The theme of leadership also appears frequently. In 'The Rising of the Shield Hero', Naofumi has to lead his small group of allies against much larger forces. His overpowered abilities give him the means to do so, but he also has to develop leadership skills. Also, there is often a theme of justice. These overpowered characters usually end up fighting for what they believe is right. They use their power to protect the weak or to right the wrongs in the world they inhabit, whether it's a virtual world like in 'Sword Art Online' or a more traditional fantasy world like in other novels.
Another common theme is the transformation of the world around the overpowered main character. As they grow in power, they often change the power dynamics in the world. For instance, in 'Overlord', Momonga's actions start to reshape the game - turned - real - world. His overpowered status allows him to introduce new systems and change the way different races interact. This shows how the main character's power not only affects themselves but also has a far - reaching impact on the entire setting of the light novel.
Another aspect is prior knowledge or experience. In some light novels, the MC is reincarnated or transferred from another world. Like in 'Konosuba', Kazuma has knowledge from his previous life which he uses to his advantage in the new world, and this knowledge combined with his unique skills makes him overpowered in certain situations.
Power and growth are common themes. The protagonist usually starts with a normal or weak sword - related ability and then gradually becomes overpowered through training, battles, or special encounters. Another theme is the mystery behind the sword. It could be an ancient weapon with a hidden power or a cursed sword that gives great strength but at a cost.
Some popular overpowered MC (main character) novels include 'Solo Leveling'. In this novel, the MC starts off weak but gradually becomes extremely powerful with unique abilities. Another one could be 'Overlord', where the MC is an incredibly strong character in a game - like world. And 'The Legendary Mechanic' also features a very overpowered MC with great skills and development in a sci - fi setting.
Love and romance are also very common. Usually, there is a love interest, often a human, which adds a layer of complexity to the story. For example, in many such novels, the vampire has to protect their human love from other vampires or from the knowledge of their true nature. It's about the forbidden love aspect. And there's often a theme of power. Vampires are typically powerful creatures, and the main character might be dealing with how to use or control their power, or they might be in a power struggle with other vampires in the story.
One popular one is 'Overlord'. The main character Momonga is extremely overpowered. He starts as a max - level player in a game and when the game world turns into a real one, his abilities are far beyond others. His magic powers and strategic mind make him nearly unbeatable.
One popular overpowered mc light novel is 'Sword Art Online'. The main character, Kirito, is extremely overpowered in the virtual world of the game. He has incredible sword skills and the ability to adapt quickly to various situations, making him stand out among other players.
One such light novel is 'The Hidden Power of Kain'. The MC is incredibly powerful but keeps it a secret to avoid unwanted attention.
Isolation. The misunderstood MC often feels alone because others don't get them. For instance, in many stories, the MC might have a special power or come from a different background that others can't fathom, so they are left on their own most of the time.
Survival in a new and dangerous world is also a theme. The mc, being overpowered, has to use their power to survive and thrive. In 'Log Horizon', the players are stuck in a game world and the main characters, with their unique abilities, strive to not only survive but also make the best of the situation.
Another theme is the battle against powerful foes. With an overpowered sword, the protagonist is usually faced with enemies that are equally strong or even stronger. This creates exciting battle scenes. In 'Sword Art Online', the battles in the virtual world with the help of the sword are a big part of the story.