While we love the protagonists of anime shows, it is the villains of the story that makes an anime show's story more interesting. The characteristics of a villain and how the protagonists will deal with them will be the basis of how the main character will grow. We also can't help to love some of them! But also, there are just some villains that just don't hit the right spots. Here are some of the anime villains that we love and we don't love based on the twenty-three (23) different anime shows that we enjoyed watching.
THERE WILL BE SPOILERS. AGAIN, THERE WILL BE SPOILERS SO HEED FORWARD WITH CARE.
That being said, here is our list:
Naruto
Pain
One of the best way to show a good villain is having a good backstory that led them to choose the intentions that they have in the present, and Pain is one of those characters. People love his character for a reason, despite him being the leader of Akatsuki, the viewers just can't help but sympathize for him.
Otsutsuki Kaguya
Kaguya, the last boss of the series, literally just came out of nowhere. While you might think that Madara may be the final boss, turns out there still someone out there more powerful and troubling danger that lies within the shadows, or just simply, extraterrestrial.
My Hero Academia
Stain
Was Stain right? After hearing Stain's intentions for his villainous acts, it got everybody to think if his actions were justified which just shows how charismatic Stain is as a character in the story of My Hero Academia. Whether you hate or love him, we are reminded that not everyone with the most evil intentions can be considered villains of a story.
Gentle Criminal
His intentions were weird. He was just bitter that he couldn't become a proper hero, but make no mistake, Gentle Criminal is actually OK as a villain since we saw the story of those who were not blessed enough to be a hero, but why does it have to be expressed in the weirdest way possible by having a 22-year old loli looking sidekick? Doesn't make sense, right?
Hunter X Hunter
Meruem
The awaited king of the Chimera Ant kingdom, Meruem was ruthless and merciless against anyone who goes against him. With humans as his food, he makes sure that he is fed with the most quality meat that his soldiers can provide him. He wishes to be the king of all creatures because that's what he is - a king. He's development throughout the whole arc is the most interesting part about Meruem, which makes you look at the bigger picture once he sets out to the world and making sense of the things around him.
Genthru
While Hunter x Hunter is known for it's amazing villains and characters, there are also times when a show needs to have a disgusting villain based on the plot and that here we have Genthru. His intentions are merely for money so we can't really sympathize with him when he just goes around killing people for it. Good for him Gon is a good child enough for him to be spared.
Bleach
Aizen Sousuke
When fighting against something that you cannot see and does not know, of course you'll get confused. Probably one of the reasons why Bleach is so good is because of this character. (make no mistake, I love Bleach! It's my favorite shounen!) His ability to constantly look forward to his goals is also one of his admirable features. Setting and planning all his goals from the start yet discreetly, Aizen is an anime villain that you can't help but love.
Nnoitra Gilga
The 5th Espada who is known for his huge and odd Zanpakutou. He was the reason why Nel, the former 5th Espada was thrown out of Las Noches since he attempted to murder her just because she's a woman that ranked higher than him.
Dragon Ball
Frieza
Frieza was an all-powerful tyrant and emperor when he first appeared in Dragon Ball Z. Responsible for the destruction of Planet Vegeta, the original Planet Namek and even the Earth at one point, Frieza's only joy is committing unspeakable acts of evil. The emperor of the universe completely decimated the Saiyan race - save a few survivors - and ruthlessly laughed as the Saiyans' homeworld exploded before his eyes.
Garlic Jr.
Garlic Jr. is one of the more interesting villains in Dragon Ball Z, but not because of the battles. Not only was he able to gain immortality with Earth's Dragon Balls, he was also able to easily take control of Earth's population. To do this, Garlic Jr. employed the mysterious Black Water Mist, which turned anyone who inhaled it into his ravenous, bloodthirsty slaves. There have been Dragon Ball bad guys with the power to destroy the Earth, but Garlic Jr. was the first to ever enslave it.
Jojo's Bizarre Adventures
Dio Brando
You don't say "BEST ANIME VILLAIN" without Dio Brando. Nope, really, you can't. He's iconic for a reason and while he continuously went on causing rampage against the Jojos, we can't help but enjoy his character just because he is the Dio that everybody knows.
Katagiri Anjuro
He's weird. Imagine getting people to drink his stand just for them to be slowly killed, why.And why do we hate him and not hate Dio? Who knows.
Berserk
Griffith
Just undoubtedly one of the most amazing anime villains out there. We were introduced to Griffith first as Gut's best friend that turned the main antagonist of the series.
Extraordinarily charismatic, intelligent, and handsome, his skill with his sabre and tactics gives him and his band the reputation of invincibility, making him the favored choice of the Midland King, who was locked in a century long war with the Empire of Chuder.
Extraordinarily charismatic, intelligent, and handsome, his skill with his sabre and tactics gives him and his band the reputation of invincibility, making him the favored choice of the Midland King, who was locked in a century long war with the Empire of Chuder.
Gennon
I hate this guy, period.
