A story is never complete without a hero, but it is the bad guys who make it edgy and intriguing. This way, some of the best villains in anime history have become popular and memorable characters whom we can’t help but admire, thanks to their pure evil nature and unique backstories.
Whether it is the antagonists in K-dramas or those in mega Hollywood franchises, there’s just something about these villains that audiences cannot get enough of. Their suave attitude, charming stealth and innovative strikes make them stand out in the whole story. But what’s exactly the recipe for iconic villains? Some might say their vile actions and heartless atrocities, while for others, it can be their thirst for violence and the way they misuse their immense power which makes them incredibly dangerous.
Earlier, these nefarious anime characters were overshadowed completely by the protagonists. But, with time, popular anime villains became less of a rarity. They now have layered personalities, are more complex and have interesting character arcs. In fact, the most cruel antagonists tick off all these boxes.
If you are a Death Note follower, you would know Light Yagami and his deadly notebook that left most of us terrified. Or, Kyubey, the cat-like incubator from Puella Magi Madoka Magica whose diabolic deeds and vile actions made it one of the most memorable villains in the anime universe. On the other hand, Bleach fans will agree that Sosuke Aizen is an excellent anime villain — a selfish schemer with illusory powers that set him apart from other villains.
As we bring you some of the most notorious ne’er-do-well characters from the anime world, check out the list and decide who you think is the best anime villain in the entire world. But beware, their crimes and actions are not for the faint-hearted.
Most powerful anime villains who are despicably memorable
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Frieza and King Piccolo — Dragon Ball Z
Let’s start with the OG anime juggernaut, Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996) which brings in a dose of nostalgia. The show has several powerful villains like Vegeta, Majin Buu and Perfect Cell, but Frieza and King Piccolo stand out as the most formidable ones.
King Piccolo is one of the most notable anime villains of all time. A character of utmost malice, he was created by Kami, the spiritual guardian of Earth, as a way of guarding himself from all evil. He is perhaps the first main antagonist to threaten the protagonist Goku and his clan. He killed Krillin and Master Roshi, stole the dragon balls and almost killed Goku as well. However, the transformation of his reincarnated self, Piccolo Jr., changed the storyline.
Frieza, too, is one of the best anime villains ever. He is the supreme leader of the Galactic Frieza Army and the emperor of Universe 7. Feared across all realms, Frieza is the youngest son of King Cold, the younger brother of Cooler. He is one of Goku’s most dreadful nemeses. Frieza hunted down groups of species and obliterated them. He didn’t spare Goku’s race, the Saiyans, either. His sadistic nature, manipulative schemes and dark humour made him stand out.
Although Frieza was defeated in the Dragon Ball Z series, the formidable villain returned later in the manga and Dragon Ball Super (2015-2023) series. Comic book fans often compare him to the iconic antagonists of Batman and wonder who would come up on top if they ever come face to face.
Image: Courtesy Dragon Ball Z/ IMDb
Light Yagami — Death Note
Don’t let his outer human nature deceive you. Light Yagami of Death Note, one of the best murder mystery anime series, is among the greatest anime villains of all time. He is one of those very few villains, who is also the protagonist of the show. Born with a high IQ, he comes across a mysterious notebook and cannot help but (mis)use it to go on a killing spree, all in an attempt to fix the evils of the world.
Once a clever and innocent boy, his transformation into a tragic figure with a cunning nature and deceit is what makes Death Note such a fan-favourite. Light’s stealth becomes evident when his detective father L, suspects him of the murders of several inmates, yet the former actually finds a way to work with him. He hits his targets by controlling others like Misa Amane and Teru Mikami which helps him stay in the darkness, away from any suspicion. He even defeated a shinigami (death reaper) to become the most dreaded, but a series of mistakes by the others led to his doom.
Image: Courtesy Death Note/IMDb
Meruem — Hunter x Hunter
The main antagonist of the Hunter x Hunter (2011-2014) fifth arc, Meruem is the half-human child of the Chimera Ant Queen who eventually becomes the ruler of the Chimera Ant species following her death. This species lives by imbibing the quirks and qualities of other species they devour. Meruem was created when his mother wanted to create the perfect being who would have the force of life and the powers of the human population.
The vain and merciless killer is prone to fits of abrupt violence and doesn’t even spare his most loyal followers. Meruem murders hundreds of men, women and children in his bid for self-perfection and collects their “Nen” energy, the raw power of life. This killing spree reaches such an extent that it makes him arguably the most powerful entity in the world, despite his change of heart later.
Image: Courtesy Hunter x Hunter/ IMDb
Kyubey — Puella Magi Madoka Magica
The cute feline-looking creature called Kyubey hides a diabolic anime villain within. Kyubey is an incubator, an unfeeling species with advanced technology and high energy consumption capable of mass destruction and wreaking complete chaos. He is extremely mechanical and doesn’t know how to express himself. Kyubey thrives by feeding on expressive species, in this case, the human race.
The way he creates ‘magical girls’ out of ordinary humans, pits them against witches and utilises their energy to live ensnares the women forever. Once their energy is depleted, these magic girls turn into witches, wreaking havoc all around.
