Although they do their best to portray themselves in such a way, most villains aren't fearless. They actively work to avoid death, unable to overcome their natural instinct to survive. Some villains prefer to work from the shadows, ordering their subordinates to fight on the front lines. Others give up on their goals, unwilling to risk their life for the cause.
But some manage to transcend the overwhelming anxiety that death often brings. Their are villains who are too powerful to worry about dying, and there are others who have discovered ways to resurrect themselves. Even those lacking in supernatural abilities have found ways to welcome the thought of dying.
10 Sukuna Only Cares About Unbridled Chaos (Jujutsu Kaisen)
As a human, Sukuna was the strongest Sorcerer in history with a sadistic personality. Little else is known about his past in Jujutsu Kaisen, but it's safe to assume he was pretty much fearless. As a cursed spirit, Sukuna maintains his remarkable strength and insatiable bloodlust, while displaying an absence of fear in the process.
The King Of Curses is too powerful to feel threatened by death. Instead, Sukuna appears to desire chaos above all else, switching places with Yuji at the most opportunistic times, leaving destruction in his wake. During his battles against the likes of Jogo and Mahoraga, Sukuna has felt nothing but excitement.
9 Uvogin Chose Death Over Giving Up His Friends (Hunter X Hunter)
Uvogin left quite the impression on fans despite his limited screen time in Hunter X Hunter. He was the first member of the Troupe seen in action, decimating the Shadow Beasts with brute force combined with Nen mastery. He was used to portray the strength of the legendary Phantom Troupe, and cast doubt in the viewers mind whether Kurapika really could take revenge on the Spiders.
However, Kurapika tailored his Nen to specifically take down the Phantom Troupe, and Uvogin proved to be no match for the Scarlet-eyed Hunter. With Kurapika's judgement chain wrapped around his heart, Uvogin chose to die instead of giving up information on other Troupe members.
8 Makishima Died Optimistic That His Dream Would Live On (Psycho Pass)
Makishima believed the ends justified the means in Psycho Pass. While his goal was arguably heroic, his actions were murderous and heinous. Makishima was determined to bring down the Sibyl System and restore the individualism that existed before the oppressive regime took over. Due to his criminal intentions remaining undetectable to Sibyl, Makishima got away with murder and manipulation.
He was finally brought down by Kogami, a worthy adversary. Like the villain, Kogami detested the Sibyl System and hoped to one day bring it down, but without the use of violence. Makishima accepted his death at Kogami's hands, knowing his goal was shared by someone just as capable as himself.
7 Askeladd Died For A King He Believed In (Vinland Saga)
A complex and fascinating character in Vinland Saga, Askeladd was equal parts hero and villain. He unfairly killed Thors, but he also prevented the tyrannical King Of Denmark from colonising Wales. For most of his life, Askeladd wandered the world, pillaging villages whilst waiting for the return of the legendary Artorius - a Britannian military leader credited with defeating the Saxons.
But along the way, Askeladd discovered another noble leader worthy of pledging his life to: Prince Canute. Askeladd's final actions involved beheading the King Of Denmark and dying peacefully, comforted by the knowledge that Canute would take up the crown and work towards a more peaceful world.
6 Madara Found A Way To Cheat Death (Naruto)
Madara possessed an insatiable appetite for knowledge, and along the way he discovered how to overcome death. As an Uchiha in Naruto, Madara had access to the fabled Mangekyou Sharingan and its terrifying abilities, including Izanagi. Izanagi is a powerful genjutsu that grants the user the power to rewrite reality.
Aware that he would likely lose to Hashirama during their fight, Madara programmed his Izanagi to activate upon his death, resulting in his resurrection. With death no longer a guaranteed end, Madara lived without fear, aware that anyone with the Mangekyou Sharingan could bring him back to life.
5 King Bradley Died Realising He Was Capable Of Feeling Love (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
King Bradley was the leader of Amestris and the Homunculi known as Wrath. Unlike the other Homunculi, Bradley was originally a human whose body was fused with a philosopher's stone made from wrathful souls. He therefore developed a wrathful essence, masked by an outwardly friendly and cheery demeanour.
Bradley possessed incredible strength, speed and cunning that was far superior to that of any human. He trained in all forms of combat, and there were few who could rival the King. Bradley didn't fear death as nothing posed a threat to him. In his final moments in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Bradley thought about his wife and child, demonstrating another side to his villainous personality, a side capable of love.
4 Boros Died By The Hands Of A Worthy Opponent (One-Punch Man)
Boros was a planet-conquering alien tortured by his own overwhelming strength in One-Punch Man. Boros proved too powerful for every enemy and he traversed the universe in search for someone capable of satisfying his thrill for battle. His travels led him to Saitama, and the pair engaged in a jaw-dropping fight that established their remarkable strength.
Of course, Saitama proved victorious, and Boros was more than satisfied to die at the hands of a legendary warrior who pushed him to his absolute limits. But in his final moments, Boros revealed he knew Saitama wasn't even trying, and couldn't help but laugh at his own inferiority. For the first time in his existence, the alien experienced weakness.
3 Hero Killer Stain Would Gladly Die For His Convictions (My Hero Academia)
Stain specialised in the killing of pro heroes, murdering 17 known heroes by the time he was introduced to fans in My Hero Academia. In truth, Stain was more than just a blood-thirsty psychopath and he often flitted between villain and anti-hero.
Stain was driven by his own personal ideology, believing those who become heroes for fame and money were unworthy of such a label. It was an understandable line of thinking, making him an endearing character to many fans despite his merciless methods. His will to cleanse the world of false heroes was so unshakable that Stain was willing to die for his cause.
2 The Captain Wanted To Die (Hellsing)
The Captain was a full-blooded werewolf and one of the few Hellsing characters who could rival Alucard. In fact, his speed and strength exceeded the vampire's, and he was recognised as Millenium's ultimate trump card. His demeanour rarely changed, remaining stoic regardless of the situation, leading viewers to question whether he felt anything at all.
If fear was a possibility for him, he never showed it. However, in his final battle against Seras, the Captain smiled for the first time, displaying joy at the prospect of his own death. The Captain could have unquestionably defeated Seras, but allowed her to kill him - proving he didn't fear death, he welcomed it.
1 Sasori Hoped Death Would Reunite Him With His Parents (Naruto)
Sasori was a skilled shinobi with a talent for manipulating puppets. Within his area of expertise, the Akatsuki member pushed the limits of what was deemed possible in Naruto. In the process, transformed his own body into that of a puppet. This made him a formidable opponent as he wielded hundreds of powerful puppets alongside his own near invulnerability.
He no longer appeared to be human, displaying a ruthless and emotionless nature associated with the hollow figures he lived for. It was therefore surprising that in his final moments, choosing to die by Sakura's hands, Sasori thought back to his childhood and the time spent with his parents, dying with a smile on his face.