some TrainingFromHell in the Monster City Car (ruled by another light novel hero in Rimuru Tempest). He even gets a BadassLongcoat that, through the author notes, is to reflect that he's essentially an isekai protagonist.
80	* [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]] for the Good Hunter from ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls''. Appearance-wise, he plays it straight: unkempt black hair flecked with grey; a face that would've been handsome had it [[TheStoic held more expression]]; a lean build; and the dark grey CoatHatMask. He also plays it straight occupation-wise, starting out as a regular sellsword taking small jobs of cleaning up orcs and bandits (similar to an average blue-collar joe taking jobs at the AdventureGuild), eventually being promoted into knighthood and lordship (though he loathes the paperwork). As for anything else, however, it's [[ZigZaggingTrope zig-zagged]]: he [[WalkingTheEarth made his way]] to the foreign land of Eostia, neither [[SummonEverymanHero summoned]] nor [[ReincarnateInAnotherWorld reincarnated]]; he is [[WorldsStrongestMan over]][[OneManArmy powered]], but he got his power via going through a FromNobodyToNightmare ordeal throughout his DarkAndTroubledPast, coming out a ShellShockedVeteran [[spoiler:who is secretly an EldritchAbomination]]; he's a [[PragmaticHero prag]][[CombatPragmatist matic]] NinetiesAntiHero instead of an [[AllLovingHero all-loving]] one yet [[KnightInSourArmor cares about doing good nonetheless]]; and he only becomes a ChickMagnet with a harem after 20+ chapters, not in the middle or the beginning of the story. The one aspect that really makes this protagonist stand out is his interpersonal relationships (not ''that'' kind of [[HehHehYouSaidX relationship]], [[GetYourMindOutOfTheGutter mind you]]), for the Good Hunter interacts with people other than a number of suitors, including his [[TheConfidant confidant]], his [[TheApprentice apprentices]], and his [[MenOfSherwood company]], definitely not strictly limited to a number of female characters who only rotate around him. The harem in question? To [[CelibateHero the Hunter]], it's a [[UnwantedHarem "problematic area"]].
81	* ''WebVideo/SwordArtOnlineAbridged'': Kirito is a {{deconstruction}} given that it's an [[TheAbridgedSeries Abridged Series]] that pokes fun at the genre. He's far from the NiceGuy [[TheHero Hero]] that are common to the genre, being a {{Jerkass}} who holds little regard for human life and part of his CharacterDevelopment being learning to care. While he's similarly overpowered, he's also a SmugSuper who loves rubbing it in everyone's faces. He starts off as a ChickMagnet who attracts girls, but his obnoxious personality always repels them away before he acquires his UnwantedHarem, with only Asuna so far being able to remain romantically involved with (Lisbeth gets over her feelings for him, but they remain VitriolicBestBuds). He also learns his skills along the way rather than being given them with no explanation.
82	[[/folder]]
83
84	[[folder:Music]]
85	* ''Music/KagerouProject'' kicked off its plot with Shintaro Kisaragi, a dour loner and the newest member of the Mekakushi Dan. He starts the story as a {{Hikikomori}} and skips school constantly, but back when he went he found the material to be too easy. It takes him meeting the rest of the gang to start opening back up and understand the eye powers they've all been given. [[spoiler:He also has some of the most significance in the story: he was personally friends with Ayano before her passing, of which drew him into being a hikikomori in the first place, it's his actions in Route XX that inadvertently doom the timeline, and his eye power, "Recording Eyes", has been secretly aiding him in each timeline and is critical to ending the loop once and for all.]]
86	[[/folder]]
87
88	[[folder:Video Games]]
89	* Rean Schwarzer from ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfHeroesTrailsOfColdSteel'' possesses an array of cliches that fit this trope. He's TheLeader of Class VII, ChickMagnet extraordinaire that as of ''Cold Steel IV'' has up to ''eleven'' women all vying for him romantically, a SuperRobot that only he can pilot, is adopted to a noble family, has a SuperpoweredEvilSide with no idea how he got it, is an overall NiceGuy and polite to other people, and is considered TheChosenOne by ''a lot'' of characters ([[spoiler:his master names Rean the one true successor who will learn the true meaning of the [[KatanasAreJustBetter Eight Leaves One Blade sword style]], his biological father names Rean [[FakeUltimateHero the national hero of Erebonia]], and Ishmelga]]), along with other characters from the Liberl and Crossbell arcs, believe that he's the center of everything. Unfortunately, even all these tools are not enough for him to win the day. In fact, he's on the losing side at the end of ''three games'' and things go FromBadToWorse for him. [[spoiler:It literally takes a DeusExMachina ''on top of a time travel plot'' to actually make him win the fourth game in the Erebonia arc.]]
