10 Anime Villains Who Got Their Perfect Endings

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Anime villains usually face consequences for their actions, but when they survive, their fates are often strangely fitting. Because villains aren’t bound by the same rules as heroes, they’re free to disrupt things, which makes their endings especially memorable. Some get exactly what they deserve, brought down by their own arrogance, while others find a dark kind of success.

Often, villains—like Madara Uchiha and Makishima Shogo—manage to achieve what they set out to do, even if it costs them their lives, making their deaths a kind of win. Some, such as Dio Brando and Frieza, are even more resilient, surviving to continue their plans and remain well-known characters. This pattern shows how villains often leave a lasting

10. Father (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

For centuries, Father plotted to become a god, but it wasn’t power that defeated him—it was the truth he tried so hard to ignore. He desperately wanted to overcome human limitations, but ultimately became a broken spirit, consumed by the very truth he rejected. In his last moments, he transformed back to his original self before being swallowed by darkness. Truth punished him for the prideful belief that he could break free without facing the consequences.

9. DIO (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

DIO’s defeat in *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders* was a fitting conclusion for such a proud villain. After years of tormenting the Joestar family, his death mirrored his arrogant belief that he was invincible. Jotaro cleverly used Star Platinum to counter DIO’s time-stopping power, sealing DIO’s fate. Ultimately, DIO’s seemingly unbreakable body was destroyed, bringing an end to his tyranny.

8. Johan Liebert (Monster)

Johan Liebert is an unusual villain because his ‘victory’ comes from the void he leaves behind. Even after Tenma saves him – yet again – following the events at the Red Rose Mansion, Johan lives. He survives being shot, is briefly held in the hospital under guard, and then simply disappears, leaving his ultimate fate unknown. This ending perfectly suits a character who believes our identities are self-created narratives and that emptiness can be deceptively charming. Killing him would have turned *Monster* into a simple story about good versus evil. Imprisoning him would have diminished his power. Instead, the series leaves us – and the world within it – haunted by the unresolved questions Johan represents.

7. Askeladd (Vinland Saga)

Askeladd carefully planned his own death to ensure Canute became king and to liberate Wales from Danish control. Even at the very end, he was a master manipulator, choosing a death that would finalize his long-term goals. During a dramatic confrontation in King Sweyn’s hall, Askeladd intentionally provoked a scene, killed the king, and then forced Canute to kill him. While it appeared to be an act of rebellion and a suicidal wish, it was actually a calculated move to protect two things he valued most: his mother’s homeland and the future king he had been preparing. At the same time, it denied Thorfinn the revenge he had relentlessly pursued for years. Askeladd’s death wasn’t a failure, but a carefully constructed triumph on his own terms.

6. Makishima Shogo (Psycho-Pass)

Makishima Shogo was a unique criminal the Sibyl System couldn’t detect. Even while committing violent acts, he remained calm and his psychological state didn’t trigger any alarms. Throughout the series *Psycho-Pass*, he carefully planned and carried out various attacks, all with the goal of revealing what he saw as the flaws of the Sibyl System – a system he believed eliminated true human decision-making. A firm believer in free will, Makishima aimed to expose the system’s failings. Ultimately, he is judged by the very system he despised, and his death marks the end of a philosophical battle with Kogami. After exposing the hypocrisy of Sibyl, committing unpredictable crimes, and almost destroying Japan’s infrastructure, Makishima is tracked down and executed by Kogami.

5. Frieza (Dragon Ball Z / Super)

Frieza truly embodies the role of the villain in the Dragon Ball franchise. He’s died and been destroyed numerous times, even suffering indignities in the afterlife, but always manages to return – most notably through Resurrection ‘F’ where he even begins training. Despite these second chances, he remains completely unrepentant and consistently poses a major threat. In *Super*, he surprisingly helps Universe 7 win the Tournament of Power, only to immediately revert to his scheming ways. His power is undeniable – he easily defeats Goku and Vegeta, proving that sheer strength and evil intent can overcome even a hero’s spirit. Frieza’s story isn’t about redemption or a true ending; it’s a demonstration that some villains are simply too iconic to ever be truly defeated.

4. Light Yagami (Death Note)

Light, who considered himself a god, died begging for mercy on a warehouse staircase. Near’s victory in their final showdown exposed the desperation beneath Light’s carefully constructed image of perfection. He desperately tried to regain control, a stark contrast to the calm, brilliant mind he once appeared to be. Ultimately, he was shot, left for dead, and died a defeated man. This ignominious end was fitting for someone whose greatest weakness was excessive pride. Over the course of *Death Note*, Light transformed from someone who believed he was dispensing justice into a ruthless killer who rationalized terrible acts to fulfill his distorted vision. His death reveals that any claim to honor or nobility was a facade.

3. Madara Uchiha (Naruto: Shippuden)

Madara Uchiha, a famous warrior who battled Hashirama and secretly controlled the ninja world, thought he was enacting his ultimate plan, the Infinite Tsukuyomi. However, he was shockingly betrayed by Black Zetsu, who revealed Madara was just a tool used by Kaguya Otsutsuki to return to power. Kaguya took control of his body, wiping out Madara’s existence without allowing him a final, honorable fight. In the end, he was defeated not by an equal, but by a far more powerful and hidden enemy.

2. Meruem (Hunter x Hunter)

Meruem’s journey is about becoming human, and that’s ultimately what matters most. Though he survives the intense battle with Netero, he’s poisoned and faces death. Instead of fighting to the end, he chooses to spend his last moments with Komugi, playing the game of Gungi and finally acknowledging her. This isn’t a story about Meruem becoming ‘good’ through winning; it’s about finding peace and respect. He rejects the idea of ruling through force, choosing instead to value connection and Komugi’s own will. His peaceful death, alongside the one person who changed how he saw the world, is a perfect ending – the strongest being accepts his limits, respects another, and leaves behind a legacy of quiet grace, not fear.

1. Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)

Eren Yeager, the boy who once vowed to destroy all Titans, tragically became the most terrifying Titan himself. His journey from a hopeful, revenge-driven character to the cause of worldwide destruction is one of the most debated storylines in anime. After unleashing the Rumbling – a catastrophic event that wiped out most of humanity – Eren intentionally allowed Mikasa to kill him. This heartbreaking end felt true to his character, highlighting the central paradox of his life: he gave up his own freedom in order to achieve freedom for others. The final image of a bird resting on Mikasa’s scarf after his death leaves viewers wondering if Eren was truly a hero, a villain, or something much more complicated.

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2025-10-13 23:41