Animevillains can be some of the most the most iconic characters in fiction. They provide a major threat for the world and must be stopped at all cost. Sometimes, a story will follow the heroes while other times, they will follow the villains on their quest for world domination.
However, there are always those secondary villains that provide an additional challenge for those on the side of good. Sometimes they might have their own personal struggles that make them complex, while other times, they are simply there to observe the chaos with their mere presence forming a destructive aura. Here are eight of the best secondary villains in anime.
8Ryuk
A Villain Who Watches The Chaos For Fun
Death Note inverts the viewing experience by focusing onthe villains of the story. While Light Yagami feigns being the hero working hard to defeat Kira, he controls the investigation from the inside. However, Ryuk is also a force of villainy despite rarely assisting Light in his deeds.
Ryuk might be on friendly terms with Light but Ryuk’s actions are all selfish. He allows Light to keep the power of the Death Note and is even willing to write fake rules that hinder the investigation, but he never does so out of any love. He is the force that allows all the events of Death Note to occur even if he isn’t the main villain to be defeated.
7Wammu
The Most Honorable Jojo Villain
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure’s second set of villainsintroduced the powerful Pillarmen. These beings come from an ancient past and plan to conquer the sun. While Kars is the final villain for Joseph to face, his right-hand man shows a bit more complexity.
Wammu may be an adversary for Joseph to fight, but he does so honorably. He gives Joseph time to train to beat him at his best. He also acknowledges Caesar’s strength and bravery by not interfering with his final effort at securing the ring containing the antidote. This act prevents Caesar from dying in vain and earns him an honorable death, which even Joseph acknowledges.
6Team Rocket
From Main Villains To Pesky Nuisances
When the Team Rocket trio was first introduced, they acted as the primary antagonist for Ash Ketchum to face on his journey. In fact, they still had a reputation and even wanted posters all over Kanto. As Ash’s adventure continued, they slowly became secondary villains, even though Ash faces them in almost every single episode.
There is always an overarching threat, whether it be Team Flare nearly destroying civilization, the Ultra Beasts invading Alola, or even Giovanni, who mostly tries to keep the trio out of the way of the really important missions. In the films, they also mostly serve as B Plot antagonists or even temporary allies. Regardless, they are impossible not to love.
5Greed
Finding Satisfaction In Relationships
Greed is a fascinating secondary villain in Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. He is both charismatic and rebellious, true to his namesake. While Greed initially starts as a villain, his nature does not make him a good underling like the other Homunculi.
After merging with Ling, Greed becomes an integral anti-hero who slowly lets on that there is more to his character than his quest for power and immortality. He is also one of the few Homunculi to receive a proper send-off as his actions lead him to make more connections with the people around him. He dies content in the knowledge that he got what he truly wanted deep down inside.
4Vegeta
When The Villain Reluctantly Teams Up With The Heroes
Vegeta may have been the primary villain of the Saiyan arc, but when Krillin, Bulma, and Gohan travel to Namek, Vegeta becomes a secondary villain who goes rogue. He battles Freeza’s elite warriors in an attempt to steal his former boss’s chance at immortality.
He reluctantly teams up with Gohan and Krillin to secure the Namekian Dragon Balls but does so with the intent of getting his wish granted and having a rematch with Goku. Vegeta also lays waste to a Namekian village to keep Freeza from gathering a full set. This rogue action results in that particular village not being brought back due to the specifics of the revival wish.
3Kagura
Heart Stopping Villainy
Inuyasha has many complex situations, from lost loves, to rocky family relationships, and villains that have deeper motivations for doing the things they do. Kagura is a fan-favorite character who acts as a side villain due to her status as one of Naraku’s incarnations.
What she really desires is free will, but Naraku has her heart captive. While this sounds romantic, it isn’t, since he threatens to literally squeeze her literal heart till she dies. While her defiance finally earns her freedom, it comes at a terrible cost. However, this struggle and the outcome of the battle make her one of the best secondary villains of all time.
2Toga
A Product Of Society
Toga is a fascinating villain within the My Hero Academia Universe. She has a quirk that deals with blood, but it manifests itself in an unsavory way. However, it is later explored how her quirk could be used heroically if society would allow her to do so.
All the villains of My Hero Academia have some sort of reason for being the way they are. While some genuinely want to dominate the world, others are villainous due to the way society has pushed them away from a more noble path. It’s this pressure that makes Toga the way she is, as she finds comfort in those who can understand her.
1Aura
Became Instantly Popular In Two Episodes
The Frieren anime takes its time toexplore the complexities of a long lifesince the greatest villain of this story was already defeated long before the story began. However, that doesn’t mean remnants don’t exist. After her original defeat, Aura returns to wage war against humans as one of the Seven Sages of Destruction.
This is when Frieren shows up, says a few words that would get her banned from the server, and the problem solved itself. Aura doesn’t stay long in the series, but her lasting presence in the fandom and the method in which Frieren deals with her elevates her position in pop culture.
