From part 2 of Attack on Titan's final season to Bleach's Thousand Year Blood War Arc, shonen anime have been pumping out incredible arcs and villains in 2022.
However, while some main antagonists like Zeke Yaeger and Aizen have had great spotlights in their respective anime, there are also minor villains that have stolen the show and been arguably superior antagonists. These villains prove that it doesn't take tons of screentime or being in the final battle to make an impression.
Kenny Ackerman (Attack on Titan)
Kenny Ackerman was Levi's uncle and was his guardian for a brief period of Levi's childhood. Nicknamed "Kenny the Ripper," he was one of the non-titans in the entire show.
Kenny's relationship with Levi was one of the best parts of season 3, and the battles the two master combatants shared were as fun to watch as any battle against actual titans. Levi was already one of the most beloved characters, but giving him a foil like Kenny brought him to another level. Kenny's final words stuck with Levi forever and played a huge role in Levi's decision to save Armin.
Feitan (Hunter X Hunter)
Feitan is one of the most powerful members of the Phantom Troupe, the antagonists of the Yorknew City arc, and a huge part of the overall story.
Feitan wasn't just among the most powerful members of the Phantom Troupe, he was also one of the most interesting due to his mysterious aura. While Feitan never became the type to turn good or even work with the heroes, he and Phinks did have a beautiful moment of peace with Gon and Killua at the end of the Yorknew City arc.
Kabuto (Naruto)
Kabuto is one of the longest-lasting villains in Naruto's overall story. He played a small role throughout so many different arcs but ended up being a large part of the Great Ninja War.
Kabuto's reanimation jutsu was the strongest in the series, and he perfected many other techniques through hard work and research alone. On many levels, Kabuto was able to surpass his mentor Orochimaru by the end of Shippuden. The high level of Kabuto's ninjutsu was clear from the original series in the confrontation with Tsunade, Jiraya, and Naruto.
Kiryu (Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds)
Kiryu Kyouske was one of the strongest Dark Signers and the former leader of Jack and Yusei's first team: Team Satisfaction. After believing Yusei sold him out to security, Kiryu became a Dark Signer.
Despite not being the main antagonist of the season, Kiryu was the only villain to ever beat Yusei in a duel throughout the series. Were it not for Yusei's bike malfunctioning to interrupt the final attack, Kiryu would have claimed Yusei's life in the show's second arc. Kiryu also had a redemption later on in the series, helping to save Yusei as a changed man.
Twice (My Hero Academia)
One of the highlights of the "My Villain Academia" arc is Twice, a villain who struggles with his own identity due to his duplication quirk.
Twice is one of the most beloved members of the League of Villains for a reason. His internal struggles and the character development he receives in the fifth season are nearly unmatched. The best villain (and arguably best character) in the franchise is his boss, Shiguraki Tomura, but Twice is another fantastic character that deserves his recognition.
Rui (Demon Slayer)
Lower Moon 5 Rui is one of the youngest demons both physically and in terms of actual age. Still, Rui was able to defeat Tanjiro and Nezuko despite his youth.
While Mugen Train is one of the most celebrated anime movies of the decade, it was Rui and the spider arc that first made Demon Slayer break the internet. When Tanjiro unlocked his Sun Breathing and Nezuko discovered her Blood Demon Art it still wasn't enough to overcome the cocky spider child. It wasn't until his death at the hands of Giyuu that Rui got his final redemption.
Rafael (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
The right hand man of season antagonist Dartz, Rafael is one of the greatest challenges the Pharaoh ever had to face. Rafael's ace monster, Guardian Eatos, is also one of the coolest in the series.
Rafael's victory over hero Atem is one of the most memorable moments in the original show. He also introduced one of the most powerful spells in the history of the game: Soul Charge. Character-wise, Rafael was as well written as he was powerful. While Rafael regained the darkness in his heart after discovering that it was Dartz who ruined his life, the Guardian duelist did end the series as a hero.
Hanami (Jujutsu Kaisen)
Jujutsu Kaisen has some of the best heroes and villains in the genre, but season 1 main antagonist Mahito's ally, Hanami, tops the charts.
Hanami's hatred of humanity comes from the way they treat nature and the planet as a whole. It isn't common to have a villain that's an environmental activist, but it's as good a reason as any for a villain's motivation. Hanami has a unique development in the Exchange Arc, where they're convinced by Mahito to become more curse-like and enjoy the thrill of battle.
Ulquiorra (Bleach)
In a series with a fairly static protagonist and antagonist, it's Espada 4 Ulquiorra that might be the character with the best development in the franchise.
Ulquiorra's beginning as a heartless villain who sought merely to follow Aizen's orders made his conversations with Orihime all the more fascinating. Orihime did successfully teach Ulquiorra the meaning of a human heart, but the realization tragically came too late. Accompanied by arguably the greatest song in the Bleach series, Ulquiorra met his end at the hands of Ichigo as he realized what it meant to be human.
Franz Bonaparta (Monster)
Franz Bonaparta is the pen name of Klaus Poppe, the author of the mysterious book The Monster Without A Name and the leader of the eugenics experiment that created Johan and Nina.
Bonaparta is one of the most chilling characters in all of fiction. While Johan is the main antagonist of Monster, it is Bonaparta's experiment and teachings that actually created the monster that Johan became. While he did his best in his later years to make up for his wrongdoings, there's no denying that thousands of people died due to his actions.