10 Perfect New-Gen Shonen Anime Villains

Anime villains are generally written as antagonistic figures viewers tend to side against, but that doesn’t mean they are entirely unworthy of admiration. This is especially true when they are given significant depth and relevance beyond just being evil. They could pose profound philosophical questions, have compelling motivations, or possess layered backstories that perfectly explain their actions.

These factors, among others, are measures of what makes a great villain, and new-gen shonen anime has them in abundance. They are also usually accompanied by significant strength that heroes often feel powerless against, or heightened intelligence to aid their grand schemes. This piece features some of the best villains modern shonen has to offer.

10

No.9

Kaiju No. 9 is the primary antagonist of the Kaiju No. 8 series. He is an unusually intelligent Kaiju, and while he possesses an odd curiosity about humans, he also believes that Kaiju are far superior to them. His most notable abilities are his rapid evolution and the capacity to absorb other Kaiju and gain their strength.

The formidable Kaiju has grown at an alarming rate over the course of the series. Earlier in the story, he was easily overpowered by Kafka and forced to flee. He later grew strong enough to defeat the mighty Isao Shinomiya, absorbing both his memories and Kaiju No. 2, becoming a far more significant threat.

9

Reze

Reze is the titular antagonist of Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze arc. She initially appears as a cute cafe worker who forms a significant connection with Denji. She is later revealed, however, to be a deadly assassin and the Bomb Devil Hybrid. True to her title, she commands explosive abilities capable of unprecedented destruction.

Trained since childhood to be a supernatural assassin for the USSR, she was sent to Japan to capture Chainsaw Man’s literal heart. While she betrays Denji and beats him to near-death, she shares core tragic similarities with him that lead to a seemingly genuine attraction. Sadly, before she can properly express herself, she is intercepted and killed by Makima.

8

Suguru Geto

Suguru Geto was a special-grade sorcerer whose story was told in both the movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and the second season of Jujutsu Kaisen. He was the best friend of Satoru Gojo, and the two were one of the most formidable pairs in the series. His technique allowed him to absorb cursed spirits and consequently employ them in battle.

He originally held the view that all human lives were worth protecting, but after a series of traumatic events, he resolved to eliminate non-sorcerers to free the world of cursed spirits completely. To this end, he orchestrated the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons, a plot that eventually led to his death at the hands of his old friend.

7

Akaza

Akaza is yet another villain on this list who was properly introduced on the big screen. He debuted in the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie and straightaway caught the eyes of fans during his fight against the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku. He subsequently featured in the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie, where his character was explored in depth.

His personality and abilities as a demon are greatly influenced by his human life. It was one filled with tragedy and sorrow, losing his father, mentor, and beloved fiancée. Towards the end of his battle with Giyu and Tanjiro, these memories come flooding back, providing a poignant resolution that results in his peaceful death.

6

Tomura Shigaraki

Shigaraki is the main antagonist of My Hero Academia, serving as the leader of the League of Villains and eventually the Paranormal Liberation Front. His main aim is to see the hero society fall, primarily because of the hardships he faced as a child without ever receiving help from his supposed saviors.

His Quirk, Decay, reflects his insatiable desire for destruction. It starts out as a power that can only disintegrate anything he touches with all five fingers, but it evolves into an ability that causes widespread destruction. Later in the series, he inherits even more Quirks thanks to his master, All For One, and poses an unparalleled threat to all heroes.

5

Kibutsuji Muzan

Custom Image by Casandra Ronning

Muzan is the overarching antagonist of Demon Slayer and is the progenitor of every demon in the series. He has lived for over a thousand years with the goal of one day conquering his only weakness: sunlight. He is a ruthless ruler who famously purged all lower-ranking members of the Twelve Kizuki when he deemed them useless.

The elusive Demon King was originally a sickly human during the Heian era, only becoming a demon after receiving an experimental treatment for his illness. Since then, he has been pursued relentlessly by Demon Slayers across multiple generations. He has successfully evaded them in the anime so far, and fans eagerly await their eventual confrontation.

4

Kenjaku

Custom Image by Vanessa Piña

Kenjaku is an ancient sorcerer who, like Muzan, has existed for over a thousand years. His ability allows him to inhabit other people’s bodies by transplanting his brain into them. Following the death of Suguru Geto, he employed this technique to take over Geto’s body, assuming his identity, and gaining access to his cursed spirit manipulation.

He is a master strategist, engineering several significant events in the series, the most notable of which was the capture and sealing of Satoru Gojo. His main goal is to merge the entire population of Japan with Master Tengen, an event he believes will lead to the next stage of human evolution.

3

All For One

Custom Image by Ana Nieves

While Shigaraki is the main antagonist of My Hero Academia, All For One serves as the series’ overarching antagonist. He is able to stockpile multiple Quirks, use them simultaneously, and transfer them directly to others. The despicable villain shared a fierce rivalry with All Might, and both dealt fatal damage to each other prior to the start of the story.

He is a calculating individual with a twisted personality. He was responsible for Shigaraki’s traumatic past, grooming him to be the Symbol of Fear with plans to take over his body eventually. This plot was momentarily successful, but through the combined efforts of the heroes, the vestiges of One For All, and Shigaraki himself, All For One was finally defeated.

2

Makima

Makima was introduced as a high-ranking Devil Hunter who takes Denji in, serving as both a mentor and a romantic interest he devoutly pursues. As the events of the series unfold, however, it becomes apparent that she is more than she seems and is a person who should not be trusted.

She is extremely manipulative, posing as a caring leader and friend solely to exploit those around her. She can also control lesser life forms, such as rats and birds, mainly to gather information. Her true form has yet to be revealed in the anime, but it is one of considerable significance, with far-reaching goals that place Denji at the center.

1

Ryomen Sukuna

Sukuna is the primary antagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen, known as the King of Curses and the strongest sorcerer in history. He initially existed during the Heian Era and was preserved over time in the form of his 20 indestructible fingers. He eventually reincarnated in the modern era after one of his fingers was ingested by Yuji Itadori.

The peerless sorcerer boasts outstanding power displayed mainly through slashing and fire techniques. His Domain Expansion, Malevolent Shrine, can flatten entire city blocks, and his fire ability, Fuga, has decimated prominent entities such as Jogo and Mahoraga. Frighteningly, he is just as smart as he is powerful, able to think on his feet and plan meticulously for future events.

Release Date

October 3, 2020

Network

TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC

Directors

Ryohei Takeshita, Masataka Akai, Chie Nishizawa, Daisuke Tsukushi, Tomomi Kamiya, Kakushi Ifuku, Ken Takahashi

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  Yuichi Nakamura

  Satoru Gojo