Highlights
- Gondo Firebeard is a Runescraft Researcher in the anime
Overlord
who joins Ainz’s Sorcerer Kingdom. - Juliette is an apprentice sculptor and a pure-blooded dwarf in
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation. - Gazel Dwargo is the wise and gallant hero king in
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
, known for his bravery, mastery of combat, and wisdom.
In a vibrant and diverse world of high-fantasyisekai anime, one particular race is known for their stout personality, remarkable strength, and intricate craftsmanship. This amazing group of people are known as the Dwarfs. Interestingly enough, while there are many iconic dwarfs from various fantasy anime, only a handful of them appear in the isekai genre.
From the limited number of dwarfs that we can find in isekai anime, here are some of the best ones, ranked based on their role in their respective series. Some of them are supporting characters who help the protagonist on their journey, while others are extremely crucial to the story.
7 Gondo Firebeard
A Runescraft Researcher
- Anime: Overlord
- First Appearance: Season 4, Episode 5
Ever since he was transported to the new world, Ainz has been looking for the only kind of magic that he can’t do: Runic Magic. To be more specific, he is interested in using runes to enhance weapons, also known as the art of Runescraft. To find this lost magic, Ainz sets out on a journey to find a race that is usually a master of this type of magic: the dwarfs.
It took a long time, but Ainz finally finds the mythical Dwarven Kingdom, along with a dwarf who is also obsessed with Runescraft. His name is Gondo Firebeard. Gondo has always been a rebel at heart, and he is disappointed by the lack of interest from his own people regarding their ancient art of Runescraft. That’s why when Ainz offers to fully support his research on this lost magic, Gondo doesn’t hesitate to leave his hometown and become a permanent citizen of Ainz’s Sorcerer Kingdom.
6 Juliette
An Apprentice Sculptor
- Anime: Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
- First Appearance: Season 2, Episode 6
At first glance, Juliette may look like a frail human girl, but she is actually a pure-blooded dwarf. She was born to a blacksmith father and a jewel-crafter mother. However, due to some terrible circumstances, Julie has to spend years as a slave in Sharia where she is constantly mistreated and malnourished. Her luck changes when she accidentally meets Rudy and his companion.
Ever since then, Julie has been under the care of Rudy and Zanoba. It’s hard for them to get close to Julie at first, which is understandable considering what she’s been through, but things begin to improve when Rudy realizes that Julie has a talent for magic, particularly earth magic. Since then, she’s been practicing her magic while helping Zanoba with his figurine projects.
5 Beren
A Friendly Blacksmith And Craftsman
- Anime: Tsukimichi -Moonlit Fantasy-
- First Appearance: Episode 2
The moment Makoto realizes that he can build his own village in Tomoe’s Demiplane, he excitedly begins to gather new villagers from all over the place. In particular, he looks for people who are experts in different fields who can help him build his dream village. One such villager is Beren, a dwarf who is not only a master blacksmith but also an incredibly skillful craftsman.
Beren proves to be an extremely valuable addition to the Demiplane. Nowadays, most tools and weapons used in the Demiplane are made by Beren. Even Makoto himself relies on Beren’s skill for his everyday tools, such as his knife, sword, and even the armor that he wears. Some of Beren’s products are displayed in Makoto’s store in Rosgard, and it seems to garner quite a lot of interest from the people there. At this rate, Beren’s name will soon be known across the land as one of the best blacksmiths in the country.
4 Gibungle
A Stout Dwarf Magician
- Anime: Handyman Saitou in Another World
- First Appearance: Episode 1
The world of Handyman Saitou is filled to the brim with quirky characters, such as a grand wizard who often forgets his own spell, or a demon lord who is actually a good friend of the human king. Gibungle is no exception. With his short but stout build, long beard, and full body armor, he fits the stereotypical look of a dwarf. What makes Gibungle different than most dwarfs in the world is his profession. In his own words, Gibungle is a “Heavy Magic Tank”.
