10 Anime Where Villains Successfully Accomplished Their Goals

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As a huge anime fan, I’ve noticed a common trope: the hero always swoops in just when things look darkest to stop the villain’s plan. But honestly, it’s way more compelling when the bad guy actually wins for a change. There are a few anime where the villain succeeds in their goals, even if it means lasting damage to the heroes or a changed world. It’s a surprisingly impactful twist, and I’m excited to share some examples of anime where the antagonist truly gets what they want, despite everything.

‘Berserk’ (1997)

During the Eclipse, Griffith makes a devastating sacrifice, offering up the lives of his beloved Band of the Hawk to become a member of the God Hand. The animation beautifully and frighteningly depicts his transformation, ultimately allowing him to achieve his lifelong goal: establishing and ruling the kingdom of Falconia. He exchanges the lives of his friends for ultimate power, and while Guts manages to survive, Griffith emerges triumphant as the absolute ruler he always desired to be.

‘Naruto: Shippuden’ (2007–2017)

As a longtime anime fan, the arc where Madara finally casts the Infinite Tsukuyomi always stuck with me. Seeing Studio Pierrot depict the sheer power of that move, and how easily he took down the entire Allied Shinobi Forces, was incredible. It’s a really tragic story, because Madara genuinely believed trapping everyone in an eternal dream was the only way to bring lasting peace and end all the fighting. He’d worked his whole life towards that goal, which makes the ultimate betrayal by Black Zetsu even more heartbreaking.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010)

Father, a manufactured being, masterminded a massive, country-wide magical circle with the goal of absorbing God’s power. The resulting visual effects, created by Bones, were incredible as Father brought the divine being down to Earth and trapped it within himself. After centuries of preparation, he briefly possessed the power of creation. However, his dream of becoming perfect was shattered when a counterattack undid his magical process.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

Light Yagami cleverly defeats the world’s top detective, L, and eliminates him to solidify his power as Kira. The animation studio Madhouse uses striking visuals to highlight the intense psychological battle, allowing Light to dominate for years and create a society with remarkably low crime rates, fueled by fear of his judgment. Light revels in his role as a god-like ruler until Near ultimately uncovers his true identity.

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean’ (2021–2022)

Enrico Pucci unlocks the full power of his Stand, Made in Heaven, and begins to speed up time dramatically. This causes a complete reset of the universe, visually depicted with striking color by the animation studio David Production. Pucci manages to eliminate the heroes and establishes a new world where everyone’s future is predetermined, fulfilling DIO’s original goal. Despite achieving his desired ‘Heaven,’ Pucci is ultimately defeated by Emporio in this new timeline.

‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)

Ryo Asuka shockingly reveals he is Satan and unleashes demons to destroy all of humanity. The animation studio Science SARU powerfully portrays the devastation as Ryo obliterates the planet, even killing the one person he cared for. He achieves his goal of ending God’s creation, leaving a desolate Earth behind. Though completely victorious, Ryo is left utterly alone, consumed by regret for the rest of time.

‘The End of Evangelion’ (1997)

The shadowy group Seele starts the Third Impact, aiming to combine everyone’s minds into one unified consciousness. The animation studios Production I.G and Gainax worked together to create the dreamlike scenes of people merging into the LCL fluid as part of the Human Instrumentality Project. Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari finds his own version of this goal by being reunited with Yui inside the Eva. By the end, the film shows that all personal boundaries between individuals have completely disappeared.

‘Hellsing Ultimate’ (2006–2012)

The Major is determined to start a devastating war and eliminate Alucard, the vampire king. The animation studios Satelight and Madhouse depict the violent destruction of London as the Major tricks Alucard into destroying himself. Alucard dies content, knowing he’s neutralized his long-lived enemy for three decades. The Major finds complete fulfillment in the widespread destruction he causes throughout England.

‘Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans’ (2015–2017)

Rustal Elion wages a brutal war to crush the Tekkadan group and bring stability to the galaxy. The series portrays intense mecha battles culminating in the complete defeat of the main characters by Rustal. Remarkably, he not only lives through the final showdown but also takes charge of the new government, ultimately establishing peace. Rustal implements the very changes the heroes championed, all while solidifying his own authority and standing.

‘Dragon Ball Super’ (2015–2018)

In Future Trunks’ timeline, Zamasu and Goku Black completely succeed in wiping out all life – both mortals and gods. The anime shows a ruined world as proof of their successful Zero Mortals Plan. While they technically win, their victory is short-lived; the Omni-King ultimately destroys the entire timeline to stop them. They achieve their desired world without humans, but are then erased from existence.

Tell us which villainous victory shocked you the most in the comments.

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2025-11-23 14:15