Great stories often rely on compelling villains, and anime is no different. While we naturally cheer for the heroes, villains frequently become popular because they’re allowed to be dramatically evil – sometimes, fans even enjoy them because of how awful their actions are.
Anime is famous for its memorable villains, and that’s still true today. Modern anime has produced some particularly striking villains who are quickly becoming the most recognizable parts of the medium.
10) Gomah (Dragon Ball Daima)
Gomah is the primary villain and ruler of the Demon Realm in Toei Animation’s Dragon Ball Daima. When he discovered Majin Buu had been defeated, Gomah used the Dragon Balls to shrink Goku and his allies into children, hoping to eliminate any potential challenge to his power. Ironically, this act of shrinking them is what ultimately led to a battle between them.
One of the most enjoyable things about Dragon Ball Daima was its return to the humor that made Dragon Ball so popular in the first place. The villain, Gomah, really delivered on that, being both funny and surprisingly threatening when needed. He was a fantastic throwback to classic villains, and that makes him one of the best Dragon Ball villains ever.
9) Isshiki Otsutsuki (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)
Isshiki Otsutsuki created the Kara organization and served as the primary villain in the Boruto: Naruto Next Generations anime. Betrayed by Kaguya, Isshiki took over the body of a monk named Jigen while searching for someone strong enough to help him create a chakra fruit. He eventually found Kawaki as a suitable host, but unfortunately died before he could fully take control.
Isshiki was a standout villain in the Naruto series, especially considering how powerful and frightening he was even before fully unleashing his abilities. He arrived during a time when the series was starting to split fans, but he proved to be a surprisingly strong addition. Even though Boruto continues after his defeat, it’s been difficult for any other villain to make as big an impact.
8) The Evil Eye (Dandadan)
I’ve been watching Dandadan, and one of the biggest threats is this being called the Evil Eye. It’s pretty intense – originally, someone was meant to be a human sacrifice, and that’s how the Evil Eye became this incredibly powerful, vengeful spirit. Its goal was total destruction of humanity, and it actually took over Jiji before Okarun managed to get a handle on its power and all that hatred.
The Evil Eye is a compelling character because of his difficult past and the way it clashes with his actions. This complexity, especially as he evolves into a true friend to the heroes, made him a highlight of Dandadan season 2, and fans are eager to see what happens with him next.
7) Ryomen Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Ryomen Sukuna is a central villain in the anime Jujutsu Kaisen. Centuries ago, he was known as the most dangerous sorcerer, infamous for ruthlessly killing his opponents. Now, after possessing Yuji Itadori, Sukuna plans to continue his violent ways, furthering the plans of another villain named Kenjaku.
From the very beginning, Sukuna in Jujutsu Kaisen was presented as a truly terrifying and seemingly unbeatable villain. And honestly, the more prominent he became, the more enjoyable he was to watch – his cruel side was just so captivating. He wasn’t the most complex villain, but that didn’t matter; he was still incredibly fun to observe.
6) Akane Shinjo (SSSS.Gridman)
Akane Shinjo is the primary villain in the anime series SSSS.Gridman. She’s an ordinary girl who gained the ability to control a virtual world, allowing her to fulfill a desire for popularity. If anything disrupts her fantasy, she immediately summons monsters called Kaiju to eliminate the source of the problem – and anyone nearby.
Initially, Akane is a compelling villain thanks to her entertaining and somewhat unhinged personality. However, as the story of SSSS.Gridman unfolds, she becomes surprisingly sympathetic. Gridman is a standout anime from Studio Trigger, and Akane’s well-developed character is a major reason why.
5) Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba)
Muzan Kibutsuji is the main villain in the anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. After becoming the very first demon, he spent his life building an army of demons, hoping to conquer the world and achieve true immortality. Only the Demon Slayer Corps opposes his plans.
Muzan isn’t a particularly complex villain, but he’s incredibly fun to hate, and every win against him – even a small one – feels really satisfying. The Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle arc promises to amplify everything that makes Muzan such a compelling antagonist, and it’s sure to be exciting.
4) Zamasu (Dragon Ball Super)
Zamasu is a major villain in the anime series Dragon Ball Super. As a Supreme Kai, he became convinced that humans were worthless and decided to eliminate all life throughout the entire multiverse. He even joined forces with another version of himself who had taken over Goku’s body to achieve this.
Zamasu, whether as himself or disguised as Goku Black, is a wonderfully strong and cruel villain. While his beliefs aren’t entirely off-base, his arrogance and hypocrisy make him impossible to support. Though Dragon Ball Super had its flaws, Zamasu was definitely a standout character.
3) Makima (Chainsaw Man)
Makima is a central villain in the anime Chainsaw Man. She initially appears as a compassionate figure, offering Denji a fresh start as a Public Safety Devil Hunter. However, it soon becomes evident that she’s a deeply manipulative person willing to do anything to get what she wants.
Makima was already scary when she was subtly controlling Denji and others, but she becomes a truly unforgettable villain when her cruel and heartless nature is fully revealed. Many fans consider her the best villain in Chainsaw Man, and it’s easy to understand why.
2) All For One (My Hero Academia)
All For One is the primary villain in the My Hero Academia anime and manga. From the very beginning of superpowers, he’s tried to use his incredible abilities to dominate the world, aiming to become a tyrannical ruler. However, heroes—especially those linked to the power known as One For All—consistently manage to stop him.
Despite the show’s generally hopeful tone, All For One is a fantastic villain because he fully embraces being evil, and some of his most memorable scenes come from his over-the-top wickedness. While his character wasn’t flawless, it’s difficult to picture anyone else in the role of the main antagonist.
1) Uta (One Piece)
Uta is the central villain in One Piece Film: Red, the fifteenth movie in the One Piece series. Discovering the turmoil caused by the age of pirates, she decided to use her unique Devil Fruit power – the Sing-Sing Fruit – to create a peaceful new world, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness and the enjoyment of her fans.
Uta is a uniquely compelling villain in One Piece because, despite her wrongdoings, viewers can genuinely sympathize with her. This complexity means she can’t be defeated with brute force alone. This depth makes her the best villain One Piece has produced in years, and arguably the best villain in modern anime overall.
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2025-11-26 20:17