10 Best Isekai Anime With A Villain Protagonist (2024)

Isekai

10 Best Isekai Anime With A Villain Protagonist (1)

By Stefania Ikeda Stavridi

Updated

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Manage Your List

Follow

Followed

Follow with Notifications

Follow

Unfollow

Link copied to clipboard

Sign in to your DualShockers account
10 Best Isekai Anime With A Villain Protagonist (2)

Isekai anime has surged in popularity, captivating the hearts of fans far and wide, and with it, the dawn of characters who defy traditional notions of heroism. In their exhilarating journeys through otherworldly dimensions, the protagonists are no longer the knights in shining armor or the pure-hearted saviors everyone's accustomed to.

✕ Remove Ads

Related

15 Best Underrated Isekai Anime

Don't sleep on these underrated Isekai anime, they're some of the best in the genre.

Instead, the heroes have taken a darker path, steering the narrative in unprecedented directions. Whether they embark on a quest for vengeance, inadvertently become the very menace they seek to defeat, or momentarily lose themselves to the allure of wickedness, the isekai realm now hosts a diverse roster of characters and tales that challenge the conventions of heroism.

***SPOILER ALERT: This list contains MAJOR SPOILERS on isekai anime plots and characters' affiliations and goals!!! ***

10 Demon Lord, Retry!

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 6.55

Why Watch Demon Lord, Retry!?

  • Entertaining Action And Adventure
  • Tyrannical Main Protagonist

✕ Remove Ads

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

Human

Demon Lord

Lawful Evil

Understand And Rule The New World

After making the decision to shut down his MMORPG's servers, Akira Oono finds himself transported into a fantasy world. Upon his arrival, he discovers that he now inhabits the body of his game's final boss, the demon lord. This world, though, is nothing like the one he once managed, brimming with unfamiliar monsters and characters.

As he embarks on a journey to unravel the mysteries of this strange realm, Akira begins to gradually embrace the role of a demon lord. Realizing the immense strength he holds, he is marked by an insatiable greed for power and wealth. With a tyrannical personality, showing little regard for the opinions of others, Akira does not hesitate to exploit those around him.

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

July 4, 2019

12

Finished

Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai

Amazon

✕ Remove Ads

9 The Executioner And Her Way Of Life

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 6.79

Why Watch The Executioner And Her Way Of Life?

  • Nice Twist On Who's The Villain And Who's The Hero
  • Compelling Moral Dilemmas

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

Human

Priestess, Executioner

Lawful Evil

Help The Weak

Menou is not the typical isekai heroine, rather she is a priestess and executioner, tasked with a grim responsibility. She takes care of the Lost Ones, individuals who've been summoned to her world but are deemed irredeemable or dangerous. Instead of aiding them, though, Menou ends their lives.

✕ Remove Ads

The heroes who find themselves isekai'd into her world often experience a descent into madness as they realize they can't return to their realms or grapple with their newfound powers. In their most vulnerable moments, Menou finds them, offering salvation. She ingeniously tricks them into believing she will assist in their plight, only to quickly betray them. While Menou's actions serve to protect her country, she shows no trace of remorse.

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

April 2, 2022

12

Finished

Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai, Yuri

HIDIVE

8 Trapped In A Dating Sim: The World Of Otome Games Is Tough For Mobs

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.34

Why Watch Trapped In A Dating Sim: The World Of Otome Games Is Tough For Mods?

✕ Remove Ads

  • Cocky Protagonist Who Defies Norms
  • Lighthearted And Does Not Take Itself Too Seriously

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

New Human

Student, Adventurer

Chaotic Neutral

Live Comfortably

When the protagonist of Trapped In A Dating Sim gets reincarnated into the world of an otome game, instead of finding himself in the expected role of a villain or a main character, Leon is placed in the shoes of an ordinary mob. Frustrated by the sheer injustice of his lot, he becomes the embodiment of cynicism and self-centeredness.

