IMPORTANT: THIS TIME THERE WILL BE NO FIGHTS. YOU WILL SIMPLY VOTE FOR YOUR TOP 6 CHOICES HERE. PLEASE TRY TO USE UP ALL 6 VOTES. THANKS.
THE BRACKET
Light Yagami – Death Note
VS
Accelerator – A Certain Magical Index
VS
Obito Uchiha – Naruto
VS
Kokushibo – Demon Slayer
VS
The Death Devil – Chainsaw Man
VS
Ringo Roadagain – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
VS
Kabuto Yakushi – Naruto
VS
King Fritz – Attack on Titan
VS
Zeref Dragneel – Fairy Tail
VS
Daki – Demon Slayer
VS
Vermouth – Detective Conan
VS
Cancer Cell – Cells at Work
THE BRACKET
Light Yagami – Death Note
Light Yagami is perhaps one of the most iconic and chilling villains in anime history, not because of his brutality, but because of how easily he slips into it. He begins the story as a high-achieving student with a rigid sense of justice. Upon gaining the Death Note, he convinces himself that he can create a utopia by killing criminals, thus purging the world of evil. But what makes Light dangerous is how quickly that ideal becomes twisted into a justification for power, ego, and tyranny.
As the body count rises, Light loses touch with his original goal. He begins killing anyone who threatens his plans, including innocents, allies, and even those who once believed in him. His transformation into Kira isn't just a descent into villainy—it's a corruption of idealism. He genuinely believes he is the chosen one, the god of the new world, even as he commits increasingly horrific acts.
What elevates Light as a villain is how grounded and believable his transformation feels. He's not driven by madness or supernatural influence; he’s consumed by pride and ambition, masked as justice. His fall serves as a haunting reflection of how power, especially when unchecked, can corrupt even the most intelligent and well-intentioned individuals.
As the body count rises, Light loses touch with his original goal. He begins killing anyone who threatens his plans, including innocents, allies, and even those who once believed in him. His transformation into Kira isn't just a descent into villainy—it's a corruption of idealism. He genuinely believes he is the chosen one, the god of the new world, even as he commits increasingly horrific acts.
What elevates Light as a villain is how grounded and believable his transformation feels. He's not driven by madness or supernatural influence; he’s consumed by pride and ambition, masked as justice. His fall serves as a haunting reflection of how power, especially when unchecked, can corrupt even the most intelligent and well-intentioned individuals.
VS
Accelerator – A Certain Magical Index
Accelerator stands out as one of the most complex characters in A Certain Magical Index, starting off as a cold-blooded killer who participates in a horrific experiment to evolve his powers. With the ability to manipulate all vectors, he sees himself as invincible—above morality and consequence. His behavior reflects this belief, as he slaughters thousands of clones without remorse, thinking it is necessary to advance to a higher plane of power.
Yet Accelerator’s villainy is born from trauma and manipulation. Raised in an environment that prized strength over humanity, he adopted a survival mindset: be feared or be crushed. His terrifying exterior is a mask shielding deep vulnerability. The turning point comes when he is finally defeated—not through force, but through empathy and refusal to dehumanize him. This forces Accelerator to confront the emptiness of his existence and the horror of what he’s become.
His journey post-defeat is remarkable. He strives to protect the weak, not out of guilt alone, but out of a newfound desire to be someone different from the monster he once was. Accelerator’s arc transforms him from a symbol of overwhelming power into a deeply flawed, human figure seeking redemption in a world that once cheered his cruelty.
Yet Accelerator’s villainy is born from trauma and manipulation. Raised in an environment that prized strength over humanity, he adopted a survival mindset: be feared or be crushed. His terrifying exterior is a mask shielding deep vulnerability. The turning point comes when he is finally defeated—not through force, but through empathy and refusal to dehumanize him. This forces Accelerator to confront the emptiness of his existence and the horror of what he’s become.
His journey post-defeat is remarkable. He strives to protect the weak, not out of guilt alone, but out of a newfound desire to be someone different from the monster he once was. Accelerator’s arc transforms him from a symbol of overwhelming power into a deeply flawed, human figure seeking redemption in a world that once cheered his cruelty.
