One common theme is the power of experience. The old men in these novels usually have a wealth of life experience that gives them an edge in the new and often strange situations they find themselves in. For example, in 'Overlord', Momonga's years of gaming experience help him navigate the challenges of the new world.
The theme of leadership also frequently appears. These old men usually end up leading others in some way. In 'Log Horizon', Shiroe's leadership skills are crucial for the survival and development of the other players trapped in the game world. He uses his knowledge and wisdom to guide them, which is a characteristic trait of a hero in these types of novels.
One popular 'old man that became a hero light novel' could be 'Saga of Tanya the Evil'. In this novel, Tanya, an older - minded individual in a young girl's body, becomes a sort of anti - hero in a war - torn world. Her strategic acumen and unorthodox methods make her a very interesting character.
One common theme is redemption. The hero often not only seeks revenge but also to redeem themselves in some way, like proving their worth after being wronged. For example, in 'The Rising of the Shield Hero', the hero has to redeem his name in addition to getting revenge.
One of the main themes is adaptation. The heroes are summoned from their normal lives to a completely different world, so they have to adapt to new cultures, magic systems, and social structures. Also, friendship and camaraderie are important themes. They often form teams or groups with other characters and rely on each other to overcome difficulties. In addition, the theme of power and its abuse or proper use is often explored as the heroes gain more and more power in the new world.
The theme of sacrifice is also quite common. The hero may have to sacrifice something, like a relationship or a part of their power, to defeat the archenemy. In addition, the exploration of different worlds or settings is a theme. Many 'archenemy and hero light novels' are set in fantasy worlds, and the hero and archenemy's interactions are influenced by the unique rules and cultures of those worlds. This can range from a medieval - like fantasy world to a post - apocalyptic world.
One common theme is the idea of the underdog. Orc heroes are often underestimated in their worlds, but they rise above it. For example, in many novels, orc heroes face discrimination from other races but prove their worth through heroic deeds.
Betrayal is a common theme. The hero is often betrayed by those they trust, like friends or allies, which leads to their abandonment. Another theme is redemption. The hero tries to redeem themselves or prove their worth after being abandoned.
A common theme is self - sacrifice. Characters with hero syndrome often put themselves in danger to save others. For example, in many such novels, the protagonist will jump into a fight against powerful enemies to protect the weak.
One common theme is the struggle to adapt to normal life. After being a hero with a lot of action and excitement, the retired hero often finds it hard to fit into a normal, quiet life.
One common theme is redemption. The fallen hero often has to find a way to make up for their past mistakes or misdeeds. Another theme is the loss of innocence. They have typically gone through some kind of trauma or made a bad choice that led them to fall from grace. Moral ambiguity is also a big one, as they may not be completely good or bad anymore.
Self - discovery is also a key theme. The anti - heroes usually start with a certain view of themselves and the world, but as the story progresses, they change. In 'Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash', the characters learn more about their own capabilities and limitations as they face different challenges, which is part of their self - discovery journey in this new world.