Comedy Light Novels and Web Novels with Misunderstood Main character
The misunderstanding theme has been growing popular on Webnovel. In this theme, the main character has no idea that he is strong or is a genius. However, everyone around him believes he is strong or is a genius. As a result, we get a funny misunderstanding.
I have collected some of the best novels based on this and I decided to make a list to share with you guys.
This list can be summed up with this meme.
Before I start, Please do note that some of the links below are affiliated.
The novels in this list are my personal preference and are sorted in no particular order.
1. I am Actually A Cultivation Bigshot
Synopsis:
Li Nianfan had descended into the cultivation world as a mortal. After learning that he has no hope in cultivation, he only wants to live a peaceful life. However… The dog he adopts becomes a demon king of a generation when it sees his poems and paintings. It manages to suppress an entire world. The tree he plants behind his house becomes a World Tree after listening to his zither music, forming a bridge between heaven and earth. He meets a passerby who is enlightened by him and becomes an immortal sage who leads an entire generation. When he looks back— It turns out that the scholar who had been pestering him for his calligraphy and paintings despite having crappy chess skills, is a chess saint from the Immortal Realm. The beautiful woman who comes to listen to his music every night is the number one saintess of the Immortal Realm…
My Opinion:
This is a light-hearted story full of misunderstandings. The premise is that everyone thinks of the main character as a big shot, however, the main character thinks of himself as a small character. This story is not for a serious read.
Translation status: 153 Chapters Ongoing
Read: Webnovel
2. The Eminence in Shadow
Synopsis:
Even in his past life, Cid’s dream wasn’t to become a protagonist or a final boss. He’d rather lie low as a minor character until it’s prime time to reveal he’s a mastermind…or at least, do the next best thing-pretend to be one! And now that he’s been reborn into another world, he’s ready to set the perfect conditions to live out his dreams to the fullest. Armed with his overactive imagination, Cid jokingly recruits members to his organization and makes up a whole backstory about an evil cult that they need to take down. Well, as luck would have it, these imaginary adversaries turn out to be the real deal-and everyone knows the truth but him!
My Opinion:
A good comedy Japanese web novel. It’s nice to see the main character fooling others.
Translation Status: 204 Chapters (WN) | 3 Volumes (LN) Ongoing
3. Losing Money to be a Tycoon
Synopsis:
I really just want to lose money! T_T Best boss ever, prodigy of the business world, genius creator, visionary of the century. These are the descriptions used for Pei Qian, President of Tengda Corporation. Ever since his rebirth, Pei Qian finds himself in possession of a system that rewards him if he manages to lose money. Instantly, a brilliant idea comes to mind — making crappy games! “If the game flops, all my investment cost will be lost!” “How difficult can it be to lose money?” Indeed… how difficult can it be?
My Opinion:
This is a funny Chinese web novel. The main character tries his best to lose money. For instance, he makes crappy games to lose money but the game becomes successful and everyone around praises the main character for being a genius.
Translation Status: 764 Chapters Ongoing
Read: Webnovel
4. Overlord
Synopsis:
For twelve years, the virtual world of Yggdrasil has served as the playground and battlefield for the skeletal lord Momonga and his guild of fellow monsters, Ainz Ooal Gown. But the guild’s glory days are over, and the game is shutting down permanently. When Momonga logs in one last time just to be there when the servers go dark, something happens–and suddenly, fantasy is reality. A rogues’ gallery of fanatically devoted NPCs is ready to obey his every order, but the world Momonga now inhabits is not the one he remembers. The game may be over, but the epic tale of Ainz Ooal Gown is only beginning…
My Opinion:
This is one of the best light novels. Highly recommended if you haven’t read it already. Every NPC thinks the main character is a genius god-like being and the main character tries best his to maintain that persona. Besides this, storytelling, plot development, and characters are good.
Translation Status: 13 Volumes Ongoing
5. I’m Really Not The Demon God’s Lackey
Synopsis:
As the owner of an ordinary bookstore, Ling PingAn’s biggest wish was to muddle through life and do absolutely nothing. However, customers that were right in the middle of their pubescent crisis kept visiting his store in the dead of night. For the sake of his business, Ling PingAn had to mimic their childish tones, sparing no effort to promote the books in his store. When he finally managed to sell his books after going through a great verbal tug-o-war, each and every one of them said that they don’t have money, and that they wish to use various tools that were seemingly divine artifacts as pledge. Looking at these customers, Ling PingAn could only agree to them resignedly. But little did he know that every single book that these customers purchased from him had altered in appearance. “Secrets of Cosplay” became “Lower Abyss Research Report” “Stellaris: Settings for Synth Ascension” was in fact “Gospel for Synthetic Beings” What’s more, in the eyes of these customers, he was actually a horrifying ruler of Diablos, an indefinable entity that held the reins of all realms. In this regard, Ling PingAn said, “I’m not, I didn’t, don’t talk nonsense.