Cowboy Bepop
Vicious
Vicious is the main antagonist of the anime series Cowboy Bebop. He is the leader of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate in Tharsis, and is often referred to or depicted as a venomous snake. He has a long, very complicated history with Spike Spiegel, with the two once being friends but, after an incident involving a woman named Julia, became bitter enemies.
The Fridge Monster
The Fridge Monster was an alien-like creature that attacked the Bebop crew.
Spike Spiegel bought a Ganymede rock lobster in 2070 and stored it in the ship's attic. He forgot about it, and, over the next year, a monster was born.Just don't leave things in the fridge, kids.
Vinland Saga
Askeladd
One of our favorite characters, ever. Askeladd A cunning, mysterious Viking who commands a mercenary band of vikings, of which Thorfinn is a member. He claims descent from Lucius Artorius Castus, a Roman military commander and his namesake.
Askeladd was contracted by Floki to assassinate Thors, Thorfinn's father. Thorfinn became obsessed with avenging his father and joined Askeladd's band with the sole intent of killing him in a fair fight, but is always outclassed by Askeladd's combat skill.
Askeladd was contracted by Floki to assassinate Thors, Thorfinn's father. Thorfinn became obsessed with avenging his father and joined Askeladd's band with the sole intent of killing him in a fair fight, but is always outclassed by Askeladd's combat skill.
Sweyn Forkbeard
King of Denmark and father of Canute, known for his political genius and conquest of most of England and Wales. He appears sickly, with a droopy face, discolored skin, and missing teeth. While Vinland Saga has a lot of good villains scattered all over the story, we just can't help but diss on this old man due to his hate towards his son, Canute, doing all methods that he can just so he can get rid of him.
Psycho Pass
Makishima Shogo
The first villain of the series is a bookworm, and that is Makishima Shogo. Makishima cannot be judged by the Dominator hence why he cannot be killed by it. He is what they call Criminally Asymptomatic which makes him an outsider of society, unruled by the laws of the system. Because of this, he seeks pleasure from his freedom by dealing acts that puts the Public Safety Bureau in rattles.
Tsujichou Kyouka
Sacrificing the lives of hopeful rehabilitated criminals just so they can clean a basement full of radiation, why would you do that :<
The Fate Series
Kotomine Kirei
There are villains that we sympathize with and there are some that are just sociopaths - Kirei lies on the latter side, yet he just has this charisma in him that you can't help but love. Whenever he decides to start trouble, he makes sure that this lies on the basis of whether he will enjoy it or not. He's basically just a troublemaker that has the smarts for it, and many people will be involved whether we like or not.
Matou Zouken
There are villains that we sympathize with and there are some that are just sociopaths - and Zouken lies on the latter side, and yes we hate him.
Fairy Tail
Zeref
Nobody really understood Zeref's intentions from the start of the story. While he may be kind at the start, he can also go rampaging the next. There's just no way you can predict Zeref's intentions which makes him a good villain.
Laxus Freyar
Sure, Laxus became a good guy afterwards, but his villainous tendencies were really - weird.
K: Project
Suou Mikoto
Suou as a villian in this anime just shows that no matter how kind your intentions are, there will be times when words cannot heal ones' wounds. With the goal of killing the one that killed one of his companions, Suou made sure that he will eradicate the soul person that did the crime even if it costs the lives of many,
The Colorless King
He was the one who caused the Blue and Red Kings to fight because he wants them dead for him to be the only recognized King left alive. He is a highly arrogant and egotistic creature, referring to himself in a highly respectable manner and often taunting or boasting his power to those he finds weak or insignificant to himself.
Sword Art Online
Heathcliffe
He is the owner of the unique skill "Holy Sword" and is considered to be strongest player in-game. He wields the one-handed sword and a tower shield collectively called as Liberator. He also was able to hold off the boss of the fiftieth level for ten minutes by himself, which earned him the title "Man of Legend". Turns out, he was Kayaba Akihiko all along and what's the best way to introduce the final villain by being among the crowd of the heroes, am I right?
Nobuyuki Sugou
During the Sword Art Online incident, he took advantage of the chaos to steal test subjects for research along with Asuna. In Alheim Online he adopts the persona of Fairy King Oberon.
As the Fairy King Oberon, he keeps Asuna locked up in a bird cage at the top of the World Tree. In the real world, he confronts the powerless Kazuto by voicing his intentions of wedding the unconscious Asuna. While keeping Asuna locked up in ALO, he constantly visited her just to fool around with her. From his actions, one could say that he is a pervert and we hate perverts in this house.
The Promised Neverland
Mom Isabella
Isabella is the mama of the Grace Field House. Being the mom, of course you can't help but love your own mother, right? But what happens when your very own mom is actually an agent that brings you to your deathbed? Well, here's your mom.
