10 Ruthless Anime Characters Fans Like More the Worse They Get

I’ve noticed something interesting while watching anime – some of the most compelling characters are often those who fall into darkness. They’re not afraid to manipulate others or cause destruction, which really drives the plot forward and gets fans talking. It’s fascinating how much debate surrounds their actions, even when they’re clearly doing terrible things. Anime has a long history of popular villains and anti-heroes, and it seems like fans are strangely drawn to characters who cross the line, even if they’re basically war criminals.

Bold and sometimes shocking choices keep viewers hooked and make conflicts unmissable. When characters fight for power, betray each other, or resort to violence, it raises the tension and forces everyone else to react. Interestingly, characters who embrace morally ambiguous behavior often become the most captivating.

Light Yagami in Death Note Is Anime’s Most Notorious Villain Protagonist

Light Yagami, a remarkably intelligent student, initially appears to have a bright future. However, he becomes obsessed with eliminating criminals and creating a new world order where he envisions himself as a god, judging and removing anyone he considers unworthy.

Light is a brilliantly cruel character who effortlessly manipulates and deceives others. He quickly lost any sense of empathy, and began killing anyone who stood in his way. He’s a compelling villain – intelligent, dangerous, and considered one of the best in anime. Despite the emergence of more nuanced characters in recent years, fans continue to be fascinated by Light and the role he plays.

Eren Yeager’s Actions Remain Debatable After Attack On Titan’s Conclusion

In Attack on Titan, Eren Yeager begins as a determined fighter, motivated to protect humanity from the Titans. However, he transforms into someone who causes widespread destruction, with devastating results. While his initial desire for freedom and revenge seems understandable,

Eren began using increasingly harsh methods, controlling both his friends and foes. His intense desire for freedom and revenge led to the catastrophic Rumbling, which wiped out most of the world’s population. Eventually, he saw anyone who didn’t fully support him as either an enemy or something to be overcome.

Scar Is Ruthless, But Had a Rare Redemption Arc in Fullmetal Alchemist

Scar, one of the earliest major villains in Fullmetal Alchemist, is arguably the most unforgettable. He harbors deep hatred for State Alchemists, believing they were responsible for the destruction of his homeland and family during the Ishvalan Civil War. While his quest for revenge is understandable, his methods often cross the line between justice and excessive violence.

In the early episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Scar seems like a simple, heartless villain. However, his friendship with May Chang adds depth to his character, making it difficult to completely condemn his actions, especially when viewers learn he’s driven by grief over the destruction of his homeland. Scar eventually finds redemption, completing his character arc after realizing that continuing his revenge, even after killing Bradley, would ultimately harm only himself.

It Was Easy For Fans to Sympathize With Suguru Geto’s Downfall in Jujutsu Kaisen

Even though he did terrible things, Suguru Geto is a compelling character in Jujutsu Kaisen. He believed that jujutsu sorcerers unfairly risk their lives fighting curses – curses that they didn’t cause – which led him to orchestrate a devastating attack on his own village, including killing his family.

Yuki explained that ordinary people, not sorcerers, were the cause of cursed spirits. Seeing Riko and Haibara die was devastating for Geto, but the last straw was discovering Nanako and Mimiko unjustly imprisoned and blamed for the village’s curses. Geto realized he was stuck in a never-ending cycle of fighting cursed spirits created by non-sorcerers, while sorcerers themselves continued to suffer. This led him to take matters into his own hands.

Esdeath Is The Waifu That Anime Fans Love to Hate

Esdeath from Akame Ga Kill! is incredibly powerful and ruthless. She wields a Teigu – a powerful weapon – that lets her instantly defeat enemies. She can even stop time using a technique called Mahapadma, freezing everyone but herself, similar to a power seen in JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. This ability, and her overall strength, is so great that it feels unbalanced within the world of Akame Ga Kill!.

Esdeath is the most intimidating character in Akame Ga Kill!, and her cruel personality only adds to that. She enjoys tormenting others and shows no regret for her actions. However, despite her villainous nature, Esdeath is a fan favorite and widely considered one of the most popular anime ‘waifus’.

