In Defense of Power Fantasy (And Why You Shouldn't Feel Guilty)

"It's just wish fulfillment."

I've seen this dismissal a thousand times. Usually directed at isekai, LitRPG, harem fiction, or anything where the protagonist becomes powerful and succeeds.

Here's my counter: So what?

What Power Fantasy Actually Is

Power fantasy is fiction where the protagonist becomes powerful, competent, or successful in ways that let readers vicariously experience those feelings.

This includes:

• OP (overpowered) protagonists
• Underdog-to-strongest arcs
• Self-insert protagonists
• Revenge fantasy where the MC gets back at those who wronged them
• Competence porn where the MC is just really good at things

The Criticism

Critics usually say:

• "There's no tension if the MC always wins"
• "It's just escapism"
• "It's not real literature"
• "The protagonist is a Mary Sue/Gary Stu"

I understand these criticisms. I just think they miss the point.

The Defense

All Fiction Is Escapism

The idea that "literary" fiction is somehow more legitimate than genre fiction is snobbery. We read to escape, to experience things we can't in real life. Power fantasy is just honest about what it offers.

Tension Isn't the Only Value

Some people read for tension and uncertainty. Others read for catharsis and satisfaction. Watching an OP protagonist crush obstacles can be exactly what someone needs after a stressful day.

Wish Fulfillment Is a Feature, Not a Bug

Romance is wish fulfillment about love. Cozy fiction is wish fulfillment about peaceful life. Mystery is wish fulfillment about solving puzzles. Power fantasy is wish fulfillment about strength and competence.

Why is one less valid than the others?

Good Power Fantasy Still Has Craft

The best OP protagonist stories still have:

• Interesting challenges (even if the MC will win)
• Character development
• Creative worldbuilding
• Good prose

"The outcome is predictable" doesn't mean "nothing is interesting."

What Makes Power Fantasy Good

Just because I'm defending the genre doesn't mean all power fantasy is good. Here's what separates the good from the bad:

Earned power (at least somewhat). Even if the MC is OP, showing them work for it helps. Completely unearned power can feel hollow.

Interesting applications. If the MC is overpowered, show them using that power creatively.

Some form of stakes. Maybe the MC can't lose a fight, but they can fail to save people, make wrong choices, or face social/political challenges.

Personality. OP protagonists with actual personalities are more fun than blank slates.

Good villains. If the protagonist is OP, the opposition needs to be interesting in other ways.

Examples That Work

One Punch Man: The joke is that Saitama is too strong. The series makes it work through comedy, supporting characters, and existential questions about meaning without challenge.

Overlord: The protagonist is massively overpowered and kind of evil. The interest comes from seeing how his presence warps the world.

Solo Leveling: Pure power fantasy, but the escalation is well-paced and the art (in manhwa form) is incredible.

Cradle: Lindon starts weak but becomes incredibly strong. The progression is satisfying throughout.

The Psychological Element

I think people are drawn to power fantasy for understandable reasons:

Real life often feels powerless. We can't control our jobs, our health, global events. Power fantasy offers control.

Competence is satisfying. Watching someone who's really good at something is inherently enjoyable.

Justice is rare. Real life doesn't guarantee bad people get punished. Revenge fantasy offers that catharsis.

Growth is slow. Real improvement takes years. Fiction compresses that into satisfying arcs.

None of this is unhealthy. It's just... human.

When It Doesn't Work For Me

I'll admit my limits:

Zero challenges bores me eventually. I need some tension, even if it's not about whether the MC will win.

Bland protagonists waste the premise. If you're going to be OP, be interesting about it.

Unexamined cruelty turns me off. Revenge fantasy where the MC goes too far and the narrative celebrates it feels gross.

No escalation stalls. If the MC is already max power in chapter 1, where do you go?

Creating Your Power Fantasy

The great thing about narrator is you can specify exactly what you want:

"OP protagonist but they're a support class" or "Power fantasy where the MC uses their strength to build, not fight" or "Revenge fantasy but the MC realizes revenge isn't satisfying."

narrator can generate the specific flavor you're craving. No judgment.

The Bottom Line

Read what you enjoy. Power fantasy is valid. Wish fulfillment is valid. Entertainment doesn't need to be "elevated" to be valuable.

If watching numbers go up and seeing protagonists succeed makes you happy, that's a completely legitimate reason to read something.

The only rule is: does it bring you joy?

If yes, keep reading.