10 Anime Where the Villains Emerge Victorious
Explore 10 noteworthy anime where the villains come out on top, showcasing unexpected plot twists and challenging traditional storytelling conventions.
Berserk: Griffith’s Unpunished Crimes
In the 1997 anime adaptation of Berserk, the villain Griffith commits heinous acts in his pursuit of power. He sacrifices the Band of the Hawk and becomes the God Hand Femto, unleashing unspeakable horrors. The story ends without revealing the consequences for Griffith’s crimes, leaving viewers shocked and unsettled.

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Hellsing Ultimate: Millenium’s Pyrrhic Victory
In Hellsing Ultimate, the antagonistic organization Millenium achieves a pyrrhic victory. They wage a massive and bloody war, successfully defeating Alucard by using Schrödinger to negate his existence. Although Alucard eventually returns, Millenium accomplishes their primary goals, leaving the heroes in a state of despair.

( Credit to: Screenrant )
Shaman King: Hao’s Unstoppable Ascendancy
The 2021 adaptation of Shaman King portrays Hao as an unstoppable villain. He ascends to become the Shaman King without significant obstacles, leaving the heroes completely outmatched throughout the series. Only through a temporary reprieve is humanity spared from his genocidal plans.

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Cyberpunk: Edgerunners: David’s Demise
In Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the main character David and his crew face the wrath of the Arasaka Corporation. Just as victory seems within their grasp, Adam Smasher, a major antagonist from Cyberpunk: 2077, unexpectedly appears and brutally kills David and his friends. The anime concludes on a somber note, with the villains prevailing.

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Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans: Rustal’s Reforms
Iron-Blooded Orphans subverts expectations by transforming the villains into the heroes. Despite the complete destruction of Tekkadan by Rustal and the Arianrhod Fleet, a timeskip reveals that Rustal implements the reforms Tekkadan had desired. While their actions may be pragmatic, the villains achieve their goals without facing consequences, leaving the audience questioning the blurred lines between good and evil.

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Code Geass: Lelouch’s Hidden Agenda
Code Geass presents a complex narrative where the main character, Lelouch, becomes the villain in the final act. However, it is revealed that his heinous acts were part of a grand plan to unite the world against a common enemy and bring about peace after his death. Lelouch’s secret alignment with good grants the villains an unexpected victory, challenging traditional notions of heroism and villainy.

( Credit to: Screenrant )
Devilman Crybaby: A Modernized Villainous Triumph
Devilman Crybaby, a 2018 adaptation, maintains the dark conclusion of the original manga. The protagonist, Akira, loses his loved ones to Satan’s forces and dies fighting him. In a twisted turn of events, God, portrayed as evil, appears and destroys the Earth. This grim ending solidifies the villains’ undeniable triumph, leaving viewers with a sense of unease and contemplation.
The End of Evangelion: SEELE’s Apocalyptic Success
The End of Evangelion, released in 1997, sees the main villains, SEELE, successfully initiating the Third Impact, resulting in the destruction of the world and its inhabitants. Only Shinji and Asuka survive the cataclysmic event. While the ultimate goals of SEELE remain ambiguous, the film concludes with the villains triumphing over the heroes, leaving audiences with a sense of existential dread.
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt: A Twist Ending
The 2010 anime Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt surprises viewers with a twist ending. Just as it seems the heroes have defeated the villains, Stocking, revealing herself as a demon, turns on Panty. She kills Panty, dismembers her body, and scatters the pieces around the world. This unexpected turn undoes the heroes’ accomplishments, leaving a lingering sense of shock and betrayal.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion: Homura’s Betrayal
In the 2013 film, Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie: Rebellion, the true villain is revealed to be Homura. She manipulates events to steal Madoka’s position as God and reshape reality to be with her. This unexpected twist alters the entire franchise and solidifies the movie as one of the most notable anime where the villain emerges victorious, leaving viewers questioning the boundaries of good and evil.
Conclusion: Challenging Traditional Storytelling Conventions
These 10 anime serve as compelling examples of stories that end with the villains prevailing. Through unstoppable power, unexpected plot twists, or hidden agendas, these narratives challenge traditional storytelling conventions and offer a unique perspective on the battle between good and evil. They leave viewers with a sense of unease, contemplation, and a reevaluation of what it truly means to be a hero or a villain in the world of anime.