A good villain is a key to a successful franchise because, as many believe, a series is only as good as its villain. Although there are exceptions, in most cases, fans love to root for the heroes while also sympathizing with the villains. With the cinematic introductions of characters like Loki and Deadpool -- and almost every character in Game of Thrones -- the line between the hero and the villain blurred. Of course, characters that didn't perfectly fit into a box existed before the 2010s, like Charles Foster Kane from Citizen Kane or even Darth Vader.
In the anime universe as well, the villain who has a heart, beliefs, or a logical objective has become a fan-favorite trope, especially after the 2000s. From the king of insects to a cat-esque creature and a bishounen supreme commander, anime villains are a diverse bunch. These are the most well-written anime villains of the 2010s.
Naruto: Madara Uchiha Became A Villain For World Peace
The legendary leader of the Uchiha clan is inarguably one of the greatest villains in Naruto Shippuden -- and in the entire anime history. Although he was a kind and reasonable child, once he found out that his best friend was a Senju, the rival clan of the Uchiha, everything has become harder for him. After the death of his brother Izuna – at the hands of Hashirama’s brother -- Madara became bitter and vengeful. Although the two had a dream of creating a world without suffering, their paths led them in different directions.
Madara is not just a textbook villain that aims for world domination. Although it is in his own twisted way, the sole thing he wanted was to bring peace to everyone. When looking from his perspective, putting people into a dream-like state where they can live the life they imagined is not an entirely villainous idea. Another name on this list could have been Obito. However, let's not forget that he is just a character who got manipulated by Madara in the first place.
Jojo's: Yoshikage Kira Is Serial Killer Who Wants A Quiet Life
Yoshikage Kira is an egocentric and psychopathic serial killer and the main antagonist of Jojo's Bizzare Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable. From the early years of his childhood, he was someone who avoided standing out. The only thing he wants is a peaceful and quiet life, where there is nothing to worry about or interrupt his daily routines. However, beneath this humble and mildly obsessive facade, there is a man who has periodic murderous impulses.
For years, he stayed undetected and undisturbed in the small town he lived in. However, his routine got shaken when the ghost of Reimi Sugimoto -- one of Kira's victims -- finds and begs the Joestar Group to report Kira to the police. Although Kira is also a Stand user, the fact that he is a serial killer makes his villainy more earthly rather than supernatural. Fans of Jojo's Bizzare Adventure are terrified by Kira and his obsession with women's hands, however, they also are compelled by his realness.
Berserk's Griffith Is Beautiful, But Terrifying and Remorseless
Although the anime adaptations could not meet the standards and expectations set by the masterpiece manga Berserk, Griffith still deserves a spot on this list. Berserk has many memorable antagonists, but Griffith is perhaps the most inhumane and dreadful. He is a man with supernatural beauty, a masterful tactician, and a skilled swordsman. At the beginning of the series, he was the beloved leader of the Band of the hawk and the best friend of protagonist Guts. However, once Guts left, Griffith was crushed under his crumbling ego and started to lose all his morality. After betraying his comrades and sacrificing his entire mercenary to be feasted on by a host of demons, Griffith embraced his darkness and gained a new understanding of the world order by being reborn as Femto.
It wouldn't be wrong to say that Griffith has become the victim of his own ambition and hubris. He did irredeemable things, betrayed those that trusted him the most, and became the cause of countless tragedies. While the way he is written makes people hate him, fans know that without him the story wouldn't be this enchanting. Luckily, after a long hiatus, the manga resumes, and fans can continue to read about this terrifying man.
Madoka Magica's Kyubey Is A Cute Cat-Like Villain
There is no cuter villain in anime than Puella Magi Madoka Magica's Kyubey. Kyubey appears as the "messenger of magic" who grants the wishes of young girls, but in return, the girls sign a contract to serve as magical girls to fight witches, creatures who feed on humans' hopes and dreams. At first, Kyubey seems like the usual animal sidekick the magical girls have -- like Luna and Artemis from Sailor Moon or Salem from Sabrina: The Teenage Witch. However, in time it is revealed that Kyubey's primary objective is to create witches, who are, in fact, magical girls whose souls are corrupted with grief and darkness.
Kyubey is a member of a powerful alien species -- a race incapable of feeling emotions -- and thus often appears to be distant, arrogant, and calculating. Voice actor Emiri Kato enhances the creepiness as well. Another frightening thing is that the girls cannot destroy Kyubey -- and even if they could, it would also mean their own destruction since Kyubey is the only way the girls can empty their grief seeds and keep on being themselves.
Hunter x Hunter's Meruem Is The King Of The Chimera Ants
Last but not least, Hunter x Hunter's Meruem, the sole King of the Chimera Ants and the Illuminating One, is a shining example of what makes an excellent villain. He was the most powerful offspring of the Chimera Ant Queen. He didn't have any kind of understanding of morality or ethics, but interestingly, he was able to create his own sense of hierarchy -- where human beings are at the bottom. He even decided to turn the royal palace of the Republic of East Gorteau into a meat orchard, where he could treat them as livestock. Not to forget, he is also the indirect reason for Kite's death.
Later, however, Meruem got to know a human woman named Komugi. As he spent time with her -- mostly playing a game called Gungi -- he started to care for her and eventually even fell in love with her. Through this relationship, Meruem learned to look at humanity from another perspective, which in the end led him to an identity crisis -- stuck between his insect and human persona, reminding the viewers of a certain someone named Seth Brundle.