Dabi Sparked Insight Into The Dark Side of Hero Society in My Hero Academia

Dabi, a character from My Hero Academia, is driven by a desire to cause destruction and chaos. His motivations stem from a tragic past – he’s the son of Endeavor, a top-ranked hero, and seeks revenge against him and the entire hero system. A difficult childhood filled with neglect and abuse has led to his intense hatred of heroes, revealing a darker side to those who are publicly admired.

Dabi transforms from a visually striking villain with unique fire powers into a truly unstable antagonist during the War arc. Driven by revenge, he recklessly uses his flames, even as they destroy his own body, and his scars become increasingly severe. While Shoto demonstrates the possibility of overcoming a difficult past and breaking negative cycles, Dabi embodies the devastating consequences of unresolved childhood trauma, especially in a society that values certain superpowers over others.

Lelouch’s Approach To Rebellion Showed That War is Never Black-and-White in Code Geass

In Code Geass, Lelouch transforms from an exiled prince into a brilliant strategist driven by a desire for justice and revenge against the powerful Britannian Empire. He becomes a legendary figure not through brute force, but through careful planning and manipulation, using his intelligence, charm, and the unique power of Geass to command those around him – both friends and foes.

Lelouch makes a strong impression with his striking appearance and powerful voice, but it’s the story surrounding him that truly makes him compelling. While his goals in Code Geass are admirable, his ruthless methods often overshadow them. He strives for peace by completely changing society, all while keeping secrets and deceiving those he’s trying to protect.

Tanya von Degurechaff Relishes in Every Moment of Evil Brilliance

In the story Tanya the Evil, a frustrated office worker is reborn as Tanya von Degurechaff. Surprisingly, he quickly adapts to his new life and enjoys being… well, rather ruthless.

In the series, Tanya works for a brutal, authoritarian government, which helps her justify her violent behavior, manipulation, and lack of compassion. While her actions are clearly war crimes, she remains one of the most compelling main characters in the isekai genre. Tanya demonstrates that even flawed, self-centered protagonists can be captivating, making her a particularly divisive but popular lead in anime.

Dio Is Evil For Evil’s Sake, But Fans Love Him in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure

Dio from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure is a villain who is simply evil, and surprisingly, that simplicity is what makes him so effective. He’s a charismatic and cruel vampire whose influence is felt throughout the first six parts of the series, starting with Phantom Blood and continuing through Stone Ocean. It all began in Phantom Blood when he tormented Jonathan Joestar, eventually using the Stone Mask to transform into a vampire. He even had the final victory in the first part, managing to attach his severed head to Jonathan’s body after their climactic fight.

Dio Brando continues to be a powerful force throughout JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, even after his defeat. In Part 3, his influence is felt with the introduction of Stands as the heroes travel through Egypt. Later, it’s revealed that Giorno Giovanna, the main character of Golden Wind, is one of Dio’s children. Stone Ocean further demonstrates Dio’s far-reaching control, showing he strategically recruited Enrico Pucci to help him achieve his ultimate goal. Dio’s legacy continues to affect the Joestar family long after his death.

Toyohisa Shimazu Showed Ruthless Honor on the Battlefield in Drifters

In the series Drifters, Toyohisa Shimazu, Nasu Suketaka Yoichi, and Oda Nobunaga are all reborn after Toyohisa is mortally wounded in battle during Japan’s 1600s—a time marking the start of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Nobunaga was a famous conqueror during the Sengoku period, and Yoichi was a general who lived in the 1100s. Together, these three become ‘drifters’ in a different version of Japan, tasked with protecting elves and demi-humans from hostile humans.

Toyohisa is a fiercely effective warrior who fights alongside elves to achieve justice. Despite his reputation for being ruthless, he’s surprisingly honorable, consistently prioritizing the safety of his allies even if it means taking risks himself, and he’ll do anything to secure victory. He holds firm moral principles, especially a strong disapproval of violence against women, and expects others to do the same. On the battlefield, he’s a terrifying and unpredictable opponent, and few willingly challenge him.

2026-02-19 20:39