Anime villains always have a hero adversary who opposes their evil plans every step of the way. Whether heroes are forced into action or join the conflict between good and evil of their own volition, anime villains experience frequent setbacks from the protagonist's interference. Although anime villains despise those who stand against them, some villains end up creating their worst enemies.
Some anime villains purposefully turn protagonists against them, while others inadvertently spur heroes into action through their decisions. These newfound heroes come to pose the greatest threat to a villain's success. Villains can't always anticipate the consequences of their actions until the moment of their defeat.
10 Itachi Uchiha Purposefully Turns His Brother Against Him (Naruto)
Itachi from Naruto purposefully incites his brother Sasuke's hatred of him after he murders their parents and their clan in front of him. Itachi intentionally antagonizes Sasuke to motivate Sasuke into eventually killing him. The guilt of murdering his entire clan pushes Itachi to create an enemy who lives to destroy him as punishment for his actions.
Itachi's plan to turn Sasuke against him proves successful, as Sasuke repeatedly goes to extreme lengths to gain the strength necessary to oppose his brother. Though Itachi lives the remainder of his life with Sasuke's hatred, he never backs down on his decision.
9 Neferpitou Motivates Their Murderer (Hunter X Hunter)
Neferpitou from Hunter X Hunter awakens Gon Freecss's rage after they murder Kite and use his body as a puppet. Neferpitou's murder of Kite unknowingly creates an enemy who lives for nothing more than to murder Neferpitou for revenge. Though Neferpitou recognizes Gon's hostility, they never anticipate Gon's willingness to sacrifice his entire lifespan for the power to defeat them.
Neferpitou only realizes that they've sealed their fate when Gon forces them into a fight they can't win. After Gon awakens his full Nen power, Neferpitou accepts their death and the terrifying determination of the enemy they created.
8 All For One Creates The Lineage That Opposes Him (My Hero Academia)
All For One from My Hero Academia inadvertently creates One For All after he gives his brother Yoichi a stockpiling Quirk in an attempt to control him. When Yoichi's Quirk merges with his given Quirk, the power that brings about All For One's downfall gradually manifests itself. All For One underestimates Yoichi's determination to turn One For All against him.
All For One fails to prevent Yoichi from passing One For All down to future generations of heroes. His decision to give Yoichi a Quirk provides his greatest enemy, All Might, with the power that All For One fears.
7 Muzan Kibutsuji Inspires His Enemy To Become A Demon Slayer
Muzan Kibutsuji's murder of a human family motivates one of his greatest enemies, Tanjiro Kamado, to join the Demon Slayer corps. Muzan's decision to target Tanjiro's family and allow Nezuko to become a demon creates an enemy who tirelessly hunts him down. Though Muzan attempts to kill Tanjiro with the demons at his command, he fails to remove Tanjiro as a threat.
Muzan holds responsibility for dragging an adversary into battle against him by interfering in their daily life. He never expects Tanjiro to pose the problem that he does to his plans of conquering the sun.
6 Ryo Asuka Brings About His Best Friend's Betrayal (Devilman Crybaby)
Ryo from Devilman Crybaby merges his friend Akira Fudo with a demon as part of his plan to expose the existence of demons to humanity. Though Akira initially follows Ryo's lead, he eventually turns against Ryo after Ryo double-crosses him. Ryo turns his formerly timid best friend into a dangerous enemy with supernatural abilities.
Although Ryo makes many enemies in his war against humankind, Akira goes to his best efforts to thwart Ryo's plans. Ryo and Akira engage in a fierce battle between former allies whose interests no longer align.
5 Griffith's Actions Turn A Former Ally Against Him (Berserk)
Griffith from Berserk makes an enemy of his ally Guts after sacrificing his entire mercenary clan to gain supernatural power. Griffith's ritual nearly kills both Guts and Gut's lover Casca, which sets Guts on a path of vengeance against Griffith and the malicious God Hand. The selfish actions of Griffith turn Guts into a spiteful enemy whose life experiences an extreme change.
Although Guts eventually abandons his search for revenge for personal reasons, he forever loses the respect he once held for Griffith. Griffith finds himself facing a resilient enemy who continues to fight against overwhelming odds.
4 Koro-Sensei Teaches Students How To Kill Him (Assassination Classroom)
The otherworldly Koro-sensei from Assassination Classroom teaches human students assassination techniques to give humanity a chance at preventing him from destroying the world. Koro-sensei actively encourages his students to attempt to kill him using his advice. He gives students the potential to become his worst enemy and rival his power.
Koro-sensei views his unconventional methods both as entertainment and a form of mercy. Though Koro-sensei easily avoids his class's assassination attempts, he continues to help them improve their abilities. He takes his role as a teacher seriously despite the hostile intentions behind his appearance on Earth.
3 Malty Betrays A Former Companion (The Rising Of The Shield Hero)
Malty from The Rising of the Shield Hero earns the isekai protagonist Naofumi 's hatred after she falsely accuses him of a crime. Malty's deceit turns a hero who once viewed Malty as a trusted companion against her and her kingdom. Though Naofumi gradually re-learns how to trust other people, he harbors considerable resentment towards his past.
Malty never regrets her decision to betray Naofumi, even after Naofumi finds himself a societal outcast as a result. Malty's plans and Naofumi's vengeful intentions eventually lead to the loss of her royal status and reputation.
2 The Vanetti Family Angers The Wrong Person (91 Days)
The Vanetti mafia family from 91 Days changes the life of Angelo forever by murdering his family. The Vanetti family unknowingly makes themself the target of a vengeful protagonist who otherwise would've led a peaceful life. Angelo gradually infiltrates the family and eliminates its members with the remorselessness the tragedy gave him.
The Vanetti family's power fails to protect them from Angelo's schemes or reveal his true intentions. Though Angelo's success brings him little satisfaction, he forces the mafia to suffer his family's fate. The Vanetti family never expects to face the consequences of their actions.
1 The King Of Britannia Causes His Son's Betrayal (Code Geass)
The King of Britannia from Code Geass sends his son Lelouch to Japan as a political hostage after Lelouch confronts him about his mother's assassination. Lelouch responds to his father's betrayal by starting a resistance movement against the Holy Britannian Empire he once served. The king's decision brings Lelouch into possession of supernatural powers, bringing devastating consequences to Britannia's forces.
The King of Britannia brings about his son's transformation into a relentless enemy who poses a serious threat to the empire. Lelouch's abilities continuously bring him closer to achieving revenge over his father and gaining control of the kingdom.