Anime where the adversary wins

Key takeaways

• Opponents such as Griffith, Eren, and Asakura unexpectedly receive their dark targets.

• Characters like Lelouch and SEELE use manipulation and sacrifice to bring about their desired results.

• Characters like Giovanni, Major and Satan may not be completely successful, but their legacy lives on.

For a long time, storytellers have explored the classic trope of hero vs. villain, where the archetypal hero goes the hard way until they gain enough power to defeat the one who wronged them. There are countless examples of such characters in cinema, and anime is no exception, as evil is always defeated. However, when some creators try to deviate from this formula, it often results in a completely wasted plot or a perfect push.

When Berserk first aired, no one expected such a harsh ending, where Griffith was completely engulfed in darkness, even sacrificing those who once worshiped him. Or take Eren, who starts out as an innocent boy but eventually becomes a villainous character who plans things the way he's always wanted.

10

Cyberpunk Edgerunners – Arasaka and Militech

The battle was lost, but they still fired their guns

Cyberpunk Edgerunners takes place in a dystopian future filled with a dark and terrifying atmosphere in a world similar to the Cyberpunk 2077 game, where crime runs rampant and body-modification techniques are a part of everyday life.

In the midst of all this, a street boy named David Martinez is trying to survive by becoming an Edgerner, a mercenary tech outlaw. However, he feels small in front of the power conglomerates Arasaka and Militech, both vying for control of the global arms market. Despite losing hundreds of lives in the conflict, both groups continued their operations until the end of the show, suggesting that evil had finally triumphed.

9

Neon Genesis Evangelion – SEELE

SEELE almost succeeds with his plans

The plot of Neon Genesis Evangelion revolves around a secret plan called Instrumentality, which is carried out by NERV and SEELE in the program, who almost succeed in their plan. Although the objectives of both entities were different, both wanted to merge their consciousness into a single entity to propel humanity towards a new evolution, with the goal of making them greater.

To achieve this, SEELE hit the world twice with Angelic Impacts, only to succeed on the third, until Shinji's emotions triggered the instrumentality. However, everything falls apart when Shinji is given a choice and eventually rejects it in favor of individualism.

8

Code Geass – Lelouch

Lelouch achieved a great victory through his somewhat evil plans

Code Geass introduces Lelouch Vi Britannia as someone who can change the world not by using power or strength but through his brilliant mind. In doing so, he became the puppet master of the world's most dangerous political game.

Throughout the series, you see Lelouch commit some terrible deeds, but eventually it is revealed that his true goal was to unite the world against the Britannia Empire, by eliminating his own father. To achieve his intentions, Lelouch even created a villainous identity for himself and eventually sacrificed that persona to bring peace forever.

7

Asakura Hao – The Shaman King

The Shaman King nearly destroyed humanity

Asakura Hao was a villain with god-like powers of reincarnation, which allowed him to return to Earth and live three lifetimes, each filled with a deep hatred against humanity that never seemed to fade.

Hoping to become the Shaman King, Asakura dreamed of wiping out humanity where only shamans would exist. In the last episode, he had the power to make his dream a reality, but his twin brother, Yao, convinced him not to go through with it. So, despite conquering everything, he chose not to destroy humanity.

6

Devilman Crybaby – Satan

Satan won by losing everything

First published in Weekly Shonen Magazine in 1972, Devilman Crybaby is the story of an exiled angel, Ryo Asuka, later a devil, who finds value in demons, and a human-form demon, Akira, who finds value in humanity.

To date, the series is considered one of the best works in the dark fantasy genre. In 2018, the creators adapted it into a ten-episode miniseries, drawing the same ultra-violent content from the manga. It was something that was considered taboo at the time, especially because of its dark conclusion where Satan is left alone, with everyone he loves.

5

Giovanni – Pokemon

Team Rocket is still operating underground

For many people, Pokemon was their first introduction to anime. It was a show that became a beloved part of many childhoods and has achieved a level of success only a handful of other franchises have ever matched.

One of the most exciting parts of Pokemon was the fighting, and it's hard to forget how dangerous Giovanni and Team Rocket were. At the end of the show, Giovanni never managed to take over the world's economy. However, one should not forget that Ash never actually defeated Team Rocket, suggesting that this criminal syndicate is still out there, working to carry out its evil plans.

4

Demon Slayer: Mugen Train – Akaja

Akaja killed The Flame Hashira, Rengoku

When Demon Slayer: Mugen Train hit US theaters in 2020, it was a huge success, fully benefiting from the hype the show had previously created.

Mugen Train picks up right after the Mount Natagumo arc, where Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Genitsu fight spider monsters. They board the Infinity Train with Flame Hashira Rengoku on a mission to investigate demon activity in a nearby village. However, the train is attacked by Enmu and then eventually Akaja, who manages to kill Rengoku himself.

3

Hellsing Ultimate – Chief

The Major died a happy man

Set in the post-apocalyptic town of Transylvania, Hellsing Ultimate is a series in which monsters lurk at night in search of their next victim, but still, Major stands out as a truly hideous human being whose sinister deeds overshadow every other monster.

As Supreme Leader of the Millennium, the Major was obsessed with plans to kill Alucard and carry out Hitler's order to create an army of vampire Nazis. Although the Major was unsuccessful, and shot in the head by Integra, he died with a smile, knowing he had finally created the chaos he desired.

2

Berserk – Griffith

Griffith sacrificed his friends and turned into Femto

Back in 1997, when the manga Berserk was adapted, viewers unfamiliar with the original material were left in disbelief as they witnessed utter carnage in the final episode.

Although the signs were always there, no one saw it coming when Griffith made such a complete transformation into evil, sacrificing the entire band of hawks and transforming into his demon self, Femto. Creating one of the most uncomfortable scenes in TV history, everyone's jaws dropped to the floor as Griffiths scarred Casca in front of Guts.

1

Attack on Titan – Eren Yeager

Eren destroys most of the world

For some, Eren's actions were justified, while for others, he was just a manipulative villain who murdered countless people, and there could be no justification for it. Regardless of what you think, Eren Yeager is undoubtedly one of the most polarizing characters of all time.

With the revelation that Eren triggered almost every event in AOT, including the near destruction of the entire world outside of Paradise Island, it becomes clear that no one can truly win but him. Everything was predetermined, including Eren's fate after he started rambling, as he saw it all through the powers of the Founding Titan.