25 Best Fantasy Anime Where the MC Pretends to Be Weak

Fantasy anime often introduces us to characters with hidden strengths who pretend to be weak for various reasons – to blend in, avoid unwanted attention, or bide their time for the right moment to reveal their true power. Here’s a list of the top 25 fantasy anime where the main character (MC) hides their true abilities, complete with plot, genre, rating, and where to watch.

1. The Irregular at Magic High School

Plot: Tatsuya Shiba is enrolled in a prestigious magic school, but he’s placed in the lower-ranked course due to his lack of magical aptitude. Little do others know, his combat skills and intellect far surpass everyone else.
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural
Rating: 7.5/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

2. The Misfit of Demon King Academy

Plot: Anos Voldigoad, the reincarnation of the Demon King, hides his immense power despite his casual displays of dominance, often catching others off guard with his overwhelming abilities.
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Magic
Rating: 8.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

3. Overlord

Plot: Ainz Ooal Gown hides his intentions and power while navigating a new world as a guild master, keeping enemies and allies guessing about his true capabilities.
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: 8.2/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu

4. Wise Man’s Grandchild

Plot: Shin Wolford, reincarnated into a magical world, downplays his extraordinary magical and combat skills, which are leagues above everyone else.
Genre: Fantasy, Isekai, Comedy
Rating: 7.1/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

5. The Rising of the Shield Hero

Plot: Naofumi Iwatani starts as the weakest of the four summoned heroes but gradually becomes a force to be reckoned with, often underestimated by both allies and enemies.
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Rating: 8.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

6. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

Plot: Rimuru Tempest, reborn as a slime, appears harmless but harbors immense power as he builds his nation and forges alliances.
Genre: Fantasy, Isekai, Comedy
Rating: 8.1/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

7. No Game No Life

Plot: Sora and Shiro, genius siblings, hide their true potential as they conquer a fantastical world through strategy, intelligence, and cunning.
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: 8.3/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

8. Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World

Plot: Subaru Natsuki hides his ability to return from death, enduring unimaginable pain and playing the long game to protect his loved ones.
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Isekai
Rating: 8.4/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

9. Grimgar: Ashes and Illusions

Plot: The group starts weak, struggling in a harsh fantasy world, but their determination and growth lead to unexpected strength and unity.
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 7.7/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

10. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest

Plot: Hajime Nagumo starts as the weakest in his class but transforms into an unstoppable force after being betrayed and left for dead.
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Rating: 7.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

11. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord

Plot: Takuma Sakamoto, summoned as his overpowered game avatar, pretends to be clueless while wielding immense magical power.
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Isekai
Rating: 7.1/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

12. Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious

Plot: Seiya Ryuuguuin hides his overwhelming power behind an exaggerated cautious demeanor, ensuring every battle is won flawlessly.
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Action
Rating: 7.5/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

13. Log Horizon

Plot: Shiroe, a master strategist, often lets others underestimate him, using his wits to outplay enemies in the virtual world of Elder Tale.
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Rating: 7.9/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

14. Black Clover

Plot: Asta starts with no magical ability, yet through sheer determination and a mysterious anti-magic power, he surprises everyone.
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 8.1/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu

15. DanMachi (Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?)

Plot: Bell Cranel’s growth and hidden potential shock his peers as he rises through the ranks in the labyrinthine dungeons.
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Hulu

16. Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor

Plot: Glenn Radars appears lazy and incompetent, but his hidden magical prowess and battle experience prove otherwise.
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Action
Rating: 7.2/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

17. Plunderer

Plot: Licht Bach pretends to be a weak, perverted vagabond, hiding his true strength as a legendary fighter.
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure
Rating: 6.5/10
Where to Watch: Funimation

18. The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat

Plot: Lugh Tuatha Dé hides his deadly assassin skills behind the guise of a noble while systematically dismantling his enemies.
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Isekai
Rating: 7.6/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

19. The Eminence in Shadow

Plot: Cid Kagenou hides his true capabilities, pretending to be an ordinary background character while secretly building a powerful organization.
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Comedy
Rating: 8.2/10
Where to Watch: HIDIVE

20. Bofuri: I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Plot: Maple seems like a clueless beginner in a VRMMO but surprises everyone with her creative use of overpowered defense skills.
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure
Rating: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

21. Sword Art Online

Plot: Kirito often keeps his full strength under wraps, shocking both allies and enemies with his skill in the game’s critical moments.
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Adventure
Rating: 7.6/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix

22. I’m Standing on a Million Lives

Plot: Yusuke Yotsuya starts weak but carefully develops his abilities, hiding his determination to clear quests at any cost.
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Isekai
Rating: 7.0/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

23. Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy

Plot: Makoto Misumi hides his immense magical and physical prowess, building alliances and overcoming challenges in a new world.
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy
Rating: 7.8/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

24. Seirei Gensouki: Spirit Chronicles

Plot: Haruto Amakawa, reincarnated as Rio, hides his gifted magical talents and combat abilities while uncovering mysteries of his past.
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Adventure
Rating: 7.2/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

25. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation

Plot: Rudeus Greyrat starts his new life as a child, gradually revealing his prodigious talent in magic while pretending to be ordinary.
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Isekai
Rating: 8.7/10
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Funimation

These anime showcase protagonists who expertly mask their abilities, adding layers of suspense, surprise, and strategy to their journeys. Which of these is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

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