Sister Krone
Krone was an individual who fought for nothing but her own personal agenda. As soon as Krone arrived at the orphanage, she went to win the trust of the younger kids by playing with them since she wanted to replace Isabella as a Mama so she would be able to have the kids of the orphanage to herself. Due to her unfortunate circumstances, she wanted to become a Mama in order to live the best possible life she could. Although it would only be a fake life, Krone stated that it would not matter, as the orphans' love would make her feel needed and loved.
Darling in the FranXx
001
The last surviving member of the her kind, and is the princess of the Klaxosaurs. 001 is shown to despise Papa and the rest of the APE council, calling them “damned human wannabes” as she knows who they truly are. She doesn't hesitate to resort to violence and murder whenever she feels threatened, which is seen by Tarsier's attempted assasination on her.
VIRM
These formless bastards just ain't it.
Akame ga Kill
Esdeath
Esdeath is undoubtedly the best character in this anime. A great leader, and a loving one at that. Although her beliefs are just too ruthless, she is still considered the strongest character in the anime, and the most sane person there is (which only shows the situation of the anime as a whole).
Seryu Ubiquitous
Seryu had a twisted sense of right and wrong, bordering on a completely black and white view of the world: seeing the authority of the immensely corrupt Empire as absolutely right, and its enemies as pure evil.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The Homonculi
Born of the Philosopher's Stones, the homonculi are the children of Father, the main antagonist of the series. The Homonculi are known to be evil at the start of the series, seeing how they kill people just to provide sacrifices for the making of the Philosopher Stones. But as the story progresses, we are shown of their different intentions in life that makes you think if evil really translates to doing pure evil things.
Shou Tucker
With the hopes of staying as a State Alchemist, he sacrificed the life of his very own daughter and wife because of "his research". Despite being such a brilliant state alchemist himself, Tucker failed to realize his humanity and eventually became obsessed with his tinkering with alchemy.
Shingeki no Kyojin/Attack on Titan
Reiner Braun
What makes Reiner an appealing villain is that even himself, he is not sure of what he is doing. After being the cause of Marco's death, Reiner became unstable with his decisions and eventually convinced himself that he is a "warrior" with the duty of taking Eren with him.
the Fake King of the walls
We are not really just talking about this man himself, we are talking about the government and politics that this king represents. With hiding the truth from the people, dealing countless of murders just to seal the truth, there are a lot of hideous things that we just can't help but hate. Plus, the power that they hold makes them twice more hateful.
One Punch Man
Garou "Hero Hunter"
While being called the Hero Hunter, we can't really help but love Garou's villany in this series. After all, One Punch Man is still a comedy series and there are also times when we see Garou being punched by Saitama a couple of times. While still a kid at heart, filled with despair from his childhood and wonders why others don't think the same way as he did, he took things on his matters and shows his hatred against the heroes by knocking them off one-by-one.
Carnage Kabuto
While one of the first villains of the story, we were introduced to Saitama's powers due to the efforts of Carnage Kabuto, and I guess, that's it?
Tokyo Ghoul
Kureo Mado
He is a Ghoul Investigator in Commission of Counter Ghoul who seeks vengeance on the One-Eyed Ghoul who killed his beloved wife. His thirst for revenge was what broke his sanity, becoming a psychotic murderer of Ghoul.
Yakumo Oomori
Having to experience torture himself, he tortured Kaneki whenever he wants to by pulling out his fingers and toes one by one which eventually made Kaneki insane, loosing out on his humanity.
Banana Fish
Lee Yut-Lung
The beautiful and androgynous British Hong Konger, Yut-Lung, due to his childhood trauma involving his mother's murder, is ruthless and unfeeling, with little to no empathy towards others. He has continually tried to murder protagonists Ash Lynx and Eiji Nomura since he simply cannot comprehend their strong bond with one another. He also aided in the kidnapping of Ash's childhood friend, Shorter Wong, who, after being injected with the Banana Fish drug, hallucinates and tries to kill Eiji in front of him.
Dino Golzine
Dino Golzine, boss of the Corsican Mafia, is one disturbing individual that acts on his attraction for young boys and has proceeded to sexually abuse the main character, Ash Lynx, many times over many years, and he has also made him his adopted son and successor. He constantly tries to cripple Ash's spirit to have him submit, physically and mentally, using his wealth and power, and to threaten him with death if he refuses.
Saiyuki Series
Kougaiji persevering, determined, and loyal to his friends and family. At his worst, he is stubborn and sometimes so blinded by his goals that forgets some of the things he deems important. After facing Goku, he has resolved to fight only for himself but he hardly ever works for selfish aspirations. Despite his introverted and stubborn attitude, he has an open mind, even towards his enemies and is willing to change his mind if someone proves him wrong. If it is not only by his circumstances, Kougaiji wouldn't be a villain of the series.
Li Touten
He might look like an innocent man without any knowledge about what is happening around him, but, deep within him, he is a greedy and ambitious person who will do anything to have his dream come to reality. He was a ruthless person; he never shows mercy to anyone who gets in his way and he's using his influence to have such a high position in heaven by means of his only son, Nataku who was born between a forbidden experiment of cross breeding different youkai.
