“Protagonist” is a literal term to indicate the main character of the series and quite often they’re embodying heroic ideals, which makes people think the protagonist has to be “a good person”. But, that does not stand true for certain anime where MC is villain who explores morally gray areas of human nature.

These anime series take a bold step by placing the protagonist in the role of the villain, offering a unique perspective and challenging traditional hero’s journey. In today’s article, we will delve into a selection of anime where the main character embraces their villainous nature. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

10. Gangsta

Gangsta is a dark and gritty anime series set in the city of Ergastulum where crime is rampant and the police are powerless to stop it. The anime follows two “Handymen” Nicholas Brown and Worick Arcangelo as they take on any job, no matter how dangerous or dirty.

During one of these jobs, they bump into a female prostitute and decide to protect her from a powerful mob boss. This causes a power shift and starts causing a war that could shake the very foundations of Ergastulum.

9. Overlord

Overlord is one of the top-tier transferred to game world anime known for its dark and comedic tone. The series chronicles Momonga, a powerful wizard who is trapped in the world of the popular virtual reality game “Yggdrasil” after the servers shut down.

Trapped in a virtual world, Momonga takes on the role of his in-game villainous avatar Ainz Ooal Gown and starts to stray from humanity by committing questionable acts. He’s soon seen as an evil yet “merciful” overlord who rules over the realm of Nazarick.

8. Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon is a crime-thriller anime series that follows the Lagoon Company, a four-member team of pirate mercenaries smuggling goods in and around the seas of Southeast Asia. Led by Revy, the group takes on various jobs involving criminal organizations and violent gunfights.

Revy certainly gives off the looks of a heroic protagonist but then comes into play her sadistic killer persona and criminal history. Sometimes the hero of the story may not necessarily be the “good” person, and this can apply to Revy’s actions and motives too.

7. Terror In Resonance

Terror in Resonance is a thought-provoking anime by Studio MAPPA that provides an interesting look into the diabolical minds of anti-heroes. The series follows two individuals who pose a threat to the modern world in order to uphold their ideologies in a society they no longer believe in.

Months after a terrorist attack on a nuclear facility in Japan, a video mysteriously appears on the internet where two teenagers – identifying themselves as “Sphinx” – take charge of the assault and threaten to destroy Tokyo unless a cryptic riddle can be solved.

6. 91 Days

“Revenge is a dish best served cold” – the whole narrative of the story can be understood in this single phrase. 91 Days is a mafia revenge anime story set in the fictional form of America during Prohibition when there was no law and the Mafias and illegal gangs used to rule the place.

The anime sees Angelo Lagusa’s retaliation against the powerful Vanetti family after witnessing his family’s brutal murder orchestrated by them. After leaving his hometown, Angelo returns seven years later to inflict as much suffering as humanly possible on anyone tangentially related to his family’s death.

5. The Saga Of Tanya The Evil

Saga of Tanya the Evil is a promising isekai anime with op MC featuring an evil protagonist who’s a total maniac. Before being reincarnated as a teenage girl in the middle of magical warfare, Tanya Degurechaff was a salaryman with a harsh and self-centered personality.

Due to his poor personality, he was murdered by one of his subordinates and sent to a world by a God that Tanya calls “Being X”. Hellbent on defiance, Tanya resolves to ascend the ranks of her country’s military, propelling the mighty Empire into becoming one of the most powerful nations in mankind’s history.

4. Hellsing

Classic dark shōnen series, Hellsing is home to one of the most ruthless vampires in anime verse, Alucard. Alucard didn’t become a vampire hunter for anything resembling moral reasons – he does it because he thoroughly enjoys ending lives with no sign of remorse or mercy.

In the series, he’s part of the Hellsing organization whose main goal is to control the number of supernatural monsters plaguing England. Being a villainous figure of the faction, he goes into an all-out war against a war-crazed SS Major who seeks to start an eternal war with his vampire army.

3. Code Geass

Code Geass follows the story of high-school student Lelouch Lamperouge who finds himself in possession of a supernatural power called “Geass”. Being obsessed with the thought of destroying the tyrannical Royal Empire of Britannia, Lelouch pledges to free Japan and create a new world that would be better for everyone.

Using the power of mind-controlling Geass and high-powered mechs, Lelouch does whatever it takes to overcome his opposition. However, it doesn’t take long for his moral compass to shift and in his quest for absolute power, Lelouch makes countless innocent people a part of the collateral damage.

2. Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan is a true masterpiece in storytelling that has evolved drastically during its course of four seasons. The character development of Eren from an uncertain and emotional kid to becoming the Eldian hero is one of the best things about the series.

However, his differentially bizarre ideology of freedom put the lives of 80% of humanity at stake and as the end neared, he started justifying that his method is the only way to repair the world. Even though Eren was doing everything for the sake of humanity, the cost of it was very high.

1. Death Note

Death Note is the most popular trope of anime where MC is villain. The series features Light Yagami, a young, diabolical genius who accidentally stumbles upon a death-granting notebook and follows his wicked sense of justice with the ultimate goal of cleansing the world of all evil-doers.

Aware of the terrifying godlike power that has fallen into his hands, Light – under the alias “Kira” – began fancying himself to be the “god of the new world”. However, he eventually gets so swallowed up by ambition that he forgets his own morals and starts killing innocent people just to save his neck.

Which one of the following anime where MC is villain is your favorite? Feel free to comment down your thoughts and make sure to recommend some other anime like the ones listed above, also don’t forget to share this article with your fellow otaku friends.

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