VS
Obito Uchiha – Naruto
Obito Uchiha is one of the most tragic and layered antagonists in Naruto. Once a hopeful, kind-hearted boy with dreams of becoming Hokage, Obito’s path is shattered by loss and manipulation. After witnessing the apparent death of Rin, the girl he loved, Obito descends into despair. Madara Uchiha exploits this pain, turning Obito into the masked figure known as Tobi—a manipulative, world-threatening terrorist whose goal is to trap humanity in an eternal illusion.
Obito's villainy is not rooted in lust for power, but in grief and disillusionment. He doesn’t want to rule the world—he wants to escape it. His dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi is driven by a desperate desire to live in a world without suffering, even if that means robbing others of their freedom. In this way, he reflects a deeply human, if misguided, response to trauma.
What makes Obito powerful as a villain is how closely he mirrors Naruto himself. He is a “what could have been”—a warning about what happens when hope dies. Yet in the end, Obito finds redemption through Naruto’s unwavering belief in him, showing that even the most lost souls can still find their way back. His arc is a tragic meditation on loss, identity, and the thin line between hero and villain.
Obito's villainy is not rooted in lust for power, but in grief and disillusionment. He doesn’t want to rule the world—he wants to escape it. His dream of the Infinite Tsukuyomi is driven by a desperate desire to live in a world without suffering, even if that means robbing others of their freedom. In this way, he reflects a deeply human, if misguided, response to trauma.
What makes Obito powerful as a villain is how closely he mirrors Naruto himself. He is a “what could have been”—a warning about what happens when hope dies. Yet in the end, Obito finds redemption through Naruto’s unwavering belief in him, showing that even the most lost souls can still find their way back. His arc is a tragic meditation on loss, identity, and the thin line between hero and villain.
VS
Kokushibo – Demon Slayer
Kokushibo, known as Upper Moon One, is one of the most terrifying yet sorrowful demons in Demon Slayer. Before becoming a demon, he was a human named Michikatsu Tsugikuni, the twin brother of Yoriichi—the greatest swordsman to ever live. Kokushibo’s fall into darkness was not caused by hatred, but by envy and fear. Unable to accept that he would always live in his brother’s shadow, and terrified of his own mortality, he chose to become a demon to prolong his life and seek unattainable perfection.
Even after hundreds of years, Kokushibo remains obsessed with power and haunted by feelings of inadequacy. He slaughters without hesitation, but internally, he is consumed by the contradiction of despising what he has become while clinging to the very power that made him this way. His final moments are deeply poignant—he weeps not out of regret for his victims, but for his inability to let go of his envy.
Kokushibo’s character is a powerful embodiment of wasted potential and the price of obsession. His villainy doesn’t stem from cruelty, but from weakness—the inability to accept one’s limitations. He is a chilling reminder that fear and pride, when unchecked, can turn even the most honorable into monsters.
Even after hundreds of years, Kokushibo remains obsessed with power and haunted by feelings of inadequacy. He slaughters without hesitation, but internally, he is consumed by the contradiction of despising what he has become while clinging to the very power that made him this way. His final moments are deeply poignant—he weeps not out of regret for his victims, but for his inability to let go of his envy.
Kokushibo’s character is a powerful embodiment of wasted potential and the price of obsession. His villainy doesn’t stem from cruelty, but from weakness—the inability to accept one’s limitations. He is a chilling reminder that fear and pride, when unchecked, can turn even the most honorable into monsters.
VS
The Death Devil – Chainsaw Man
The Death Devil has reached Earth and dramatically reshaped Part 2’s trajectory. Initially, readers assumed the soft-spoken, tearful high school girl was the Death Devil herself, until Chapter 198 flipped the narrative: she is actually the Famine Devil Fami, while the real Death Devil has been among them all along—using Fami’s identity as a cover. This twist reframes every previous interaction as part of a deeper scheme; Death isn’t a looming figure—it’s been walking beside Denji and others under an assumed identity.
What makes the real Death Devil uniquely terrifying is how she marries power with philosophical clarity. She remains calm, unflinching, and dismissive of trivial human concerns, viewing her role to save people from suffering as a genuine good. But this compassionate logic is horrifying when uttered by someone embodying mortality itself. She believes death is the ultimate mercy, and her quiet conviction transforms existential dread into an almost rational doctrine.
