Best Villains in Anime (So Far)

Key things

• Re:Zero features a diverse range of antagonists, from demi-humans like Garfiel to powerful sorceresses like Pandora.
• Characters like Roswaal and Sirius add complexity and depth to the already complex plot of Re:Zero.
• The influence of powerful witches like Satella and Echidna in the series further complicates the lives of Subaru and Emilia.

The Re: Zero Anime's tremendous impact on the Isekai genre is unparalleled. The action show follows the main protagonist Subaru Natsuki on his eventful journey. As Subaru comes to terms with the alien world and the nation of Lugunica, he meets some interesting and complicated characters as he travels across Emilia.

Through his connection with Emilia and his connection with the Witch of Envy, Subaru encounters many villains who change his plans, so the protagonist uses his Death Return to overcome their evil. From aloof antagonists to madmen, Re: Zero the assortment of antagonists raises the stakes of an already complex anime.

9 Garfield Tinzel

A demi-human who aimed to stop Subaru's progress

While season 2 Re: Zero Garfiel Tinzel appears as one of the season's most prominent antagonists, often stopping Subaru's progress in the Sanctuary. From the beginning, Garfiel shows disdain for much of Subaru's party. The powerful demi-human immediately tortures Subaru to keep the citizens inside the shrine while the figure clings to the place he calls home.

After terrorizing Subaru several times, he manages to defeat Garfiel, allowing the demi-human to deal with his past. This results in the brash warrior joining Emilia's cause in the coming battles.

8 Roswaal L. Mathers

A two-faced mage who attempts to reunite with his master

Roswaal L. Mathers is a mysterious individual, despite being Emilia's backer in the royal selection process. While Roswaal acts innocent and nonchalant, Roswaal's sinister plots come to fruition in the Sanctuary arc where he tries to bend Subaru to his will in order to achieve his hidden goal of reuniting with the Witch of Greed, Echidna.

Despite his carefully laid plans, the madman is pushed out by Subaru and Emilia. The two subdue their demons to succeed in saving the Sanctuary, resulting in Roswaal's defeat. Although his malevolent phase fails, Roswaals joins forces with Emilia and supports her to become queen against all odds.

7 Sirius Romanée-Conti

An unhinged character who easily loses control

Emerging in Re: Zero latest arc, Sirius Romanée-Conti arrives with a bang and easily takes out Subaru and hundreds of citizens in Priestella. Due to her obsession with Petelgeus Romanée-Conti, Sirius and other witch cult members such as Regulus Corneas are placed together as they carry out the orders of their evil organization.

Along with her angry actions in Priestella, Sirius holds a deep grudge against Emilia, with the half-elf sharing the same appearance as the Envy Witch. When Emilia takes on Sin Archbishop of Wrath, Sirius becomes enraged, causing Emilia more trouble in their intense fight.

6 Pandora

A mysterious, powerful witch who lived for ages

Although she only appeared in a few episodes, the witch of Vainglory was influential as the character terrorizes the elves in Elior Forest. As the main antagonist in Emilia's memories, Pandora decimates the forest, antagonizing Emilia to destroy her home and freeze her people.

Not much is known about the powerful witch. However, its crushing power led to events that still have consequences in the current proceedings Re: Zerowhich dramatically affected Emilia and her life. While Pandora isn't a prominent villain, she will certainly appear in future arcs where the fearsome witch will surely focus on wreaking havoc on her enemies.

5 Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti

The archbishop of errant sin who used to be normal

The wild and haunting Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti serves as one of the first introductions to the cult of witches. Sin Archbishop of Lenh appears as Subaru's main enemy during Season 1. Although Petelgeuse terrorizes Subaru as he tries to save Emilia and the residents of Roswaal Manor, his descent into madness comes from a place of love.

In Emilia's memories, Petelgeuse is shown to be a pleasant man who acts almost like a father figure to Emilia. However, Petelgeuse used the Witch Factor of Lenh to save the half-elf, resulting in the character losing control and descending into a path of villainy. This only got worse after he accidentally killed Fortuna, the elf he loved.

4 Regulus Corneas

An arrogant, self-righteous member of a witch cult

Regulus is a villain who made his mark in Season 2 Re: Zeroalthough the character now appears as one of the main protagonists of the show's final season. The often arrogant Regulus is an ancient being who even appeared in Emilia's youth in a flashback. Fans Rem and Crusch Karsten fall victim to Regulus after Subaru defeats Petelgeus and the Witch Cult faction as Regulus overpowers the pair and their soldiers alongside Lye Batenkaitos, Sin of Archbishop Gluttony.

Regulus returns to do his villainy on Subaru and his group. Sin Archbishop of Greed steals a helpless Emilia while Beatrice, Subaru and Emilia deal with Sirius, his fellow witch cult.

3 Elsa Granhiert

A ruthless gut hunter who delights in killing

As Re: Zero the first antagonist, Elsa Granhiert wreaks havoc on Subaru and his friends throughout her tenure. From the very beginning, Elsa proves to be an obstacle for Subaru and his newly acquired powers as the Bowel Hunter hunts the protagonist.

As far as vile characters go, Elsa stands out, enjoying her killing spree with no remorse for her demonic actions. Although the gut hunter's vicious cycle ends with Garfiel's defeat of the assassin, characters like Subaru are traumatized by Elsa's murderous intent.

2 Satella

The witch who destroyed the world

Responsible for introducing Subaru to the world Re: ZeroThe witch of envy, Satella, was involved in many events in the story. Known for bringing the Great Calamity to the world, Satella destroyed the lives of many and caused much damage to civilization 400 years before the current events.

Since she has the same appearance as Satella, Emilia must deal with the consequences, although their connection remains unknown. While trying to protect her beloved Subaru, Satella causes a lot of pain and suffering to the protagonist, who is being held captive by the witch who gave him the Death Return.

1 Echidna

A clever villain who craves knowledge

Aeason 2's main antagonist, Echidna, toys with Subaru and Emilia as they desperately try to save the Sanctuary. Echidna often encounters Subaru in the Castle of Dreams, laying the groundwork as she searches for information to quench her thirst as a Greed Witch. While investigating Subaru, the villain is fascinated by Death Return, hoping to aid the protagonist in observing the force.

While Echidna is nice to Subaru, she tries to bully Emilia during her trial and shows displeasure as she accompanies the half-elf as she overcomes the obstacles in her way. Although the antagonist does not engage in physical conflict, Echidna is a fearsome and greedy witch who craves information above all else, making her a calculating sociopath.