How to be a Good Villain
The best villains are known for more than their laugh
When you hear “villain” what do you think of? Perhaps a goon in a cape ramblings about evil plans for world domination. Perhaps someone with wild eyes and a kooky laugh. Most can agree that the one thing you will imagine when you hear the word villain is something or someone evil. Because, that’s what a villain is supposed to be, right? What if I told you that I like villains who AREN’T exactly evil? That villains who go around wanting to take over the world and kicking every puppy in sight could be found in any Powerpuff Girls cartoon and are boring? …Well, that’s what I’m saying right now.
I’m not trying to be a hipster here when I say that the whole “whole domination” motive for villains is getting old. I believe you shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken, and something common isn’t advertantly BAD. But it’s become such a default mould for villains that it’s often a tempting choice instead of constructing a thought-out bad guy. I would recommend you to follow aboriginalbluemountains for all the latest updates.
I want something a little different and a tad more believeable. What would you even need the entire world for? Nevermind that, the goal itself is nigh impossible unless the character is absurdly overpowered. It’s offputting to see villains with that goal since no normal person would even dream of it, and I want characters I can at least vaguely relate to. It’s like trying to picture how big the universe is, it’s just too grand a scale to wrap my head around and see a point to it. I can relate to wanting to take over a city, but not the entire world.
Typical “I’m evil because I was written that way” villain
Basing an entire villain around world domination is just one problem for designing a villain, and it often stems from just wanting a villain to be evil and stopping there. “Oh, we need someone to oppose the hero? Well, make him heartless, wretched, and eager to hurt anything that comes in his path. That’s original!” How many anime villains have wanted to take over the world or just be a royal pain in the ass for no reason aside from being designed that way? (or maybe a depressing past, but that hardly warrants the birth of a megalomaniac).
Villains who are evil for the sake of being evil lack a real purpose. What’s there to motivate them? I find that the best villains aren’t the demented ones who try to take over the world, but the ones who exist in a sort of moral grey area. They have a set goal in mind that almost sounds just, but their means of achieving it are morally unsound. If anything, they seem like they have misguided morals and could be coaxed back to the right path. What makes them so tragic is that they’re putting so much effort and talent towards all the wrong things. This sort of evil hits a lot closer to home than those who torture the protagonist with sharks and laserbeams for me.
The Moral Grey Area
SO WHAT THE HELL AM I TALKING ABOUT WITH THIS GREY MORAL AREA THING, HUH? Death Note’s Light Yagami is a perfect first example of this. Nice, smart boy with unlimited potential. He comes across a source of power and starts using it for what he thinks is the right thing – killing criminals. It almost sounds like the right thing to do. That is, until he gets drunk with power and starts whittling down the population so that anyone he deems as unworthy gets the axe. Light kills a lot of innocent people, but he’s convinced that his goal is for the greater good. It’s really hard to say if it is. What made his battle with L so interesting aside from the clash of wits was the clash of morals. The story would be a lot different if Light just killed indiscriminately without a goal. KILL EVERYONE Light would be impossible to sympathize with. “I am doing the right thing…” mindset Light has the possibility of convincing others to take his side.
By placing characters in a position that is neither objectively wrong or right, it forces the viewer to really think and decide what they believe to be good or evil. Shiki does this perfectly, so that by the end of the series it is YOU who ultimately decides which person is the real villain. Both the humans and shiki are equal in terms of morality. Both kill each other out of necessity to survive, although often times they enjoy the killings more than they should or get too carried away. Who is in the wrong: the vampire who needs to kill humans so they survive or the humans who kill the vampires so they won’t murder everyone in the village? Both sides can be argued and neither side is right…It’s intricately set up to be subjective, and I love that.
Time for everyone’s favourite villain this year: Kyubei from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica. Some slight spoilers here, but Show ▼
Despite having good intentions, Kyubei is probably one of the most despised villains in anime to date. If you haven’t seen fanart of him being eaten, shot, punched, dropkicked or blasted to death, you haven’t been around enough. The beauty of moral grey areas is that sometimes the standards set in our society will tend to shift in one way more than another. For poor QB, that would be to the despised side. He’s as much in the not-too-evil-not-too-good Goldilocks area as anyone, but you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone supporting the little fuzzball.
On the slightly darker grey section of the moral scale lie characters like Orihara Izaya from Durarara!!. They do some good, they do some evil, but overall they just do whatever tickles their fancy. It’s hard to call them outright evil…but they sure do some evil things. It’s hard to pull off well-rounded characters like that who sometimes bat for the other team, but it really pays off. If you’ve seen Slayers, Xellos also pulls this off quite nicely. He follows Lina around when it suits him, even protecting them at times if they’ll lead him to something of interest. As soon as their interests conflict, oh, it is ON. The flipping from good to bad to neutral really makes these characters unpredictable and great sources of shock value of the non-corny variety.
