12 Best Anime Manipulators, Ranked

Manipulation is one of the most dangerous weapons in anime, and some characters use it better than any sword or superpower. They don’t always need strength to win — just the right words, timing, or psychological tricks to bend others to their will. From Dio Brando charming his way through chaos to Lelouch vi Britannia commanding entire nations, these manipulators change the game in ways no one sees coming.

But not all manipulators are alike. Some, like Illumi Zoldyck, keep their influence personal and close, while others, like Griffith or Makima, twist entire kingdoms or even worlds around them. And then there are figures like Johan Liebert, who prove that the scariest kind of control doesn’t need power at all. Just the ability to get inside your head is enough. So, let’s break down the very best manipulators in anime.

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UPDATE: This article was updated by Daksh Chaudhary on October 8th, 2025. We have added 2 more entries to the list, added new photos, and improved the content of the article. Also, we have added a table below each entry to enhance our readers' experience.

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12/12 Dio Brando - Jojo's Bizarre Adventure

Dio Brando is introduced as a charismatic and charming figure, but his true nature is far more sinister. Dio is a master manipulator who excels at exploiting the weaknesses of those around him. He has a natural talent for twisting the truth and using psychological manipulation to gain control over his targets.

One of Dio's most impressive manipulation skills is his ability to control people through the power of his Stand, The World. With this ability, he can stop time, giving him almost god-like control over his surroundings. This power, combined with his natural charisma and manipulation skills, makes Dio an incredible opponent.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2012	7.87	David Production	Action, Adventure	Netflix

11/12 Illumi Zoldyck - Hunter X Hunter

Illumi Zoldyck is a character from the anime Hunter x Hunter who possesses a unique Nen ability that allows him to control others. His ability involves sticking a needle into his victim's body, allowing him to control their actions completely. With this ability, Illumi can create an army of mindless servants who will do his bidding without question.

The power of Illumi's ability lies in the fact that it is almost impossible to resist. Once the needle is inserted into a victim's body, they are under Illumi's complete control. The victim's thoughts and actions are no longer their own, and they become puppets at the mercy of Illumi's will.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2011	9.03	Madhouse	Action, Adventure	Netflix

10/12 Askeladd - Vinland Saga

A cunning and ruthless Viking warrior who has a natural talent for manipulating those around him to achieve his goals. Askeladd is a master of psychology and knows just how to play on people's fears and desires to get what he wants. One of Askeladd's most impressive manipulation skills is his ability to create loyalty among his followers.

He can make them believe that they are fighting for a just cause, even if it goes against their own self-interest. He can also use his charisma to convince people to join his cause, even if it means betraying their own people.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
July 2019	8.77	Wit Studio	Action, Adventure	Netflix

9/12 Eren Yeager - Attack On Titan

Eren's actions lead the Survey Corps to launch an attack on Marley, the nation that oppressed Eldians. Eren's determination to fight for his people inspired many to follow him, even when the odds seemed against them.

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In addition to inspiring his comrades, Eren also possessed the Founding Titan, which allowed him to manipulate the memories and actions of all Eldians, but only when he was in physical contact with someone with Royal Blood. He used his manipulation skills against his own half-brother Zeke, a member of the Marleyan army, to gain access to the powers of the Founding Titan.

Release Year	MAL RATING	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
April 2013	8.56	Wit Studio, MAPPA	Action, Drama	Crunchyroll

8/12 Light Yagami - Death Note

Despite being a high school student, Light is a master manipulator. Light's manipulation skills are so advanced that he manages to fool everyone around him, including his own father, who became a victim of his manipulative traits.

He is able to use his intelligence to stay one step ahead of his enemies. His ability to manipulate those around him makes him a fascinating and terrifying character and one of the best manipulators in the world of anime.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2006	8.62	Madhouse	Suspense, Supernatural	Netflix

7/12 Lelouch Lamperouge - Code Geass

Lelouch Lamperouge, the main character of Code Geass, is known for his incredible intelligence and his ability to manipulate his opponents using his Geass, a power that allows him to plant a command in the brain of the other person just by making eye contact. He uses his Geass to great effect, manipulating those around him to achieve his goals.

