The world of anime has had its fair share of heroic protagonists who would stop at nothing to protect the world, and at the same time, have some of the most horrifying and terrifying villains, serving as their adversaries. With a lot of anime starting off their stories in the world of manga before being adapted in television screens, it’s natural for some fans to wonder whether stories and even characters are true to their source material.
RELATED:The Best Anime Series of All Time, Ranked
This kind of scrutiny is all the more apparent for villains, whose motivations and actions are often observed under a microscope in the hopes of fans analyzing their personalities and intentions throughout the story. And with a lot of anime taking reservations with how they adapt certain parts of their source materials, some of these decisions did eventually hurt the appeal of their respective villains.
10Asura (Soul Eater)
Much of the plot ofSoul Eaterinvolves the machinations ofAsura, an extremely powerful kishin who was also the estranged eldest son of Death, the Great Old One in charge of protecting the spirit world via the Death Weapon Meister Academy (DWMA). Although absent for most of the series, Asura ends up being the biggest threat to the entirety of the franchise in his desire to spread fear all over the world. Both the anime and the manga show him attempt to engulf the world with fear, and the efforts of protagonist Maka Albarn and her companions to defeat him. However, the anime fails in comparison in showing just how horrifying of a threat Asura ends up becoming.
The rather faster-paced nature of theSoul Eateranime adaptation also glossed over major detailsthat established Asura as a primordial threat to the series. For instance, it was relevant to realize that it was Asura who landed the killing blow to Death, considered one of the most powerful beings in existence, and forced Asura’s younger brother Death the Kid take his place. Not only that, it took the effort of the all-powerful Brew to even ensure Asura is sealed, as he cannot be killed. In the anime, it only took Maka’s persistence to defeat Asura into submission, something that greatly devalued Asura’s value as an unkillable, persistent threat.
9Jigen (Boruto: Naruto Next Generations)
It’s eventually revealed that the entirety of theNarutoseries revolved around the machinations of Kaguya Otsutsuki, the progenitor of all chakra and Ninjutsu, to consume the world’s energies by transforming it into a Chakra Tree. While protagonists Naruto and Sasuke manage to defeat her with divine assistance,Boruto: Naruto Next Generationsreveals there’s more amiss to the Otsutsuki Clan than people realize.
In the story, Naruto’s son, Boruto, and his peers learn that Otsutsuki who try to conquer worlds always come in pairs. And while Kaguya usurped the power of her partnerJigento claim the Chakra Tree for herself, it seems Jigen slowly amassed power while awaiting the eventual downfall of his traitorous half. With theNarutoseries finally showing this, Jigen has made his move - establishing the organization Kara to help cultivate a new Chakra Tree as well as create a vessel for his body in the form of Kawaki. Despite having a short stint in theBorutostory,Jigen’s tenacity and sheer powerled to some defining moments in the franchise. Not only was Jigen skilled enough to tear off Sasuke’s Rinnegan, he was even able to push Kurama to sacrifice his life to intervene. Amid the anime’s more humorous and prolonged approach to story arcs, Jigen’s more succinct involvement in the manga made him all the more dangerous.
8Frieza (Dragon Ball)
Considered as one of the most iconic villains in theDragon Ballfranchise,Friezainitially served as the typical tyrant that Goku and his peers managed to beat at the very end of their saga, only to rise from a state of a “typical villain” into anime notoriety. Throughout theDragon Ballanime, Frieza has established himself as a megalomaniacal villain with enough power to prove his supremacy. Such was his impact in the series that he served as the driving force that awoken Goku’s newest power up that would change the course of both the series and shonen manga through transformations: the Super Saiyan.
However, what perhaps madeFrieza’s presencemore impactful was the way the manga presented the villain throughout the years. In the manga’s original release, Frieza’s presence that pushed Goku past his ordinary limits as a martial artist led to the unprecedented Super Saiyan form, with fans back then having no way of anticipating how this affects Goku’s dynamic with Frieza in their fight. Even Frieza’s involvement in the current series has been far more pivotal in the manga, withDragon Ball Superintroducing Black Frieza, a power-up that could best both Ultra Instinct and Ultra Ego forms, both of which are considered beyond god-like in power.
7Yuujirou Hanma (Baki The Grappler)
Fitting the brutal nature of theBaki the Grapplerseries is its main antagonist,Yuujirou Hanma. Known as the Mighty Ogre for his sheer strength and mercilessness, Yuujirou Hanma is the single-most powerful fighter in the series and has become an object of hatred thatmotivates protagonist Baki Hanma, his son. Yuujirou has done nothing but to ensure his Baki grows as strong as him, solely for the purpose of facing him in combat.
RELATED:Best Anime Set In The 22nd Century
What’s perhaps interesting about Yuujirou Hanma is his invisible involvement in the series. His hands-off approach in “raising” Baki has resulted in him orchestrating some of Baki’s biggest tragedies, and even ensuring Baki faces incredibly-strong enemies for the sake of his “growth.” While the anime rarely ever shows Yuujirou have prolonged interactions with other characters, his appearances majorly focus on the sheer brutality his strength offers. Although his appearance (or lack thereof) in the manga has a similar vibe, the lack of a time element and visual spectacle gives readers more room for introspection. In scenes where Baki fights Yuujirou and even thinks about his father, readers have more room to absorb the terror the mere presence of Yuujirou offers.
6Shinobu Sensui (Yu Yu Hakusho)
While much ofYu Yu Hakushoshows the adventures of Yusuke Urameshi as a Spirit Detective, eventual arcs in the series showed Yusuke was only the first in a long line of Detectives tasked to protect the Human World. Such was the status ofShinobu Sensui, a prodigious mortal who Koenma recruited as a Spirit Detective in his youth for his potential and sense of morality. While almost the same with Yusuke in terms of general life path against demons, Sensui deviates from Yusuke’s quest for goodness when he witnesses the Feast of Human Vices, an event where rich humans torture demons for their enjoyment.