Related

15 Best Isekai Anime With Mecha

Looking for a great isekai anime with mecha? Look no further.

Armed with knowledge of the game's mechanics, he takes full advantage of his unique position and acquires a powerful ship, and weaponry. His prowess enables him to save his classmates and the world from multiple threats, earning him recognition and a noble status along the way. However, his cruel and self-centered behavior, and his sadistic tendencies of humiliating his opponents, place him among the villains.

✕ Remove Ads

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

April 3, 2022

12

Finished

Action, Fantasy, Romance, Isekai, Harem, Mecha

Crunchyroll

7 The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.35

Why Watch The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat?

  • Engaging Protagonist And Character Development
  • Unique Take On Justice

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

Human

Assassin

Chaotic Neutral

Eliminate The Hero

The title alone of The World's Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated In Another World As An Aristocrat tells much about the series' premise. The anime follows the journey of an assassin who was once the best in the modern world, only to find himself reincarnated into a fantasy realm at the behest of the world's goddess.

✕ Remove Ads

The assassin, now known as Lugh, is given a simple, unyielding objective; eliminate the world's hero who threatens to plunge the realm into chaos. To achieve his goal, Lugh is willing to employ any means necessary, including manipulating and taking advantage of those around him. As the narrative unfolds, however, it becomes unclear whether it's Lugh, the hero, or even the goddess herself who stands on the morally ambiguous ground.

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

October 6, 2021

12

Finished

Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Isekai

Crunchyroll

6 So I'm A Spider, So What?

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.45

Why Watch So I'm A Spider, So What?

✕ Remove Ads

  • Hilarious Heroine And Her Jokes
  • Rich World-Building And Plot Twists

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

Taratect Spider Monster (Originally)

Demon Army Commander

Chaotic Neutral

Destroy The System

So I'm A Spider, So What? is a great example of the isekai genre's ever evolving narrative landscape. What sets it apart is the intriguing premise of a protagonist who, unlike the traditional hero, is born as a lowly monster in a perilous world. Reincarnated as a humble spider, Shiro's initial goal is simple as it is relatable - survival.

As the story unfolds, Shiro quickly grasps the intricacies of the world and the system at play, deciding to take on the very system that governs everyone's existence. She makes the radical choice to confront anyone who stands in her way, whether friend or foe, and does not show any remorse in taking on her old classmates.

✕ Remove Ads

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

January 8, 2021

24

Finished

Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery, Isekai

Crunchyroll

5 GATE

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.69

Why Watch Gate?

  • Blend Of Action And Politics
  • Cultural Clashes

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

Human

Japan Self-Defense Forces

Lawful Good

Eat, Sleep, Play, Repeat

Gate stands as a unique and unconventional addition to the isekai genre, as it defies the typical formula of characters being transported to a fantasy world. The anime opts instead to explore a scenario where Japan invades and attacks other worlds, after initially being attacked once.

✕ Remove Ads

At the epicenter of the narrative is Youji Itami, a character whose moral alignment as good or evil remains a subject of perpetual debate among fans. His actions and decisions throughout the series leave plenty of room for interpretation. While the early episodes portray him as a defender of Earth against an invading force, his motives become increasingly muddled as the series progresses, with Itami showing no remorse when it comes to taking lives.

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

July 4, 2016

12

Finished

Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai, Military

Hulu, Amazon

4 Overlord

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.91

Why Watch Overlord?

✕ Remove Ads

  • Intricate World-Building And Lore
  • Diverse And Engaging Cast

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

Undead, Overlord

Guild Master, Adventurer, Overlord Of Nazarick, King Of Sorcerer Kingdom

Lawful Evil

Rule Over The World

Ainz, once a mere player in an online game, finds himself trapped in a new reality as the game world becomes a reality of its own. The shift from an ordinary human player to a powerful skeletal overlord marks the beginning of his journey. However, as his dark reign unfolds, Ainz's intentions are consistently misunderstood by his loyal minions.

