Anime villains often embody the ultimate challenge for heroes, crafting unforgettable moments with their dark charisma, complex motives, and devastating actions.
While every character on this list leaves a lasting impression, Griffith from Berserk earns the title of the best anime villain for his unparalleled betrayal and ambition. But don’t skip ahead—discover what makes each of these villains legendary.
Here’s our list of 20 best anime villains, each a masterpiece of character design and storytelling.
Table Of Contents
- 20. Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen)
- 19. Lady Eboshi (Princess Mononoke)
- 18. Bondrewd (Made in Abyss)
- 17. Shogo Makishima (Psycho-Pass)
- 16. The Major (Hellsing Ultimate)
- 15. Kyubey (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
- 14. Esdeath (Akame ga Kill!)
- 13. Blackbeard (One Piece)
- 12. Naraku (InuYasha)
- 11. Askeladd (Vinland Saga)
- 10. Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)
- 9. Yagami Light (Death Note)
- 8. Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)
- 7. Makima (Chainsaw Man)
- 6. Shigaraki Tomura (My Hero Academia)
- 5. Frieza (Dragon Ball Z)
- 4. Dio Brando (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
- 3. Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
- 2. Johan Liebert (Monster)
- 1. Griffith (Berserk)
- Closing the List: Why Griffith Tops Them All
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20. Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen)
- Anime: Jujutsu Kaisen (2020-)
- Creator: Gege Akutami
- Streaming on: Crunchyroll
Why they stand out: Mahito’s exploration of human fragility and his horrifying use of Idle Transfiguration make him a chilling villain in Jujutsu Kaisen.
19. Lady Eboshi (Princess Mononoke)
- Anime: Princess Mononoke (1997)
- Creator: Hayao Miyazaki
- Streaming on: HBO Max
Why they stand out: Lady Eboshi’s industrial ambitions pit humanity against nature, making her a compelling antagonist with noble but misguided motives.
18. Bondrewd (Made in Abyss)
- Anime: Made in Abyss (2017-)
- Creator: Akihito Tsukushi
- Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
Why they stand out: Bondrewd’s unethical experiments push the boundaries of morality, evoking both horror and pity in viewers.
17. Shogo Makishima (Psycho-Pass)
- Anime: Psycho-Pass (2012)
- Creator: Gen Urobuchi
- Streaming on: Hulu
Why they stand out: Makishima’s intellectual clashes with the Sibyl System explore the flaws of authoritarian control, making him as thought-provoking as he is dangerous.
16. The Major (Hellsing Ultimate)
- Anime: Hellsing Ultimate (2006-2012)
- Creator: Kouta Hirano
- Streaming on: Crunchyroll
Why they stand out: A nihilistic war enthusiast, The Major orchestrates a massive war to indulge his obsession with conflict, offering chilling commentary on human nature.
15. Kyubey (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
- Anime: Madoka Magica (2011)
- Creator: Gen Urobuchi
- Streaming on: Netflix
Why they stand out: Kyubey’s emotionless exploitation of magical girls creates a deeply unsettling atmosphere, turning innocent dreams into nightmares.
14. Esdeath (Akame ga Kill!)
- Anime: Akame ga Kill! (2014)
- Creator: Takahiro
- Streaming on: Crunchyroll
Why they stand out: Esdeath’s sadistic nature and command over ice abilities make her both terrifying and captivating. Her twisted affection for Tatsumi adds layers to her character.
13. Blackbeard (One Piece)
- Anime: One Piece (1999-)
- Creator: Eiichiro Oda
- Streaming on: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Why they stand out: Blackbeard’s betrayal of Whitebeard and acquisition of two Devil Fruits showcase his opportunistic ruthlessness, propelling him as a major force in One Piece.
12. Naraku (InuYasha)
- Anime: InuYasha (2000-2004)
- Creator: Rumiko Takahashi
- Streaming on: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Why they stand out: Naraku’s manipulative schemes and relentless pursuit of the Sacred Jewel shards keep him a step ahead of InuYasha and his team.
11. Askeladd (Vinland Saga)
- Anime: Vinland Saga (2019-)
- Creator: Makoto Yukimura
- Streaming on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
Why they stand out: Askeladd’s cunning strategies and complex motives make him a standout antagonist. His role as a mentor-turned-foe to Thorfinn adds depth to his character.
10. Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)
- Anime: Demon Slayer (2019-)
- Creator: Koyoharu Gotouge
- Streaming on: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Why they stand out: Muzan’s terrifying presence as the progenitor of all demons underscores his iron grip over his followers and relentless pursuit of power.
9. Yagami Light (Death Note)
- Anime: Death Note (2006-2007)
- Creator: Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata
- Streaming on: Netflix
Why they stand out: Wielding the Death Note, Light’s genius leads him to declare himself a god. His morally ambiguous crusade against criminals blurs the line between hero and villain.
8. Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)
- Anime: Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
- Creator: Hajime Isayama
- Streaming on: Crunchyroll, Hulu
Why they stand out: Once humanity’s hope, Eren’s fall from grace shocks fans as he launches the devastating Rumbling to reshape the world through mass destruction.
7. Makima (Chainsaw Man)
- Anime: Chainsaw Man (2022-)
- Creator: Tatsuki Fujimoto
- Streaming on: Crunchyroll
Why they stand out: Makima manipulates others with a chilling calmness, masking her brutal intentions behind an angelic facade. Her role as the Control Devil cements her terrifying dominance.
6. Shigaraki Tomura (My Hero Academia)
- Anime: My Hero Academia (2016-)
- Creator: Kohei Horikoshi
- Streaming on: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Why they stand out: Shigaraki’s tragic backstory and evolution into All For One’s successor create a layered and empathetic antagonist who’s still terrifyingly destructive.
5. Frieza (Dragon Ball Z)
- Anime: Dragon Ball Z (1989-1996)
- Creator: Akira Toriyama
- Streaming on: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Why they stand out: As the galactic emperor, Frieza’s cruel dominance and destruction of Planet Vegeta define his role as one of anime’s most unyielding villains.
4. Dio Brando (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
- Anime: JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (2012-)
- Creator: Hirohiko Araki
- Streaming on: Netflix
Why they stand out: Dio’s insatiable lust for power and iconic lines, like “It was me, Dio!”, make him a timeless villain. His Stand, The World, is a devastating force in his arsenal.
3. Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
- Anime: Bleach (2004-2012, 2022-)
- Creator: Tite Kubo
- Streaming on: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Why they stand out: Aizen’s betrayal of Soul Society and godlike ambitions showcase his tactical genius. His “Kyoka Suigetsu” hypnosis ability keeps heroes and viewers on edge.
2. Johan Liebert (Monster)
- Anime: Monster (2004-2005)
- Creator: Naoki Urasawa
- Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video
Why they stand out: With no supernatural powers, Johan terrifies through sheer intellect. His hauntingly calm demeanor masks an unparalleled ability to manipulate others into committing atrocities.
1. Griffith (Berserk)
- Anime: Berserk (1997, 2016, and movies)
- Creator: Kentaro Miura
- Streaming on: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Why they stand out: Griffith is a master manipulator whose ambition leads to the infamous Eclipse event. His transformation into Femto shatters his once-loyal comrades, leaving viewers awestruck by his moral fall.
Closing the List: Why Griffith Tops Them All
Griffith’s descent into villainy is both tragic and horrifying. As the leader of the Band of the Hawk, his dreams inspire many, but his insatiable ambition leads to catastrophic betrayal. The infamous Eclipse event forever cements his place as one of the most shocking and well-crafted villains in anime history.
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