In both cinema and anime, a well-crafted villain must be as captivating, cunning, and memorable as the hero to create meaningful conflict. This explains why many fans often find themselves rooting for the villains, especially when they have sympathetic backstories that drive them to rebel against the system or seek revenge.
Here are seven standout villains who have earned the audience’s empathy and support.
7) Psycho-Pass – Shogo Makishima
In the dark sci-fi world of Psycho-Pass, Shogo Makishima is a mastermind criminal aiming to overthrow the Sybil System that controls society. Despite his violent methods, his logic is easy to sympathize with: he opposes an authoritarian and unjust government that judges people based on potential criminal intent.
His goal is to free humanity from oppression, making it hard for viewers not to agree with his reasoning, even though he is a manipulative agent of chaos.
6) Black Butler – Sebastian Michaelis
Black Butler is a gothic supernatural anime. After his family is murdered, young Ciel Phantomhive makes a pact with the demon Sebastian Michaelis: Sebastian will help Ciel get revenge in exchange for his soul.
The show’s appeal lies in its blurred moral lines. Although the main villain, Sebastian easily wins fans over. He is charming, always saves Ciel, and pursues enemies flawlessly. However, fans often forget that all this is just so Sebastian can eventually claim the soul of a psychologically scarred child. Despite his indifference toward Ciel, Sebastian’s on-screen charisma makes him an incredibly beloved villain.
5) Overlord – Ainz Ooal Gown
When the beloved game server Yggdrasil shuts down, the consciousness of employee Momonga becomes trapped inside the game as the powerful entity Ainz Ooal Gown. Unlike typical heroes, Ainz chooses the path of a villain. He acts as a ruthless overlord, using his gamer knowledge to expand his kingdom and power without concern for the fate of NPCs he tramples.
Since Ainz is the protagonist, viewers naturally support his dark conquest. He represents a realistic gamer’s perspective on conquest, and despite his increasingly dark morality, fans remain hooked to see how far he will go in this new world.
4) Code Geass – Lelouch Lamperouge
Code Geass is a groundbreaking sci-fi mecha series that boldly features a villainous protagonist. Set during the Holy Britannian Empire’s global domination, exiled prince Lelouch Lamperouge seeks revenge and protection for his sister Nunnally, determined to overthrow the empire.
With the power of Geass, which allows him to control others, Lelouch becomes a master manipulator with exceptional intelligence. Though his actions border on war crimes, his motives stem from protecting his sister and dismantling a tyrannical government. This complexity and his compelling personality make Lelouch a villain fans want to see succeed.
3) Attack on Titan – Eren Yeager
Attack on Titan is a dark fantasy series known for its extreme character development. Eren Yeager grows up with absolute hatred for Titans after witnessing his mother being devoured. He vows to exterminate them all.
However, throughout the story, Eren uncovers horrifying truths about the world beyond Paradis Island and the brutal oppression his people endure. His initial rage turns into a cold, painful decision: to become the main villain and destroy his enemies. Eren’s tragedy lies in willingly becoming a “monster” to buy time and create a chance for his friends to rebuild the world. This emotional depth makes his villain arc one of the most compelling aspects of the anime.
2) Elfen Lied – Kaede/Lucy
Elfen Lied centers on Kaede/Lucy, a Diclonius who faces social stigma and oppression. She endures brutal bullying and cruel experiments throughout her childhood and captivity. Her dark turn, with intentions to kill humans and create a safe place for Diclonius, is understandable given the trauma and prejudice she suffers. Lucy’s pain resonates with viewers, making it impossible not to root for her survival and revenge against those who oppressed her just for existing.
1) Death Note – Light Yagami
No list would be complete without Death Note, the classic anime featuring a villain protagonist. The story follows high school student Light Yagami after he obtains the Death Note, a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written inside.
Light quickly embraces his role as a “god,” initially wiping out criminals and later anyone opposing Kira, his new identity. Death Note masterfully explores how pride and a god complex lead to destruction. Despite causing countless deaths, Light remains an incredibly compelling villain, with fans eager to see how he outsmarts the next genius detective.