Despite being a formidable and brutal adversary in Jujutsu Kaisen, Ryomen Sukuna stands out as an immensely powerful antagonist. His status as a special-grade curse, combined with his disregard for human life, instills fear in both viewers and characters.
Those who enjoy characters who are both extremely powerful and morally ambiguous may be searching for more anime roles that embody a similar energy and vibe. This list will delve into 10 of the top anime characters who possess similar traits to Ryomen Sukuna in terms of their immense strength, enigmatic pasts, questionable ethics, and other qualities.
Although some possess dark magic and others have hidden monster abilities, they all embody the dangerous yet captivating essence that has solidified Ryomen Sukuna as an iconic antagonist.
Please note that this article reflects the writer’s personal opinion and is not listed in any specific order.
Other Powerful Anime Characters Similar to Ryomen Sukuna
Aizen from Bleach
Throughout the majority of Bleach, Sosuke Aizen serves as the main adversary. As a captain of the Soul Reapers, he conceals his true power behind a friendly demeanor. Similar to Ryomen Sukuna, Aizen takes pleasure in battles and sees most individuals as lesser beings.
Aizen possesses an incredibly strong reservoir of spiritual energy, which he channels to further augment his already impressive combat and strategic skills. He keeps his true intentions concealed for an extended period, masquerading as an ally to the protagonists.
This unexpected threat and abrupt treachery bear a resemblance to Sukuna’s possession of protagonist Yuji’s body in Jujutsu Kaisen. Fans who were captivated by Sukuna’s gradual development will likely appreciate Aizen’s character progression as well.
Meruem from Hunter x Hunter
Meruem, the fearsome king of the chimera ants, possesses the same dominating power and disregard for humanity as Sukuna. He is first introduced as the main antagonist of the Chimera Ant arc in Hunter x Hunter, and his incredible strength and intelligence make him a formidable danger.
Similarly to Ryomen Sukuna, Meruem takes pleasure in engaging in battles and emerging victorious over formidable adversaries in order to assert his dominance. However, just like Sukuna, Meruem goes through significant character development that adds layers and complexity to his persona while still retaining his intimidating and majestic aura.
Pride from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Pride, the physical manifestation of the deadly sin of pride, is a formidable and enigmatic character in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. As one of the seven homunculi brought into existence by Father, Pride possesses immense strength and is often regarded as the strongest among his brethren.
Pride possesses a formidable power to manipulate and slice through anything using his shadow, making him a formidable adversary for the protagonists. Similar to Ryomen Sukuna, Pride displays a haughty demeanor and self-assurance when facing weaker opponents whom he deems inferior.
In a similar fashion, the reasoning behind Pride’s actions and the beginnings of the character are gradually revealed, creating a deeper and more complex character. Fans who were captivated by Sukuna’s transformation from an enigmatic cursed item to an age-old sorcerer in the initial season of Jujutsu Kaisen will also find themselves intrigued by Pride’s character development.
Orochimaru, from the anime series Naruto
Fans of Jujutsu Kaisen may find the villainous ninja Orochimaru to be similar to Sukuna in several ways. Hailing from Konoha, Orochimaru is one of the legendary Sannin ninjas alongside Jiraiya and Tsunade. His enigmatic background, which is gradually unveiled throughout Naruto and Naruto Shippuden, adds to his appeal.
Similar to Ryomen Sukuna, Orochimaru possesses exceptional combat abilities and is well-versed in utilizing various forbidden jutsu, making him a formidable antagonist for an extended duration. His relentless pursuit for power and immortality leads him to conduct experiments on both himself and others, using questionable methods and showing little concern for moral or ethical boundaries.
In general, those who were captivated by Sukuna’s gradual backstory or were intrigued by his amoral character are likely to be attracted to the Orochimaru archetype.
Hisoka: The Enigmatic Villain in Hunter x Hunter
Similarly to Ryomen Sukuna, Hisoka, another well-known villain from Hunter x Hunter, takes pleasure in confronting formidable adversaries and has a habit of sparing those who are not worth his attention in battle.
Despite occasionally aiding protagonists like Gon and Killua against mutual enemies, Hisoka remains enigmatic and never fully aligns himself as their ally. His lethal combination of illusion magic and impressive melee combat skills instills a great sense of confidence in him, causing him to look down on those he deems inferior opponents.
The presence of Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen, along with the ambiguity and hidden danger that comes with it, mirrors the haunting effect it has on Yuji. Despite their occasional need for cooperation, fans may recognize a similar tone of duplicity and immense power in the character of Hisoka.
