In general, most people would rather be loved than feared. It allows one to get what they want from others efficiently, with the added benefit of not having to worry about being conspired against. However, there are dozens of anime characters who believe the contrary. They hope to coerce their opponents into submission, often employing unnatural abilities toward this end.
Some are so efficient at spreading fear and dissent that they've become the most powerful people in their respective worlds. The personal philosophies of these characters drive them to make others afraid of them.
10 Eren Didn't Trust The Outside World (Attack On Titan)
Attack On Titan's Eren Yeager thought that fear was the only way to guarantee Eldian safety. He was not convinced that the outside world could be reasoned with, to such an extent that it caused a divide between himself and the other heroes.
To Eren's credit, fear of the Rumbling was the only reason why Marley didn't attack them early on. It also explained the Warriors' infiltration, as they'd hoped to secure Paradis' only means of fighting back against them.
9 Lelouch Conducted His Plans In Anonymity (Code Geass)
While Code Geass' Lelouch may have been loved by his school and sister, he took a much different approach to warfare. He led the Black Knights under the alias of "Zero," constantly wearing a mask so that none knew of his identity.
Lelouch was so secretive that he preferred not to tell anyone about his Geass, how it worked, or who he was. Even those who'd risked their lives for him time and again couldn't know his secret, as he found strength and security from anonymity. In the end, Lelouch wanted his people to obey him even if their trust wasn't guaranteed.
8 Sasuke Wanted To Unite The World In Fear (Naruto)
As Sasuke grew older, his philosophies became more frightening. After learning about the truth behind the Uchiha massacre, he hoped to unite the five nations of Naruto in hatred and subservience to him.
In order to secure his new rule, Sasuke hoped to capitalize on the infinite tsukuyomi by murdering the trapped kage in their sleep. However, Naruto stopped him before he could unleash this new world order, finally rehabilitating him and making Team Seven whole once again.
7 Akainu Was The Marines' Feared Fleet Admiral (One Piece)
One Piece's Akainu cared little about what others thought of him so long as they followed orders. The only thing he hated more than pirates were disloyal marines, as seen when murdering a soldier in the street for fleeing from Whitebeard's forces.
Since then, Akainu has taken measures to prove himself a man worthy of becoming fleet admiral. He brutalized Aokiji on the island now known as Punk Hazard and actively keeps tabs on each of the Four Emperors. Akainu is so determined to spread the World Government's dominance that he attempted to exploit the Wano conflict.
6 Diavolo Was A Feared Crime Kingpin (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Unlike most main villains in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Diavolo made no attempt to seduce his minions with concepts like love or honor. Instead, he ruled them from the shadows of his criminal empire, manipulating them like puppets to enact his will.
Given that Diavolo attempted to use Team Bucciarati in order to kill Trish, there is no price too steep for him to maintain his anonymity and fearsome reputation. Diavolo's "King Crimson" Stand makes him even more mysterious and intimidating given its time-erasing properties.
5 Bakugo Wanted Respect Through Fear (My Hero Academia)
Bakugo wasn't like most students from My Hero Academia. He did not make a show of saving people nor did he express a particular interest in his classmates' well-being. Instead, his sole interest was to become the strongest student there was, often antagonizing his peers toward this end.
Given how frequently Bakugo lashes out at Deku and others for perceived slights on his character, it's clear that Bakugo values being intimidating above all else. This was proven when he beat Deku in the street, all just to prove that he was still U.A.'s number one student.
4 Genthru Was A Menace To Greed Island (Hunter X Hunter)
Genthru was one of the most despicable characters in Hunter X Hunter and the main antagonist of Greed Island. He would do anything in order to procure more cards, whether massacring a room full of people or mutilating Gon.
Oftentimes, he'd accomplish this by telling them that he'd turned them into bombs and hoping for their compliance. Although accompanied by two loyal henchmen, Genthru did not show particular compassion toward either of them. In his mind, they were merely tools to help him complete his collection.
3 Aizen Was The Heartless Leader Of The Espada (Bleach)
Bleach's Aizen was a man loved by few. In addition to betraying his former shinigami allies, he showed an equal amount of apathy toward his new Espada minions. He did not hesitate when cutting down Tier Harribel, sending a strong message to his other minions about what happens when they aren't efficient enough.
In Aizen's mind, he doesn't need to be loved since he has the strength to make people respect him. His spiritual pressure is powerful enough to kill an ordinary person just by existing next to them, and his zanpakuto is one of the strongest in the series.
2 Yujiro Loved Frightening People With His Strength (Baki)
The strongest fighter in the Baki universe, Yujiro was a beast of a man. Governments across the world feared him so much that they tracked him with satellites, and he could threaten the president of the United States without any repercussions.
Considering his unchecked power, Yujiro has no need for henchmen. Instead, he simply roams the Earth doing whatever he wants all while Baki trains to defeat him. Given how strong his father is, Baki is one of the few people courageous enough to attempt to overcome Yujiro as the world's greatest martial artist.
1 Light Spread Fear Through The Alias Of Kira (Death Note)
Death Note's Light Yagami spread fear and chaos through the killings he conducted under the "Kira" alias. He became so prolific that even the Japanese Task Force hesitated to accuse him of anything. After all, L was not able to survive regardless of his great intellect, and they were much less competent than he was.
Over time, entire movements grew in support of Light and his cleansing of "societal corruption." What they failed to understand was that Light had developed such a god complex that he was perfectly comfortable becoming a murderer himself if it meant preserving his secret identity.