The reveal also deepens the horror of her influence: she’s orchestrating the prophecy, psychologically manipulating events through Fami’s earlier chaos and the chainsaw cult. She doesn’t have to shout—her silence and omnipresence convey everything. As the unseen hand steering fate, the Death Devil is not just an antagonist. She is the personification of inevitability, offering death as a reluctant but final kindness. That chilling conviction makes her Part 2’s most philosophically potent villain yet.
What makes the real Death Devil uniquely terrifying is how she marries power with philosophical clarity. She remains calm, unflinching, and dismissive of trivial human concerns, viewing her role to save people from suffering as a genuine good. But this compassionate logic is horrifying when uttered by someone embodying mortality itself. She believes death is the ultimate mercy, and her quiet conviction transforms existential dread into an almost rational doctrine.
The reveal also deepens the horror of her influence: she’s orchestrating the prophecy, psychologically manipulating events through Fami’s earlier chaos and the chainsaw cult. She doesn’t have to shout—her silence and omnipresence convey everything. As the unseen hand steering fate, the Death Devil is not just an antagonist. She is the personification of inevitability, offering death as a reluctant but final kindness. That chilling conviction makes her Part 2’s most philosophically potent villain yet.
VS
Ringo Roadagain – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Ringo Roadagain may not be one of the flashiest JoJo villains, but he is one of the most profound. A duelist with a strong sense of personal honor and justice, Ringo doesn’t fight for greed or conquest—he fights for the belief that people can only change through facing death. His Stand, Mandom, gives him the ability to rewind time by six seconds, allowing him to force opponents into life-or-death scenarios that strip away all pretense.
What makes Ringo fascinating is his philosophy. He doesn’t kill needlessly, and he respects his opponents deeply. He sees combat as a means of purification—a chance to be reborn through hardship. His fight with Gyro Zeppeli is one of the most thematically rich in the series, as it tests Gyro’s ideals just as much as his strength.
Ringo’s villainy is not based on evil intent, but on a flawed yet sincere worldview. He is a samurai figure in the Wild West, and his brief appearance leaves a lasting impression due to his conviction, discipline, and moral ambiguity.
What makes Ringo fascinating is his philosophy. He doesn’t kill needlessly, and he respects his opponents deeply. He sees combat as a means of purification—a chance to be reborn through hardship. His fight with Gyro Zeppeli is one of the most thematically rich in the series, as it tests Gyro’s ideals just as much as his strength.
Ringo’s villainy is not based on evil intent, but on a flawed yet sincere worldview. He is a samurai figure in the Wild West, and his brief appearance leaves a lasting impression due to his conviction, discipline, and moral ambiguity.
VS
Kabuto Yakushi – Naruto
Kabuto Yakushi is a villain defined by identity, or rather, the lack of it. Introduced as a seemingly meek medical ninja, Kabuto is quickly revealed to be a manipulative spy with immense talent and deadly ambition. Initially serving Orochimaru, Kabuto evolves into a villain in his own right—eventually mastering forbidden jutsu and becoming a key figure in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Kabuto’s arc is one of transformation, both physically and psychologically. Obsessed with becoming someone “worthy,” he fuses himself with others’ abilities, literally stitching together fragments of powerful figures to craft his ideal self. His insecurity drives him to seek recognition through strength and influence, yet he remains painfully hollow inside.
What makes Kabuto compelling is his eventual self-realization. Through his encounter with Itachi, he comes to understand that identity cannot be borrowed or stolen—it must be discovered. His redemption doesn't undo his crimes, but it reveals a tragic truth: Kabuto was never truly evil—just lost in the desperate search for self-worth.
Kabuto’s arc is one of transformation, both physically and psychologically. Obsessed with becoming someone “worthy,” he fuses himself with others’ abilities, literally stitching together fragments of powerful figures to craft his ideal self. His insecurity drives him to seek recognition through strength and influence, yet he remains painfully hollow inside.
What makes Kabuto compelling is his eventual self-realization. Through his encounter with Itachi, he comes to understand that identity cannot be borrowed or stolen—it must be discovered. His redemption doesn't undo his crimes, but it reveals a tragic truth: Kabuto was never truly evil—just lost in the desperate search for self-worth.
