Top 10 Times Animated Villains Faked Being Redeemed
#10: Poison Ivy Seemingly Turns Over a New Leaf
“Batman: The Animated Series” (1992-95) When a giant monster attacks and several people are poisoned with a mysterious substance, Batman immediately suspects Poison Ivy. There’s just one problem: she’s out of Arkham Asylum and married with two sons! Batman is naturally suspicious and trails her through a day of ordinary activities, but ends up concluding that she really has changed. When the Caped Crusader is convinced we usually are too, so for a moment it seems that Poison Ivy really did change! Just when we’re willing to believe this villain has turned the corner, Robin finds vital evidence to prove that she was behind the monsters all along. The day is saved as usual, but for a moment we were willing to believe her life of crime was over.
#9: Mojo Jojo Makes World Peace
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“The Powerpuff Girls Rule!!!” (2009) When the key to the world ends up in Townsville, everyone fights to possess it. Mojo Jojo ends up with the key and transforms the world into his ideal image. Except, it’s peaceful? Mojo reveals that all he wanted to do the entire series was simply make the world a better place. It’s a wild twist that convinces even the narrator that Mojo was actually a good guy all along! After a friendly conversation with the girls, Mojo examines his work only to realize one thing. He’s bored. The villain in him returns as he begins blasting away, undoing all the peaceful things he had created. It might have been short-lived, but he really did have us going there for a minute.
#8: Doc Ock Cures Aleksei
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“Marvel’s Spider-Man” (2017-20) This younger version of Doc Ock seemed to follow the typical character arc as he went through the motions of becoming a villain in his own right. He creates complex plans and forms a group to trouble Spider-Man, which is pretty much what we would expect. However, early in Season 2, we are introduced to a twist: Doc Ock desires a second chance, showing up to cure Aleksei of his Rhino transformation. With the former villain taking his place back at Horizon High, we were convinced that this young adult version of Otto really might be on the side of good from now on. However, he slips back into his devious methods yet again, sadly betraying our trust and stealing Peter’s body!
#7: Bluebird Azurite Tricks the Gems
“Steven Universe Future” (2019-20) Throughout the course of the original series, Aquamarine and Eyeball were a few of the enemies Steven encountered on his adventures. However, when the pair returns as a fusion named Bluebird Azurite in “Steven Universe Future,” it seems that they have changed. In a show centered around forgiveness and growth, it was no surprise that these villains would have redeemed themselves. Bluebird may pull the odd prank or two, but she truly seems like a new and reliable friend. The other gems are convinced right along with us, but Steven isn’t so sure. Bluebird really had us going until she takes Greg hostage in order to get Steven’s attention. They are swiftly dealt with, but we believed for a moment that these two had changed.
#6: Sasha Takes Over Newtopia
“Amphibia” (2019-22) For a long time, Sasha and Anne’s relationship was strained at best. When she reappeared at the Third Temple and helped charge the gem, we were tentatively convinced that she may have finally gotten over her grudge. Wartwood’s Battle of the Bands convinced us further when she abandoned her selfishness to play a rocking song with Anne and Marcy. However, when the group traveled to Newtopia, we were horrified right along with Anne when Sasha threw in her lot with Grime and took the city hostage. Even though she was doing the right thing, she had no idea and certainly wasn’t doing it for the right reasons. We had really been pulling for the trio to reunite, but it just wasn’t meant to be yet.
#5: Dr. Emilia Tries to Stab Kipo
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“Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts” (2020) Dr. Emilia’s plan to “cure” mutes by turning them back into animals is a twisted attempt at stripping away the minds of sentient creatures. However, as her plans of fostering hate begin to crumble, she makes a desperate attempt to end it all by transforming herself into a mega mute. Kipo battles the monster, but soon realizes that Emilia is losing herself inside the transformation. Taking pity on the woman, Kipo uses the cure to change her back, believing that Emilia can truly change. At this point, the audience thinks, like Kipo, that the time for change is at hand. Emilia has other plans, however, as she literally attempts to stab Kipo in the back! Pretty rude to the girl that saved your mind.
#4: Lotso Abandons the Toys
“Toy Story 3” (2010) Lotso rules Sunnyside Daycare with a plush fist, ensuring that his allies are treated carefully while other toys are tormented by the younger kids. During the gang’s escape from the playful prison, Lotso ends up pulling Woody into a dumpster, prompting the others to follow. At the dump, the toys struggle to survive the destructive machinery. In a moment of kindness, Buzz and Woody save Lotso from a shredder, leading us to believe his redemption was finally at hand. However, when he has his chance to return the favor, Lotso reveals his true colors, squashing our belief that he had finally changed. Of course, his punishment is swift when he gets strapped to a garbage truck, so it all worked out in the end.
#3: Shredder Works With the Turtles
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2012-17) When aliens threaten all life on Earth, the Turtles are forced to turn to one of their greatest enemies: Shredder. Splinter and April manage to convince the villain to assist them with a desperate plea. As the strange alliance is formed, we thought it might be time for Shredder to finally show a shred of good. Fighting alongside the Turtles, the group races to stop a black hole generator from activating. However, unable to let his grudge against Splinter go, Shredder fatally wounds him moments before the day is saved. The blow is not just against Splinter, but the entire Earth. It was not just a betrayal to the audience, but a shockingly violent one that led to the death of a beloved character… temporarily.
#2: Plankton Fakes Being Friends with SpongeBob
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“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-) Plankton trying to steal the Krabby Patty formula is a constant in life. However, there was a moment when we all believed Plankton had turned to the side of good. When SpongeBob convinces himself that Plankton is simply lonely and needs a friend, he reaches out and attempts to make the little guy’s life better. Of course, Plankton began the day with the plan to betray SpongeBob, but after a classic song explaining the meaning of fun, we started to believe he might actually be on the right side. He even resisted a Krabby Patty when it was right in front of him! Ultimately, our hearts were shattered right along with SpongeBob when Plankton revealed the truth and declared evil to be his true passion.
#1: Zuko Helps Azula in the Crystal Catacombs
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“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08) Zuko is well known for having a famously amazing redemption arc, but the path to the light wasn’t necessarily linear. After some time working in a tea shop with his Uncle Iroh, we thought that Zuko’s days of hunting down the Avatar were finally over. However, when the time comes to stand firmly against Azula and join Team Avatar, Zuko falters in the promise of regaining his honor and attacks Aang. It was such a shocking moment for the viewers, especially after we had seen the potential of what Zuko could become if he embraced kindness. Lucky for us, Zuko eventually turns the corner fully and embraces the side of good, but this setback is one that will always sting.