This experience broke Sensui, mentally scarring him to the point of having to divide his power into multiple personalities. While theYu Yu Hakushoanimemanages to encapsulate Sensui’s experience across this lengthy and personal arc, the manga manages to stimulate readers both visually and intellectually, especially with Sensui having a penchant for philosophy. The ominous dialogue and art accompanying Sensui in the manga is a stark contrast to Yusuke’s vibrant atmosphere, something the anime couldn’t easily capture.
5Danzo Shimura (Naruto)
Given howNarutoand its 720-episode run had the opportunity to give more than enough screen time to its villains, fans would undoubtedly understand the sheer level of terrorDanzo Shimurapossesses. Originally a member of the Konoha Council, Danzo reflected the sheer potential ofNarutoto be a series of political intrigue.Danzo was suspected of eliminating key targets for his personal gain, including the masterminding of the Uchiha Clan massacre - something he insists is also for the good of Konoha.
Perhaps what’s more interesting is what lies beneath his rather frail stature - a modified arm outfitted with 10 stolen Sharingan, making Danzo one of the single-most deadly shinobi in the series. While the anime does show justice in showing Sasuke Uchiha avenging his Clan by killing Danzo in a close match, there’s a different level of satisfaction in seeing Danzo’s scheming evolve throughout the course of the manga. It’s the space the manga gives for Danzo’s introspection, as well as the elaboration of how other higher-level Konoha personnel think of him, that far better establishes his tenacity.
4Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
Despite the existence of Yhwach as the final threat to Ichigo Kurosaki and his allies inBleach, it wasSosuke Aizenand his treachery in pursuit of godhood that became a defining part ofBleachlore. In the story, former Shinigami Captain Sosuke Aizen turns against the entirety of Soul Society after the formation of the all-powerful Hougyoku, fusing with it in order to become an entity potentially more powerful than the immortal Soul King himself. It tookIchigo using up all his Shinigami power to even land a dent on Aizen, and a moment of weakness in convincing Aizen he might be “injured,” before series genius Urahara managed to seal Aizen away.
RELATED:Anime With The Best Female Cast
Such was Aizen’s power level that only he, alongside Ichigo’s rare birth circumstances, that managed to stand a chance against Yhwach’s godlike power. However, while the anime encapsulates Aizen’s abilities in flashy fights, it’s Tite Kubo’s stellar writing and visualization in theBleachmanga that established Aizen as a mere Shinigami who transcended into an unrecognizable “entity” in an art style that regressed further into the alien.
3Hisoka Morrow (Hunter X Hunter)
One of the waysHisoka Morowreceived notoriety inHunter X Hunterisn’t necessarily attributed to his humorous approach to merciless combat, but in how this doesn’t necessarily translate into him becoming a villain. In fact, a core part of his drive in the series involves seeking strong opponents - a drive so strong that he spares the likes of protagonists Gon and Killua just to see them grow and become real challenges worthy of his attention.
This transformedHisoka into more or less an unpredictable character, with goals that best serve himself. Key to his arsenal is his mastery of supernatural Nen, giving him the ability to control rubbery Bungee Gum, flexible and durable enough to accomplish different feats. While Hisoka gets a faithful recreation in the 2011Hunter X Hunterreboot, the manga does his role justice more terrifyingly with the way creator Yoshihiro Togashi articulates the character’s movements. The eccentric nature of the way Hisoka makes his poses, coupled with his penchant for double-speak and deception, make him an eerie character to observe.
2Johan Liebert (Monster)
It’sMonsterthat remains one of the few classic manga with older anime adaptations that fulfill its purpose of expressing its story in a new visual medium, but the characterization ofJohan Liebertbecomes all the more frightening when readers and their minds are at the mercy of the psychological-thriller manga. In the story, Dr. Kenzo Tenma loses his social standing after treating Johan Liebert, a child with a gunshot wound, instead of the mayor who arrived much later. Years later, Dr. Tenma becomes a suspect for the murder of a criminal, who Tenma had just seenJohan kill in cold blood.
AsMonsterthrusts Dr. Tenma on a wild goose chase for Johan and the mysterious “monster” who’s been conducting killings, readers are treated to various tales of horrific murders and the gripping stories of the people conducting them. While both the anime and manga are worth exploring, it’s the manga that shows how terrifying Johan could be. Although the anime has shown Johan’s actions more vividly, it’s the room of introspection within readers as they delve into the mindscape of Johan that makes him all the more terrifying - precisely because he ends up being terrifying real.
1Griffith (Berserk)
As Kouji Mori will continue the story of Guts, Casca, andGriffiththat legendary mangaka Kentaro Miura was unable to finish in his passing, fans ofBerserkfinally have a means of potentially seeing where fate would end up bringing the tragic tale of this trio. However, while Guts and his quest for retribution remains a focal point in the story, it’s the presence of Griffith - nowFemto of the God Hand- and his irredeemable yet completely human actions that make him stand among the best villains to ever grace popular fiction.
Starting out as a mercenary leader with an aim to make an ideal world in a world filled with desperation, it’s Griffith being able to show that “miracles” happen that made him a heroic figure in the eyes of most. However, it’s his slow realization that discarding his emotions and doing whatever means necessary to achieve his dream that starts sending him down the path to villainy. While mostBerserkadaptations show Griffith’s mercilessness for the sake of an ideal world, it’s the manga and Miura’s “raw” presentation that highlights the little details in Griffith’s eventual discarding of his humanity. This is especially the case with how the anime has to somehow dial down on the brutality that fans argue may be a highlight in Griffin’s character representation.