Image: Courtesy Puella Magi Madoka Magica/ © Magica Quartet / Aniplex, Madoka Partners, MBS/ IMDb
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Sosuke Aizen — Bleach
Several reasons made Bleach (2004-2023) one of the most beloved anime series ever and Sosuke Aizen, one of the best anime villains out there, is an important one He came on screen as the captain of the Fifth Division of Soul Reapers but later betrayed Ichigo and the Soul Society for the greed of immense power, overthrowing the Soul King.
Sosuke, a highly intelligent and gifted warrior, returned with an Arrancar army that clashed with the Soul Reapers in battle. Once the Espadas fell, he joined the battle personally and easily fended off all the powerful Soul Reapers. However, he narrowly lost to the protagonists Ichigo Kurosaki and Kisuke Urahara.
Image: Courtesy Bleach/ IMDb
Dio Brando — JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Dio Brando’s unmissable presence and his charismatic personality are one of the main factors that catapult JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012-) to such popularity. Considered one of the most important anime villains ever made, Dio is the half-brother of Johnathan Joestar. However, when he dons the stone mask and becomes a vampire, he develops a penchant for blood leading to some really gory moments.
From murdering dogs for mere fun to crushing his enemies under a road roller, Dio has an affinity for over-the-top bloody drama. He uses his immortality and incredible power to destroy the Joestars and is successful to a large extent. However, it is only after tremendous effort and sacrifice that the Joestars were able to defeat one of the best anime villains of all time. His heinous activities made him a villain who is both enjoyable to watch and detestable.
Image: Courtesy JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure/ IMDb
Muzan Kibutsuji — Demon Slayer
Muzan Kibutsuji has to be one of the important and powerful villains in the Demon Slayer universe (2019-). He is the leader of nefarious demons, the progenitor of all other demons, and the leader of the Twelve Kizuki, a netherworld organisation comprising the 12 strongest demons under his direct command.
His rage, stealth and power of disguise make him a formidable foe who doesn’t hesitate before killing his own followers whenever they falter. His level of deceit and manipulation make it impossible for anyone to get to this cold murderer.
Image: Courtesy Demon Slayer/ IMDb
Johan Liebert — Monster
Johan Liebert is the main anti-hero of the Monster anime and manga. Regarded as one of the best anime villains, Johan is known for his high IQ. A charming personality with an ability to manoeuvre people according to his will helps him gather followers who would bid for him. With such powers, he essentially doesn’t have to get involved in the crimes he perpetrates.
An uncompromisingly cruel and violent sociopath, Johan’s outward human nature is, however, of a generous and soft-spoken young man with a naturally affable personality. The way he quite literally trains serial killers and uses his psychic powers to manipulate them into committing murders is sure to send shivers down your spine. Interestingly, unlike others with special magical powers, this villain’s super weapon is just intelligence, persuasion and deceit that make up a deadly combination.
Image: Courtesy Monster/ IMDb
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The Major — Hellsing Ultimate
On the list of the best villains in anime is The Major, aka Montana Max, from Hellsing Ultimate (2006-2012). The series follows the Hellsing Organisation’s crusade against vampires and supernatural entities that lurk in the dark and gothic world.
The Major served as a military official under Hitler and was tasked to create artificial vampires that would be used in World War II. With time, instead of just creating vampires, Montana started building his own army and waged a war that could potentially end the world. He was also fixated on eliminating Alucard, his arch-nemesis and a powerful vampire in the series, who foiled his plans and the Nazi vampire facility. His love for bloodshed, war and genocidal ideology sets him apart from other villains in the anime world.
Image: Courtesy Hellsing Ultimate/ IMDb
Griffith — Berserk
Berserk (1997-1998) is a dark and violent anime with an equally formidable main villain — Griffith. He was the supreme commander of the Midland Regular Army. The title comes with several perks and abilities such as being an incredible swordsman and possessing an impeccable charisma that would compel anyone to follow him into battle.
After a drastic chain of events, Griffith gives up on his dreams and aspirations. This makes him act without thinking which gradually takes away everything he has. This is where the seeds of evil begin to grow. Once reborn as Femto, he loses his human nature and plunges into violence for power, even if it means mercilessly killing his friends and sacrificing moral values to rule the land.
Image: Courtesy Berserk/ IMDb
(Hero image: Courtesy Death Note/ IMDb; JoJo’s Bizarre Adventures/ IMDb; Featured image: Courtesy Death Note/ IMDb)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some of the strongest villains in anime include Light Yagami (Death Note), Griffith (Berserk), Johan Liebert (Monster), Kyubey (Puella Magi Madoka Magica) and Meruem (Hunter x Hunter).
Light Yagami, the Major, Kyubey and Muzan Kibutsuji are some of the most evil villains in anime.
‘Demon Slayer’ (Muzan Kibutsuji), ‘Berserk’ (Griffith), 'JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure' (Dio Brando) and 'Bleach' (Sosuke Aizen) are animes with some of the strongest villains.
Kyubey, Light Yagami, Griffith and Dio Brando are among the scariest villains in anime.
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Trinetra is an ardent foodie and bibliophile who writes about films, travel, food and lifestyle. As a writer and literature student, slam poetry and storytelling are her go to jam. When not working, Trinetra is busy looking for her next place to visit or binge-watching Instagram videos for travel inspiration.