VS
King Fritz – Attack on Titan
King Fritz is a ghost of history, but his impact shapes the very foundation of Attack on Titan. As the progenitor of the Eldian empire, he used the Founding Titan’s power to dominate and destroy. His decisions—to start genocides, build empires, and later, isolate Paradis—created a cycle of hatred and revenge that persists centuries after his death.
Unlike other villains who act on emotion or ambition, King Fritz is terrifying in his detachment. He viewed entire races as tools and pawns, playing god with no regard for the lives he manipulated or erased. Even when he eventually retreats into pacifism, it’s not out of guilt, but cold pragmatism.
King Fritz’s legacy is the root of generational trauma. He represents how cruelty, even once removed, can echo through history, shaping ideologies and fueling cycles of violence. His ghost looms over every war in the series, making him the silent architect of suffering.
Unlike other villains who act on emotion or ambition, King Fritz is terrifying in his detachment. He viewed entire races as tools and pawns, playing god with no regard for the lives he manipulated or erased. Even when he eventually retreats into pacifism, it’s not out of guilt, but cold pragmatism.
King Fritz’s legacy is the root of generational trauma. He represents how cruelty, even once removed, can echo through history, shaping ideologies and fueling cycles of violence. His ghost looms over every war in the series, making him the silent architect of suffering.
VS
Zeref Dragneel – Fairy Tail
Zeref Dragneel's tragic existence is defined by the Curse of Ankhseram, bestowed upon him for his forbidden attempts to resurrect his younger brother, Natsu. This curse grants him immortality but paradoxically causes a deadly aura to emanate from him whenever he experiences love or values life, inadvertently killing everything around him. This inherent contradiction forces him into centuries of isolation, fostering a profound despair and driving his ultimate goal: to be destroyed, even if it means destroying the world.
The Darkness of Apathy and Nihilism
Zeref's forced solitude and the constant threat of his curse cultivate a profound sense of apathy that verges on nihilism, a characteristic shared with characters like Ulquiorra Cifer and Coyote Starrk from Bleach. While Ulquiorra embodies a cold, calculated emptiness and Starrk a pervasive loneliness, Zeref's nihilism stems from a deep-seated weariness with life itself. He seeks an end to his suffering, even if it means rendering all existence meaningless. This is a stark contrast to the overt villainy of a character like Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teach) from One Piece, whose darkness is rooted in ambition and opportunism rather than existential despair. However, the theme of internal struggle and hidden vulnerability subtly connects them; just as Zeref's seemingly emotionless facade hides centuries of pain, Blackbeard, despite his immense power and ruthless nature, was depicted by Oda as having cried as a child, hinting at a past vulnerability that shaped his path. Both characters, in their own ways, are burdened by a profound loneliness that fuels their actions, whether it's Zeref's quest for oblivion or Blackbeard's relentless pursuit of power and recognition.
Cruel Pragmatism and Tyrannical Rule
Driven by his ultimate goal to end his curse, Zeref embraces a cruel pragmatism that leads to his establishment of the Alvarez Empire. As its tyrannical emperor, he wields immense power and ruthless control, conquering nations not out of a desire for dominion, but as a means to an end – a way to gather the resources and leverage necessary to achieve his final objective. This utilitarian approach to life and death, sacrificing countless lives for his personal salvation, underscores the depth of his despair and his detachment from moral considerations.
A Love That Kills: Mavis Vermillion
His most significant, yet ultimately heartbreaking, connection is with Mavis Vermillion, Fairy Tail's First Master. Mavis, too, became afflicted with a similar curse after using an incomplete form of the magic, Law, leading to her accidental killing of Makarov's mother. Their shared affliction and longing for genuine connection drew them together, culminating in a forbidden love. However, the curse's cruel irony meant their love was deadly; their kiss, an act of true affection, amplified the curse's power, putting Mavis into a state of suspended animation that became the source of Fairy Heart. This tragic romance is central to Zeref's motivations, as he seeks Fairy Heart to manipulate time and potentially undo his curse and suffering.
