Every great anime needs a great villain. Some, like Frieza of Dragon Ball fame, flaunt their brutal strength as they try to beat the heroes into submission. Other villains, such as Naruto's Madara Uchiha, exhibit a mighty presence and a certain kind of philosophy that resonates with fans on many levels.
Of course, plenty of antagonists, unfortunately, go overlooked. These ten bad guys are special in their own right, yet they often fly under the radar. But, their actions and despicable motivations should be more than enough to grant them a place in the pantheon of unforgettable antagonists.
Izaya Orihara (Durarara!!)
Izaya Orihara claims to love humankind, and he has proven that time and time again... by manipulating people on a whim. An information broker, Izaya is always constantly messing around with people in Ikekuburo for his own pleasure. Because of this, he has made an enemy out of almost every character in Durarara!!.
Despite loving humans, Izaya has one major arch-nemesis in Shizuo Heiwajima, the most feared man in Ikekuboro due to his strength alone. Izaya's mind games contrasting with Shizuo's raw strength make for an exciting rivalry that dominates much of the anime's story.
Papillon (Buso Renkin)
If there is one word to describe Papillion, it would be 'eccentric.' With his butterfly-patterned mask and tight black suit, Papillon comes off as a very over-the-top and selfish character who wants to burn everything in sight. Many of his mannerisms, however, are a front for hatred towards others.
Papillion serves as the principal rival of Buso Renkin's main protagonist, Kazuki Muto. After he is defeated by Kazuki, he gradually evolves into being an anti-villain and becomes friendly with the other heroes. Yet, even after his character development, Papillion remains as quirky as ever.
Mad Pierrot (Cowboy Bebop)
Compared to the other villains on this list, Mad Pierrot is a one-shot villain, appearing in just one episode. Yet, in that one appearance, he has proven himself to be one of the more dangerous and quite unnerving villains in the classic '90s anime series Cowboy Bebop.
A bulky mass-murdering machine with a permanent evil smile, Mad Pierrot murders his victims while laughing along the way. He seldom says a word during his murderous exploits, and, as if that isn't unsettling enough, his origin story reveals him as a test subject exposed to scientific experimentation that turned him into a serial killer.
Chrollo Lucilfer (Hunter x Hunter)
Chrollo Lucilfer is the leader of the Phantom Troupe, and he has a bit of a thing for stealing Nen's abilities. He comes off as very calm and polite, even in the face of danger. A charismatic leader, he manages to keep the myriad of personalities within Troupe on the same page.
Politeness and charisma aside, Chrollo is a very capable fighter. One Troupe member even considers him to be a better fighter than Hisoka Morow himself. With his ability to steal Nen, Chrollo can use stolen Nen for his own benefit.
Younger Toguro (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Compared to his zany brother Elder Toguro, Younger Toguro is a noble fighter who is always looking for a good fight. He is constantly looking for someone worthy to fight with, and he would eventually find one in Yu Yu Hakusho's Yusuke Urameshi during the Dark Tournament Saga.
Younger Toguro became a villain after he witnessed a demon murdering his students, and, jaded by the tragedy that he witnessed, he eventually turned into a demon himself. Younger Toguro desires to die at the hands of a great fighter, and he pushes Yusuke to his limit to get his wish.
Johan (Monster)
Many characters in Monster have different perceptions about what Johan truly is, with most comparing him to some of history's most nefarious leaders, and others relating him to some of mythology's most insidious deities.
But, no matter what people think about Johan, many will agree that this bonafide killer is a sociopath of the highest degree. This Czech-born "monster" goes around Germany killing people, never losing his superficial soft-spoken charm while showing zero sympathy for others along the way. Everywhere he goes he adopts a new persona, as his identity remains hidden from the public.
Dante (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Part of the reason Dante tends to go overlooked is that she only appears in the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime. While the Homunculi advances most of the conflict in the original FMA, Dante serves as the mastermind behind this villainous group.
Dante's quest to achieve immortality is arguably her most defining trait as a villain. She will manipulate everyone, even the Homunculi, and lie to anyone to achieve her goals. At best, she is nothing more than a narcissistic sociopath with very little regard for her Homunculi underlings and humanity itself.
Kabuto Yakushi (Naruto)
To many fans, Kabuto is seen as nothing more than Orochimaru's right-hand man. A smart and calculating individual, Kabuto has proven his loyalty to Orochimaru on multiple occasions, having helped his master achieve his goals.
While he worked as a henchman in the first part of Naruto, it's not until Shipudden that Kabuto proves his worth as a villain. After Orochimaru perishes, he absorbs his master's powers and grows stronger as a result. He then summons an army of undead ninjas to aid Tobi, thereby playing a pivotal part in the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Yoshikage Kira (Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)
Sure, Dio might be the most iconic villain in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, but Yoshikage Kira is a fantastic villain himself. Appearing in Diamond is Unbreakable, Kira appears to be a regular businessman with a family, but he functions as a serial killer who has run rampant around Morioh for years.
What makes Kira such a unique villain is his hand fetishism. He targets women with beautiful hands and murders them so that he can keep their severed hands and consider them his "girlfriends." Kira is also a Stand user, and his Stand, Killer Queen, can wipe out anything with explosions.
Legato Bluesummers (Trigun)
The right-hand man to the main antagonist, Millions Knives, Legato Bluesummers is evil in every sense of the word. His goal is to make Vash the Stampede feel pain and suffering, and he has succeeded in his efforts multiple times in the anime.
Even though he is already sadistic enough in the Trigun manga, Legato is even more sinsiter in the anime. Aside from tormenting Vash relentlessly, Legato also has a strong desire to kill all humans. He even wants himself dead, forcing Vash to shoot him in the head just to break him down. Legato tends to fly under the radar quite a bit thanks in part to being Millions Knives' second-in-command, but the emotional impact that he leaves behind, especially on Vash, is undeniable.