My Opinion:
My favorite Chinese Novel on this list. The main character is just a simple man transported to another mysterious world full of supernatural beings. People go to the main character’s bookshop and they are given a “simple” book by the main character which makes them think he is secretly a great being.
Translation status: 43 Chapters Ongoing
Read: FanTranslation
6. I’m the Evil Lord of an Intergalactic Empire!
Synopsis:
Liam Sera Banfield is a reincarnator. He was reincarnated into a fantasy universe of swords and magic, but at a time that civilization was already making advancements into outer space. The setting takes place in an intergalactic empire, a space opera-like universe where humanoid weapons and spaceships do battle. Liam, who had incarnated into an aristocratic family in a monarchic society, has the ambition to one day become an evil lord. In his previous life, Liam had unfortunately lost everything and died in despair. — It’s foolish to live for others. — I will live for myself. Holding those feelings in his chest, he starts towards his second life, but is instead worshipped as a virtuous ruler from his difference in values. Will Liam be able to safely become an evil lord?
My Opinion:
A good and fun read. The main character starts off on his journey to become an evil lord. But the only issue is all his actions that seem evil are only from his point of view.
Translation status: Volume 6 Chapter 12 Ongoing
Read: FanTranslation
7. Genius Prince’s National Revitalization from State Deficit ~ Right, Let Us Sell the Country
Synopsis:
The young prince Wayne, he revitalized the weak state by the power of pen and military arts. (Oh and misunderstanding!) He was a man who excelled at management and the military arts, but had a secret wish. (Ah, I wish to sell this country as fast as possible and retire!) Indeed, his true nature was that of a traitor who wanted to sell his country. However, when he tried to sell the country to another great power, he ended up profiting! And he even moderately won against a larger nation in a war! His fame ended up rising, his retainers ended up loyal to him. His wish of retirement went further away… This is a story about a genius prince who revitalized a nation full of hilarity!
My Opinion:
A good Japanese comedy novel with political intrigue. The genius prince wants to laze around and do nothing, so he makes up plans to submit his country to another country. But his plans always one way or another benefits his country.
Translation Status: 6 Volumes Ongoing
Read: Amazon
8. I Really Am Not The Lord of Demon
Synopsis:
As the owner of an ordinary bookstore, Ling PingAn’s biggest wish was to muddle through life and do absolutely nothing. However, customers that were right in the middle of their pubescent crisis kept visiting his store in the dead of night. For the sake of his business, Ling PingAn had to mimic their childish tones, sparing no effort to promote the books in his store. When he finally managed to sell his books after going through a great verbal tug-o-war, each and every one of them said that they don’t have money, and that they wish to use various tools that were seemingly divine artifacts as pledge. Looking at these customers, Ling PingAn could only agree to them resignedly. But little did he know that every single book that these customers purchased from him had altered in appearance. “Secrets of Cosplay” became “Lower Abyss Research Report” “Stellaris: Settings for Synth Ascension” was in fact “Gospel for Synthetic Beings” What’s more, in the eyes of these customers, he was actually a horrifying ruler of Diablos, an indefinable entity that held the reins of all realms. In this regard, Ling PingAn said, “I’m not, I didn’t, don’t talk nonsense.
My Opinion:
This is very similar to I’m Really Not The Demon God’s Lackey. However, this novel was written first. Both have a similar theme. I recommend reading both novels.
Translation status: 64 Chapters
Read: Webnovel
Edit: I forgot to Add Lord of the Mysteries. Do check this novel out, it’s a masterpiece.
Thanks for reading. What do you think about the novels on this list? Did I miss your favorite novel? Do Let me Know in the comments.
Really great selection thank you there’s a lot I had no idea even existed. So seriously thank you very much.
No Problem 😀 Thanks for your comment.
Shit I finished all…Please do tell if you have anything similar to these ::pray::