Villains often share the spotlight with anime heroes in tense scenes and battle moments, intriguing viewers with smooth executions of their devious plans. Unlike standard antagonists whose sole purpose in the story is to act as the hero’s foil, some villains are compelling enough to carry their own stories.
Their actions are powerful and impactful yet mysterious, embodying motivations that resonate with viewers. These villains aren’t flat placeholders but characters rich with history and complexities that can be seen in every choice or piece of their dialogue, making them compelling enough to lead narratives and inspire the same fondness and excitement that heroes do.
Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)
Muzan’s life and actions centuries ago kick-started the story in the present world of Demon Slayer. After he’s cured of a terminal illness, he discovers he’s become the first demon. Before Muzan’s origin is revealed, all demons’ actions come off as senseless violence.
Knowing how it all began makes Muzan stand out among the others, not just as the premier demon, but as one with a calculated approach to violence. The anime gives a glimpse into Muzan’s past in the third season, and it suggests that fear of death drives him, ironically humanizing an otherwise ruthless figure.
He goes from having a violent obsession with the Blue Spider Lily, a flower that could make him immune to sunlight, to having insecurities like anyone else. This pull between cruelty and fear could make him a story lead almost as compelling to watch as Tanjiro. His many disguises over the years also hint at unexplored narratives.
Johan Liebert (Monster)
Johan Liebert’s traumatic childhood contributed to his nihilistic beliefs and codes. Johann is driven by the pain he felt when his mother chose his sister over him, and that pain creates the emotional depth needed to make his murders and psychological manipulations more meaningful to the anime.
Beneath his magnetism lies a bitter character who’s turned to villainy to endure his pain. To him, life is a meaningless pursuit inevitably ending in death. His relationships with his sister and Tenma only make him more complex.
He respects Tenma for saving his life, even while believing that life has no meaning. This tension makes his mind especially captivating, and his inner world would be worth an extended look.
Shishio Makoto (Rurouni Kenshin)
After the government betrays Shishio, and he survives his incineration, he creates the Juppongatana to bring down the government. His motives, though not positive, are backed by emotional truth and are easy to get behind. Anyone can relate to the pain and betrayal he felt.
What lies behind Shishio’s brutal actions is the belief that the weak are of inferior value, and this drives the moral context of Rurouni Kenshin. Shishio’s an embodiment of unconventional morality, and a chance to see how far he takes such beliefs could be interesting.
He’s fueled by a need for revenge and a desire to change Japan to his vision. Even while pursuing these less-than-noble goals, he displays outstanding leadership and strategic skill, traits that are always compelling in a story’s lead.
Esdeath (Akame ga Kill!)
Esdeath’s cruelty was shaped when she survived the massacre against members of her tribe. To Esdeath, only the strong survive, and this belief drives her actions. In Akame ga Kill!, she aims to destroy the Night Raid, but she falls for Tatsumi, and things get complicated.
When she’s not conflicted, however, she’s commanding the loyalty of the empire with allure and intimidation. She’s a captivating blend of beauty and cruelty, and her obsession with Tatsumi always comes off a little uncharacteristic.
A significant portion of her appeal comes from this obsession, however, and how, despite it, she treats Tatsumi with her usual firmness. Ultimately, she goes down in a duel against Akame, yet her motivations and untapped potential leave room for further exploration.
Madara Uchiha (Naruto Shippuden)
Madara once led the Konohagakure with Hashirama. He aimed to usher in peace and end the unnecessary clan wars he had been a victim of since his youth.
Eventually, he left after the trust he had with Hashirama was broken, and came up with the Eye of the Moon plan, where he could finally create peace by using illusions. The effect of Madara’s past on his actions is apparent in his paranoia and distrust, and his need to impose his will on everyone.
However, his manipulative schemes and power keep him interesting, and his Eye of the Moon plan raises the question of his true aim, whether peace or control. Deservedly, a spinoff centering on Madara and his Eye of the Moon plan would be worth watching.
Frieza (Dragon Ball)
As heir to King Cold’s empire, Frieza is duly feared everywhere, ruling with strength and terror. He destroyed Planet Vegeta just to prevent a Saiyan uprising, not knowing he was creating his biggest enemy, Goku. Their rivalry is a significant aspect of the Dragon Ball franchise, so Frieza is relevant in his own right.
However, Frieza’s mysterious upbringing and lineage still generate enough curiosity for the story. The source of his strength, whether innate or trained, is one subject that could still be explored in more depth, as well as the reason for his sadistic nature and love for destruction.
Hisoka (Hunter × Hunter)
Hisoka Morow is one of Hunter x Hunter’s most interesting characters, a fighter who’s not afraid of difficult opponents. He loves a challenge and is always seeking a good fight. Little is revealed about his past, and he shows up sometimes as a full antagonist and other times as an uneasy ally.
Hisoka’s past could be the subject of a spinoff, exploring what shaped his sadism and love for thrills. As someone whose true motives are hard to pin down, a moment inside his head could prove interesting, and possibly reveal insecurities or an addiction to winning that the anime isn’t explicit about.
Griffith (Berserk)
Griffith was born in poverty, yet his humble beginnings didn’t stop him from dreaming of a kingdom under his rule. He creates the Band of the Falcon, a group of mercenaries including Guts. After a year of torture broke him, he sacrificed the Band of the Falcon so he could be reborn.
His complexities abound, as he could be considered both a savior and a destroyer. Despite initially seeming invincible, a year of imprisonment makes him vulnerable, so he reveals his more human side, which is nothing like his larger-than-life persona. Exploring this slow yet inevitable shift from White Falcon to Femto could make him even more compelling.
Meruem (Hunter × Hunter)
In Hunter × Hunter, Meruem has a volatile birth, emerging prematurely and violently. He’s immediately a threat to others: eating his subordinates and trying to prove his superiority to humans.
However, his relationship with Komugi adds a layer of complexity to him. He reveals an empathetic and introspective side. Meruem drives the conflict in the Chimera Ant arc with strength and domination.
As the Chimera Ant King, these traits are expected, as he focuses his power on challenging humanity’s survival. His goal seems simple, but interacting with humans only makes his identity feel precarious. When Meruem eventually dies from the Poor Man Rose’s poison, it feels like there’s much yet to be explored.
Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Sukuna once lived as a powerful sorcerer with unparalleled power that made him revered. After his death, his body had to be divided into twenty fingers and scattered throughout the world as cursed objects. In Jujutsu Kaisen, Sukuna and the protagonist, Yuji Itadori, become bound after Yuji eats one of the fingers.
That event begins a dangerous relationship between the two, with Sukuna being a threat and reluctant ally. While Jujutsu Kaisen is thrilling in its own right, Sukuna’s potential release remains a significant interest.
Most of the King of Curses’ past is still shrouded in mystery. A glimpse into Sukuna’s life will reveal what lies underneath all that malevolent power and charm.
Jujutsu Kaisen
- Release Date
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October 3, 2020
- Network
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TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC
- Directors
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Ryohei Takeshita, Masataka Akai, Chie Nishizawa, Daisuke Tsukushi, Tomomi Kamiya, Kakushi Ifuku, Ken Takahashi
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Yuichi Nakamura
Satoru Gojo