Exceptions
Just making a character with ambiguous morals isn’t the only thing needed for a good villain. I find that most of my favourite villains are in this category, but that isn’t the only thing that makes them stand out. Character design, backstory, how they interact with the “hero” and even how awesome their laugh is dictate what makes a good villain. It’s hard to peg down one ultimate must-have for a character, since characters should be multi-dimensional. Heck, I absolutely adore some villains who are just batshit crazy and like to kill people just because THEY DO. But they aren’t necessarily well-designed now, are they?
Now it’s your turn
So you’ve heard my thoughts, I want to hear yours. Do you think morally ambiguous villains are the best type of villains? Prefer the pure evil type? Have a favourite villain you just want to talk about? Feel free to drum up a discussion, I want to see what kind of evil-doer tickles your fancy! This is my first editorial, but don’t be afraid to speak your mind!
Mini Picspam of Some of Cool’s Favourite Villains:Show ▼
About Overcooled
A neuroscience graduate, black belt, and all-around nerd. You'll either find me in my lab or curled up in my rilakkuma kigurumi watching anime.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
A villain should be arrogant. He also needs to be self-centered and thinks he’s ALWAYS right. That’s why he’s going to be The Villain right? Standing up to his beliefs even though it’s wrong, to the point where he’s willing to do anything to prove that his beliefs are right. So I don’t really get how people who think about others are villains. The perfect example is Kagura’s brother in Gintama. He is one sadistic bastard, but he thinks he’s right so he’ll do it in his own ways. Who gives a shit about others?
Also, a villain should be smart and manipulative. How can he carries out his world domination plan if he can’t even trick people? Good-looking and neat, in order to trick people physically. Has a unique was of speaking, since he needs to charm people with his words.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I’m not sure if I require arrogance in a villain. Sometimes seeing a human side where they question themselves makes them all the more realistic. For example, Clair Leonelli goes around killing people with grenades as he pleases, but easily crumbles when confronted about his reasons. You have to see his mood swings in action to believe it XD
Man, i need to catch up on some Gintama.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
just read it.
READ IT, OR SOMETHING BAD WILL HAPPEN *prepare weapon*
POWUH: iLurker with 17 comments
I once read this post about two types of villains. Evil as Order and Evil as Chaos. I personally like Chaos villains, ones that are psychotic but brilliant and do what they do for their own sick amusement. It unnerves me that they just do horrible things because they can. I like the ones that aren’t one-dimensional and that’s the only trait they have. Where they’re in the moral gray area like Izaya. He does whatever he wants even if its downright evil for fun. But he also helps the hero out. You can’t label him easily and those are the kind of villains I like. The ones that aren’t one thing or good or evil.
The Order villains who have a sound reason and plan everything out are even worse. Like QB though he’s not human and does horrible things what he does makes SENSE. He’s also in the moral gray are because I can easily imagine us humans doing the same thing. Is it really that wrong if we’d do the same thing. It freaks me out even more when I can imagine myself doing what some Order villains do. I mean they seem so sane and some even think they’re doing the right thing. Them having a good reason makes me question whether I’m that good of a person if I can understand or agree with their reason. Some people complain when villains don’t have a motive but when they do it’s horrible. And when someone who IS human does this it creeps me out even more.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Oh, is that sort of like how they divide things into Lawful Evil, Neutral Evil and Chaotic Evil? Sounds like a really interesting post.
I generally tend to prefer ordered evil as opposed to chaotic evil. I like that the villains actually get me to want to side with them, they make it sound so logical. If I were in an anime, I bet I’d end up becoming a villain like that…
POWUH: 400-499 with 406 comments
I usually end up liking the villians a lot more than the protagonists.
Though I do agree that if they are just pain in the ass, pop up everywhere the protagonist goes just to annoy them…
I… hate them.
Some of my favourite villians are the ones who are “evil” because they aren’t quite sane.
…Though this is probably because I have an interest in mental disorders.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Same here. Villains are where it’s at! I’m studying the brain and brain dysfunctions so I’m interested in mental disorders too haha *adjusts non-prescription glasses*
…I hate villains that show up every episode because “oh crap, what else would we do with the plot?! BRING BACK TEAM ROCKET”
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 99 comments
Nice post. You can tell just by the overwhelming response. :3
I’m in the minority, but I don’t really like villains. xD To me, it usually boils down to how well they fit into the story and how well they contrast with the hero. I don’t really like them though, just their concept. Though, I do like guys who were innately good and were either corrupted (The Count, Light) or reformed (Gaara, Greed) though I usually pity the former more than I actually like their characters.
