Let’s be real—sometimes the bad guys just eat. No matter how fast or how crazily the main character “glows up” (we’re looking at you, Naruto), there’s something about a charismatic villain that just steals the spotlight. Whether it’s their backstory, their drip, or the way they absolutely body everyone in sight, certain anime antagonists end up being way more beloved than the actual hero.
And this isn’t just edgy “I like villains because I’m different” energy. We’re talking about villains who consistently dominate fan polls or, even better–completely overtake our TikTok For You Pages with edits to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Did we make this list by ranking the best fan-made AMVs? You’ll never know. Here are five anime where the villain lowkey outshone the protagonist. (Warning: spoilers ahead.)
Madara Uchiha from Naruto Shippuden
You can be all “well, actually” with this one all you want, but the point remains: Madara Uchiha is the anime villain, not only in Naruto but in all of anime. Yes, he only showed up until Shippuden, but until that moment, everyone was anticipating his arrival. The Fourth Great Ninja War arc is remembered less for Naruto’s inspirational speeches and more for that scene where Madara soloed an entire army. Fans literally clipped it, memed it, and called it “peak fiction.” He is still used as a comparison for all the villains that came after. On MyAnimeList forums and Reddit, many argued Madara should’ve stayed the final villain instead of Kaguya, with threads still saying “Kaguya ruined the ending.” Sorry, Naruto, Madara invented aura farming, so he wins this time!
Meruem from Hunter x Hunter
Hunter x Hunter has a lot of great characters, but when Meruem enters the Chimera Ant arc, the entire tone of the anime shifts. What starts as a horrifying monster king story slowly turns into one of the most nuanced villain arcs in anime. Fans didn’t just like Meruem because he was powerful (though, let’s be real, the man was casually dusting Hunters like it was nothing). They loved him because of his relationship with Komugi, a human girl who taught him humility and compassion through a board game. Gon who? The internet still cries about Meruem’s final moments.
Askeladd from Vinland Saga
If you’ve watched Vinland Saga, you know that Askeladd is one of the most complex, morally grey characters in modern anime. While Thorfinn, the protagonist, is angry and driven by revenge, Askeladd operates on wit, charisma, and a strangely protective streak toward his men. You can’t help but like the moments he’s on screen. Fans love him because he wasn’t a one-note villain. He was manipulative, sure, but also deeply human—torn between his Viking identity and his hidden Welsh heritage. By the time his arc concludes, Askeladd basically steals the entire first season from Thorfinn, leaving fans stunned and even questioning whether he should have been the protagonist.
Mahito from Jujutsu Kaisen
Before we start arguing, yes, we know Mahito is deeply hated. Like, actually loathed. And for good reason! He has killed so many fan favorite characters. But let’s not twist it—he’s also one of the most talked about villains in anime. And in fandom, hype equals popularity, even if it’s negative. While Yuji Itadori is the classic selfless shonen protagonist, Mahito represents pure chaos. He’s sadistic, unhinged, and the kind of villain who gets under your skin because he fights dirty. He makes you feel helpless, filling viewers with dread any time he’s on screen. His ability to twist souls gave us some of the most disturbing (and unforgettable) deaths in Jujutsu Kaisen. However, this doesn’t mean he’s not in every conversation about Jujutsu Kaisen. Fans despise him, but they can’t stop analyzing his scenes.
Muzan Kibutsuji from Demon Slayer
Those fanmade edits we mentioned? The ones with the viral trend of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean? That trend was made for Muzan. There is no one else who completely embodies the drip the way Muzan does. Hell, he was even memed as Michael Jackson years before the trend ever began. Why, you may ask? Well, Tanjiro is wholesome, but compared to Michael Jackson Demon (aka Muzan), he just doesn’t generate the same meme energy. From the moment Muzan appeared in his flashy hat and suit, fans were instantly obsessed with his look. He became an internet icon before we even knew much about his powers. What a diva.
Heroes may be the face of the story, but villains are often the ones who keep us watching. From Madara flexing on an entire army to Meruem making us ugly cry, these antagonists prove that sometimes the “bad guy” steals the narrative.
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