Anime villains hold a reputation for opposing the protagonists at all costs and achieving their carefully orchestrated plans. However, some anime villains lose their motivation for causing terror thanks to unexpected circumstances. These antagonists recognize their plan's futility or allow the hero's charisma to show them the error of their cruel ways.
Certain villains abandon their plans and hand the heroes victory in surprisingly peaceful encounters. Although this choice can occur unwillingly, the relationship between hero and villain undergoes significant plot development. Past hostilities end up forgotten in a moment that alters how the main characters interact with one another.
10 Obito Uchiha Changes Sides After Being Confronted (Naruto)
Obito from Naruto joins the protagonists' side after Naruto convinces him that his actions have moral flaws. Obito abandons his life's ambition through the Eye of the Moon plan right before succeeding, despite the years of effort behind it. The countless sacrifices Obito makes to pursue his goal make his change of heart a massive turning point in his character.
Obito later sacrifices himself to give Naruto and his allies a chance at defeating Madara and halting the events he once supported. He adopts Naruto's heroic ideals and allows his former cause to fall apart.
9 Hisoka Morrow Assists Gon In The Hunter's Exam (Hunter X Hunter)
Hisoka Morrow from Hunter X Hunter acts as both villain and anti-hero, yet he still causes Gon and his allies trouble. During the Hunter Exam arc, Hisoka leaves Gon to deal with Geretta's toxin alone and punches Gon in the face. However, Hisoka gifts Gon his remaining badges as a reward for impressing him, which allows Gon to qualify for the round.
Hisoka lets Gon live and remain in the competition for the chance to fight Gon later on. This calculated decision helps Gon realize his dream of becoming a Hunter, though Gon resents Hisoka's involvement.
8 The Subterraneans Surrender After Losing Their Leader (One Punch Man)
The Subterraneans from One Punch Man initially appear to challenge Saitama, though Saitama's first fight against them turns out to be a dream. The real much-smaller Subterraneans immediately surrender after Saitama destroys their leader in a single punch. The remaining Subterraneans retreat underground and leave a white flag behind them.
The Subterraneans fear Saitama's power display enough to write an apology letter for attacking humanity. Saitama leaves the encounter with understandable disappointment at the continued lack of worthy opponents. The threats that the Subterraneans direct at humans end up being a hopeless endeavor.
7 Scar Puts Aside His Hatred To Fight The Homunculi (Full Metal Alchemist)
Scar from Full Metal Alchemist aims to kill state alchemists as revenge for the military's crimes against his people. Though Scar's path of vengeance leads him to attempt to kill Edward Elric and his allies, he eventually joins them to counteract the homunculi's political influence. Scar abandons his previous plan and reconciles with the protagonists and the alchemists he once hated.
Scar concludes that his destructive actions no longer serve the best interests of the Ishbalan people and finds a compromise that benefits the Elric brothers. His final sacrifice ultimately saves Alphonse's life through alchemy.
6 Ulquiorra Cifer Accepts His Death (Bleach)
Ulquiorra Cifer from Bleach fights alongside Aizen's Arrancar army and opposes the protagonist Ichigo and the rest of soul society. Though Ulquiorra calls upon his full strength in battle against Ichigo, he ends up overwhelmed and defeated by Ichigo's Hollow powers. Instead of attempting to save himself, Ulquiorra asks Ichigo to kill him out of shame for his loss.
Ulquiorra resigns himself to his death and puts up no resistance after Ichigo fulfills his request. He goes far enough to talk Ichigo out of his hesitation at striking down a surrendering opponent.
5 Junko Enoshima Gladly Meets Her Death (Danganronpa: The Animation)
Junko Enoshima attempts to bring despair to the world and the students of Hopes Peak Academy in the anime adaptation of Danganronpa. Though Junko forces Makoto and his classmates to undergo logic-based class trials to escape, she willingly ends her life after the students uncover her plot. She chooses to press the button that starts her execution despite having the option to continue living.
Junko finds the feeling of dying in despair to be more satisfying than survival, which motivates her to ignore Makoto's protests against witnessing another death. She faces her final moments while at peace with her loss.
4 Captain Provides His Enemy With His Weakness (Hellsing)
The Captain from Hellsing uses his enhanced werewolf abilities to benefit the villainous Millenium Organization. The Captain's deadly skills prove a worthy match for powerful protagonists like Alucard and Seras. Although he rarely shows emotions, he ruthlessly takes down and taunts his opponents.
When the Captain battles Seras for the last time, he gives Seras a silver weapon and allows her to kill him despite being the stronger opponent. He shows no hint of fear towards his death and instead delights in the battle's outcome. The Captain plans out his final encounter to the last detail.
3 Ultear Milkovich Reconciles With Her Past (Fairy Tail)
Ultear Milkovich from Fairy Tail's allegiance to the sinister Grimoire Heart brings her into conflict with the Fairy Tail guild. Ultear harms others without remorse, as she believes that the Grimoire Heart's success will enable her to change the past. However, after confronting her troubled background, she abandons her goal to assist the heroes with fighting the Dark Guilds.
Ultear listens to Gray Fullbuster's claims about her connection to her mother, which prompts her change of heart. She leaves her selfish actions behind her to focus on living a peaceful life in the present.
2 Sakura Inami Joins Her Nemesis (Beyond The Boundary)
Sakura from Beyond the Boundary travels to find and kill the protagonist Mirai Kuriyama for killing her sister Yui. Sakura stops at nothing in the name of revenge, yet her feelings change after she learns that Mirai killed Yui out of necessity. When Mirai acknowledges Sakura's pain and saves her from being consumed by her weapon, Sakura willingly joins Mirai as an ally.
Sakura forgets about her sole focus on avenging her sister and spends most of her time in Mirai's company. She learns to understand her former enemy's actions without being blinded by revenge.
1 Nico Robin Betrays Crocodile (One Piece)
In One Piece, Nico Robin's work with the criminal Baroques Work organization makes her a repeated enemy of Luffy's Straw Hat pirates. She initially assists the pirate Warlord Crocodile with his search for the weapon Pluton. However, Nico betrays Crocodile after she saves Luffy by providing him with the antidote to Crocodile's poison.
Nico becomes a loyal member of Luffy's crew after Luffy helps restore her sense of meaning. She leaves her former loyalties behind out of respect to the protagonist, who agrees to recruit her despite her past criminal actions.