Best Villain 2019 (Sunday Sevens)

Everyone loves a good villain. I know I do. Well, these are my favourite villains from the 2019 seasonal anime. But don’t worry, you can still hate your favourite villains. That’s part of the charm!
Best Villain 2019
In this post, I finally get to turn my attention to a group of characters that are often underrated or just plain hated. Well, they say there is a fine line between love and hate and frankly, any character that can generate any emotional response is a good one. One of the best things about villains is that they can often be far more complex characters. The villain can even have honourable and noble ideas behind their actions. They may even believe that what they do is for the best. That’s why there is nothing like a good villain!
7. Bitter Sweet (Fairy Gone)

So far, I’ve only seen the first season of Fairy Gone and while it was utterly infuriating there was one character that stood out for me. That was Bitter Sweet. Is she a villain? I’m not entirely sure and maybe the second season resolves that, although I haven’t got my hopes up, but she definitely does what she wants to achieve her own agenda. In a series where the cast just seems to amble around doing whatever, Bitter Sweet is always driving towards a goal and will step on anyone that gets in her way.
6. Akito Soma (Fruits Basket)

We didn’t see a lot of Akito in the first season of Fruits Basket, but when she (I’m certain that Akito is a girl) was on the screen she commanded the attention of everyone involved. They are absolutely terrified of her. I can’t wait to see how she has managed to get a hold over the others and what is in store for her. This series is generally quite a positive affair although it does delve into a number of darker topics. I’m hoping that the second season continues to take us on an incredibly emotional journey.
5. Cain Madhouse (To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts)

The winner of the best villain name on this list is definitely Cain Madhouse. He was the second in command of the Sacred Beasts and didn’t take too kindly to being seen as expendable once the war was over. He betrayed everyone and went off on his own, gathering the other abandoned Sacred Beasts to his cause. Cain is a vampire and that makes him almost indestructible. Of course, this makes him pretty reckless and more than a little unhinged. I really hope that we get a second season of this one as it really deserves more.
4. Malty S. Melromarc (The Rising of the Shield Hero)

If ever there was an award for the most hated character, Malty has got to be in the contention. She is a twisted and manipulative character who will use anyone and anything in any way she wants. Originally joining Naofumi’s party, she quickly set him up, stole all his equipment, and falsely accused him of rape. Because of her standing in the royal family, no one questioned her and even the other heroes were ready to believe her. It was utterly infuriating watching how easily she got her way and made the others do her bidding without question. Naofumi should have let them behead her when he had the chance.
3. Tsukasa (Dr. Stone)

In my opinion, Tsukasa had a chance to be much higher on this list, but the character’s outlook appeared to change significantly. At first, he appeared as an idealist, looking to shed the mistakes of the past caused by ownership and greed. His plan was a little less ideal in that he was going to smash all of the petrified adults, thereby removing the memories of this world. He was going to revive the children who were not tainted by society and build anew. Sadly as the series went on, he turned into a cartoon villain complete with scary mountain lair and surrounded by muscular thugs. Maybe, the idea that Senku may still be alive got the better of him and warped his perception, but if that was the case, I think we needed to see it.
2. Muzan Kibutsuju (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)

I don’t think a villain has ever made such an intimidating entrance to a show. Tracked down by Tanjiro, Muzan was surprised to see someone confront him, especially when he was with his family. Given what we think we know of Muzan, it wouldn’t have been any trouble for him to take care of Tanjiro there and then, but instead, he chose a different and far more sinister approach. With a lighting fast flick of his wrist, Muzan infected a random passerby, turning him into a bloodthirsty demon. Tanjiro had to decide whether to protect the people or go after Muzan. At first, I wasn’t sure if Muzan was necessarily evil. Maybe he was just protecting his family and was tired of demon slayers finding him. But maybe, he is just pure unadulterated evil!
1. Isabella (The Promised Neverland)

Isabella is a fascinating character and a tremendous villain, but I don’t think she’s evil. The world in which she finds herself is set up to make only the strongest and most ruthless survive. As someone that has been through the orphanage system herself, she knew exactly what she was doing and what was happening to the children. She also knew what would happen to her if she refused. Everyone thinks that they are the hero of their own story and that’s never been more true with Isabella. She is a survivor and the lengths in which she has gone to achieve this is shocking, but what choice does she have.
I think that’s a pretty interesting mix of villains. I certainly wouldn’t want to run into any of them in real life… well, maybe Bitter Sweet as long as didn’t have something she wanted or if I did, I’d just give it to her… Anyhow, these are my favourite villains from the 2019 anime season.
Obviously, these are just my opinions and I didn’t watch everything that was released. So, would you agree or disagree with my selections? Who were your favourite villains from 2019? Thanks, again for reading.
Other posts in the series
- Best Anime 2019
- Best Boy 2019
- Best Girl 2019
- Best Villain 2019
- Best Fight 2019
- Applications of BOFURI Technology!
- Waifu
- The Trouble with Plunderer!
- More Please!
- Make it Anime!
- My Introduction to Anime!
- What Am I Reading?
- Apocalyptic Anime
- Best Anime Winter 2020
- Best Boy Winter 2020
- Best Girl Winter 2020
- Best Villain Winter 2020
- Best Fight Winter 2020
- Seven Swords!
- Guilty Pleasures!
- My Pirate Crew!
- Course Correction!
- Guess Who I Drew!
- It Might Happen… Summer 2020
- Name That Anime!
- Anime Favorites A-Z Challenge
- Best Anime Spring 2020
- Best Boy Spring 2020
- Best Girl Spring 2020
- Best Villain Spring 2020
- Best Fight Spring 2020

Malty was an obnoxious one for sure. Great picks, especially the top 2!
Yeah, the first two were the first ones I picked. And Malty was infuriating. I almost activated my rage shield when she cheated in Naofumi’s duel with the Spear Hero.
Only one I know on this list is Malty, but she was pretty great.
It’s funny how literally EVERY SINGLE time she had an opportunity to betray Naofumi or do something awful, she did it. Every single time.
Yeah, she didn’t have a single redeeming moment. She just doubled down every time.
Isabella for sure. I also really liked Muzan Kibitsuju. He was one of my favourite parts of Demon Slayer and I absolutely loved him as a villain. Cain Madhouse started strong but he ended up a little too generic and insane to really top my list, but he’d certainly be among my favourite villains from last year.
Cain had a lot of potential and hopefully we’ll get to see it if we get a second season. I think Isabella and Muzan were in a league of their own though. They were my clear 1 and 2.
I am not overly optimistic about as season two for Cain. I’d love to see it but I just don’t think we’ll get it.
Yeah, you’re probably right, but I’m going to keep my fingers crossed.
Hard to argue with your top 3!
Or bottom 3.
Malty? To me, she was a caricature. I couldn’t see her as a character at all. Even after all the reveals, her motivations just didn’t make any sense to me.
Now, contrast that with how Melty learned to stand up to her sister. That was some cool stuff…
And I wouldn’t’ve complained if they’d given Glass more screen time!
She was absolutely a caricature but I’ve not felt that much rage watching anything in quite a while. She knew how to push those buttons.
Hopefully, we’ll see more Glass in season two.