Top 10 Heartbreaking Anime Villain Scenes

“Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works” (2014-15)

Theirs was a love not meant to be, at least according to Archer, who decided to skewer with them enough swords to turn them into pin cushions. Despite one being a seemingly emotionless statue of a man, and the other one of Greek mythology’s most infamous witches, the two formed a genuine bond. As genuine as one could expect in a bloodbath like the Holy Grail War. Too bad they never got the chance to see if a human and Heroic Spirit are biologically compatible, on account of Archer cutting their union short.

“Digimon Adventure 02” (2000-01)

Be honest, just one look at this guy and you’re already getting creep vibes, not helped by the fact Oikawa’s whole masterplan involved using children as catalysts for his long-sought desire to travel to the Digital World. Yeah, it’s weird, we know. And yet the man still got a redemption arc all to himself! Used as a puppet by Myotismon, driven by the grief of losing his dearest friend, desperate to hold onto that last shred of innocence he had left. He didn’t even get to cross over into the Digital World before he got himself deleted.

“Blue Submarine No.6” (1998-2000)

It’s not every day you feel sad for a hulking, monstrous shark man with daddy issues, but it just goes to further elaborate how there really are no winners in war. Following on from the death of his beloved father/creator, the big bad admiral of Zorndyke has a full-on meltdown. Like a traumatized child, all Verg can do is scream and try and make his way home, crying out for his papa all the while before the sea swallows him whole. It is not a pleasant watch.

“My Hero Academia” (2016-)

We knew that the murderous adolescent with a fetish for hands and scarring himself was going to have a majorly messed up backstory…we just didn’t know it would be this upsetting. After his Quirk activates without warning, Shigaraki loses everything he loves in a single night. His dog, his mother, his sister, his grandparents, all are turned to dust thanks to his innate ability to decay all he touches. The last to go is his abusive father, who ended up suffering the full weight of Shigaraki’s pent-up aggression, and in doing so cements the birth of hero society’s greatest nightmare.

“Higurashi: When They Cry” (2006-)

It’s worth noting that right from the get-go – this nurse is batshit insane! The figure responsible for most of the horror found in early arcs, Takano is all about attaining godhood, and doesn’t care who she has to traumatize or experiment on in order to make that a reality. Her actions are atrocious, she’s a deplorable person…and yet we can’t help but feel tinges of sadness when we see her breakdown when it all comes undone. There’s every chance she’s suffering under the same curse as everyone else, and was driven to madness as a result. Let’s just agree that in this particular timeline, we can just about stomach her existence.

“Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai” (2020-)

Something of a transcendent villain, Hadlar’s arc from original Dark Lord all the way to a complex and empathic soul was so well done that he practically outshone Dai and company. Despite losing to the Dragon Knight during their final bout, Hadlar went out of his way to protect those who he once swore to destroy after a surprise attack from Killvearn. Rather than sneak away and fight another day, Hadlar chooses to die as a being of honor, in the arms of his eternal nemesis no less! Boss move.

“Naruto” (2002-04)

The first major villain that the whiskered shinobi took on turned out to be a cut above the rest in hindsight. Aside from a merciless killer and master of making it rain (blood), Zabuza’s unique relationship with Haku revealed that beneath all the rage and murder, he had a softness to him. Sure, he was far from what you would consider a good man, but he nonetheless cared for his young charge, to such an extent he began to regret his actions, if only because they would deny them the chance to be reunited after he too crossed over. What do you mean am I crying? I’ve just got Gato’s guts in my eyes!

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10)

He was the personification of avarice, driven only by his desire to obtain all he could for his own worldly wants. And yet, come his demise, Greed willingly gave it all up to protect the irreplaceable treasures that were his newfound friends. Having grown close to Ling and learning to see beyond his sinful persona, Greed chooses to stick it to his tyrannical daddy, sacrificing his life essence in order to leave Father vulnerable. Who would have thought – Greed IS good!

“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14)

The Chimera Ant King came into the world as a killer, the strongest of his kind, and without any sense of comradery to speak of. Nothing more than an automaton that wanted to turn all of humanity into feed for his people. But then he made a friend, learned how to play next-level checkers, and discovered meaning in fighting to protect those that you care for. Despite killing a fair few hunters and civilians over his short lifespan, Meruem still learned to value life, especially his bestie Komugi. You will believe an insectoid with genocidal ambitions will make you weep over their death.

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” (2019-)

For decades, this deadliest of duos victimized and slaughtered their way through the Entertainment District unchallenged, fuelled by the bitterness of their former lives and their newfound power as members of the Upper Moon. There’s no denying that Daki is a brat who kills out of jealousy, and Gyutaro is a monster who takes great enjoyment in playing with his victims, but then we learned where it all came from. Surprise, surprise, their lives as humans sucked. Abandoned and beaten, tormented and treated abhorrently, it’s easy to see how a brother and sister could be driven to becoming demons. Hence why we couldn’t help but feel such sorrow for them as they walked into hell together following their fall. Together to the end.