90	* Itsuki Aoi of ''VideoGame/TokyoMirageSessionsFE'' is an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent and RidiculouslyAverageGuy with a very indistinct design of a basic school uniform and short neatly-trimmed bluish-black hair in a cast where most have more unique features. He is granted superpowers, the job of being an idol, and a rapid promotion to team leader despite his lack of interest or experience at the role. Despite his unassuming design and personality, he manages to become a CluelessChickMagnet and all of the female members of the cast fall in love with him as if in a harem.
91	* ''VideoGame/TokyoXanadu'': Kou Tokisaka is a downplayed version of the trope. While he fits most of the criteria of being a typical light novel hero[[note]] a [[TheStoic Stoic]] OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent who is also a RidiculouslyAverageGuy and an everyman who likes to help out people in need, even if it isn't his own business, and obtains his Soul Device through "power acquisition" to defeat otherworldly monsters called Greeds, that's where the similarities end.[[/note]] When it comes to his actual combat skills in the [[EldritchLocation Eclipse]], he is far from being an InvincibleHero, and this is demonstrated by his amateur fighting style and lack of understanding of his own Soul Device when he first obtains it.. Kou's growth throughout the game is instead the result of him working together with his friends and fellow X.R.C. members as part of his CharacterDevelopment. In addition, he has no harem to speak of. The closest thing he has to harem are his female allies[[note]]Asuka, Sora, Mitsuki, Rion, and even his ChildhoodFriend Shiori[[/note]],but with the exception of the latter, the other girls show very little romantic interest in Kou, and they consider him more of a friend than anything (and in fact, Sora and Mitsuki get ShipTease with other male members of the party). Also his group is balanced out by an equal amount of male students as well, who can equally bond with Kou in friendship events just as much as the girls.
92	* Hyde Kido from ''VideoGame/UnderNightInBirth'' hits a few ticks from this trope. Namely, he's a rather plain-looking high schooler who awakens to a powerful ability and has quite a few girls implied to have deeper feelings for him. He does however [[SubvertedTrope subvert]] the usual personality traits, being an IdiotHero. While he does acquire a powerful ability, he's considered a complete greenhorn compared to the more experienced cast members and he's firmly UnskilledButStrong. Makes sense given the developers being the ones who made [[VideoGame/MeltyBlood a spin-off to a visual novel]].
93
94	[[/folder]]
95
96	[[folder:Visual Novels]]
97	* ''VisualNovel/GrisaiaSeries'': Yuuji Kazami is a DeconReconSwitch of the trope. He fits most of the criteria: incredible skills, a growing UnwantedHarem, a [[TheStoic stoic persona]], a [[ChronicHeroSyndrome compulsion to help others]], and an average appearance. However, his backstory reveals the circumstances under which he gained most of these. [[spoiler:He suffered ''years'' of ParentalNeglect in favor of his far more intelligent and talented older sister, which turned into [[AbusiveDad abuse from his father]] after their cash cow died, culminating in his mother's murder. Yuuji killed his father in retaliation before being picked up as a {{Child Soldier\|s}} by a terrorist who [[{{Pedophile}} also sexually abused him]]. Some time later, he was then trained and raised by a female mercenary, who also took him as her lover before she, too, died and left him all alone.]] By the time the series begins, Yuuji is a suicidal, broken shell who wants to lead a "normal" life for a while and only helps the girls that eventually form his harem because he promised his deceased master that he'd help five people in need before he killed himself. [[spoiler:However, the various games and the anime have numerous ways that Yuuji can finally [[EarnYourHappyEnding earn his happy ending]] and live happily with some, or [[MarryThemAll all]], of his harem.]]
98	* An early but very influential example is [[{{VisualNovel/Tsukihime}} Shiki Tohno]], a seemingly normal teenage everyman with short black hair... and the ability to permanently kill anything, a SuperpoweredEvilSide, and extensive childhood training in assassination that lets him instantly detect supernatural beings and kill them easily.
99	** This is a {{Franchise/Nasuverse}} staple, with [[{{VisualNovel/FateStayNight}} Shirou Emiya]] following right after Shiki, though his orange hair stands out more. He's also an everyman - just one who happens to be a magus with the power to copy any weapon he sees. While initially incompetent, unlike most modern examples, he learns fast and is deceptively intelligent.
100	* In a similar vein to the Nasuverse, the [[VisualNovel/ShinzaBanshoSeries Masadaverse]] occasionally creates leads like this with [[VisualNovel/DiesIrae Ren Fujii]] being perhaps the most straightforward of the bunch being a snarky everyman who just wants to maintain his everyday life yet is dragged into a supernatural conflict with no say in the matter, gaining various female love interests along the way. [[spoiler:And it is revealed he was [[ArtificialHuman designed this way on purpose]] by [[BigBad Mercurius]] to act as the hero in his little opera]]. [[Literature/AvestaOfBlackAndWhite Quinn]] meanwhile falls into the "Princess" Heroine style, though unlike usual she is a frontline brawler [[GoodOldFisticuffs using only her fists]].
101	[[/folder]]

Context Main / StockLightNovelHero