You know those stories about the supra-geniuses who are amazing leaders who outsmart their enemies because they're all-round superior people? Think Liar Game, Death Note, Terra e..., Ender's Game, etc.

I would like a story that's not about them. Those sorts of people should be part of the story, but the story isn't about them. It's about normal people.

One thing that annoys me about these stories is that the normal people who surround these supra-geniuses don't get any credit. They're the 'sheep' and drones that that mindlessly fall into line with what they're told. Reading these stories, you start to get the feeling that normal people are basically worthless and need the super wonderful hero guy to get them out of whatever the problem is. Their own attempts are ineffective, or they just can't see the problem because they're all too stupid.

... but people aren't actually like that. Great heroes are nice and all, but normal people are quite capable as well.

So, what I'm looking for is something that plays in the same space as the stories with the 'great hero', but the focus isn't on them. The protagonist isn't the smartest/most powerful/greatest leader - there are these people there, but their overall relevance to how things play out isn't as strong as in the 'great hero' stories.

I don't want stories where the protagonist is the great hero's sidekick, like in Liar Game or Destroy and Revolution. They should be operating separately. They don't even need to come into contact.

Some examples of what it might look like:
An elite school (say, like Ender's Game or Ciel) where the protagonist is an average student (as opposed to one of the best, who are a massive jump above the others).
A dystopia where the elite society is segregated from the normal people, and the protagonist is a normal person.
A society where psychic powers are emerging, and the protagonist isn't one of them.
Or: The protagonist is a psychic but a weak/not especially powerful one (and there are psychics that are incredibly powerful).

Science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural preferred, but if something else fits well I'm open to it.
It can't just be a normal person living their life though - it should be something where you'd expect the protagonist to be one of the superawesome people who exist in it, but instead focuses on a normal person.

Bonus points if it involved a magic school where the protagonist is just an average student.

(edit: I suspect this request is a bit incoherent and there are two different ideas mashed together here - but oh well)

Last edited by Aikanaro at 9:58 pm, Dec 30 2010

I guess i get bonus points? Dx ---> Mx0

Unfortunately it had a very rushed ending so it's kind of disappointing.

Maou: Juvenile Remix -- the main character does have a special ability, but compared to basically everyone else (even those without abilities) he's still pretty weak and once you get deeper into the series, it becomes clear he's in way over his head
Zetsuen no Tempest -- the main characters have no magical abilities and rely on talismans made by an actual sorceress, though they're still pretty smart
Ga-rei -- the main male lead never seems to become particularly powerful compared to the others...
Karneval -- seems like Gareki, at the very least, doesn't have any powers? (I will admit I haven't read past chapter 12 though)

Discommunication Seireihen is actually a pretty good fit, because the female lead meets lots of people with weird powers while she herself is quite 'normal'.

Shiki - The protagonist(s) are all ordinary people, trying to ward off a bunch of vampires. I'm not sure this fits, though, because the 'good' side doesn't have anyone with supernatural powers on it until the 8th volume.

Maybe Ikigami? But I'm afraid it doesn't really have any fantasy / supernatural elements; just a corrupt government and the people who try to live normally despite the dictatorship. The protagonist is one of those, and he certainly doesn't do anything very heroic.

Karneval - It might be too little-kiddy for your tastes, but the male lead is a little boy who doesn't show any signs of having weird powers so far (just above-average hearing - but that's nothing compared to the powers most of those around him have). The supporting main character has no powers at all, but he's still a very important part of the story.

Iris zero?

Maybe Heureka? The main characters are fairly normal, albeit resourceful, and they get caught in a battle where they team up with the mathematical genius Archimedes.

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Reading: Kingdom, Sangokushi, Historie

Ten no Ryuu... The girl is... normal-ish.

Suna no Ue no Rakuen: First story.

I think Zero (TOUME Kei) applies.

Zashiki Onna

Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro


I have not read much of this story... but it should fit. Tokyo Innocent

Sengoku Strays might work as well, but it's been a long time and I am not sure if she has normal abilities or is "abnormally" good at kendo.

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