The Unspoken Bond: August
Further deepening his tragedy is his relationship with August, the "King of Magic." Unbeknownst to Zeref, August is his and Mavis's son, conceived during their brief, cursed embrace. August, possessing immense magical power and retaining memories from his time within Mavis's preserved body, was fully aware of his parentage. Yet, due to the very nature of the curse and a desire to spare both his parents further pain, August chose to never reveal their true relationship to Zeref. This created a poignant dynamic where August served Zeref with unwavering loyalty and respect as his most powerful general, constantly yearning for the parental love he never received, a love Zeref, in his cursed state and ignorance, could never offer.
The Ultimate Release: Natsu and E.N.D.
Central to Zeref's enduring torment and ultimate plan is Natsu Dragneel. Natsu isn't just Zeref's beloved younger brother; he is also E.N.D. (Etherious Natsu Dragneel), the strongest demon Zeref ever created from the Book of Zeref. Zeref resurrected Natsu, unwittingly binding him to the very curse that plagued him, hoping Natsu, as E.N.D., would one day grow strong enough to defeat and kill him, finally freeing him from his immortal suffering. This revelation places Natsu at the heart of Zeref's centuries-long machinations, transforming their sibling bond into a complex web of love, despair, and a desperate quest for an end to an accursed life.
The Darkness of Apathy and Nihilism
Zeref's forced solitude and the constant threat of his curse cultivate a profound sense of apathy that verges on nihilism, a characteristic shared with characters like Ulquiorra Cifer and Coyote Starrk from Bleach. While Ulquiorra embodies a cold, calculated emptiness and Starrk a pervasive loneliness, Zeref's nihilism stems from a deep-seated weariness with life itself. He seeks an end to his suffering, even if it means rendering all existence meaningless. This is a stark contrast to the overt villainy of a character like Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teach) from One Piece, whose darkness is rooted in ambition and opportunism rather than existential despair. However, the theme of internal struggle and hidden vulnerability subtly connects them; just as Zeref's seemingly emotionless facade hides centuries of pain, Blackbeard, despite his immense power and ruthless nature, was depicted by Oda as having cried as a child, hinting at a past vulnerability that shaped his path. Both characters, in their own ways, are burdened by a profound loneliness that fuels their actions, whether it's Zeref's quest for oblivion or Blackbeard's relentless pursuit of power and recognition.
Cruel Pragmatism and Tyrannical Rule
Driven by his ultimate goal to end his curse, Zeref embraces a cruel pragmatism that leads to his establishment of the Alvarez Empire. As its tyrannical emperor, he wields immense power and ruthless control, conquering nations not out of a desire for dominion, but as a means to an end – a way to gather the resources and leverage necessary to achieve his final objective. This utilitarian approach to life and death, sacrificing countless lives for his personal salvation, underscores the depth of his despair and his detachment from moral considerations.
A Love That Kills: Mavis Vermillion
His most significant, yet ultimately heartbreaking, connection is with Mavis Vermillion, Fairy Tail's First Master. Mavis, too, became afflicted with a similar curse after using an incomplete form of the magic, Law, leading to her accidental killing of Makarov's mother. Their shared affliction and longing for genuine connection drew them together, culminating in a forbidden love. However, the curse's cruel irony meant their love was deadly; their kiss, an act of true affection, amplified the curse's power, putting Mavis into a state of suspended animation that became the source of Fairy Heart. This tragic romance is central to Zeref's motivations, as he seeks Fairy Heart to manipulate time and potentially undo his curse and suffering.
The Unspoken Bond: August
Further deepening his tragedy is his relationship with August, the "King of Magic." Unbeknownst to Zeref, August is his and Mavis's son, conceived during their brief, cursed embrace. August, possessing immense magical power and retaining memories from his time within Mavis's preserved body, was fully aware of his parentage. Yet, due to the very nature of the curse and a desire to spare both his parents further pain, August chose to never reveal their true relationship to Zeref. This created a poignant dynamic where August served Zeref with unwavering loyalty and respect as his most powerful general, constantly yearning for the parental love he never received, a love Zeref, in his cursed state and ignorance, could never offer.
The Ultimate Release: Natsu and E.N.D.