I can’t stand most villains who are clear fangirl/fanboy bait. I’m always suckered in by evil redheads, so that makes me a hypocrite, but ehh. 😛
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
(I fixed your double comment, haha. Sometimes I miss the second page button too) Wow, you don’t like villains? That’s a new one. I guess you’re the rare pure of heart otaku? XD Well, as long as you don’t fall for the fangirl/boy bait, those are the worst. You are excused for having a weakness for redheads.
And thanks! I’m glad the response was so positive XD
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 99 comments
Thanks so much for fixing my mistake! 😀 Hopefully, I won’t make it again.
Hmm… Anime with well-written villains are much better than those without them imo, but when it boils down to personalities I actually like, I usually prefer good guys. It’s strange though, I agree. xD
POWUH: 400-499 with 489 comments
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I will sell it and make millions
POWUH: 400-499 with 489 comments
ALLLL RIGHT the most AWESOME SAUCE’d DVD since … THOSES OTHER ONES
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
Personally I find Shiki’s Toshio Ozaki to be the most appalling as I am a doctor. As a medical professional, specifically a doctor, it your responsibility to “do no harm” regardless of your patients “condition”. His actions are questionable to downright sadistic. Show ▼
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POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
What he did to his wife was wrong, yes. But looking at the circumstances where he didn’t want to do it, but did it just to try and find a surefire way to ensure the safety of others…I find myself siding with him. I too would sacrifice one life for many, even if it had to be done in such a gruesome way. It depends on the person. I’m not a doctor yet so I don’t have a doctor’s mentality, but I can see how his actions would REALLY strike a chord with you for medical malpractice.
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 107 comments
Hmm… for me the best kind of villians are the sort that are laid back,sharp minded and mess around with people’s head JUST FOR FUN.
But of course, having a moral grey area definitely helps to make the character more interesting. 😀
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I like my villains on the clever side too. I don’t like villains I could outsmart myself XD
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 58 comments
Morally ambiguous are my personal favorite… I hate it when a villain is just plain “evil”. Its almost as if the writers are trying to force you to see the character in their eyes. Sitting down and figuring out the character is much more enjoyable and leads to a much higher connection with the anime.
On that note I also dislike it when the bad guy suddenly is like “oh btw, I’m good now =D” *insert happy-happy buddy-buddy-ness here*… It sorta ruins the mood with its cliche friendliness and can only occur successfully if it means the end of the series.
The villains that are just plain evil i usually hate and wish for the main characters to beat their arses and move on >_>
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Pure evil villains can be good just for mindless fun though. Psychos can be fun, but a lot of the time they’re just written as being the token lunatic sadist with no depth. D:
Oh God, I hate when villains switch sides for bad reasons. Like all of a sudden they see the heroes are friends and realize all they wanted was a friend and friendship friendship friends friends friendship BAM! THEY’RE GOOD NOW!
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 88 comments
I like QB, even though you can argue that he is not a villain.
A lot of people seem to hate him (or people say a lot of people hate him), but is that a good thing or a bad thing? I think it’s good that some series can actually make characters that are made intentionally to hate. People love hating QB. He really sells.
imo, one of the most important points about a good villain is being fashionable. This probably more applicable to western media than anime, but what makes villains iconic is usually because they’re x10000 more fab than the main characters!
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I think it’s a good thing when you can (purposefully) make a villain utterly despicable. Because that’s what a villain is supposed to be, in terms of how you feel about them.
Haha, yes, fashion is always important. I always liked black and purple more than the heroes and their sparkly, bright palette. XD
POWUH: 600-699 and Romance Expert with 652 comments
obviously my favorite kind of villain is the one who’s doing it for love.
best example is Yuno from mirai nikki. she isnt dubbed as the “queen of the yanderes” for nothing… she defeats a person who is supposedly impossible to beat.
but I also like the other types. just that I prefer the ones who do it for love.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
That sounds very creepy. Like an obsessed stalker. I don’t know if I can actually think of any villains I know who do it for love from things I’ve seen/read….Hmm…I need to think about this…
I still need to get around to reading Mirai Nikki!
POWUH: Occasional (51-75) with 67 comments
for me I would have to say one of the “villians” I like best is Zagato from Magic Knight Rayearth. He wanted to destroy that world so that the pillar of support, the one he loved, could be free.
