Top 5 Evil Anime Protagonists

They Broke Bad and Never Went Back

Just because they’re the stars of their respective series, doesn’t mean that all anime protagonists lean towards lawful good. As it happens, some of them do bad better than most other villains. While we love watching these five strut their wicked stuff, they’re probably the last people you should look to when trouble comes along. Chances are they probably started it in the first place.

#5: Umaru
“Himouto! Umaru-chan” (2015; 2017)

Don’t try to tell us that this little hellspawn isn’t a villain. Acting like the perfect student, only to turn into a demon in an orange hoodie when no one is around, her obsession with junk food and video games only matched by the ferocity of her tantrums when she doesn’t get her way. She ticks so many boxes when it comes to your classic anime villain that it’s almost scary. While you’re bound to tear out your own hair after the umpteenth outburst, she’ll still try to win you back with that innocent façade a second later. Damn you, Umaru!

#4: Kiritsugu Emiya
“Fate/Zero” (2011-12) 

If you want something as grotesque as the Fourth Holy Grail War to go your way, then you’re going to have to play dirty. While we can certainly understand the motivations behind why Kiritsugu played the game the way he did, it’s easy to see why Saber was so pissed at him for how he did so. Setting his wife as bait, trying to cheat the rules, assassinating the other Masters and Servants with underhanded means, this so-called Champion of Justice cut way too many corners while trying to save the world. Shame that the price turned out to be a tad too high in the end. 

#3: Tanya von Degurechaff
“Saga of Tanya the Evil” (2017)

The title kind of gives it a way. After finding himself being sent to a parallel world in the body of a young girl, Tanya is given a new lease on life, one that involves killing a lot of enemy soldiers with magic and the most terrifying murder face you will have ever see. Needless to say, she’s not happy about her reincarnation, despite how much she obviously enjoys the killing part, and so sets her sights on taking out the one person who put her in this position to begin with; God. 

#2: Ainz Ooal Gown
“Overlord” (2015-2018)

Sorry to all of you who thought that deep down Bone Daddy was still traversing the anti-hero route. However, if his most recent antics are anything to go by, there’s no doubt he’s truly embraced his role as that of a villain. In order to bring the Great Tomb of Nazarick to glory, Ainz has not only committed unspeakable atrocities but also great deceptions over those who would view him as a selfless ally. Killing 70,000 soldiers, leading a group of adventurers to their doom, tricking an entire kingdom’s populace into submission – the Sorcerer King has got it made! 

#1: Light Yagami
“Death Note” (2006-07)

We won’t deny watching this genius student think his way out of impossible situations was what made the anime such a gem, but let’s be honest here… Light is a villain through and through. Using the Death Note in order to become the God of the New World, the man known as Kira dropped countless bodies in the name of his personal crusade, including plenty of innocents. Consumed by hubris and pride of divine proportions, Light talks a big game about justice, but his desires are that of a bright lad whose messiah complex got way out of control…

Be sure to check out the video below to see our picks for the Top 10 Deadliest Little Boys in Anime.