In anime, there’s a stereotype that villains do not care about those that serve under them. Often, this is to reinforce the notion that they are evil so that the entire audience will be against them by the hour of their retribution.
However, some villains defy this trope by doing the exact opposite. They’re so completely devoted to their underlings that they will even go out of their way to ensure their wellbeing. Criminal masterminds who actually care about their cohorts illuminate the ways that good exists within evil.
10 Chrollo Cares Deeply About The Future Of The Phantom Troupe (Hunter X Hunter)
Chrollo was the leader of the Phantom Troupe and a criminal genius in Hunter x Hunter. He destroyed the Yorknew Mafia families and even committed genocide against Kurapika’s Kurta clan. Despite being a remorseless killer, Chrollo cares dearly for his colleagues and regards his organization as a surrogate family.
When Uvogin fell in battle, the entire group took a moment to mourn his loss as a comrade in arms. Additionally, Chrollo has repeatedly stated that the troupe can survive without him, a statement proven true by the battle for Meteor City.
9 Doflamingo Treats His Pirates Like The Family He Never Had (One Piece)
After murdering his father in One Piece, Doflamingo happened upon Trebol and a handful of other pirates that would become the Donquixote Family. Together, they wreaked havoc across the seas in a twisted parallel of Luffy’s own adventures.
Unlike villains such as Big Mom and Hody Jones, Doflamingo cares deeply about his underlings and does not harshly admonish them for failure. When Vergo realized that he would die on Punk Hazard, Doflamingo kept him company in his final moments via a transponder snail.
8 Zabuza Proved His Loyalty Toward Haku By Attacking Gato (Naruto)
Having felt indebted to Zabuza for taking him in, Haku spent his life as a loyal servant in Naruto. At first, the mercenary expressed that his servant was merely a useful tool. Over time, however, his true feelings became evident.
When Gato disrespected Haku’s sacrifice, Zabuza was enraged. Despite having been badly injured during his battle with Kakashi, he murdered an entire army of thugs using a single kunai. Having finally succumbed to his injuries, Zabuza passed away beside the person who had given everything for him.
7 Magath Cared About The Warriors More Than Other Marleyans (Attack On Titan)
Despite his generic anti-Eldian bluster, Magath actually cared for the Warriors much more than his constituents in Attack on Titan. He relied on them in battle, gave them encouragement when appropriate, and even allowed them to partake in military gatherings, much to the consternation of other generals.
When Paradis’ heroes approached Magath with an offer of peace, he finally admitted that the Eldians were nowhere as evil as the world had portrayed them to be. In the end, he gave his life alongside Keith Shadis so that the shifters could finish the fight against Eren Jaeger.
6 Gentle Criminal & La Brava Were Madly In Love (My Hero Academia)
Gentle Criminal and La Brava had similar origins in My Hero Academia. Both felt like social outcasts that could only make their way in society through villainous actions. Simultaneously, they weren’t as malevolent as other key players in the story, such as Overhaul, Shigaraki, and even Hero Killer Stain.
It’s particularly fortunate that Gentle treats La Brava well due to the nature of her Quirk. So long as she cares about him, she can increase his strength tenfold once per day. The enhancement allowed him to fight evenly with Midoriya for several minutes.
5 Sesshomaru Grew To Care For Rin (Inuyasha)
Sesshomaru is by no means a good person. He attempted to murder Inuyasha on several occasions and looks down on humans as inferior in Inuyasha. He only attempted to defeat Naraku since he recognized him as a threat.
Despite his elitist attitude, Sesshomaru’s life changed after discovering Rin. He took the abandoned human girl under his wing and treated her far better than his loyal servant, Jaken. Although by no means reformed, Rin has proven that Sesshomaru hasn’t completely abandoned his humanity.
4 The Emperor Cares About His Subjects & Strives For Peace (Akame Ga Kill!)
Despite being viewed as a cruel and tyrannical despot, the Emperor actually cares about his subjects in Akame Ga Kill!. He goes out of his way to ensure that citizens and loyalists alike are well accounted for.
However, his efforts are usually in vain. The corrupt Minister Honest continues to fabricate the kingdom’s prosperity so that the Emperor does not know how to best concentrate his efforts. Without parents to guide him, he’s bound to become a victim of his own gullibility.
3 Father Cares For The Homunculi As Extensions Of Himself (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Since the beginning, Father has deeply cared for the Homunculi in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. He treated them like biological children and was willing to recreate Greed even after being betrayed by him. But Father’s sense of compassion is likely due to the fact that the Homunculi are literal extensions of himself.
The Elric brothers also commented that he was attempting to imitate what it meant to have a human sense of connection. Whatever his motive, the only time Father acted against the Homunculi’s interest is when he attempted to devour Greed, who had already backstabbed him a second time.
2 Shigaraki Demonstrated Concern For The League’s Other Members (My Hero Academia)
Despite being a nihilistic sociopath, My Hero Academia‘s Shigaraki cares about his comrades arguably as much as Deku does. When Overhaul killed Magne, he rushed him with reckless abandon and immediately took revenge. The villain displayed similar vigor when saving the League from Re-Destro’s Meta Liberation Army.
Furthermore, Shigaraki took the time to assure Toga that, in spite of his plans to destroy everything, the things she liked would remain intact. Although he isn’t a manipulative mastermind like All For One, the loyalty Shigaraki fosters is arguably more valuable since it is authentic.
1 Meruem Learned To Care For His Advisors Over Time (Hunter X Hunter)
Initially, Meruem treated the chimera ants like disposable pawns in Hunter x Hunter. He killed Peggy for being too enthusiastic to see him and attempted to dispose of Neferpitou under similar pretenses.
As the war for the NGL raged on and the royal guards risked life and limb, Meruem began to realize how fortunate he was to have such dutiful friends. He spent the end of his life relishing the people he loved, rather than destroying those that he hated.
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