With the Fall 2022 anime season fast approaching and everything from the MCU to The Boys entering the realm of animation, fans of animated series are getting fantastic new shows to enjoy nearly every month.
The antagonists are often one of the most important aspects of an animated show, and many of them are terrifying. The best villains from cartoons and anime can be far more fear-inducing than the typical Disney and Pixar villains that some fans may be used to. Great villains can be anywhere from planet-conquering aliens to simple crime lords. Regardless of their strength, a villains' actions are what make them bone-chilling.
Vlad Plasmius (Danny Phantom)
The 14-year-old ghost/human Danny Phantom spent most of his time-saving people from the ghosts that traveled to the human world. It wasn't until he met the main antagonist of the series, Vlad Plasmius, that he realized there was another human with ghost powers.
While ghost-powered, Vlad is heavily inspired by vampires. The vampiric billionaire does have one very Severus Snape-like element to his backstory that helps to humanize him, being on the losing side of a love triangle with Danny's parents. However, outside that, Vlad is rotten to the core and never thinks of anything other than how others can serve him.
Frieza (Dragon Ball Z)
Frieza was one of the three main antagonists throughout Dragon Ball Z and is a reoccurring character in Super. The alien prince's evil helped set many events into play throughout the series, including the vast majority of Vegeta and Goku's backstories.
The devious Freeza is one of the cruelest characters in fiction, having destroyed entire planets during his reign. Most notably was Frieza's destruction of Planet Vegeta and the enslavement of the few remaining Saiyans. Few characters in fiction were as destructive and monstrous as Frieza, and his power was made more terrifying because he was a spoiled prince who never needed to work or train for his power.
Slade (Teen Titans)
Slade, also known as Deathstroke, was the overarching antagonist of Teen Titans and was Robin's greatest nemesis. He was also a foil for Robin and in many ways also served as the young protagonist's mentor.
Unlike many other cartoon villains, Slade's design actually adds to the fear he induces. The unnerving mask that shows only one eye is matched only by voice actor Ron Perlman's chilling voice. Slade's actions are diabolical, including kidnapping and blackmailing both Robin and Terra to make them his apprentices. In a world of superpowered villains, it was the one without powers who ended up as the series' most iconic and scariest villain.
Azula (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
While Fire Lord Ozai was the main antagonist of Avatar: The Last Airbender, it was Azula who was most frequently in the gang's way. The powerful Fire Nation princess gave Zuko and others plenty of trouble in Books 2 and 3.
Azula isn't just one of the most powerful benders in the series. She's ruthless, and calculating, and has an edge to her that made her far more like Ozai than Zuko was. Though underhanded tactics were involved, Azula was even able to strike both Zuka and Aang with lightning throughout the series. Azula never played fair, and that was what helped her be such a powerful force for the Fire Nation.
Orochimaru (Naruto)
Orochimaru was the overarching antagonist of the original Naruto series. A child genius who grew too fascinated with forbidden jutsu, Orochimaru ended up betraying his village in order to seek immortality.
While Orochimaru was subject to the failed anime archetype of the "redeemed antagonist who never actually got a real redemption arc" in Boruto, he remains one of Naruto's best villains for a reason. The snake motif of the character and his incredible power make him unnerving enough, but his "experiments" are what make Orochimaru so frightening. Few antagonists have done something as unnerving as raising soldiers specifically to take over the body of the strongest one.
Omni-Man (Invincible)
Omni-Man is the deuteragonist of the Invincible comics and the main antagonist of the first arc of both the comics and TV series. Also known as Nolan Greyson, Omni-Man is the most powerful being on earth and the father of the titular protagonist.
While Omni-Man is certainly terrifying, the mission of his alien species is even more terrifying. Omni-Man is a Viltrumite, an alien race of conquerors that ingrain themselves in the societies of other planets and prep them for Viltrumite conquering. Part of what makes Nolan so scary as a character is the reverse of many animated villains. It's how normal he seems that makes the flip to Viltrumite mode terrifying.
Mahito (Jujutsu Kaisen)
The patchwork cursed spirit Mahito is the overarching antagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen season 1 along with Suguru Geto. Mahito's goal is to turn his fellow cursed spirits into the "new humanity" by conquering humans.
While Jujutsu Kaisen is known for great comic relief, things are rarely lighthearted when Mahito is involved. Mahito's patchwork design is already unsettling, but his power is what makes him so unsettling. Mahito is able to convert the shape of a person's body and soul, converting them into whatever monstrous form he wants. While the human retains their mind, their body ends up working in service of Mahito.
Muzan (Demon Slayer)
Kibutsuji Muzan is the main antagonist of Demon Slayer. He's a cowardly demon who desires to obtain true immortality. Thanks to Muzan, many innocent people have either died or been turned into demons.
There are times when Demon Slayer focuses on great minor antagonists like Akaza or Rui for an entire arc, but it all comes back to the same main antagonist: Muzan, the progenitor of all demons. Muzan's cowardice is a key part of his character, but it actually is part of what makes him so terrifying. Muzan is never careless, and will even kill his own demons without hesitation to make sure he achieves his goal of immortality.
The Joker (Batman: The Animated Series)
Maybe the most iconic fictional villain of all time, Batman's archrival has appeared in almost every medium possible. Comics, movies, cartoons, cartoons, and even anime movies have included the Clown Prince of Crime as their main antagonist.
Joker's clown-like look and unnerving smile bring an iconic look to the character. The Joker may not be the strongest villain, but his strength comes from his cunning and cruelty. The Joker has pulled any number of stunts in his criminal career, but one of his most memorable tricks is his laughing gas that locks the victims in a perpetual smile. No matter what his plan is, The Joker is always up to something terrifying.
Johan Liebert
Johan Liebert is the titular antagonist of Monster. One of two twins born as the product of a post-World War II Nazi eugenics experiment, Johan was raised to become the most brilliant person in the world.
Unlike most villains, Johan is conventionally attractive and doesn't have a very intimidating frame. However, Johan never hesitates to use that to his advantage. Johan knows the perfect tactic to manipulate each and every person he meets, and causes unspeakable tragedies to befall everywhere he goes without so much as lifting a finger. No character brings out the evil in other humans like Johan, which makes him more terrifying than any super-powered villain.