Anime is full of compelling characters who come to life through striking designs, complex backstories and personalities, and unforgettable arcs. Their presence drive stories forward and can even serve as anchors for entire worlds, leaving behind lasting impressions and inspiring countless fans and creators with their heart, depth, and role within their narratives.
However, some characters attract attention for very different reasons, with fans eagerly waiting for their ultimate downfall. Whether through ruthless ambition, shocking betrayal, or sheer malice, they create tension within stories just by existing, and viewers can’t help but look forward to their collapse. When the moment of their death finally arrives, it brings a sense of justice or relief.
Bertholdt Hoover (Attack on Titan)
Attack on Titan is a dark, high-stakes series set in a world where humanity is on the brink of extinction from giant humanoid creatures called Titans. The storyline follows Eren Yeager and his friends as they join the Scout Regiment to fight back, only to discover everything they thought they knew wasn’t entirely true.
Among the unforgettable characters is Bertholdt, shown as a quiet and seemingly reliable member of the Scout Regiment. However, when his secret identity as the Colossal Titan is revealed, Eren and his fellow Scouts face the fact that he has caused many deaths and destruction, which, in turn, led to major plot twists and significantly shaped the story.
When his true nature was revealed as a Titan shifter, a brutal battle ensued that would ultimately lead to Bertholdt’s demise. His death brought justice for his role in the Fall of Shiganshina and breaching Wall Maria. It marked a significant win for the heroes and served as a fitting end to Bertholdt’s character arc.
Aura the Guillotine (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End follows the titular character, Frieren, an elven mage who traveled with the legendary Party of Heroes to defeat the Demon King. Following the death of her human comrades, Frieren begins a journey to better understand the bonds they shared, reflecting on the fleeting nature of humanity with her new companions, Fern and Stark.
Along her journey, she faces a powerful demon called Aura the Guillotine, one of the Seven Sages of Destruction. Aura employs dark magic that enslaves the dead, forcing fallen warriors to serve in her personal army. However, despite her limited time within the narrative, her demise at the hands of Frieren offered a thrilling display of the mage’s true power.
Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti (Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World)
Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World follows Subaru Natsuki after he finds himself transported to a fantasy world where he has the unique ability to Return by Death. With this, he can relive moments to alter tragic outcomes and defeat enemies; however, each loop also pushes him deeper into despair and to his psychological limits.
Among these enemies is Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti, one of the Witch’s Cult archbishops who represents the Sin of Sloth. He is unpredictable, frantically devoted to the Witch of Envy, and delights in cruelty and chaos. The Authority of Sloth grants him the ability of Unseen Hands, powerful, invisible appendages he uses to harm, restrain, or destroy anything that crosses his path.
Along with his power to possess others, Petelgeuse proved himself to be one of the most nightmarish antagonists who orchestrated massacres and psychological torment. His demise after countless loops is a moment of catharsis and relief for both the hero and the viewers. Petelgeuse’s downfall offered viewers satisfaction that an unpredictable adversary would no longer cause harm.
Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Jujutsu Kaisen follows Yuji Itadori, a high schooler who becomes the host to a powerful curse and joins the Jujutsu Sorcerers to fight against malevolent spirits and other curses. One of these chilling antagonists is none other than Mahito, who can warp bodies with a single touch, turning people into grotesque forms and delighting in the suffering of others.
His eventual defeat at the hands of Kenjaku during the Shibuya Incident may not have been the epic defeat some fans were hoping for; however, after a string of brutal encounters and devastating losses, Mahito finally facing consequences felt inevitable. His death was seen as a rightful punishment for his terrible actions and psychological cruelty.
Charles and Marianne vi Britannia (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion)
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion follows the titular character, an exiled prince, Lelouch vi Britannia, as he gains the supernatural power of Geass, allowing him to command obedience. His ultimate goal is to challenge and dismantle the oppressive Britannian Empire by taking down his father, Charles zi Britannia, whose goal was to merge humanity into a single collective consciousness.
Alongside Lelouch’s mother, Marianne vi Britannia, Charles aimed to rewrite the world, manipulating their family and allies to further their own goals. However, their plans are foiled when Lelouch uses his power to destroy his father, stopping his plan. With a blatant disregard for human life and suffering, it not only seemed inevitable but also fulfilled Lelouch’s desire for vengeance.
Cell (Dragon Ball Z)
Dragon Ball Z is arguably the most influential shōnen anime series ever created. Continuing Goku’s story, the series consistently raises the stakes with greater threats and forces that endanger Earth and its heroes. One of these villains is a bioengineered android known as Cell, who becomes responsible for causing mass panic, chaos, death, and destruction.
Cell orchestrates the infamous Cell Games, bringing back a World Martial Arts Tournament style of battle to challenge the Z-Fighters to a win-or-lose-all stakes. Rather than being defeated by Goku, his son Gohan takes the stage and, in one of the series’ most thrilling payoffs, defeats Cell with the Father-Son Kamehameha, rewarding years of build-up with a decisive victory.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows Edward and Alphonse Elric, two brothers aiming to recover their bodies after an alchemical experiment involving human transmutation goes wrong. While searching for the Philosopher’s Stone to restore themselves, they discover a dark conspiracy that runs deeper and closer than they could have ever imagined, threatening their entire country.
At the center of this conspiracy is a homunculus known as Father, who masterminds much of Amestris’ suffering. As the creator of the other homunculi, he manipulates society, has orchestrated wars and genocide, and bends alchemical law to further his own ambitions. He is cold, calculating, and seeks omnipotent power at the expense of millions.
Father’s eventual defeat at the end of the series becomes a rewarding moment of triumph and vindication. After a climactic confrontation, his carefully laid-out plans are undone by the combined effort of the Elric brothers and their allies. His downfall offered a sense of justice and allowed the country of Amestris to enter an era of peace.
Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)
Demon Slayer follows the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is murdered and his only surviving sibling is turned into a demon. Seeking revenge and to find a cure for his sister, he sets out on a mission to eliminate demons and to kill Muzan Kibutsuji, the progenitor of all demons.
Muzan’s demise occurs during the Sunrise Countdown Arc, taking place immediately after the Infinity Castle Arc. After a grueling battle filled with heavy losses and triumphant victories, Muzan’s death is a moment of relief and justice. With Muzan gone, demons are eradicated from the human world, ushering in an era of peace and offering a satisfying conclusion.
Light Yagami (Death Note)
Death Note follows Light Yagami, a brilliant high schooler who discovers a supernatural notebook that lets him kill anyone by writing their name. Throughout the series, he changes from an idealistic student into Kira, a self-proclaimed god of justice. Using the Death Note, he kills criminals without hesitation and even manipulates and sacrifices those around him to reach his goals.
By the end of the series, his secret identity as Kira is revealed, leading to his demise. As Light’s plots unraveled and he met his match, audiences witnessed the consequences of absolute power and unchecked ambition through his story. The moment is poetic justice and raises questions on morality, serving as a fitting and flawless end to the anime series.
Dio Brando (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure chronicles the adventures of the Joestar family, with each descendant nicknamed “JoJo.” Each member battles against supernatural threats using unique powers with each protagonist and era connected to the ongoing conflict with monstrous beings and the vampire Dio Brando, a recurring antagonist who is responsible for the Joestar family developing Stands, becoming a generational curse.
Dio is best described as a charismatic, ruthless villain whose ambition fuels much of the early conflicts in the series. Both his time as a human and as a vampire have shown him to be manipulative and cruel, making his eventual defeat both satisfying and monumental. After decades of terror and harm, Dio met a fitting end to his story.
