Despite their formidable and intriguing personalities, anime villains are often underrated compared to the protagonists, as fans tend to primarily root for the heroes. This leads to the neglect and lack of exploration of these complex characters.
In order to develop an appreciation for anime villains, fans must first delve into their backstory and understand the motivations behind their descent into evil. By understanding the factors that led to their actions, fans can gain a deeper understanding of these characters and potentially view them in a similar light as protagonists, allowing them to choose their favorites with a newfound perspective.
In this article, we will explore ten of the most captivating antagonists in anime, who have captured the hearts of countless fans and often overshadowed the protagonists.
This article includes the author’s opinion and may reveal spoilers from the Chainsaw Man manga series.
Aizen, Johan, and 8 Other Anime Villains Who Stole the Spotlight from the Protagonists
Sousuke Aizen: Main Antagonist of Bleach
Aizen, the mastermind behind every planned event in Bleach, is a major antagonist in the series. He previously served as the captain of the 5th division in the Soul Society, where he cunningly and meticulously executed his plans.
Despite being outsmarted and sealed by Kisuke Urahara during the Fake Karakura Town arc, fans are eagerly anticipating his eventual appearance in the final arc, the Thousand Year Blood War arc.
This should suffice to demonstrate that Aizen was among the anime antagonists who overshadowed the anime’s main character, Ichigo Kurosaki.
Makima, the Villain of Chainsaw Man
Makima, a character with breathtaking beauty and enigmatic abilities, is portrayed as a secondary protagonist in the Chainsaw Man anime. While the series presents the Gun Devil as the ultimate villain, it is later revealed that Makima, disguised as the Control Devil, is the true antagonist. Her manipulative tendencies allow her to overshadow the main character in every aspect.
Denji is recruited by her into the Public Safety Devil Hunter organization, with the ultimate goal of obtaining ownership of the Chainsaw devil, Pochita, through killing him. It is only later in the series when the writer unveils her true identity, after fans have already formed a strong attachment to Makima. This makes her stand out as one of the anime’s villains, stealing the limelight from the main character, Denji.
Naoka Ueno’s Role in A Silent Voice
Despite being forgotten by most fans, Ueno was the straightforward supporting character in A Silent Voice who, alongside Ishida, the male protagonist, bullied Shoko Nishimiya, the female protagonist, during their childhood. However, her abrasive personality overshadowed the growth and kindness of Ishida, who had undergone a transformation in his teenage years.
Despite her minimal involvement in the plot, fans were eagerly anticipating the return of her character in the anime film when everyone had become teenagers. They were curious to see if her rude personality would persist or undergo a change. As expected, she remained rude till the end of the anime, solidifying her role as one of the most iconic anime villains.
Ryomen Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Ryomen Sukuna, also known as the King of Curses, is the ultimate enemy in Jujutsu Kaisen. From the very beginning, he has been portrayed as the epitome of malevolence, constantly inflicting torment upon the main character, Itadori Yuji.
One of the most highly anticipated moments for fans throughout the series was when Sukuna took control of Yuji and wreaked havoc, exemplified by his takeover during the Shibuya arc.
Despite the protagonist’s goodness, Sukuna’s malicious nature is so dominant that he becomes the center of attention in the anime, making him one of the most notorious villains who outshines Itadori.
Satella, the Witch of Envy from Re: Zero: Starting Life in Another World
Satella, the central antagonist of Re: Zero, was first teased in the opening episode and has only made one appearance in the series. For those unfamiliar with the series, it may be surprising how beloved this antagonist, who has only been seen once, is among its fandom.
In addition, she was the one who bestowed upon Subaru, the main character, the Return to Death ability, which causes him to be continuously reminded of the witch each time he perishes. With such an enigmatic and captivating antagonist, it was inevitable that Satella would overshadow the protagonist and steal the spotlight.
Johan Liebert from Monster Anime Series
Johan Liebert, the central antagonist of Monster, had his life saved by Dr. Tenma, the protagonist of the series. His parents’ constant fighting had a detrimental effect on his mentality, leading him to believe that life held no meaning. As a result, he began to pass on this belief to others.
Despite his efforts, the protagonist in the series continuously attempts to eliminate the monster he had previously saved. As the famous saying goes in the anime, “Even If You Forget, You Can’t Erase The Past,”Tenma was unable to escape his past and was constantly haunted by it as he never managed to capture Johan. Johan’s cunning intellect and manipulative demeanor made him the standout character of the show.
Gendo Ikari (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Gendo Ikari, the Commander of NERV and the central antagonist of Neon Genesis Evangelion, is consumed by his desire to resurrect his deceased wife. He is also the father of Shinji Ikari, who is forced by his father to pilot Unit-01. Additionally, Ikari is in charge of the Human Instrumentality Project, which is being carried out by NERV.
Ikari manipulated Shinji into piloting Unit-01, a task that Rei was unable to perform due to Yui’s soul rejecting her. The entire series revolves around the success of the Human Instrumentality Project, but Ikari had his own agenda.
Despite his son’s protests, the protagonist was determined to bring back his wife’s soul through this project and was willing to sacrifice anything to achieve his goal. While some fans may have despised the protagonist for his perceived cowardice, many were amazed by the manipulative tactics of Gendo Ikari as he pursued his own agenda, ultimately stealing the spotlight as the show’s main villain.
Muzan Kibutsuji
Despite being a few seasons into the anime, Kibutsuji Muzan, the King of Demons, remains the central antagonist of Demon Slayer. Surprisingly, the show has yet to reveal any of his techniques, but his enigmatic abilities and charisma have already surpassed those of the protagonist Tanjiro, as well as some of the Hashira, the series’ strongest characters.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the ultimate battle against him, prompting Tanjiro and his team to train under the guidance of Hahsira in season 4. This solidifies his status as one of the anime antagonists who have overshadowed the main character, Tanjiro.
Naruto Shippiden – Pain
Pain, the main antagonist of the renowned arc in Naruto Shippuden, is actually the reanimated corpse of Yahiko, manipulated by Nagato to demonstrate the true essence of suffering. Following Yahiko’s tragic demise, Nagato concealed himself and utilized his body as the figurehead of Akatsuki.
Ever since Pain was introduced, fans eagerly awaited the anticipated fight between him and the protagonist. When the highly anticipated battle finally took place, Studio Pierrot did not disappoint as they delivered on all fronts.
Despite Pain’s death, he continues to be remembered by fans as one of the most powerful villains in anime due to his unique perspectives on life that set him apart from other characters in the series, including the protagonist.
Mami Nanami – Character from Rent-a-Girlfriend
Mami, the former girlfriend of protagonist Kazuya, has successfully stolen the spotlight by becoming the focus of everyone’s hatred. She is determined to prevent Kazuya from being in a relationship again.
Despite her eventual silence, she continued to observe Kazuya’s growing happiness every day as his relationship with Mizuhara, the female lead, progressed in a positive direction. Her manipulative behavior made her a standout character in the series, positioning her as one of the anime’s most captivating villains who effortlessly overshadowed Kazuya.
Despite it not being common for fans to prefer the antagonists over the protagonists, there are still other anime where the villain outshines the hero. Nonetheless, these specific anime villains have captured the hearts of viewers with their undeniable charm and complex personalities.
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