Kars: The Villain of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
In Part 2 of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, Battle Tendency, Kars serves as the main antagonist and shares several key traits with Sukuna, aside from the uncanny resemblance in their names.
Despite being nearly immortal and possessing immense power, Kars takes pleasure in using his strength to intimidate and dominate those he sees as inferior beings, often using them as pawns in his schemes against the Joestar family and 1930s England.
Similar to Ryomen Sukuna, Kars becomes an even greater danger when he taps into more of his latent abilities in the latter part of his storyline, resulting in a larger-than-life and extravagantly flamboyant demeanor.
Fans who were drawn to Sukuna’s overbearing demonstrations of strength and gradual revelations of his innermost secrets may discover a similar connection with the Pillar Man Kars.
7) Garou: The Villain in One Punch Man
Garou, the hero hunter, has a similar passion for battle, immense demonic strength, and gradual transformation from human to monster as Ryomen Sukuna.
Initially portrayed as the main adversary posing a threat to the heroes of the Heroes Association in One Punch Man, Garou holds a deep disdain for the double standards of heroes and aspires to become a powerful monster capable of shattering their beliefs.
Nevertheless, despite his struggles and constant transformations into increasingly monstrous forms, Garou ultimately gains a deeper understanding and appreciation for the humanity of certain heroes, rather than simply viewing them as adversaries.
The incorporation of a deeper and more redemptive storyline, while still showcasing intense battles, reflects Sukuna’s influence on the protagonist Yuji and his struggle to maintain his humanity. Fans who appreciate the gradual unveiling of Sukuna’s complex character, which combines brute strength with inner turmoil, will also find enjoyment in Garou’s character development.
Yoshikage Kira: A Villain from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
As the primary antagonist in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 4: Diamond is Unbreakable, Yoshikage Kira bears similarities to Sukuna beyond their roles as main villains. Both characters possess certain fundamental characteristics.
Kira enjoys leading a subtle existence in the public eye while privately indulging in his sinister desires to brutally murder women. The stark contrast between his ordinary public persona and his lethal abilities adds depth to the dramatic narrative.
Similarly to Ryomen Sukuna, Kira remains unwilling to compromise his distinct desires and is prepared to murder anyone without mercy in order to freely satisfy his unconventional cravings without obstruction.
Despite living a double life, Sukuna’s unwavering inner conviction reflects his ability to maintain his individuality even while inhabiting Yuji’s body. Fans who appreciate complex antagonists who blur the line between human and monster may also enjoy the character development of Kira.
Madara Uchiha from Naruto
Madara Uchiha, the renowned leader of the Uchiha clan, bears many similarities to Sukuna as an incredibly formidable dark antagonist in Naruto. With his exceptional chakra and combat abilities, Madara is capable of singlehandedly taking on large groups of skilled ninjas.
Similar to Ryomen Sukuna, Madara desires to demonstrate his prowess by facing formidable adversaries. Throughout the series, he keeps his true intentions and persona shrouded in mystery, leaving viewers to only know him as a legendary figure from the past.
This demonstrates that Madara, much like Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen, embodies the role of a powerful curse who gradually unveils his abilities and motives. With an air of royalty, malevolent abilities, and a multi-faceted past, Madara exudes a similar aura.
Hao Asakura: The Villain of Shaman King
The formidable shaman Hao Asakura shares similarities with Sukuna, the primary villain in Shaman King. As the creator of the Asakura lineage of shamans, Hao is an ancient being who has been reborn in the current era, mirroring Sukuna’s beginnings in ancient Japan.
Hao’s exceptional intellectual abilities are complemented by his impressive spiritual and shamanic powers, making him a formidable opponent who can effortlessly overcome most adversaries. This blend of magical aptitude and strategic thinking is reminiscent of Ryomen Sukuna’s triumph over numerous sorcerers.
Conclusion
Overall, Ryomen Sukuna effectively showcases the allure of incredibly formidable villains who challenge preconceived notions and unveil unforeseen complexities over the course of a story.
The characters featured in this list of anime all possess similar traits to Sukuna, including formidable fighting skills, enigmatic origins, haughty attitudes, intricate motivations that blend human and monster attributes, and other noteworthy qualities.
Anime enthusiasts who desire additional characters that are conceited and merciless, disturbing antagonists with unconventional abilities, chatty creatures, or complex moral dilemmas surrounding immense power will find several relatable names on this list.
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