Summary
Villain galleries, sometimes referred to as rogue galleries, are a collection of villains that reappear throughout a given show, comic, or manga, rarely dying, and always coming back for more. The Batman franchise is known for its epic villain gallery, with characters like Ra’s al Ghul and Joker reoccurring throughout the franchise’s history, with different plots and schemes to take over the world, take out Batman, and cause trouble in general. This plot device is set in contrast with the “Monster of the Week” option, in which the protagonist has a new “bad guy” to fight every episode. Viewers see this inBuffy the Vampire Slayerand some filler episodes of popular anime likeNaruto. Oftentimes, a combination of both devices is used.
In anime, the villain galleries are vast with infamous characters like Orochimaru fromNarutoand Aizen fromBleachcoming to mind as iconic reoccurring villains. Something that makes a villain gallery is a collection of villains that somehow seem to escape death, even when fighting the story’s top hero. They are villains that the audience grows to love, and hate, because of their memorable personalities and the hero’s difficulty eliminating them.
Some newer anime likeChainsaw ManandHell’s Paradisehave potential for great Villain Galleries, but the role of the villains hasn’t unfolded enough in the anime for them to be considered.
Top Villains
Eren Yaegar, Titans, Zeke Yaegar
The villain gallery inAttack on Titanis an interesting one, with characters changing sides throughout the story. One particularly memorable villain is Zeke, AKA the Beast Titan. The Beast Titan first appears in Season 2, Episode 1, during the invasion of Wall Rose. He then creates a sort of rivalry with Captain Levi, as he’s the first titan Levi has difficulty taking out. The others of the Nine Titans, as well as some generic titans like the one that killed Eren’s mom, are all members ofAOT’svillain gallery, reappearing as antagonists, and sometimes allies, throughout the story.
While the villain gallery isn’t as vast as others,Attack on Titanprovides viewers with a well-written, deeply interesting plot that won’t disappoint fans of epic drama.
Muzan Kibutsuji, The Twelve Kizuki
WhileDemon Slayermostly follows a monster of the week, or more accurately, monster of the arc, storyline, its villains are part of a greater villainous team called the Twelve Kizuki, all working under their king, Muzan. Muzan is the main antagonist in the series and his chilling ability to shift identities makes him a mysterious foe. The Twelve Kizuki are powerful demons that work under Muzan, and face off against Tanjiro and his allies. They appear when Tanjiro is least expecting it, and nearly kill him every time.
Although the Twelve Kizuki and Muzan are stylish, terrifying, and tenacious villains, other than Muzan, they aren’t reoccurring enough to classify as an exemplary villain gallery. Instead, they are the beginning of what has the capacity of becoming an epic villain gallery.
Orochimaru, the Akatsuki, Madara
Naruto’s villain gallery is a nearly perfect representation of the concept, except for one thing, Naruto seems to turn many villains good after an earnest interaction with them. This isn’t always the case, but Naruto shifts characters' roles from antagonist to ally, making this villain gallery relatively small compared to the size of the franchise. One significant member of the gallery is Orochimaru, who plays the main villain in the originalNarutoseries and the beginning ofNaruto Shippuden. Additionally,the Akatsukiare reoccurring villains that seek to hunt jinchuriki like Naruto for a greater purpose. They are a definite threat to Naruto and The Leaf, and offer great interactions and fights with Naruto and friends.
The Naruto franchise builds up its villains quite well, providing viewers with backstories, shows of strength, and an understanding of their personalities before and during their fights with The Leaf’s shinobis. This makes them memorable, and even likable at times, pushing them into villain gallery canon time and time again.
The Homunculi, Father
Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhoodprovides fans with an epic villain gallery, mostly composed of the Homunculi, all based on the Seven Deadly Sins. The Elric brothers fight each homunculus at different times, barely escaping their “wrath.” One particularly charming character is Greed, a reoccurring antagonist who might just turn into a bit of an antihero. Additionally, the homunculi, in general, offer comedic relief, and tension when necessary, and are difficult to kill, making them an excellent example of a villain gallery.
The villains inFull Metal Alchemist: Brotherhoodare far from generic, each having distinct personalities and powers. They fight the Elric brothers over and over, plotting against them and causing problems for them countless times.