Related

Overlord: 10 Best Characters, Ranked

From Ainz Ooal Gown's spooky charm to Sebas Tian's fierce loyalty, Overlord's cast is a delightful mix of characters.

Ainz's path takes a truly unique turn as his guild's goal evolves from its original aim to conquer dungeons to the far more ambitious aspiration of ruling over the entire world. The Overlord himself declares his grand ambition to become an eternal legend, surpassing and replacing all known heroes.

✕ Remove Ads

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

July 7, 2015

52

Finished

Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Isekai

Hulu, Amazon

3 Saga Of Tanya The Evil

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.96

Why Watch Saga Of Tanya The Evil?

  • Hilarious And Relatable Heroine
  • War Tactics And Politics

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

Human

Aerial Mage/ Wing Commander

Lawful Evil

Destroy Being X, Live In Peace

Tanya Degurechaff is a character whose very essence embodies the notion of an evil protagonist. Her path to reincarnation was a consequence of her own despicable and manipulative behavior in the modern world, a punishment from god.

✕ Remove Ads

Reborn in a war-torn realm, Tanya joins the military, earning praise for her exceptional skills, but beneath the facade of a hero lies a power-hungry, sadistic individual. Her every move is driven by a ruthless desire to secure a cushy position in the back offices, far from the frontline dangers she so despises, and most importantly far from the mysterious Being X.

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

January 6, 2017

13

Finished

Action, Fantasy, Isekai, Military

Crunchyroll, Funimatoin, Amazon

2 The Rising Of The Shield Hero

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.97

Why Watch The Rising Of The Shield Hero?

  • Complex Character Relationships
  • Underdog Protagonist

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

Human

Shield Hero

Chaotic Good

Originally Revenge

✕ Remove Ads

The Rising of the Shield Hero introduces a main character whose journey straddles the fine line between hero and anti-hero. After getting transported into another world, Naofumi's story takes a distinctive turn as he is falsely accused of heinous crimes.

This betrayal from a person he thought he could trust and the subsequent isolation harden him, giving rise to cynicism. For a considerate period, Naofumi prioritizes only his own survival and the welfare of his small group, driven by an understandable distrust of others. However, he does not linger in the path of evil for too long, and his character undergoes remarkable development.

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

January 9, 2019

38

Finished

Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Isekai

Crunchyroll, Hulu, Funimatoin, Amazon

1 The Eminence In Shadow

My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.31

✕ Remove Ads

Why Watch The Eminence In Shadow?

  • Meta Take On Isekai
  • Hilarious And Delusional Protagonist

Race

Occupation

Alignment

Goal

Human

Student, Leader Of Shadow Garden

Lawful Neutral

Eight-Grader-Sydrome Dream of Being A Big Power In The Shadows

The Eminence in Shadow redefines the isekai genre with a delusional protagonist, Cid, driven by chūnibyō fantasies. Seeking strength, he reincarnates into a magical world after mistaking a truck's lights for magic. Concealing his powers, Cid inadvertently becomes a savior, all while sharing his eccentric delusions with those he saves.

✕ Remove Ads

The people he saved in the new world come to believe in and rely on him, even forging a secret organization, unaware that Cid sees everything as mere play. While he does not bring any harm to his subordinates, and most of his delusions are actually real, Cid takes lightly the lives of others, and only wants to focus on his own fantasies.

Release Date

Episode Count

Status

Genres

Where To Watch

October 05, 2022

20

Finished

Action, Comedy, Fantasy, Isekai

Hulu, AppleTV, Amazon

NEXT: Best Isekai Villains, Ranked

  • Anime
  • Isekai
  • Overlord

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Manage Your List

Follow

Followed

Follow with Notifications

Follow

Unfollow

10 Best Isekai Anime With A Villain Protagonist (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 6112

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.