10 Anime Where the Protagonists Rarely Interact with the Villains

Despite the importance of an anime protagonist’s interaction with the antagonist in their character development, there are some anime where the villains and protagonists rarely interact. However, this does not hinder the growth of the protagonist’s character.

It is possible that the author has intentionally chosen not to reveal the final showdown in order to not spoil the excitement for the fans. Alternatively, the main protagonists could be occupied with honing their abilities, leaving them little time to engage with the main villain.

This article will feature 10 anime series where the main characters have minimal interaction with the villains. Some of these series are well-known among fans, while others are lesser known but offer superior character development compared to typical anime.

This article may reveal spoilers for the Chainsaw Man.

Anime Series with Minimal Protagonist-Villain Interactions

Chainsaw Man: The Story of Denji and the Gun Devil

Denji (left) and the body parts of Gun Devil (Image via MAPPA)

While Denji is the main protagonist, the Gun Devil serves as one of the central antagonists in Chainsaw Man. The anime has unveiled the Gun Devil’s body parts, specifically bullets, which are drawn to his main body. However, despite its immense size, this devil has yet to make an official appearance in the anime.

In the manga’s finale, the Gun Devil emerges in a confrontation with Makima, the main antagonist, and becomes a fiend who possesses Aki Hayakawa’s body. This fiend then attempts to eliminate Denji at his home. Despite Denji encountering the fiend version of the Gun Devil, the two never come face to face.

One Piece (Monkey D Luffy and Imu)

Imu (left) and Luffy (right) (Image via Toei Animation)

Despite being the final antagonist and the Supreme Leader of the World Government, Imu has surprisingly never had any interaction with the protagonist of the anime, Monkey D. Luffy. Despite Luffy being on the World Government’s “dead list”, Imu has not made any move to confront him.

Meanwhile, the Straw Hat Pirate is making their way through the Grand Line, continuously defeating their enemies. As the final war rages on, it may be the perfect moment for these two to encounter each other.

Fate Zero Characters – Kirei Kotomine and Kiritsugu Emiya

Kiritsugu (left) and Kirei (right) (Image via Ufotable)

During the Fourth Great Holy Grail War, Kirei Kotomine serves as the primary antagonist while Kiritsugu Emiya takes on the role of the main protagonist in the fight for the Holy Grail.

Despite the absence of a clear distinction between good and evil in this anime, various factions engage in battles over the Holy Grail. Among them, Kirei stands out as an antagonist who steals the servants of others. Interestingly, he has yet to encounter Kiritsugu Emiya, who is determined to do whatever it takes to achieve peace and expects the same from the Holy Grail.

4) Monster

Johan (left) and Tenma (right) (Image via Madhouse)

Monster is a story that centers around Dr. Tenma, the protagonist, and his pursuit of Johan, the primary antagonist. Tenma is faced with the challenge of saving the person he rescued from death many years ago, when Johan was still a young child.

Despite Tenma being in close proximity to meeting and apprehending Johan, the two have only had limited interactions and have crossed paths a few times throughout the series. However, their conversations always delve into deep topics whenever they do encounter each other.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Yuji Itadori and Kenjaku

Itadori (left) and Kenjaku (right) (Image via MAPPA)

Despite being the main antagonist of the series, Kenjaku is not a prominent character in Itadori Yuji’s journey as the protagonist in Jujutsu Kaisen. The two only engage in a physical altercation and conversation during the Shibuya arc, when Kenjaku sets the stage for the Culling Games arc.

Despite Sukuna’s role as the main antagonist in the series, Kenjaku also holds significant importance as an antagonist. In addition to deceiving Gojo Satoru and taking over Geto’s body, he successfully trapped the Honored One within the Prison Realm.

Hunter x Hunter: Gon Freecs and Meruem

Gon (left) and Meruem (right) (Image via Madhouse)

Despite being two of the most prominent characters in the series, Meruem and Gon never cross paths despite their intelligence and strength as an anime villain and protagonist, respectively.

Despite Gon being occupied with seeking revenge for his subordinates, Netero takes on the responsibility of caring for Meruem. Although Meruem survives the intense battle against the most powerful hunter, he continues to keep his distance from Gon until the demise of the villain.

Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World (Natsuki Subaru and Satella)

Subaru (left) and Satella (right) (Image via White Fox)

In the first episode of Re: Zero – Starting Life in Another World, Satella is introduced as the ultimate villain of the series, with Subaru as the protagonist. Throughout the anime, Satella has never interacted with Subaru except for a brief encounter in the last part of season 2, and her appearances have been limited.

Despite providing Subaru with answers about his summoning, she watches as he continues to suffer through his failures, deaths, and revivals in the fantasy world that she has summoned him to.

Babylon Anime: Ai Magase and Seizaki’s Mysterious Encounter

Seizaki (left) and Ai Magase (right) (Image via REVOROOT)

Seizaki, the protagonist of Babylon, is assigned to capture Ai Magase, the central antagonist. Ai is known for her bewitching beauty and her ability to cause others to take their own lives with her voice, which serves as a major plot point in this anime.

Seizaki, a detective, is tasked with putting an end to Ai’s malevolent actions, despite never having met her in person. In order to achieve her goal of legalizing suicide in Japan, Ai resorts to torturing Seizaki’s close companion in an attempt to force him to surrender.

Spy x Family: Loid Forger and Donovan Desmond

Loid (left) and Donovon (right) (Image via Wit Studio and CloverWorks)

“Spy x Family tells the tale of a detective, Loid Forger, who devises a plan to capture a criminal by pretending to have a fake family. Along with Donovan Desmond, one of the school staff where Loid’s adopted daughter Anya attends, the story follows their journey.”

The detective is tasked with gradually approaching him and catching him off guard. To the detective’s surprise, the two have only crossed paths once in the entire series. As Anya builds a closer relationship with Damian, Donovon’s son, Loid is actively seeking out every chance to encounter Donovon.

Terror in Resonance: The Story of Seven, Nine, and Five

Seven and Nine (left) and Five (right) (Image via MAPPA)

The Athena project, which aimed to produce children with the highest IQs, had five, nine, and seven exceptionally gifted students. However, a malfunction resulted in the destruction of the facility where the students were being housed.

After Nine and Seven escape, they become the protagonists seeking revenge against the world. In contrast, Five is rescued by the U.S. Army and joins them as they try to capture Sphinx, an alliance between Seven and Nine. These two sides only come into contact during Five’s final moments.