The most exciting moment in the series came when Lelouch finally achieved his ultimate goal: taking over the world. Lelouch's plan was a masterpiece of manipulation and strategy, as he pitted the entire world against each other, all while manipulating them from the shadows.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2006	8.71	Sunrise	Sci-Fi, Action	Crunchyroll

6/12 Shogo Makishima (Psycho-Pass)

Shogo Makishima is one of those people who just makes you uneasy without even trying. He’s pale, tall, with sharp features that somehow feel off. The scariest thing about him is that he knows exactly what people want, what they’re afraid of, and he uses it, twisting things so they do exactly what he wants without even realizing it.

What’s crazy about Makishima is how he manipulates through ideas, not force. He can make people doubt themselves and turn on each other. And interestingly, he does it so quietly, so naturally, that you almost admire it.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2012	8.33	Production I.G	Action, Sci-Fi	Crunchyroll

5/12 Donquixote Doflamingo - One Piece

Tall and always wearing his signature pink sunglasses and a feathered coat, Doflamingo has a wild energy that makes him both charming and terrifying. He’s a former Celestial Dragon who turned pirate and built his own crew, the Donquixote Pirates, ruling over Dressrosa with an iron fist. His history is full of betrayal and cunning moves, which makes it clear why he’s one of the best anime manipulators.

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Doflamingo’s real power is how he controls people. He can turn entire cities against each other, make allies fight each other, or bend someone’s life to suit his plans. In Dressrosa, he manipulated everyone from citizens to gladiators in the colosseum without breaking a sweat.

Release Year	MAL RATING	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 1999	8.73	Toei Animation	Action, Adventure	Netflix

4/12 Makima - Chainsaw Man

As the Control Devil, she has the power to control the minds of others, making her a force to be reckoned with. Despite her abilities, Makima manages to make everyone believe that she is committed to saving humans from Devils, a feat that is a testament to her manipulation skills.

She can use her powers to control the minds of those around her, making them do her bidding without question. But what makes Makima truly dangerous is her ability to hide her true intentions. She is a master of deception, and she manages to convince others that she is on their side, even as she works to further her own goals.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2022	8.44	MAPPA	Action, Fantasy	Crunchyroll

3/12 Griffith - Berserk

Griffith is the leader of the Band of the Hawk, a group of mercenaries that he manages to control completely, despite their fearsome reputation. Griffith can use his words to convince even the most skeptical of individuals to join his cause.

One of Griffith's most impressive manipulation skills is his ability to inspire loyalty in his followers. He is charismatic, intelligent, and always one step ahead of his enemies. Griffith's ability to manipulate others eventually leads to him becoming a powerful and feared leader. However, his actions eventually led to the downfall of his own empire.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
July 2016	6.33	Millepensee, GEMBA	Action, Fantasy	Crunchyroll

2/12 Sosuke Aizen - Bleach

He is a former captain of the Gotei 13 who betrayed his comrades and orchestrated a grand plan to attain ultimate power. Aizen's manipulation skills are so advanced that he was literally the one to plan every second of Ichigo's life.

One of Aizen's most remarkable manipulation skills is his ability to create illusions. He can manipulate the senses of those around him, making them see and hear things that are not really there. Aizen's ability to manipulate others is so profound that even some of his closest allies are unaware of his true intentions until it is too late.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2004	7.98	Pierrot	Action, Supernatural	Netflix

1/12 Johan Liebert - Monster

Johan is the epitome of psychological manipulation, and he uses his words to convince others to do his bidding. He does not need to resort to violence to commit murders, as his words are enough to make the other person lose their will to live and march to their own death.

He can convince even the most intelligent and logical individuals to follow his lead. He is an expert at identifying a person's weaknesses and exploiting them to his advantage. Johan's ultimate goal is to create chaos and destruction, and he uses his manipulation skills to achieve this goal, earning him the spot for the best manipulator in the anime universe.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
April 2004	8.89	Madhouse	Mystery, Suspense	Netflix

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