Even if a villain isn’t especially compelling in their motives, there’s something to be said about a character who’s so exceptionally detestable that watching them suffer is one of the best parts of an already good show. Malty is an entitled princess who flits from one adventuring group to the next, dazzling men with her beauty before robbing them and ruining their lives (in Naofumi’s case, she accuses him of sexual assault in front of the king). When she finally gets her comeuppance, we don’t feel a shred of sympathy for her.

When nine teenagers on a routine trip to space camp get swallowed by a mysterious orb and find themselves stranded thousands of lightyears from home, the question on everyone’s mind is, “Who did this to us and why?” It turns out that they’re leftovers from an illegal cloning operation, and their “parents” (the original people they were cloned from) were intending to use them as secondary bodies or involuntary organ donors until their secret was leaked and they needed to dispose of the evidence.

It’s a unique villain concept, especially since the parents don’t appear much. Kanata no Astra spends more time exploring how each teen is affected by their abusive/neglectful upbringing, and how they choose to view themselves after they learn the truth. It’s fascinating!

Cioccolata isn’t the main antagonist of Golden Wind, but he’s definitely our favorite. This corrupt doctor enjoys making snuff films, keeps another human being as a “pet”, can summon mold that decays entire city blocks, and is able to slice himself apart with such precision that he can still function as a pile of limbs and a gyrating spine. The anime even reveals that he’s the one who tortured and killed Sorbet and Gelato for pursuing the boss’ identity. Just like Malty, one of the best moments of the show comes when Giorno finally gives Cioccolata the punishment he deserves—30 whole seconds of rapid-fire punches and a final toss into a garbage truck!

In the original 1969 manga, Hyakkimaru’s brother Tahomaru only appeared for a single fight and died with little fanfare or emotional resolution. But in the 2019 remake, his role has been greatly expanded in the best way possible. He resents Hyakkimaru for undoing the demon’s blessing on the land to save his own life, and he wants to prove to their parents that he’s the superior son. Their climactic clash in the burning castle is one of our favorite fights from 2019!

Askeladd has always been the villain of Vinland Saga, but it’s easy to forget that when he’s the closest thing to a father figure Thorfinn has had for ten straight years. After he killed Thorfinn’s actual father, the kid tagged along with his army in an attempt at revenge, and Askeladd taught him to fight and practically raised him along the way. He’s intelligent, charismatic, and a terrifying warrior, but Askeladd harbors his own secret motivations that not even his closest confidants know. He’s one of the most compelling villains of the entire 2010s—you have to watch Vinland Saga to see him in action!