When it comes to anime villains, some archetypes stand the test of time, like the power-hungry maniac, intelligent manipulator, or the invincible one the hero must overcome. In most cases, the final fight between these villains and the hero has an intense buildup leading to the epic defeat of the "Big Bad."
Other anime villains are more notable for falling flat: they're weaker or less incredible, and some don't have what's necessary to provide a satisfying final fight. Just as an ally must fall before the hero accesses their true strength, every super villain needs several weak forerunners to show how threatening the final boss actually is.
10 Team Rocket Never Beats Ash (Pokémon)
Making their Pokémon debut in Season 1, Episode 2, "The Pokémon Emergency," Team Rocket blasted through the roof of a Pokémon Center to steal several injured Pokémon. Their plans were thwarted by Ash and his Pikachu. Comprised of Jesse, James, and Meowth, the team made it their life mission to capture Ash's Pikachu following this first of many failures.
It's easy to understand why: after nearly 24 seasons on the air, Team Rocket has spent over 700 episodes "blasting off again" as a result of Ash's Pokémon. Compared to stronger challengers like Leon and Cynthia, Team Rocket is no more threatening to the Pokémon world than a Pidgey in the grass at Viridian City.
9 Gido Lacked Control Over Nen (Hunter X Hunter)
Gido was an antagonist during Hunter x Hunter's Heaven's Arena Arc; he served as Gon's first opponent to utilize Nen on the 200th floor. Gido utilized tops as his primary weapon, spinning them at high velocities to send them ricocheting off each other and into his enemies. By imbuing them with Nen, Gido's tops earned him a win against Gon after breaking the latter's arm.
Gido's luck ran out quickly after that. His Nen was extremely limited, as he could only extend his aura to small objects and direct them with simple commands. When competing against competent Nen users, Gido's tops crumbled on contact with others' aura. Despite mastering only three of the four basic principles, Gon beat Gido within a minute of their rematch.
8 Ifrit Couldn't Harm Rimuru (That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime)
In That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime, Ifrit was a Greater Elemental sealed inside Shizue Izawa. Capable of controlling fire, he acted as Leon Cromwell's bodyguard, ruthlessly incinerating anything considered a threat to his master. Following Shizue's release from Cromwell's service, Ifrit accompanied her for many years, occasionally taking control of her body to wreak havoc.
Upon visiting Tempest, Shizue lost control of her body and Ifrit took over. After burning down several buildings, Rimuru challenged Ifrit and his disadvantage was made clear: Rimuru's ability, Fire Immunity, rendered all of Ifrit's attacks completely useless. Without any other weapons or abilities at his disposal, Ifrit was quickly conquered and consumed by Tempest's Slime-turned-Ruler.
7 Emperor Pilaf Was Weaker Than Most Humans (Dragon Ball)
Emperor Pilaf was the first villain of the Dragon Ball series with a penchant for world domination. With money, castles, and countless lackeys at his disposal, Pilaf succeeded in collecting the elusive Dragon Balls, which grant their user any wish. Due to poor planning, Pilaf's chances were dashed after Oolong wasted Shenron's wish to obtain some unmentionables.
Despite being a recurring villain, Pilaf was the weakest. He's incapable of flight, does not possess ki or any notable attacks, and cannot level up. With a power level of a mere 40, he does little to compare to the likes of even Chiaotzu, the weakest of the Z fighters who clocks in at 130.
6 Babidi Couldn't Control Buu (Dragon Ball Z)
Babidi was an alien wizard who used magic to force others to do his bidding in Dragon Ball Z. His abilities included bodily explosion, barrier construction, and mind control. He was able to take temporary control over Vegeta and turn Krillin and Piccolo to stone. He reached his ultimate goal in Season 5 by successfully reviving Majin Buu to destroy the Supreme Kai, Shin.
However, Babidi is still one of the weakest antagonists in Dragon Ball Z. With a power level of 120, he is physically weaker than most humans in the Dragon Ball Z universe. He is incapable of controlling Majin Buu after reviving him, loses control over Vegeta, and fails to maintain his magic barrier against Super Namekian Piccolo, resulting in him being cut in half.
5 Commander Zhao Lost Every Battle (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
Commander Zhao was the first to unbalance the world in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Intent on gaining glory within the Fire Nation, he led the assault on the Northern Water Tribe and hunted the Avatar. Described as powerful but lacking constraint, he invaded the Spirit Oasis and killed the Moon Spirit, successfully destroying the source of all water bending.
But when Zhao's opponent was not a fish, he often failed; he was bested easily in Agni Kai against a teenaged Zuko, was outsmarted by 12-year-old Aang into burning his naval fleet, and was banished to the Spirit World by a vengeful Ocean spirit. His coveted legacy, "Zhao the Moonslayer," was quickly forgotten as the Moon was restored less than an hour after Zhao's success.
4 Tarrlok Was A Poor Politician (The Legend of Korra)
Serving as the representative for the Northern Water Tribe and chairman for Republic City, Tarrlok was a secondary antagonist in Book One of The Legend of Korra. His goal was to conquer Republic City through political power and manipulation. In doing so, he hoped to discredit the Avatar and prove himself superior to his late, crime-lord father.
But without political power, Tarrlok put up little threat to Team Avatar. He lost in a fair fight against Korra, resorting to bloodbending to subdue and capture her. His attempt to frame the Equalists for her kidnapping was quickly exposed, and he was forced to flee Republic City and abandon his plans. After facing his brother, Amon, in battle, Tarrlok lost and his bending was removed.
3 Mizuki Loses To The Academy's Worst Student (Naruto)
Mizuki was a chunin of the Hidden Leaf Village and a former instructor at the Ninja Academy in Naruto. By using the authority of his position, he convinced Naruto to steal the Scroll of Sealing for him. Mizuki planned to frame Naruto for its theft before disposing of him and fleeing the village; however, Iruka's interference caused his plans to fail.
Although Mizuki was an active ninja, he was defeated by one of the lowest-performing students at the Academy. He was easily overpowered by Naruto's shadow clones despite having several jutsu at his disposal. As a result of his failure, Mizuki was arrested and detained at Konoha Correctional Facility.
2 Orochimaru Was No Match For Sasuke (Naruto Shippuden)
As immortality was Orochimaru's ultimate goal, it is easy to understand how he still posed a threat to the Hidden Leaf Village in Naruto: Shippuden. After obtaining Sasuke Uchiha at the end of the prior series, Orochimaru spent two years honing Sasuke's abilities and strengthening his curse mark. His intention was to inhabit Sasuke's body through the Living Corpse Reincarnation, thereby restoring his own power and jutsu.
Despite the fear Orochimaru generated in Naruto, he failed to impress in its subsequent series. Still bedridden and jutsu-less following his encounter with Hirzoen Sarutobi, Orochimaru is confronted and easily dispatched in Episode 114, "Eye of the Hawk." His death left much to be desired after holding him on a pedestal for nearly seven seasons.
1 The New Seven Ninja Swordsmen Were A Group Of Angry Kids (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)
The New Seven Ninja Swordsmen were the antagonists for Episode 29 in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. A group of rogue ninja from Kirigakure, they were intent on overthrowing the Sixth Mizukage and restoring the Village's "Blood Mist" reputation. Their failed coup d'état against the village was ended swiftly by Chojuro, Boruto, and Sarada.
The group's efforts were laughable at best; despite their advantage in numbers, Chojuro subdued several members easily despite being tied up. Boruto and Sarada bested their opponents while sustaining minor injuries while the entire rebellion was written off as a "scuffle amongst kids." It's understandable, then, why they only served as a "threat" for a single episode.