Top 10 Anime Villains We Wanted To Win

“Space Dandy” (2014)
Out of all the missions that the Gorgol Empire could give you, capturing the crew of the Aloha Oe is probably the worst since more often than not you’ll end up humiliated or just plain dead. This genius gorilla-like alien may have the intellect, but against the charisma and sheer dumb luck of the grooviest pompadour in the cosmos, all of his attempts end in failure. While we’re all for Dandy getting out of any situation unscathed, you have to feel sorry for the poor doctor.

“Naruto Shippuden” (2007-)
Hasn’t this guy been through enough?! The former friend of Kakashi has suffered more tragedy than most can comprehend. This includes getting half his body crushed, fighting back from the brink of death, only to watch his best friend kill his love interest. With so much loss and hatred inside him, is it any surprise that he swore loyalty to Madara Uchiha, created the Akatsuki and started an entire war all for revenge? Sure it’s a bit excessive, but some part of you wanted him come out on top.

“Fate/Zero” (2011-12)
There’s a thin line between sympathy and loathing for a villain who was literally born without the capacity to enjoy anything but the misery of others, and after seeing all the depraved things the so-called hero Kiritsugu was up to, you kiiinda want the mad priest to find his happiness. Even if it is completely fucked up! While serving as a mediator for the Fifth Holy Grail War, his shit-disturbing conspiring with Gilgamesh was the highlight of the show. At least it wasn’t a total loss.

“Yu-Gi-Oh!” (2000-06)
You have to admire the tenacity of this guy, while other villains were stealing the spotlight he was lurking in the shadows just waiting for the opportunity to strike. The spirit of the bandit king, which now inhabits the body of the frail Bakura through the Millennium Ring, seeks ultimate power and will do whatever it takes to get it. Fond of throwing his victims to the Shadow Realm, he’s actually been bested many a time, but somehow just keeps coming back. How’s that for commitment.

“Persona 4: The Animation” (2011-12)
Ok, we’re not saying he did anything wrong – throwing people into TVs is never something we’d condone. But for all his faults, Adachi was easily one of the most lovable members of the cast. Sure his sudden heel turn did bring about his psychotic side. Sure he didn’t seem to regret his actions. Sure he tried to kill some innocent high school students…but hey, not even ol’ Dojima could bring himself to be happy that they caught the killer.

“Pokemon” (1997-)
Talk about going beyond the call of duty. The dastardly trio of Jessie, James and Meowth have been in pursuit of Pikachu for nearly twenty years, and while they have failed every single time, you have to give them credit for not only never giving up, but also coming up with some of the craziest schemes in order to steal from a literal child. Sure, they’ve come within a hair's breadth of victory – but it just never seems to last…

“Akame ga Kill” (2014)
The leader of the Jaegers doesn’t lack for determination when it comes to battle or matters of the heart. Sadistic in nature and never hesitating to slaughter innocents for the sake of her mission, it’s pretty shocking she fell so hard for protagonist Tatsumi, who seemed to bring out her lost humanity. While her actions were deplorable, we couldn’t pine for her to let that whirlwind romance guide her towards a better life.

“Aldnoah.Zero” (2014-15)
Unrequited love can sure be a bitch. A fiercely devoted follower to Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia, Slaine was originally a peaceful young man who would do anything for the girl he loves, unfortunately that desire got slowly twisted until he was waging war against the entirety of the Earth in her name. Despite having a few anger issues and a tendency to solve things with military might, we can’t help but want him to triumph over his romantic rival and sentient loaf of bread, Inaho.

“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (2012-)
What is it about this show that just keeps on creating such entertaining psychopaths? This mass murderer who loves killing just as much as he wants to be left alone, is as demented as they come yet still manages to ooze charisma. By shifting the episodes into Kira’s perspective, you can’t help but hope he gets out of each of the increasingly wacky situations. However, all that came crashing down with several Ora Ora Ora’s to the face.

“Death Note” (2006-07)
He was so close! Whether you consider him more of anti-hero or full on psychopath, there’s no denying Light’s choice to kill all those he deemed as evil left him morally questionable. Try as we might however, we just can’t hate him. It’s that simple. His intellect, talent for manipulation and growing psychosis made him a creepily endearing character who was on the verge of achieving his goal, only to falter at the last hurdle. While his defeat is truly bittersweet, there will always be that part of us that hoped that Light would manage to climb his way to the throne of godhood.