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.
It could be that the nature of the world in the light novel is very unpredictable. There could be hidden enemies or powerful forces that even an overpowered hero would be wary of. So, in order to protect themselves and those they care about, they choose to be cautious. For example, there might be ancient curses or prophecies that target powerful individuals like the hero. And the hero, being aware of these potential threats, acts with caution.
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.
I think it's an interesting title. It gives the impression that the story might be about a character who is summoned in excess, is overly powerful, and perhaps gets tired of it all. Maybe it'll have a unique take on the isekai genre where overpowered protagonists are common.
Overpowered characters in light novels can also be a drawback. They might make the story less suspenseful. If a character can solve every problem effortlessly, the tension in the plot decreases. However, in some cases, like in 'Overlord', the overpowered status of the main character is used to explore different power dynamics and how he rules in a new world, adding an interesting twist to the typical story formula.
It can also lead to unexpected twists. For instance, instead of rushing into a fight, the hero's caution might make them find a different solution, which changes the direction of the story. Their cautious nature might make them form alliances that they wouldn't have otherwise, which in turn affects the power dynamics in the plot. They might also avoid certain areas or characters because of their caution, which could later be revealed as a crucial missed opportunity or a smart move depending on how the story unfolds.
Often, the protagonists have unique abilities. For example, in 'No Game No Life', Sora and Shiro have super - intelligent minds that give them an edge in every game they play. They can analyze complex situations quickly.
One popular overpowered light novel is 'Overlord'. In this story, the main character Momonga is extremely powerful in the virtual world of Yggdrasil and after the game's shutdown, he finds himself in a new and strange world where his overpowered abilities make him a dominant force. Another is 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime'. Rimuru Tempest starts off as a slime but quickly gains a variety of overpowered skills and abilities, evolving into a very powerful being in a world filled with different races and magic.
Another example is 'Overlord'. The protagonist, Momonga, is transferred into a game world and he has incredible powers right from the start. His character is designed to be extremely powerful, which makes for an interesting story as he navigates this new world with his overpowered abilities. In light novels like these, the overpowered protagonist often drives the plot forward by being able to take on challenges that normal characters couldn't.
One popular 'overpowered light novel' is 'Sword Art Online'. The main character, Kirito, has extremely high skills and abilities in the virtual world, which makes him overpowered compared to many other players. Another is 'Overlord', where the protagonist Momonga is transferred into a game world with his overpowered character build and abilities. And 'That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime' also features an overpowered protagonist, Rimuru, who gains numerous powerful abilities after being reincarnated.