I guess for me I love the ones who do the evil things in order to protect or because of a loved one. because no matter what they do in the end, can you really hate them for it?
lol. It sounds weird now that I have typed it out -.-
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I don’t think I ever survived until the end of Magic Knights Rayearth…It really wasn’t my cup of tea. But it is kind of sweet when they go so far just to help one person. Until you realize they are going wayyyy too far. Still, it’s very easy to sympathize with them and you get a bittersweet sensation when they die D:
POWUH: Metanorn Regular with 131 comments
I prefer the good guys. Izaya is a freak/monster. BUT, if it wasn’t for him, there wouldn’t be such awesome events in drrr. So I may forgive him cuz I like his jacket.
And light is not a bad guy at all IMO. To me, the villain was L all the time. But I remember that I used to love Mello’s crazy devotion for chocolates… and Near was so cute and… fluffy! lol Shit, I keep on curling my hair with my fingers till nowadays because of him…. ok, I’ll stop right here.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Oh, you’re like Renn then! Another hero-fan!
Light can be seen as either a villain/anti-hero or a hero to those who believe in his method. It all depends on who you think is right. To me, L was the hero. I miss reading Death Note, what an amazing manga…
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 305 comments
Woah, nice post! *o* I like your taste in villains!
Personally I like villains that are a bit morally ambiguous too, though I don’t mind if they’re just crazy either as long as there’s BLOODSHED >:]
I laughed pretty hard at that pic of Toshio~ He’s probably one of the best anti-heroes I’ve seen in a LONG time.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
8D Thank you! I tried my hardest to pimp out Clair Leonelli so more people will watch Heat Guy J lol
I had fun choosing art from my fanart/random pic collection XD Toshio was a great character who really straddled the line between hero and villain. Gotta love Shiki
POWUH: iLurker with 11 comments
i was expecting Lelouch “Light Yagami of Mecha” vi Brittania here.. now there was one morally ambiguous villain, though unlike the people in this list he did redeem himself in the end.
i like moral grey area villains, simply for the reason that they make for intelligent anime. they make you think. and since 80% of anime do not, they make for stimulating debates. 🙂
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
I’m afraid that I completely disliked Code Geass and Lelouch, so no regrets not mentioning the douche…
I like villains who make me think too. if I wanted to relax, I’d watch a slice of life or harem show -_-
POWUH: 400-499 and Manly Russians lover with 401 comments
OMG I LOVE YOU. Code Geass was shit.
POWUH: iLurker with 11 comments
really? why? 🙁 i mean yes R2 was just robots and boobs, but season 1 was pretty cool. 🙁
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Why? To me I found Code Geass to be the worst breed of cheesy melodrama about characters I couldn’t care less about. Not only were their personalities rotten, but the character designs were a turn off too. :/ Really, it was just so stupidly over the top and predictable that I couldn’t enjoy myself.
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 24 comments
You know what?? I’m too lazy to do a big-ass text on my personal choice. I’m just gonna point out the man who inspired every single great vilains in animes, Char Aznable. Not only is he charismatic, he is probably one of the most sympathic guy ever. A great character that unfortunately gets no love whatsoever from this website (yep, maybe only Webmaster Will will agree with me and is ashamed that you guys ignored the existence of Char Aznable)
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Haha, no problem. Char Aznable, huh? I haven’t heard of him but I looked him up now and he’s apparently a legendary character o_o Sadly I think we have, like, one mecha fan on the staff? Sorry to disappoint, TSRL. To each their own~
POWUH: Beginner (20-35) with 21 comments
my favorite are the crazy female character types. Shuffle, Myself Yourself and Rumbling Hearts have a few good ones
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
..Late reply is late.
I haven’t seen any of those, but a crazy-ass bitch is always the best kind of bitch. You gotta love those yanderes.
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
[…] to my monthly musing~ (from now on they’ll be monthly…) Last time I talked about villains, and this time I’m talking about superheroes! No, I’m not going to discuss what makes a […]
POWUH: iLurker with 3 comments
I like that you actually included Atori from Noein in one of your pictures… so many people haven’t heard of it and I thinkit’s kind of sad. On “Another Note”, I do agree with what your saying here and I’d like to see better villains who aren’t fuled by pure evil, the villains like that of Noein, Death Note, and and the like are much more interesting.
POWUH: Meta Team and The Mad Scientist with 5525 comments
Yes! Noein was such a great series, I had to include a picture with Atori in it. Furthermore, it had one of my other favourite obscure villains – Clair Leonelli. Death Note probably has the best depiction of a morally ambiguous villain I’ve ever seen. No wonder it’s pretty much everyone’s #1 anime or manga.
POWUH: iLurker with 1 comments
Great Review, i like the part about Light. I think he was such a great villain becaue of his 2 dimensional character. He also started out as the protagonist i reckon and swaped roles with L throughout the first season. I wasn’t up to date with some of the villains you mentioned and will check out the other animes.