Villains are a vital part of any anime series. Some are rotten to their core, never changing or wavering in their ideals. Some turn to the light eventually, going through major development that leads to their redemption. Then there are other villains, the ones that feel deserving of that chance to change and become better versions of themselves, but never get it.

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They may come close and might even be on the verge of that breakthrough, but for some reason, they never quite manage to reach that final, satisfying conclusion. Fans can see the good in these characters. They know they aren't all bad. Even so, somehow they just aren't able to cross that threshold.

10  Queen Beryl Turned To Darkness For Her Love (Sailor Moon)

Queen Beryl Death Sailor Moon Crystal

Queen Beryl is the first major villain of the Sailor Moon series and ruler of the Dark Kingdom responsible for the Moon Kingdom's destruction. However, she isn't purely evil. She became corrupted by Metalia after falling in love with Endymion.

The pain of losing him to Serenity caused her to turn to the darkness, allowing Metalia to use her for her own means. Though she is just as redeemable as the other villains, she doesn't become purified by Sailor Moon and instead meets her end at the hands of the Senshi.

9 Bankotsu Is An Honorable Fighter (Inuyasha)

Bankotsu Inuyasha Anime

Bankotsu is the antagonist of the Mount Hakurei arc in Inuyasha and is the leader of the Band of Seven. He is the strongest of the brothers, making him the biggest threat against Inuyasha and the group. Despite his brutality, he has a sense of honor. He proves to be a loyal companion and is highly protective of his six brothers.

His dedication towards his comrades carries over into their deaths as he buries each one properly and pays them respects. Bankotsu isn't an evil person, but his misguided views on what it takes to survive prevent him from ever receiving redemption.

8 Misa Does Everything For Light's Sake (Death Note)

Misa Amane in Death Note

Misa Amane is the second Kira to appear in the Death Note series. She joins Light after falling in love with the original Kira, a point that Light gladly exploits. Though she may be helping Light with his killings, she only does so out of love for him. Her feelings are manipulated by Light throughout the story as he forces her to commit unspeakable acts. Her intentions behind her loyalty are pure.

Her love for Light shows her ability to feel compassion, something that sets her apart from him. She is not a coldhearted killer, and redemption would have been possible if she had gotten away from Kira.

7 Alois Trancy Is A Victim Of Abuse Just Looking For Love (Black Butler II)

alois trancy sad

The second season of Black Butler introduces a slew of new characters, including Alois Trancy, one of the main antagonists. From his very first introduction, he is psychotic and sadistic. But as the season unfolds, the audience sees his tragic past, slowly understanding why he's become the monster he is now.

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Alois is a very damaged soul who craves nothing more than to be loved by others. He attaches himself to Claude, hoping to get such love from him. In the end, however, Claude's involvement in his life is his downfall. Had he found the love he needed sooner, he never would have become so twisted. By the time he does find it, it's much too late.

6 Lust Has The Potential For More Than Villainry (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Lust And Gluttony FMA

Lust is different from her fellow homunculi in Fullmetal Alchemist. Unlike them, she bears no personality traits of her namesake sin. And though she is likely the most sadistic of the group, she also has the most potential for redemption. She has shown the capability for compassion, especially in her fondness for Gluttony.

Despite her brutal nature, she has admirable traits and is a sympathetic character, especially in the 2003 adaptation. In this version, Lust does earn brief redemption after joining the side of the Elric brothers. However, this quickly leads to her death, leaving it never fully realized.

5 Kimimaro Wants To Be Useful To The One Who Saved His Life (Naruto)

kimimaro

Kimimaro is a loyal Orochimaru follower in Naruto. He dedicates his life to him, doing whatever it takes to be of use to his savior. Though he is an enemy of the Hidden Villages, he is not a bad person himself. He displays a great deal of loyalty to his comrades. He cares for them, especially Jugo, who becomes a good friend to him. Though his loyalty is misguided, he merely wishes to repay Orochimaru for what he did for him.

Unfortunately, Kimimaro doesn't survive to earn the redemption he rightfully deserves. Before that time can ever come, he succumbs to his illness, dying during one last-ditch effort to be of use to his master.

4 Enishi Is Suffering From The Death Of His Sister (Rurouni Kenshin)

Rurouni Kenshin Yukishiro Enishi

Enishi Yukishiro is introduced as the main villain of the Jinchu arc in Rurouni Kenshin and the OVA, Samurai X: Reflection. He is fueled by the desire to avenge the death of his sister, Tomoe, and aims to kill Kenshin to do so. Though he is the villain of this arc, the audience can sympathize greatly with Enishi.

He is suffering from the loss of his sister and has never been the same since her death. When Kenshin defeats him, he falls into despair and breaks emotionally. Though it is implied that he will recover and be a better man, fans never get to see this much-deserved redemption.

3 Azula Is Severely Damaged From Her Abusive Childhood (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Azula wants to confront her mother in Avatar: The Last Airbender

Fans can agree that Azula is the most fearsome antagonist of Avatar: The Last Airbender, even more so than her father, Firelord Ozai. Everyone in the series seems to loathe her. On the surface, she looks like one of the most irredeemable villains.

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However, the psychological break she goes through at the end of the show reveals that underneath that proud exterior is a little girl in pain. Her abusive home did more damage to her than she lets on, instilling in her the need to be perfect. Had she gotten the same genuine love that Zuko found, she likely would have changed her ways.

2 Mariko Is Just A Child But Was Turned Into A Monster (Elfen Lied)

Mariko Crying Elfen Lied

Mariko Kurama is one of the most dangerous Diclonius of the series Elfen Lied. She is Chief Kurama's daughter and is kept alive at the plea of her dying mother, Hiromi. From her birth, she is kept locked away in a high-security prison cell at the research facility. She has no interaction with others, and until she is released to search for Lucy, she has never even seen the light of day.

By this point, she has developed the mind of a killer and has no compassion for humanity. Despite this, she is still just a young child. Her inhumane care turned her into the monster they all fear. Had she received a parent's love, she may have turned out differently.

1 Team Rocket's Members Remain The Villains Despite Showing How Good They Really Are (Pokémon)

Team Rocket Pokemon Anime

Throughout the Pokémon anime series, Team Rocket has been the villain of every region. They follow Ash and the gang, always plotting to capture Pikachu and whatever other Pokémon they can get their hands on. Though they are the main antagonists, they have shown the capability of being heroes. They've aided Ash in times of need, and the group has gotten along on several occasions. Not to mention, they show genuine love for their Pokémon, growing concerned whenever they're endangered.

Fans know that Jessie and James are both good people, despite working for a villainous group. They could easily join the heroes and fit right in, but instead, they continuously go back to their useless attempts at stealing Pokémon.

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