Central to Zeref's enduring torment and ultimate plan is Natsu Dragneel. Natsu isn't just Zeref's beloved younger brother; he is also E.N.D. (Etherious Natsu Dragneel), the strongest demon Zeref ever created from the Book of Zeref. Zeref resurrected Natsu, unwittingly binding him to the very curse that plagued him, hoping Natsu, as E.N.D., would one day grow strong enough to defeat and kill him, finally freeing him from his immortal suffering. This revelation places Natsu at the heart of Zeref's centuries-long machinations, transforming their sibling bond into a complex web of love, despair, and a desperate quest for an end to an accursed life.
VS
Daki – Demon Slayer
Daki, one half of the Upper Moon Six duo, is outwardly a cruel and arrogant demon who takes pride in her beauty and sadism. But beneath her vicious exterior lies a tragic human past. Once a girl named Ume, she lived in poverty and was brutally abused, which shaped her transformation into a demon who lashes out with bitterness and hatred.
Her codependent relationship with her brother Gyutaro gives her character unexpected depth. Unlike many demons who operate alone, Daki's emotional instability is mirrored in their bond—one forged in shared trauma and desperation. Their final moments reveal a painful truth: they were not born monsters—they were shaped by a world that offered them no kindness.
Daki’s villainy is not just about bloodlust—it’s a survival mechanism. She hides insecurity behind cruelty, and her beauty masks her vulnerability. That duality makes her a layered antagonist who’s as pitiful as she is terrifying.
Her codependent relationship with her brother Gyutaro gives her character unexpected depth. Unlike many demons who operate alone, Daki's emotional instability is mirrored in their bond—one forged in shared trauma and desperation. Their final moments reveal a painful truth: they were not born monsters—they were shaped by a world that offered them no kindness.
Daki’s villainy is not just about bloodlust—it’s a survival mechanism. She hides insecurity behind cruelty, and her beauty masks her vulnerability. That duality makes her a layered antagonist who’s as pitiful as she is terrifying.
VS
Vermouth – Detective Conan
Vermouth is one of the most enigmatic and manipulative villains in Detective Conan. A top member of the Black Organization, she operates under multiple disguises, weaving through the lives of the protagonists without their knowledge. Her calm demeanor, seductive charm, and deadly efficiency make her a standout antagonist.
What makes Vermouth compelling is her unpredictability. Unlike other members of the Organization, her motivations are personal and often contradictory. She shows mercy at times—protecting Conan and Ran—yet remains loyal to a group that commits heinous crimes. Her respect for Shinichi and her mysterious "Angel" philosophy suggest a twisted morality that's hard to pin down.
Vermouth thrives in ambiguity. She's a villain who both opposes and protects, loves and destroys. That moral complexity and her role as a hidden puppet master keep her as one of the most intriguing forces in the series.
What makes Vermouth compelling is her unpredictability. Unlike other members of the Organization, her motivations are personal and often contradictory. She shows mercy at times—protecting Conan and Ran—yet remains loyal to a group that commits heinous crimes. Her respect for Shinichi and her mysterious "Angel" philosophy suggest a twisted morality that's hard to pin down.
Vermouth thrives in ambiguity. She's a villain who both opposes and protects, loves and destroys. That moral complexity and her role as a hidden puppet master keep her as one of the most intriguing forces in the series.
VS
Cancer Cell – Cells at Work
Cancer Cell, though from a series rooted in biology and education, is portrayed with surprising nuance. He’s not just a disease—he’s a character who resents his fate. A cell that mutated due to damage, he’s aware that his very existence brings suffering, and yet he desires to live, to justify his being, even if it means destroying others.
His villainy is compelling because it’s existential. Cancer Cell is not evil by choice, but by design. His battles with the immune cells are more than just fights—they’re philosophical struggles about purpose, survival, and what it means to be alive in a system that labels you a mistake.
Despite being defeated, Cancer Cell evokes sympathy. He’s a tragic reminder that not all threats are born of malice—some are simply the result of broken systems, both biological and societal.
His villainy is compelling because it’s existential. Cancer Cell is not evil by choice, but by design. His battles with the immune cells are more than just fights—they’re philosophical struggles about purpose, survival, and what it means to be alive in a system that labels you a mistake.
Despite being defeated, Cancer Cell evokes sympathy. He’s a tragic reminder that not all threats are born of malice—some are simply the result of broken systems, both biological and societal.