Unlike most dwarves, Gibungle has a high aptitude for magic, so he decides to break the norm and be a magician instead of a warrior like most of his people. However, since Gibungle still has the iconic strong physique of a dwarf, along with his full-body armor and a pair of massive shields on both sides, he becomes a dwarf that can tank heavy attacks, just like a warrior, while casting offensive magic spells at the same time, just like a magician. Hence the “Heavy Magic Tank” moniker.
3 Garrus
An Arcane Blacksmith
- Anime: Reincarnated as a Sword
- First Appearance: Episode 2
Old man Garrus is a blacksmith who set up shop in the relatively peaceful city of Alessa. His unparalleled skill as an arcane blacksmith earned him the reputation as the best blacksmith in town. Not only that, he is arguably the closest they have to a divine blacksmith. Interestingly enough, despite so many adventurers eager to purchase his product or wanting a custom-made armor or weapon from him, Garrus himself only sells his wares to those who he deems to be strong adventurers or at least those with the potential to be powerful adventurers.
Appearance-wise, Garrus looks like a stereotypical dwarf. A short but bulky body with thick arms and a long beard. He can be crass at times, but Garrus is always fair and honest, especially when it comes to assessing and giving advice on armor and weapons. He is one of the first few people in Alessa who treat the protagonist, a cat-girl named Fran, with respect and kindness. He is also the first one who accurately deduces the true nature of Fran’s isekai sword as belonging to a rare class of weapons known as “Intelligent Weapon”. Since then, he has created armor, a scabbard, and various crucial tools and items for Fran and her Master Sword.
2 Vindalfr
The Disgraced And Cowardly Prince
- Anime: The Faraway Paladin
- First Appearance: Season 2, Episode 3
Vindalfr, also known as “Al”, arrives in the city of Torch Port together with several dozen dwarfs. They were seeking refuge after they were driven out of their homeland, the Iron Mountains, by demons and an evil dragon who invaded and killed most of their people. Unlike his stoic and brave compatriots, however, Al is meek and cowardly. This usually wouldn’t be a problem, but considering Vindalfr is actually the rightful heir to the Iron Mountains, having these kinds of personalities is a big disappointment to the people who put so much of their hope in him.
Al is acutely aware that the longer he stays a coward, the more the dream of returning to their homeland disappears from his people’s hearts. That’s why he decided to lower his head and ask for guidance from the brave Faraway Paladin, William G. Maryblood. By being William’s squire, Al gets the chance to hone his combat skills and learn valuable wisdom from Will. Slowly but surely, Al gains his confidence and sheds his cowardly nature. It takes quite some time, but the disgraced prince is eventually ready to step up to his role and lead his people to reclaim the throne of the Iron Mountains. Vindalfr may not be the series’ character, but his journey of self-discovery and his character development are definitely up there with William.
1 Gazel Dwargo
The Wise And Gallant Hero King
- Anime: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
- First Appearance: Episode 5
If there is such a thing as an exemplary dwarf, then that title has to be bestowed upon Gazel Dwargo. He is the king of the Armed Nation of Dwargon. His bravery on the battlefield, his mastery of the art of combat, and his impeccable sense of justice, along with his wisdom, earned him the title of “The Hero King”. Under his leadership, Dwargon became one of the most prosperous countries in the world. An economic and cultural hub where people from all around the world can come to do business and have a good time.
King Gazel was the first head of state that Rimuru met in this new world. With Gazel’s permission, Rimuru can employ talented dwarfs like Kaijin and Vesper to help develop his budding nation. As time goes by, King Gazel becomes a close friend and a mentor to Rimuru. After all, only a ruler can give valuable advice and wisdom to another ruler, which is why Gazel’s existence is extremely important to Rimuru.
Considering everything from his outstanding combat prowess to his excellent leadership ability to his crucial role in the story, it’s not an exaggeration to say that King Gazel Dwargo is the best dwarf that ever graced an isekai anime.
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