7 Anime Villains Who Were Better Than The Heroes

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Anime is full of powerful heroes, but some villains are even more impressive. Over the years, many anime villains have emerged who are arguably better than the heroes they oppose. With Halloween here, it’s a great time to look at which villains have captured fans’ hearts and why they’re so memorable.

7.) Vegeta (Dragon Ball)

Some fans might consider it unfair to compare them, especially since Vegeta has reformed from his villainous past. However, even when he was a villain, Vegeta was a more developed and interesting character than Goku. He came from a destroyed planet and served the one who annihilated it, making him a truly formidable antagonist early in the *Dragon Ball* series, but also a surprisingly captivating one. The *Dragon Ball Z* series actually benefited from focusing more on Vegeta’s story, particularly during the Namek Saga.

During his time as a villain, Vegeta was a more compelling character than Goku because of his strong sense of pride – not just in himself, but in the entire Saiyan race. He genuinely believed in his people and understood that, despite their reputation as destroyers, they possessed a unique honor. Ironically, Vegeta’s gleeful cruelty towards his enemies actually made him popular, potentially leading to his eventual redemption. Thankfully, the Saiyan Prince remains a beloved and important part of the *Dragon Ball* universe, and he’ll likely stay that way for a long time.

6.) Shigaraki (My Hero Academia)

Tomura Shigaraki, originally known as Tenko Shimura, came from a prominent family of heroes – his grandmother was the renowned hero Nana Shimura. He had a difficult childhood due to an abusive father, and his dangerous Quirk activated at a terrible time. Unfortunately, his power, which causes decay, accidentally killed his entire family. This tragedy made him an ideal candidate to be trained as the successor to All For One, a powerful villain who opposes the hero system. While Shigaraki is a dangerous enemy, many find his complex backstory and character more compelling than that of the hero Deku.

Shimura’s difficult past created a truly unique villain, constantly battling inner struggles as he tried to build his own world. While Deku aimed to become a symbol of hope, Shigaraki’s story was often more captivating. He rose from an unknown criminal to lead a powerful organization and ultimately became the world’s most dangerous villain, making him a standout character in Kohei Horikoshi’s series.

5.) Mereum (Hunter x Hunter)

Many fans consider *Hunter x Hunter* to be one of the best battle anime series, largely due to creator Yoshihiro Togashi’s unique approach to storytelling. A prime example of this is the villain Mereum, the Chimera Ant King. Surprisingly, Mereum never actually fought the heroes Gon and Killua head-on. Though he defeated the incredibly powerful hunter Netero, it was Mereum’s unexpected passion for chess and his relationship with a young girl that truly made him a compelling character.

Mereum was incredibly powerful – likely unbeatable by any human in the series. Surprisingly, he was challenged not by a fighter, but by a young girl playing chess. His curiosity about her, and humanity in general, revealed hidden depths to his character, which were explored until his unexpectedly swift death due to the limited lifespan of his species. Mereum is a prime example of a well-developed shonen villain, arguably more complex than many of the series’ heroes.

4.) Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)

In *Jujutsu Kaisen*, the villain Sukuna is often more captivating than the hero, Yuji Itadori, especially considering they share a body. While the series features compelling villains like Mahito, Jogo, and Suguru Geto, Sukuna stands out. Beyond his immense power, he possesses a darkly playful energy that makes him particularly engaging.

The anime showed Sukuna causing chaos in Shibuya during the second season, defeating anyone who opposed him. Fans of the manga know there’s much more of Sukuna coming in future episodes, establishing him as a compelling villain – perhaps even more so than the heroes at Jujutsu Tech. Though Sukuna readily harms innocent people in his pursuit of power, his unique personality and abilities make him a standout villain in modern anime.

3.) Dio Brando (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Dio Brando is one of the most significant villains in the *JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure* series, and his story spans multiple arcs. He originally battled Jonathan Joestar in *Phantom Blood*, then resurfaced to fight Jonathan’s grandson, Jotaro, in *Stardust Crusaders*. Even after dying, Dio’s influence continued through his son, Giorno, in *Golden Wind*, and his former friend, Pucci, in *Stone Ocean*. While his Stand ability and powers as a vampire made him dangerous, it was Dio’s compelling personality that truly made him a memorable villain.

When Dio first appeared, he was delightfully wicked, clearly enjoying his efforts to ruin Jonathan’s life – even kissing his girlfriend! While many anime villains are sympathetic because of their pasts, Dio is purely evil, driven by a desire for world domination. He remains a hugely popular villain in the anime community, and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

2.) Johan Liebert (Monster)

Many consider *Monster* to be one of the best anime series ever made, and it’s easy to see why. Created by Naoki Urasawa, the show features a compelling main character in Dr. Tenma, a skilled surgeon. However, it’s the villain, Johan Liebert, who truly makes the story unforgettable. Johan is a uniquely intelligent and enigmatic antagonist, and his motivations remain a mystery to many. Dr. Tenma feels immense guilt because he saved Johan’s life as a child, ultimately leading to Johan becoming the monster he is.

Good news for fans of *Monster*: the series will be available on Blu-Ray for the first time next year! While you can still stream it on Netflix, physical media collectors will finally be able to own Johan Liebert’s story in a high-quality format. Even with streaming’s popularity, many anime fans still prefer to build a physical collection.

1.) Team Rocket (Pokemon)

While Ash Ketchum finally became the Pokémon World Champion, we think the real stars are Jesse, James, and Meowth from Team Rocket. They’ve been a constant challenge for Ash for years, and even after he finished his journey in the anime, they continued their pursuit of Pikachu, determined to catch it!

Jesse, James, and Meowth weren’t just funny villains – they each had surprisingly complex backstories. While some fans are adjusting to Ash Ketchum no longer being the hero, many might find it even harder to see Team Rocket gone. The new villains, the Explorers, present a challenge for Liko and Roy, but they don’t quite measure up to the original Team Rocket, who really set the standard.

What are your thoughts on this list of villains? Share your opinion in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-10-16 23:12