In these titles, the main characters surprise the viewers by embodying the image of the villain, erasing the boundaries between good and evil.
Anime with villainous protagonists forces the viewer to see events from a different perspective, where evil intentions seem justified or even noble.
Instead of fighting evil, these devious characters defeat their virtuous opponents, providing some of the most memorable villainous victories, all while pursuing their dark goals.
1. 91 Days, 2016-2017
The protagonist of 91 Days, Angelo Lagusa, saw his parents and younger brother murdered by the mob. He vowed to take revenge, even if it was the last thing he did. Along the way, Angelo inches closer to his goal, tracking down every mobster involved in his family's death.
Angelo's desire for revenge is understandable, but his endless thirst for vengeance makes him a villain. Still, Angelo is an interesting character, and the fact that 91 Days is set during the Prohibition era only adds to its charm, making it one of the best gangster anime out there.
2. Elfen Lied, 2004
Elfen Lied tells the dark story of Lucy, a representative of a special race of people – the Diclonius, on whom the government has conducted cruel experiments. When given the chance to escape, Lucy takes it, and two students, unaware of her terrible past and the government's sinister plot, decide to take her in.
Elfen Lied is a cult anime that lasted only one season, where Lucy's bloody and cruel actions cause real horror. In the end, she remains a victim, but that does not stop her from committing truly cruel acts.
3. Angels of Death, 2018
Angels of Death begins with Rachel waking up in a dark basement with Zack, a killer on the run. Despite his promise to kill her if she escapes, they team up to find a way out and regain their freedom.
As they go, they encounter increasingly unusual characters, and Rachel discovers her deep connection to this strange place, making her just as terrifying as Zack. Angels of Death is a dark and tense anime with a gripping plot that is well worth watching.
4. Code Geass, 2006-2008
The anime tells the story of Lelouch, who meets a mysterious girl named C.C. and gains Geass, the power of kings. With his newfound power, Lelouch embarks on a merciless war.
Lelouch's motives to lead a revolution and free Japan may make him a hero, but the methods he uses to achieve his goal make him a villain. Lelouch is a character of questionable morals, using the revolution as a cover for his own family problems.
5. Overlord, 2015-2022
Momonga is a powerful and fearsome wizard with loyal servants. The series takes place in the online game Yggdrasil, where he is trapped and forced to assume the role of the Dark Overlord.
This is an isekai anime in which the protagonist acts ruthlessly, viewing the characters around him as mere game NPCs rather than real people. His avatar itself is terrifying, but the villainous acts he commits take it to a whole new level.