I discovered as I got older that in Naruto, I would have preferred if Shikamaru was the protagonist over Naruto. So similar protagonists, they might have a power but it should not be battle oriented. I guess Release that Witch also qualifies
You should definitely give it another go. HxH is hands down the best battle-oriented manga/anime to exist! The new-ish anime of it is really good, though i also really like the 90's version.
Altina the Sword Princess Utsuro no Hako to Zero no Maria No Game No Life Hyouka Rokka no Yuusha I Reincarnated as a Noble Girl Villainess But Why Did It Turn Out This Way? The King’s Avatar Some of this probably fall in line with what you're looking for. But most of these are pretty popular so maybe you know them already. Watch Kaij, Akagi, One Outs anime, or Liar Game manga. Those are the best animes and mangas where they have big brain battles. Also, maybe Jojo too; every battle is unique and has some ingenuity to it. Also those new animes Dr. Stone and The Promised Neverland. I believe those two are all about using their heads to one up the enemy or something.
A lot of slice of life comedies or non-fantasy would probably qualify for that. But if you want stuff with a plot and fantasy I'm guessing: Tensei Shoujo no Rirekisho - they only have modern knowledge, but unlike RTW they aren't a noble/royalty so they start from scratch. I guess similar to bookworm but the MC is more reliable.
Cant really stand Altina. Loli aside, the weird relationship dynamics with the female character is annoying. As a guy who grew up bathing with girls, a guy getting scared by girls is a turn off and annoying since I am like a fish to water when it comes to interacting with females. I am hoping ELIZA gets finished before I start reading since I get it translated Rokka no Yuusha I think it was the same loli nonsense. King's Avatar I enjoyed the anime and drama since it had less annoying female characters I am looking for action so Hyouka doesnt qualify and I avoid high school setting stories like the plague No Game No Life, I watched the anime when it came out but the incestuous erotic undertones were disturbing to say the least I did hypocritically look forward to a season 2 which seems very unlikely
Turns out https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rokka-no-yuusha/ is different from the light novel I was thinking of. The light novel I was thinking of is about a slave/gladiator who had to pass off as a prince Something Monshou I think. This is why titles of novels should be translated. I cant recall it I did watch the anime though and it was nice @Walter vi Britannia
Maybe like MCs of: Magi Craft Meister World Customize Creator Cook of the Mercenary Corp Gourmet of Another World (CHN) Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi
Yea, I was wondering what you were talking about when you said that about Rokka no Yuusha. But I was laying back and watching a youtube video so I didn't wanna bother to get back up and reply if you just didn't wanna read it. Anyway, the anime covered the first volume of the novel. It gets a whole lot better after that, when they actually enter the demon territory. What the anime covered is more or less like a prologue, their real battle hadn't even started, they were just dealing with some inconveniences along the road.