Favourite Anime Villain (30 Days of Anime – Years 1 to 5) – Day 6
Villains come in all shapes and sizes. Some are brilliantly sinister and others are sinisterly brilliant. For day 6 of the 30 Days of Anime, I’m going to reveal some of my favourites. Simply diabolical!
Favourite Anime Villain (30 Days of Anime – Years 1 to 5) – Day 6
Who doesn’t love a great villain? Whether it’s a moustache-twirling psychopath or just someone at the end of their tether, it’s impossible to overestimate just how much of an impact these characters have on the fictional world. Without them, the hero would have nothing to do. In the real world, this would be great, but it doesn’t make for an exciting story. So, sit back while I tell you all about my favourite anime villains from the last five years of the Otaku Author. Be very afraid!
Year 1 – Mother from The Promised Neverland (Season One)
There was no question in my mind that Mother would be on this list. It didn’t matter who she was up against for the year, Mother would be there. However, it’s not that I necessarily think that she was a monster… Well, she was raising children to be eaten by demons so she was a monster, all be it a very interesting one. After watching the tenth episode of The Promised Neverland, I was able to predict her backstory which made me wonder if there wasn’t more to her role as Mother. I theorised that she was forced into this position by a cruel world and that she saw it as her way to get close to the ones in control and ultimately take her revenge on them. She became the monster that she had to be to survive. Now, unfortunately, the second season utterly destroyed the story, her character, and just about everything else, but the first season is still a ten out of ten for me, and she was a huge part of that.
Year 2 – Esdeath from Akame ga Kill! (Season One)
Esdeath is easily the most interesting character in Akame ga Kill! She was raised in a community that praised strength and survival. If you died, you were weak and those who survived did not mourn your passing. Because of that, she grew up to be sadistic and menacing. She survived by whatever means necessary. It wasn’t that she was a bad person. She was a product of her upbringing. She fought for the corrupt government because they allowed her to do what she wanted… as long as it suited them. However, I’m sure, they were worried that if she ever turned against them, they wouldn’t stand a chance. So, when we discovered that Esdeath was looking for love and Tatsumi unwittingly fulfilled everything on her list of demands, we saw a strange and wonderful side to her. I loved her relationship with Tatsumi. I think she genuinely loved him but was unable to say it in a way that wasn’t about dominating him, especially as had he submitted to her, she would have deemed him weak and no longer been interested.
Year 3 – Myne from The Rising of the Shield Hero (Season One)
Unlike the two previous selections, I absolutely hate Myne. I was furious that Naofumi saved her, but that’s what made her such a good villain. She was a very simple character, driven by her need to discredit and destroy the Shield Hero. She didn’t care how she did it or who she had to step on to get there. Myne was a vile human. It really does highlight that villains don’t always need to be complex characters in need of redemption or explanation. Sometimes, people are just horrid and it’s great that The Rising of the Shield Hero wasn’t afraid to do that.
Year 4 – Youko Mitsukado from Killing Bites (Season One)
This might seem like an odd selection as Youko probably wasn’t even the main villain in Killing Bites. In fact, there were several characters who were far more sinister than her. I actually felt sorry for her at the end of the season, but that doesn’t change how brilliantly entertaining she was as an over-the-top pantomime villain. She sat next to Yuuya in the Destroyal and spent the entire time berating him and breaking into bouts of deranged facial expressions. She was quite clearly crazy and utterly spoilt which no doubt gave her the idea that she could do anything she wanted. I’d love to find out what happened to Youko after the first season, but a second season seems incredibly unlikely.
Year 5 – Utena Hiragi from Gushing over Magical Girls (Season One)
As I watched Gushing over Magical Girls, I started to question the idea that Utena was the villain. She was an excitable girl who wasn’t afraid to explore her deepest desires. I don’t think that makes someone evil. To make things more confusing, the heroes would show up whenever Utena would go out as Magia Baser (her evil villain magical girl identity) she was instantly attacked by Tres Magia (the heroes) despite not doing anything. Then, after defeating them and humiliating them, she would leave before anyone got hurt. In fact, her group didn’t actually do anything to hurt or threaten anyone. They were simply victims of a group of magical girls who judged them based on their appearances. On top of that, Utena was hilarious and it was amazing watching her get more and more into her role as she became more comfortable with who she was. This was a fantastic series.
Final Thoughts!
Let me just say that I almost added one villain into the Year 3 selection in place of Youko Mitsukado, however, that person had not been outed as a villain in the anime. It’s fairly obvious that they aren’t entirely good, but I thought it best not to spoil things. When a second season arrives, I’m sure that all will be revealed and I’ll be able to name them in that year, because they are a truly incredible villain. Anyhow, that was a lot of fun. I’ll be back tomorrow with another genre. This time, I’ll be looking at my favourite fantasy anime. That’s right, we’re going on an adventure! Thanks for visiting.
Other Posts in the Series
30 Days of Anime (Years 1 to 5)
You’ve surprised me again that your selected fave villains are all female characters. I’m also surprised that Makina (Chainsaw Man) isn’t here because to me, she felt unsettling despite her authority has given Denji some sort of second chance to live his life. Her mannerisms don’t feel human, and I’m sure the anime-only audience are able to notice that unpleasant trait of hers, and the way she kills her enemies with ease surely has her set up as an actual dangerous woman.
Speaking of female villains, I hope to write and publish a future arc on time. I admit my writing of her is parallel to a familiar counterpart from the popular series that is still a heavy inspiration for my story’s direction that has the writing elements I wish for that wasn’t in the original.
I hadn’t even noticed that they were all women… Nintey percent of my favourite characters are women… and I do love a good villain! With the exception of Myne, they’re all my favourite characters in their respective series.
And, shush about Makina… Until, she’s officially outed in the anime, I’m not going to say anything. That’s what I was talking about at the end of the post.
I never liked Myne. She should be executed whenever possible. Throw in as well Kirino in the from Oreimo due to the injustice done to Kuroneko. Destroy them all.
That’s the point. No one should like Myne. That’s what makes her so good. I’m still upset that Naofumi stopped the execution.