Anime is home to a number ofconniving evil-doerswho achieve their goals through deceit and subterfuge. Their actions tend to affect a show’s story on a large scale, and despite most of these characters hardly ever engaging in direct confrontation, they pose a significant threat to their respective opponents.
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While some of these individuals might be known for operating in secret,they possess great charisma, which is usually instrumental in getting others to do as they please. They are also careful planners who rarely ever fail to consider crucial factors that would serve to derail their efforts. With all these fitting characteristics, it’s no wonder these characters manage to entrance their audiences despite being antagonistic figures.
Updated on July 11, 2025, by Emedo Destiny:Some of thebest anime villainsare those whose sly machinations have profoundly affected the stories in which they appear. From master manipulators, who use their intelligence and strategizing skills to bend others to their will, to those who use their wit and cunning to outsmart even the most powerful opponents, these characters have created some of the most memorable and thrilling moments in the history of anime. Whether they are deceiving their enemies or manipulating their allies, these anime villains who are master manipulators have proven time and again that they have the ability to outsmart and outmaneuver their opponents. They are capable of creating crafty schemes that propelled the story forward, leaving behind an impressionable mark and unforgettable moments that will stand the test of time.
15Kyubey – Puella Magi Madoka Magika
Madoka Magika’s Kyubey is seemingly unthreatening, presenting asan adorable mixof furry cat and rabbit. He’s like a benevolent spirit, taking what seems like only a small price for the grand reward of granting any desire the magical girls wish for.
But later in the story, it is revealed that Kyubey’s price is heavier than it initially appears, and Kyubey has been playing the girls for its own purposes, however clear-cut and objectively good they may be. Although Kyubey lacks the emotional landscape that humans do, this doesn’t make its actions any less manipulative.
14Edmond Dantes – Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo
Edmond Dantes, who goes by Gankutsuou or The Count of Monte Cristo is the sailor turned aristocrat serving as the antagonist of this similarly titledscience fiction drama. Initially a good and kind person, he turns villainous due to a betrayal and seeks revenge through strategic and manipulative schemes.
He is possessed by the alien Gankutsuou, who supports him on his quest for revenge. A significant victim of Edmond’s manipulative prowess is Albert de Morcerf. He loves and looks up to Edmond, completely unaware that he’s simply being used as a pawn in his schemes.
13Donquixote Doflamingo – One Piece
As flamboyant as his name suggests, Donquixote Doflamingo, is often noted as one of the best villains inOne Piece. On the surface, Doflamingo is nonchalant and lighthearted, but underneath all that, he is merciless.
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Considering himself to be one of the strong ones, he looks down on those he thinks are weak or of no value to him, subjecting them to his manipulation. An example is Bellamy, who lost to Luffy and became useless in Doflamingo’s eyes, leaving him vulnerable to the heat of his manipulation.
12Izaya Orihara – Durarara!!
Izaya Orihara enjoys causing chaos and stirring up trouble for his own amusement. He’s always been a master of manipulation and is not afraid to use people as pawns to achieve his goals. With a vast network of connections and sources, he is able to acquire a great deal of information and has a remarkable ability to control the various events and individuals in the city.
Despite his malevolent nature, there is something about his character that many find attractive and charming, making him an even more formidable presence. He is a complex individual whose actions may be seen as cruel and unethical, yet his intelligence,wit, and charismamake him a force to be reckoned with.
11Makima – Chainsaw Man
Makima is driven by ambitions she believes are righteous, and will stop at nothing to achieve them. She sees Denji as a means to an end, treating himwith kindness and generosityto make him feel indebted to her and unable to return to the suffering he once knew, thereby trapping him into surrendering to her will.
Her seemingly harmless appearance makes it easy for people to accept her requests and orders without much resistance. Makima is the most frightening type of villain, one who appears as a friend while secretly plotting sinister plans.
10Dio Brando – JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Known for employing loyal minions to do his bidding, Dio is a power-hungry vampire who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Ever since his introduction, he consistently employed underhanded methods in his battles against the Joestars, one of which was manipulation.
Even without special abilities, he was a dangerous young man who ruthlessly orchestrated thesuffering of Jonathan Joestarin his early life. Furthermore, after gaining supernatural powers, he manifested an ability to place flesh buds into his target’s brain, compelling them to heed his orders. On other occasions, however, he can also force fealty through hypnosis or the promise of power.
9Askeladd – Vinland Saga
Despitebeing the killer of Thorsand the reason for one of Thorfinn’s greatest traumas, Askeladd is a character many viewers don’t exactly hate. This is mainly because of his overwhelming charisma and meaningful actions facilitated by a tremendous understanding of other people. As a Viking, he is also an impressive tactician, showing extraordinary resourcefulness whenever the situation requires it.
He is a man with an agenda and is not afraid of using people to realize his ambitions. His involvement with Canute is the most prominent example, fostering the young prince’s growth and staging a situation where death by his hand would serve as the catalyst for greater things.
8Shogo Makishima – Psycho-Pass
Operating in a world witha system in placefor stopping criminal activity at its source, Shogo Makishima’s main aim was to expose the hypocrisy and inefficiency of said system. He believed his intentions were proper but did not refrain from committing heinous acts to achieve his goals.
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As a unique individual with the ability to deceive the governing system, he not only killed, but also manipulated others so he could draw out the human factor he believed the system was eradicating. He didn’t possess a large number of consistent companions, and after tiring of different characters—like Rikako Oryo—he wastes no time in abandoning them.
7Griffith – Berserk
In his early years, Griffith was a poor yet ambitious child with the dream of someday obtaining his own kingdom. That ambition followed him into adulthood as he formed the Band of Falcon group and conducted himself in a manner befitting of royalty.
However, the less honorable characteristic of Griffith’s personality is how much he values his dream over his companions.
Though this wasn’t always the case, he is mostly devoid of emotion and doesn’t care much for others, making it easier for him to use them. This was most apparent during the ritual of The Eclipse, wherehe sacrificed his entire groupin exchange for becoming a member of the God Hand.
6Zetsu – Naruto
Zetsu is a sentient offshoot of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and the main figure behind some of the most significant events in theNarutoseries. It existed much prior to the beginning of the anime and has manipulated many influential individuals with the aim of reviving its progenitor.
Zetsu’s actions are known for influencing a large group of people and, in some cases, have even incited full-on wars. He also became a member of the Akatsuki, and even while working for the organization, only acted with the interests of Kaguya in mind
