The best cartoon where the MC overpowers his opponent

Key Takeaways

• The comic series features a smart protagonist who uses his mind as a weapon rather than brute force.
• This character excels at outsmarting enemies and relying on intelligence rather than confrontation.
• The protagonists prefer to avoid fights, manipulate situations, and accumulate power through cunning.

comic book Main Characters Preferred to Use smarter than brawn It's hard to come by. Since most of the ongoing series are focused on the shonen demographic, there are a lot of “battle comics” out there, and the main characters in these series are all about incredible strength and brutal martial arts.

This list features some of the best comics with protagonists who use their minds as weapons and prefer to use other methods to outsmart their opponents or avoid confrontation. Anyway, don't underestimate them. Because there are some dangerous companions among them.

7 Ember Knight

His mind is the most dangerous weapon in the world

• Genre: Action, Martial Arts, Drama, Adventure, Light Fantasy, Revenge
• author: Hwan Daeng
• Artist: Hwan Daeng

Nagyun from The Ember Knight is a perfect example of a protagonist whose only power is high intelligence, but that doesn't make him any less dangerous than any superpower roaming the world. From powerful Imperial generals to the traitorous Dragon Descendants, even the most powerful knights have acknowledged Nagyun's (known as Najin) ability to use his mind as a weapon.

This manga series is a great read for anyone who enjoys amazing battles and awesome revenge plots. It has top-notch character development and a detailed world-building intertwined with a deep plot.

6 The sweet life of a reincarnated professional

A lazy genius dominates the market and thwarts the enemy's plans.

• genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, History, Shonen, Isekai
• author: Song Soo-ha
• artist: Ebipo

The Sweet Life Of The Reincarnation Pro is one of the prime examples of a manga series featuring a protagonist who lives a lazy, leisurely life and prefers to have others do his dirty work for him.

He knows many roundabout ways to make others respect him, and he uses his past knowledge from 101 past lives to amass a great fortune. In terms of Smart over Brawl, he is a true pro who uses brute force as a last resort.

5 The Count's Family Trouble

Smart Couch Potatoes Rule the North

• Genre: Isekai, Drama, Comedy, Fantasy
• author: Elegant (flowy)
• Artist: Elegant (flowy)

The Count's Luthor has Cain Henitus, one of the smartest protagonists in all of Isekai comics. A character who focuses solely on gathering his friends and protecting his family from future events, based on his knowledge of the novel in which he was reincarnated.

So not only does he avoid fighting at all costs, he also has an army of magical creatures (including the black dragon cub Raon) to fight for him. He's a pretty smart guy.

4 Dr. Ellis

She's witty and she's got looks

• Genre: Isekai, Drama, Comedy, Romance
• author: mini
• Artist: Kidarient Yui

Of all the genius heroines I've ever seen in comics, I think Dr. Ellis, the Lady with the Lantern, is the smartest. She skillfully uses deception to avoid any confrontation and appears weak and kind, but in the shadows she is a cunning and powerful player who overwhelms her enemies.

This series is still one of the most popular ongoing series and even has its own anime adaptation, which is a bit different in both art and story, but is still great to watch.

3 reset lady

Don't try to outsmart her. Otherwise you die.

• genre: Psychological drama, fantasy, adult, romance, tragedy, reincarnation
• author: Baekwoo
• artist: Cha Seo-jin, Tae-gong

Resetting Lady is one of the few series that hooked me from the beginning. Beautiful art, a thrilling story, and overall one of the best female leads in the drama genre with one of the smartest power plays.

It's a shame that this manga hasn't received an official English translation yet, but for those who can't read Korean, an official translation of the web novel is available. Unfortunately, there are only 3 volumes.

2 The lord's coins do not decrease?!

He has power to spare, but prefers to outsmart his opponents.

• genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Adult, Reincarnation, Martial Arts
• author: Hongdae
• artist: Mokhyeon, Troubert

Aaron Steelguard is a cunning and powerful reincarnated nobleman who primarily enjoys accumulating wealth, knowledge, and martial arts skills. He could take over the world if he wanted to, but he is mainly focused on getting revenge on those who betrayed him in his past life.

But he rarely uses his powers. Because he prefers to play with his targets, ruining them financially and exposing their sins to the world. Things got too complicated the only time he decided to personally kill one of the men who betrayed him. So he stayed inconspicuous, operating everything from the shadows and fighting only when necessary.

1 A magician who swallows talent

He started with nothing, but took on the world with his cleverness.

• Genre: Action, dark fantasy, comedy, school life, drama, sword and sorcery
• author: Squirrel eating bread
• Artist: Yeonggeun

Talent Swallowing Magician is about outsmarting the brawl, with a compelling plot, profound world-building that is seamlessly intertwined with the narrative, and most importantly, a protagonist who uses his privileged mind to outsmart his rivals.

Although not as powerful and talented at first as he is now, Elric Melvinger has always been more of a cunning character. Although he prefers to avoid fighting whenever possible, he is also prepared to accept a challenge if a rival spellcaster dares taunt the name of House Melvinger.