Top 10 Loyal Henchmen in Anime that we Love

"One Piece" (1999-)
Donflamingo is one of the most ruthless and vile pirates around, so it's only fitting that his band of merry men is equally as bloodthirsty. Known as his Donquixote Pirates, this group of fiends are no strangers to corruption, pillaging, and a whole lot of murder. Thing is, they're such weirdos that you just can't bring yourself to hate them. From the deceptively cute Sugar to the slovenly Trebol and outrageous diaper-rocking Senor Pink, their odd quirks somehow make up for their lack of human decency. Except for Diamante… Diamante can go to hell.

"Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duel Monsters" (2000-04)
Having been abandoned in the desert as a child, Odion was found by the tomb keeper's wife and quickly taken in. When the new heir to the tomb keepers, Mark Ishtar is born, Odion at first harbors a great resentment against him for taking what he felt was his place. But with time these feelings soon waiver and he pledges to protect both Marik and his adoptive sister Ishizu. Despite Odion's best efforts, Marik is brutally tortured by his father which gives birth to his darker personality, something Odion tries his best to keep at bay.

"Kill La Kill" (2013-14)
The Honnoji Acedemy is ruled with absolute authority by the Student Council President, Satsuki Kiryuin. Directly under her command are the powerful Elite Four who each represent a different Committee chair within the school. Each member is inspired by her unshakable resolve and pledge absolute loyalty to Satsuki, following her no matter what side she takes in the battle against her own mother Ragyo and the Life Fibers.

"The Devil is a Part-Timer!" (2013)
The life of a high ranking demon official takes a turn for a worse when both he and his master, the Demon King Satan, find themselves transported into modern day Japan. Luckily for Satan, otherwise known as Sadao Maou, his Demon General, Shiro Ashiya, is loyal beyond words and makes it his number one objective to help him integrate into everyday normal life. Shiro tasks himself with routine chores such as cleaning their new home or cooking food, all the while researching at the local library hoping to find new ways to restore the demon kings lost powers.

"Naruto" Franchise (2002-17)
When Naruto and his team first meet Kabuto within the chunnin exams, he seems like a decent guy, offering advice and quickly befriending them. But behind that cheery exterior, he's the right hand man of one of the most infamous criminals in Konoha's history, the former legendary Sannin's Orochimaru. Kabuto's medical skills are the perfect match for his master's goal of immortality and later down the line he even injects himself with the cells of his master to gain the very same serpent like powers. Although Black Zetsu is a great contender for this list, Kabuto just narrowly passes him.

"Death Note" (2006-07)
When hopeful 'L' successor Near closes in on finding the true identity of Kira, Light Yagami devises a cunning plan and entrusts his Death Note to quite possibly the most devout follower of Kira he could ever find. With a strong sense of justice, Mikami absolutely despises any sort of crime, and worships Kira as his one true God. Because of this absolute loyalty, Teru Mikami follows any and all orders from Light, even if it may be at the cost of his own life.

"Gurren Lagann" (2007)
As a commander of the Human Eradication Army, the beastman Viral is extremely loyal to his Leader Lordgenome and the four supreme generals. He believes that the Humans who have emerged from underground are nothing more than 'Naked Apes' and holds a great distain against them – simply because he was told so. Overtime this contempt wanes as the beastman army is defeated by Team Dai Gurren and Viral soon finds himself fighting on the same side as the people he once considered his enemies. Nonetheless, Viral sticks to his beastman roots and still remains respectful to his former leader when they meet once more in an unusual reunion.

"Jojo's Bizarre Adventure" (2012-13)
Wamuu is a part of the Pillarman tribe, an ancient species of powerful human-like beings who lived many millennia ago. He emerges from a wall under the Roman Colosseum once discovered by Nazi soldiers, and after making quick work of them he awakens his masters Esidisi and Kars. Despite being incredibly loyal to them both, Wamuu has a great sense of honour, stopping himself from attacking a defenseless Joseph Joestar and allowing him an entire month to master his ripple abilities, so that he may redeem himself in battle. He may bend the knee to the nastiest pillarman on the block, but with a fighting spirit like that you can't help but admire the big guy.

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#2: Team Rocket

Also in:

Top 10 Team Rocket Battles in Pokemon

"Pokemon" Franchise (1997-)
Despite an astronomical number of constant failures, Team Rocket have never once given up their goal of capturing Ash's Pikachu - A Pokemon which the trio consider to be extremely powerful and would make a valuable asset for their boss, the leader of Team Rocket Giovanni. Despite their constant evil scheming Jessie, James and Meowth can actually be quite kind hearted and often find themselves helping Ash and his group. Only one thing is certain with this troublesome trio, they'll be blasting off again.

Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honourable mentions:

Pirotess
"Record of Lodoss War" (1990-91)

Oboro
"Gintama" (2006-)

Ogremon
"Digimon: Digital Monsters" (1999-2000)

"Dragon Ball Z" (1989-1996)
Being the Captain of the fearsome Ginyu Force is no small feat, especially when these elite mercenaries work directly for the Emperor of the universe known as Freiza. Despite his unusual poses, Captain Ginyu is a force to be reckoned with and thanks to his special Body Change technique he is one of the few characters within the Dragon ball franchise to have a victory over Goku... albeit one that doesn't last too long. Hell, a win is a win, right?