Villains are usually the most unlikeable, but there’s something about certain Shonen Jump villains that continue to grab fans’ attention. It could be their surprisingly playful nature that can catch someone off-guard or their unusual belief system. But it doesn’t stop them from obstructing the protagonists’ path to success. They have their reasons for interfering, and there are times when fans find themselves rooting for the villain instead of the hero.
Throughout the years, Shonen Jump villains have been growing more popular with fans. Mangaka have created more and more creative characters that will act as a protagonist’s ploy while also building their character in the process. They always find a way to be devilishly entertaining.
10 Garou Isn’t Completely Evil (One-Punch Man)
Garou is an extreme case of the “top disciple gone rogue” storyline, and he has the strength to back it up. As the main antagonist in One-Punch Man‘s second season, he continues to upstage both heroes and monsters, their abilities paling in comparison. He shows no loyalty to either side but still considers himself a “hero hunter” due to his hatred for them. But what makes Garou such a unique villain is that he’s not entirely evil. He actually has a soft spot for victims, including everyday citizens, and even bonds with a civilian boy named Tareo.
9 Shinsaku Takasugi Is Weirdly Unaffected By Gintama’s Comedy (Gintama)
Unfortunately, Shinsaku doesn’t show up as much in the Gintama series but still maintains a menacing presence. Driven by a love of destruction, he’s a ruthless, ambitious man but still knows how to charm anyone to his side.
Most of his anger derives from the guilt and pain he feels from losing his childhood master. It’s hard to hate his character considering his silver tongue and strong will. What’s also interesting is Shinsaku’s immunity to the anime characters’ comedic antics. He always finds a way to avoid it one way or another.
8 It’s Hard To Hate Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
Like Shinsaku, Sosuke Aizen has a devilish charm that entrances anyone he interacts with. However, he’s better at hiding his ulterior motives, which makes his betrayal all the more shocking.
Sousuke’s façade fools everyone in the Soul Society. On the outside, he’s a kind, soft-spoken, and well-respected captain, but in truth, he cares very little for his subordinates. Even after Ichigo defeats him, Sosuke never loses his arrogance and quick wit.
7 Greed Is Both Frustrating And Fun To Watch (Fullmetal Alchemist)
As the embodiment of Father’s avarice, Greed only desires the finest things in life: money, power, women, and prestige. And he’ll stop at nothing to get it.
Despite this, Greed has a natural charm to him. He’s unapologetically arrogant and isn’t afraid to defy his master when it suits him. Something is entertaining about Greed as he interacts with his fellow homunculi and the other characters in Fullmetal Alchemist. He’s charismatic but also frustrating at the same time.
6 Donquixote Doflamingo Can Talk The Talk And Walk The Walk (One Piece)
One Piece‘s Donquixote Doflamingo is about as flashy as he is ruthless. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. His colorful appearance is a stark contrast to his menacing laugh and personality, but it works out in the end.
As the son of a former Celestial Dragon, Doflamingo wants his rightful spot and will do anything to maintain his status. He carries himself like royalty and has his Devil Fruit powers to keep any naysayer in line. Even his subordinates see him as a king even before he stole the Dressrosa throne.
5 Younger Toguro Drew Out Yusuke’s Strength (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Even as Yusuke Urameshi’s opponent, the younger Toguro brother still left a lasting impact on him. He spent most of his life as a demon, searching for more power and killing anyone who stood in his way. Toguro destroyed everything precious in his life, especially his relationship with his ex-lover and Yusuke’s mentor, Genkai.
As time passed, Toguro regretted his past actions and sought Yusuke to be his final opponent. He could see his potential to become a great warrior and believed he could stop his rampage. Even with his sordid past, Toguro still maintains a more upstanding aura than his more sadistic older brother. He spent most of his demon life surrounded by corrupt humans who used his strength for personal gain but never shook in his beliefs.
4 The Akatsuki Has An Array Of Unique Villains (Naruto)
While Orochimaru is a fascinating and terrifying villain, many fans would find themselves loving the Akatsuki more. Surprisingly enough, Orochimaru was a former member and worked alongside Sasuke Uchiha’s older brother, Itachi.
The terrorist organization consisted of ten primary members, all fugitives from varying villages. Each Akatsuki member had a unique backstory and reason for joining. Some wanted to express their controversial beliefs—such as Deidara and Sasori’s love for art—while others wished for pure destruction—such as Hidan and Kisame Hoshigaki. Regardless of the reason, every Naruto fan found an Akatsuki member they could relate to or find entertaining.
3 Muzan Kibutsuji Became An Overnight Sensation (Demon Slayer)
Muzan has an air of eerie darkness and pure hatred similar to InuYasha‘s Naraku. His monotonous voice and raw power are unsettling to those weaker than him, adding to his already ruthless personality. Instead of being more relatable or redeemable, Muzan’s character derives from a classic antagonist, devoid of humanity and evil to the core.
Demon Slayer fans get the first glimpse of Muzan—disguised as a human—in Episode 7, where Tanjiro finds him in a crowd in Asakusa. His popularity goes through the roof when fans see his appearance and attire mimics the late Michael Jackson. Since then, the unconscious reference has become a running gag, with many people making memes and jokes about their similarities.
2 Dio Brando Quickly Became A Meme (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure)
JoJo fan or not, people recognize Dio Brando. The anime is famous for its colorful, over-the-top characters, but Dio managed to take center stage in people’s minds. His “It was me, Dio!” exclamation became a popular meme in recent years, further boosting his popularity.
Violent and manipulative, Dio will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Like Greed, he desires the world’s best after living a life of scraping by just to survive. His father kept him from a life of luxury and abundance, so he makes sure to surround himself with nothing but the finest. Fancy homes, nice suits, jewelry—there’s nothing too expensive for Dio’s exquisite taste.
1 Himiko Toga Is The “Yandere” Of My Hero Academia (My Hero Academia)
Other than Overhaul or Twice, one could argue that Himiko Toga brings the most originality to the League of Villains. Her overall design is a simple sailor uniform except for a piped black mask and many knives at her disposal.
Himiko has a twisted and dangerous interpretation of love and friendship, believing that it’s perfectly normal to take on the identity of those who she “loves,” which adds more meaning to her Transform Quirk. Her tendency to kill anyone interfering with her “love” is similar to a yandere character, and it makes her all the more entertaining to watch.
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