Vegeta, Cell, Frieza
DespiteDragon Ball Zbeing an older anime, itsvillains are still legendary. With antagonists like Vegeta and Frieza showing up to disturb the peace, destroy Earth, and battle Goku, Gohan, and friends, it’s no wonder thatDragon Ball Zhas landed itself as one of the original classics of battle shonen anime. Vegeta and Frieza are perfect examples of a villain gallery, with their unrelenting goal of taking over planets, their deep connection to Goku and Gohan’s past, and their strength only rivaled by Goku and Gohan themselves, they become excellent nemeses to the story’s protagonists.
Dragon Ball Zand the entireDragon Ballfranchise paved the way for the Big Three, as well as more modern shonen anime. Its villains are timeless classics that will never be forgotten.
Donquixote Doflamingo, Black Beard, Akainu, Crocodile
One Piecehas a collection ofvillains unlike any other. They are a cast of colorful characters that challenge Luffy and his crew on numerous occasions. One fan-favorite villain is Donquixote Doflamingo, the captain of the Donquixote Pirates. He is the main villain during the Dressrosa arc, where he fought Luffy to a brutal end. Fans love his eccentric apparel and over-the-top personality, which is grouped with questionable morals and top-notch fighting ability.
Other villains ofOne Piece’svillain gallery include Black Beard, Akainu, and Crocodile, to name a few. They all have different and wacky characteristics that make them memorable to the audience and the protagonists.
One For All, Tomura Shigaraki, Dabi
With all its inspiration from classic Western superhero comics,My Hero Academiais bound to deliver alegendary villain gallery. With the big bad being All For One, a mysterious foe, and rival to All Might, and the limitless potential of Shigaraki,My Hero Academiaprovides fearsome bad guys to a T. Additionally, fans see parallels between the rivalries of All For One and All Might, with Shigaraki and the story’s hero, Deku, making the villain gallery that much deeper.
My Hero Academiaoffers one of the most classic villain galleries in modern shonen anime, gifting viewers with vague backstories that turn out to have major connections to the story’s protagonists.
Mahito, Geto, Toji Fushiguro, Sukuna
Jujutsu Kaisenis another epic, modern shonen that harbors agreat collection of villains. Despite being so new, it has developed a villain gallery that surpasses many of its predecessors. With characters like Geto and Mahito creating complex and fun dynamics between the protagonists and villains,JJKstands out in its ability to capture the audience with its villains. A new favorite has even joined the gallery in Season 2 by the name of Toji Fushiguro, whose fight with Gojo left the audience mesmerized by his charm and unique abilities.
Jujutsu Kaisenholds a villain gallery that enchants fans, making it the best modern shonen representation of the concept. Its villains are tricky, wacky, entangled with the protagonists, and very hard to kill.
Illumi Zoldyk, Mereum, Hisoka
While there are a lot of memorable villains inHunter X Hunter, including but not limited to Illumi Zoldyk and Mereum, whose roles as antagonists push Gon and Killua to grow as people and as hunters, Hisoka is by far the ultimate villain and member of an epic villain gallery. In his recurring role, starting from the Hunter Examination, through to the end of what’s been adapted from the manga, Hisoka is one of the creepiest, most vile characters in the entire anime universe. Additionally, the rest of the villain gallery exceeds expectations when it comes to character design, bad intentions, and fighting ability.
Hunter X Hunterprovides viewers with two heroes who need to develop their skills, and villains that force them to power up over and over again to reach their potential. This makes for a prime villain gallery that surpasses those of anime with heroes who have more battle experience.
Aizen, the Arrancar, the Quincies
Bleach’svillain galleryis the best of the Big Three shonen animes. Its villains are stylish, well-designed, and are granted compelling backstories that challenge the audience’s understanding of morality. Members of the Arrancar like Grimmjow make fans fall in love with them and their evil antics, while characters like Aizen shake up the protagonists in ways onlyBleachcan pull off. Additionally, villains like the Quincies are the antagonists, but are they wrong for fighting for their beliefs?
Bleach’svillains are top-notch fighters who push Ichigo and friends to their limits, making them overcome themselves to gain more power. They are reminiscent of classic comic book villains like the Joker, which reinforces the rule that there really is no compelling protagonist without an antagonist.
