Anime Villains Who Deserve To Win

Villains make up some of the most interesting characters in all of fiction. In anime, villains can be wacky, charismatic, and downright determined to have their way. While most of the time the villains will be thwarted by the heroes of their stories, there are some that you enjoy so much that you just want to see them claim victory.

Sure, this might mean that the world will become a worse place, or it might just be a selfish desire that gets fulfilled, but it’s compelling to ask what will come next. From iconic villain teams with a one-track mind to villains with a reasonable purpose, here are eight anime villains we want to see win.

8

One Piece Buggy The Clown

Send In The Clowns

Captain Buggy is one of many pirates who chase after the One Piece. While he initially poses a threat at the start of the series, Buggy is often portrayed as a second banana trying to get back on top. While at times he manages to get back into the spotlight, he often finds himself in deeper waters than he imagined.

Buggy has always been somewhat selfish and eager to achieve greatness, so much so that he accidentally swallows the Chop Chop Fruit while trying to steal it. Eventually, his reputation grows, and he gains a good position through his acts of cowardice, which accidentally result in the illusion of bravery. If Buggy were to find the One Piece it would probably be by accident, though we’d love to see it.

7

Light Yagami

One Foolish Mistake

Light Yagami is either the smartest character you know or the dumbest one. He tends to read into things too deeply, which only results in him being more suspicious. This is L’s line of thought when he suspects Light of being Kira. When Light finally defeats L, he gains control of the police as well as society, using his Death Note.

However, this plan is foiled when the second half of the series has Light going up against L’s successors. At a critical moment, the independent actions of his underling, Mikami, cause the notebook to be swapped out for a fake. This is one intellectual battle Light should have won, and it often seems like an oversight that he never asked Mikami to test the notebook before coming to the final confrontation.

6

Yoshikage Kira

The Quest For A Peaceful Life

Yoshikage Kira is one of the most compelling Jojo villains because the story takes time to see the world through his perspective. You come to understand why he is the way he is and, at times, you even come to sympathize with his quest for a peaceful life.

While Yoshikage Kira is irredeemable for the murder of multiple women and children, his personality almost makes you feel like it’s not his fault. There are even times when he excels at being a husband while in disguise, which really makes you wonder if he could have been more in a different timeline where he wasn’t evil.

5

Ladd Russo

Chaotic Villainy

Aboard the Flying Pussyfoot, Ladd Russo plots to hold the train hostage. He and his gang even wear white so that any blood spilled will gradually turn their suits red. Ladd Russo may be a violent man with a joy of killing those that believe themselves to be untouchable, but it’s his charisma that makes viewers enjoy the character.

He’s sadistic, but he’s funny, bombastic, and never seems like he’s taking the fight seriously. Even then, Ladd might have some good buried deep within when he saves his fiancé. However, he does so out of a weird, twisted form of love. So, while you shouldn’t be rooting for him to win, you can’t help but want to see him win just so you can see more of him.

4

Himiko Toga

The Dark Side Of My Hero Academia

While most characters celebrate their quirks, Himiko Toga is not so lucky. Her quirk is constantly fueling her desire for blood, which makes her look like a monster. Society quickly fails her by ostracizing her without trying to understand the root of her desires.

This eventually leads her to join the League of Villains, which are the only people who won’t judge her. That being said, Himiko Toga’s story doesn’t have the happiest ending, despite finally coming to terms with what her quirk can do. It makes you wish that she could have had a victory and found her place in the world.

3

Seto Kaiba

What It Takes To Be Number One

Seto Kaiba serves as the first villain that Yugi Muto has to face in a duel. Even after his defeat and change of ways, he still serves as a rival to Yugi throughout the series while antagonizing the people he likes the least.

This is a man who sets up an elaborate tournament as an excuse to duel his nemesis and even builds a machine that can take him to the afterlife. This is all so that he can finally regain his pride as a duelist and become number one. If anyone deserves to win, it’s Seto Kaiba.

2

Thistle

Memories Worth Preserving

Thistle is a villain who is very relatable to anyone who has ever longed to go back to the good old days or been tasked with too much responsibility. Originally a jester for King Delgal, his loyalty to the Golden Country drives him to keep it safe at all costs.

Being an Elf means that change is constantly happening, and he can do nothing to slow down the passage of time. That is until Thistle creates the dungeon on the island in an attempt to keep his home safe. While his change in personality is later revealed to have happened under the influence of the Golden Lion, the desire is still a part of Thistle, so let him keep his home.

1

Team Rocket

Let Them Steal Pikachu

Team Rocket first appeared in the second episode of Pokemon. Throughout Ash’s entire journey, their main goal has been to capture Pikachu at the expense of their prior reputation and their food budget.

Team Rocket has traveled across every region from Kanto to Galar in the hopes of getting their hands on their prize. However, after so much effort put into their schemes, these are the villains you want to see win. While they may have their own personal victories scattered here and there, just once, you would love to see them steal Pikachu, get paid for it, and eat something other than candy bars in the woods.