Some of the most frightening villains hide behind a charming smile and a calm demeanor. In this list, we take a look at 10 anime villains who are much more dangerous than their outward appearance suggests.
How were the characters selected? This list mainly focuses on antagonists that often come from more realistic anime. So, series in which the characters usually have no supernatural powers or where evil does not always appear in the form of a typical final boss.
Some of these characters are also not “classically evil,” yet they can still send chills down your spine.
Spoiler Warning: Since this is about the antagonists and their motivations, there are several spoilers regarding the selected anime: Psycho-Pass, One Piece, Attack on Titan, Kaiji, Yowamushi Pedal, Monster, Ajin, Fate/Zero, The Promised Neverland, Erased.
In the anime “Attack on Titan,” the antagonist Zeke played an interesting and impressive role. Here is a trailer for the latest film:
1. Shogo Makishima (Psycho Pass)
Shogo Makishima is a central figure from the anime “Psycho-Pass,” a dystopian science fiction series set in a future where the so-called Sibyl System monitors the behavior and mental state of all citizens to detect and control potential criminals early on.
Makishima is the main antagonist of the first season. Despite his violent and criminal actions, his Psycho-Pass (a kind of digital measure of mental stability) remains neutral, which means that the Sibyl System does not recognize him as a threat. This allows him to evade the system, thus he cannot be held accountable.
2. Donquixote Doflamingo (One Piece)
Doflamingo is a significant antagonist in “One Piece.” He is one of the most complex and dangerous characters in the series, known for his cruelty but also for his deep backstory.
He controls the kingdom of Dressrosa after forcing the rightful king to flee and posing as the savior. Doflamingo despises the World Government and thus aims to overthrow the existing order. In the underground, where he is known as “Joker,” he secretly pulls the strings and runs an extensive network of criminal activities.
