Anime villains are the ones who often carry a great story and if you have been watching anime for a long time, then you already know why. Villains in anime are not simply “the bad guy” but rather characters that make you stop, rethink and sometimes even cheer for them (we have all gone through that phase). Sometimes the villain carries the story better than the main character or any supporting characters can!
Now, we have an official poll coming straight from the home of anime, Japan (via Ranking.net), where thousands of fans dropped their opinions and ratings for the most loved anime villains of all time. And the results? It is a mix of heartbreak, chaos, philosophy and sometimes pure evil, but the poll reflects the fan sentiment from the core anime audience, which makes it pretty important. So let us look at the top 10 most loved anime villains in this article, along with the probable reasons behind their ranking.
RankCharacterAnimeIMDb RatingWhere to Watch1AkazaDemon Slayer8.6 / 10Crunchyroll2DabiMy Hero Academia8.2 / 10Crunchyroll3KenjakuJujutsu Kaisen8.5 / 10Crunchyroll4BaikinmanAnpanman7.2 / 105Dio BrandoJoJo’s Bizarre Adventure8.5 / 10Netflix6TakasugiGintama8.7 / 10Crunchyroll7Itachi UchihaNaruto Shippuden8.7 / 10Crunchyroll8ShigarakiMy Hero Academia8.2 / 10Crunchyroll9MuskaCastle in the Sky8.0 / 10HBO Max10MeruemHunter × Hunter9.0 / 10Crunchyroll
10. Meruem from Hunter × Hunter
Of all the characters in anime, Meruem is arguably the most well-written. Not just as a villain – but as a character. At first, Meruem is a cruel king who believes that humans are worthless. Yet then he changes his perception of humanity and grows through Komugi’s company.
Meruem from Hunter × Hunter. | Credit: Madhouse
This development feels completely organic – it was not forced or artificially implemented. We will openly admit it – Meruem’s ending is one of the most powerful emotional moments in anime history. If you were not touched by that, then we are not sure how to explain it to you.
9. Muska from Castle in the Sky
Muska may seem old-school, but he is still an effective villain in many ways. The way he stays calm and composed while doing terrible things makes him even scarier.
Muska from Castle in the Sky. | Credit: Studio Ghibli
His style is based on strategic decisions, and his methodical, cold nature makes him exceptionally lethal as a villain. Finally, let us give props to the Studio Ghibli villains – they just always hit differently.
8. Tomura Shigaraki from My Hero Academia
Shigaraki is an excellent example of how an anime character can evolve over time. He starts off being irritating, but eventually he becomes truly terrifying. What makes Shigaraki’s character unique is that his growth mirrors the collapse of society.
Tomura Shigaraki from My Hero Academia | Credit: Studio Bones
When we reach the later arcs of the series, Shigaraki is no longer simply a villain in an anime, but instead he becomes a symbol of something larger.
7. Itachi Uchiha from Naruto / Naruto Shippuden
Calling Itachi a villain seems unfair – but that is exactly why he ranks so high. Initially, we see him as a vicious murderer with no heart, but when the truth came out, everything suddenly changed.
Itachi Uchiha from Naruto Shippuden. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
His entire life was a sacrifice, and he carried that burden alone. Personally, we feel Itachi may not fit into the “anime villain” category – rather, he is undoubtedly one of the most tragic characters in anime.
6. Shinsuke Takasugi from Gintama
Takasugi is what happens when grief turns into destruction. He is not only motivated to take revenge on those who have wronged him – instead, he actively seeks to dismantle and/or eliminate everything and everyone, such as the existing socio-political system.
Shinsuke Takasugi from Gintama. | Credit: Studio Sunrise
His relationship with Gintoki adds layers that most villains do not get. They are not just enemies – they are former allies with shared history. Personally, Takasugi feels like one of the most “real” villains here in this list. His pain is believable, and his choices (while extreme) make sense within his worldview.
5. Dio Brando from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Dio is not only an antagonist, but also a cultural sensation. His striking poses, unforgettable lines, and presence all make him an iconic character. It is rather impressive how consistent he has remained over the years.
Dio Brando from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. | Credit: David Production
Dio has always been characterized by his overwhelming sense of self and determination. Whether you have seen JoJo or not, there is a good chance that you have heard about Dio before – that alone tells you why he is on this list.
4. Baikinman from Anpanman
One of anime’s most recognizable villains, Baikinman, is known for his mischievous behaviour as well as his ongoing attempts to bring down Anpanman. He brings a playfulness to the show so even when his plans do not go according to plan, audiences are still entertained.
Baikinman from Anpanman. | Credit: TMS Entertainment
His love for his job as a villain and coming up with the schemes, which, sadly, most of the time do not work out. This creative mix of humour and perseverance is what makes him a beloved antagonist, especially among younger audiences.
3. Kenjaku from Jujutsu Kaisen
Kenjaku is the type of villain who can make you feel uncomfortable without having to scream at you. He always seems calm, calculated, and five steps ahead of everyone else. He is the kind of character that you realize cannot be outsmarted in any way.
Kenjaku from Jujutsu Kaisen. | Credit: MAPPA
His whole concept of body-hopping and manipulating events across generations makes him feel almost untouchable. He does not just fight other characters – he completely reforms the entire world. If you like villains who win using intelligence rather than brute force, Kenjaku is easily one of the best in modern anime.
2. Dabi from My Hero Academia
Dabi shows the importance of payoff. For some time, he had been a totally unknown/chaotic villain with blue flames until the big reveal of Toya Todoroki. And suddenly, everything falls into place.
Dabi from My Hero Academia. | Credit: Studio Bones
Dabi is popular because he is the representation of how heroic society fails as a whole. He is not evil just because he enjoys being evil, but rather, he is a product of Endeavor’s obsession and neglect. His anger feels real and, honestly, a bit justified.
Personally, the aesthetic of Dabi is also spot on and is a perfect representation of how a villain should be designed, like with those blue flames, his stitches, and his bad attitude.
1. Akaza from Demon Slayer
Akaza, being the number 1 villain, really sums up the value of Japanese fans – they enjoy a villain with a soul. On the outside, he is just a demon who wants to battle and become stronger than all others, but his backstory gives the audience a completely different perspective. Akaza’s beliefs regarding the power of being strong and surviving are not purely random but rather are the product of loss and trauma.
The fight against Rengoku is going to be remembered by fans forever and continues to be one of the most talked-about fights in modern anime history. And what makes it even better is that Akaza does not feel like a cheap antagonist. He has respect for strong opponents, follows a code, and, in his own twisted way, he is consistent.
Personally, this is a great choice. Akaza is one of those villains where you go from hating him to understanding him – and it is that change between hate and love towards his character that makes him unforgettable.
Please note that the IMDb ratings mentioned above are as of April 10, 2026, and are subject to change. The list proves one very important thing – the evil characters are not simply evil anymore. Modern anime is moving toward morally ambiguous antagonists. And that is why we relate to them so much. Because they seem real.
From Akaza’s tragic past to Meruem’s emotional evolution, these characters go beyond the typical “good vs evil” narrative. Because, to be honest, the best anime villains are the ones who make us feel something – not just fear, but empathy, curiosity, and sometimes even respect.
Is this an official ranking?
Yes, it is based on fan votes from Minna no Ranking, a Japanese user-participation ranking site.
Why is Itachi considered a villain here?
Because he was initially introduced as one, even though his full story later redefines his role.
Why are newer characters dominating the top ranks?
Recency bias plays a role, but modern writing also focuses more on complex villains.
So now we need to ask you – who is your #1 anime villain and do you agree with the list above? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and we would love to hear them out.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
