10 Best-Written Anime Villains Of All Time, Ranked

Daksh Chaudhary
May 1
6 min read

Anime is known for its colorful characters, crazy plot twists, and incredible fights. But you know what really makes a story unforgettable? A good villain. Not just some random bad guy who wants to destroy the world, but someone who makes you realize that they actually have a point.

The best anime villains aren’t just evil, they’re smart, deep, and sometimes even kind of relatable. Some of them are tragic, some are manipulative geniuses, and some are just so cool you almost want them to win. So, here are the 10 best-written anime villains of all time, you might even start rooting for.

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10/10 Kenjaku - Jujutsu Kaisen

Kenjaku is one of the most mysterious and dangerous characters in Jujutsu Kaisen. He’s a Sorcerer who can hop bodies and has lived for centuries, secretly influencing some of the biggest events in the story. While Sukuna might be the strongest, Kenjaku is the true mastermind - more of a chess player than a brawler.

What makes him so well-written is how calm and calculated he is. Sukuna wants destruction, but Kenjaku? He wants results. He’s always thinking ahead, using knowledge instead of just raw power. He’s creepy, clever, and always feels like he's in control, which makes you wonder: what’s he really after?

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2020	8.56	MAPPA	Action, Supernatural	Netflix

9/10 Askeladd - Vinland Saga

Is Askeladd a villain? An anti-hero? A monster with a code? That’s what makes him so great; he’s hard to define. He’s a ruthless Viking warlord who slaughters innocents, yet he also has moments of wisdom and even mercy. His relationship with Thorfinn is complicated, mixing mentorship with manipulation.

The best part? He makes you question who the real villain is. He’s brutal, but also noble in a strange way. His relationship with Thorfinn is full of tension and meaning. You may hate him one moment and respect him the next. That’s some great writing right there.

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

8/10 Dio Brando - JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure villain Dio Brando

Let’s be honest, Dio is iconic. From the moment he says, "It was me, Dio!" he stamps his name in anime history. He’s arrogant, flashy, and completely evil, but he’s also so fun to watch. The man turns into a vampire, gets a Stand, and just causes chaos wherever he goes.

What makes Dio stand out is his energy. He doesn’t care about morals or peace. He just wants power, and he’s not afraid to be over-the-top while chasing it. Every time he shows up, you know something crazy is about to happen. Villains like Dio are rare and the best-written in the anime world.

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

7/10 Lelouch vi Britannia - Code Geass

Lelouch is kind of a cheat code in this list. Is he a hero or a villain? Honestly, he’s both. He starts out trying to make the world better, but ends up doing terrible things to get there. His brain is like a computer, and his plans are always insane and risky.

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What makes Lelouch so special is that he chooses to become the villain. He sacrifices his own image to bring peace. That final scene of Code Geass? Absolute masterpiece. He’s the kind of character that makes you think about power, justice, and what it means to truly change the world.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2006	8.70	Sunrise	Sci-Fi, Action	Crunchyroll

6/10 Light Yagami - Death Note

Light starts off as a straight-A student who wants to make the world a better place. Give that boy a notebook, and boom - he becomes one of the scariest and best anime villains ever. He kills criminals at first, but it quickly turns into something darker. He wants control. He wants to be a god.

The most interesting thing? He doesn’t see himself as the villain, and sometimes, neither do we. He’s clever, cool, and always one step ahead. But that ego? Huge, and the reason for his downfall. Watching Light lose his grip on morality is what makes Death Note so addictive.

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

5/10 Griffith - Berserk

Griffith’s fall from hero to villain is one of the most shocking in anime. He starts off as the charming leader of the Band of the Hawk. Everyone respects him, he has a dream, and nothing will stop him, not even his friends. All you see is a happy guy with positive energy.

But soon, we see his deep dive into the darkness, and what makes Griffith chilling is how understandable his fall is. He was broken, desperate, and given a choice, and he chose evil. Even after becoming a god-like being, he still haunts Guts’ life. An anime villain so well-written that fans still debate if he was always evil, or did fate pushed him?

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

4/10 Madara Uchiha - Naruto Shippuden

Madara isn’t just strong, he’s ridiculously strong. He walks into battle like he owns the place, and honestly, he kind of does. But what makes him a top-tier villain is his philosophy. He believes the world is too painful and wants to put everyone into a dream-like peace.

Yes, it’s messed up, but he thinks he’s helping. That twisted logic, combined with his incredible power and calm attitude, makes him one of Naruto’s most dangerous enemies. When Madara shows up, you know that things are going to get serious. Plus, his "Wake up to reality" speech is one of anime’s coldest villain moments.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
February 2007	8.28	Pierrot	Action, Adventure	Crunchyroll

3/10 Sosuke Aizen - Bleach

Aizen is the kind of villain who doesn’t need to shout. He’ll just smile while stabbing you in the back. His calm voice, perfect hair, and god-level powers make him one of the most intimidating villains in anime. Plus, how he manipulates the whole story of Bleach is just terrifying on a different level.

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Aizen is a master planner who plans things years in advance. Even when he’s defeated, he never really feels like he lost. That confidence and control make Aizen so well-written. No wonder, even Yhwach wanted to join hands with Aizen.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2004	7.97	Pierrot	Action, Supernatural	Netflix

2/10 Meruem - Hunter x Hunter

Meruem starts off as the king of monsters. Cold, cruel, and ready to kill anyone who stands in his way. But then, something strange happens. He meets Komugi, a human girl who’s really good at a board game, and everything suddenly changes.

Watching Meruem slowly understand emotions, kindness, and even love is honestly beautiful. The Chimera Ant, who starts his journey from a heartless killer to a thoughtful, tragic character, is some of the best writing in anime. By the end, you almost forget he was ever a villain.

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

1/10 Johan Liebert - Monster

Johan one of the best-written anime villains

And now, the king of calm chaos - Johan Liebert. No flashy powers, no wild fights, just words. Johan uses his charm and intelligence to ruin lives, destroy hope, and make people do terrible things. He’s like a walking nightmare in a suit and blonde hair.

The scariest thing? He doesn’t even seem angry and just enjoys watching the world fall apart. Johan makes you uncomfortable in the best way. He’s not just a villain; he’s a mystery, and even his ending scenes in the anime keep him an unsolved riddle. That’s what makes him the best-written anime villain of all time.