10 Anime Where Villains Successfully Accomplished Their Goals

Many anime storylines follow a predictable path where the hero intervenes just in time to stop the antagonist’s master plan. However, there are rare instances where the villain actually manages to complete their objective before meeting their demise or fading away. These characters prove that evil can triumph long enough to change the world or inflict permanent damage upon the protagonists. The following titles feature antagonists who realized their ultimate ambitions despite the efforts of the heroes.

‘Berserk’ (1997)

Griffith sacrifices the Band of the Hawk during the Eclipse to ascend as a member of the God Hand. The animation produced by OLM captures the terrifying transformation that allows Griffith to eventually claim his kingdom of Falconia. He trades the lives of his closest comrades for absolute power and achieves his dream of ruling over his own domain. Guts survives the ordeal but Griffith stands victorious as the absolute ruler he always intended to become.

‘Naruto: Shippuden’ (2007–2017)

Madara Uchiha successfully casts the Infinite Tsukuyomi to trap the entire world in an eternal dream. Studio Pierrot animates the sheer scale of his power as he systematically dismantles the Allied Shinobi Forces to achieve this peace. He believes that this illusion is the only way to end human conflict and suffering permanently. The legendary ninja fulfills his life ambition before he is ultimately betrayed by Black Zetsu.

‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’ (2009–2010)

The homunculus known as Father orchestrates a nationwide transmutation circle to absorb the entity known as God. Bones delivers stunning visual effects when Father pulls the celestial being down to earth and contains it within himself. He briefly holds the power of creation in the palm of his hand after centuries of planning. His ambition to become a perfect being is fully realized until the counterattack reverses his transmutation.

‘Death Note’ (2006–2007)

Light Yagami outmaneuvers the world’s greatest detective and succeeds in killing L to secure his position as Kira. Madhouse uses dramatic lighting and composition to emphasize the mental chess match that results in Light ruling the world for years. He creates a society where crime rates drop drastically due to the fear of his divine judgment. Light enjoys a prolonged reign as the god of his new world before Near exposes him.

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

Enrico Pucci evolves his Stand into Made in Heaven and accelerates time to the point where the universe resets. David Production vividly colors the psychedelic acceleration of time that allows Pucci to rewrite reality according to DIO’s plan. He successfully kills the main cast and creates a new world where humanity knows its own fate. The priest attains the Heaven he sought even though he is killed by Emporio in the new timeline.

‘Devilman Crybaby’ (2018)

Ryo Asuka reveals himself as Satan and successfully leads the demons to eradicate the entire human race. The unique artistic style of Science SARU emphasizes the tragedy as Ryo destroys the planet and kills the only person he ever loved. He stands alone on a barren Earth having accomplished his mission to wipe out God’s creation. His victory is absolute yet he is left with nothing but regret and eternal solitude.

‘The End of Evangelion’ (1997)

The secret organization Seele initiates the Third Impact to merge all human souls into a single collective consciousness. Production I.G and Gainax collaborate to create the surreal imagery of humanity dissolving into LCL fluid during the Human Instrumentality Project. Gendo Ikari also achieves his personal version of the goal by reuniting with Yui within the Eva unit. The individual barriers between people are completely broken down as the film concludes.

‘Hellsing Ultimate’ (2006–2012)

The Major seeks to plunge the world into a chaotic war and destroy the vampire king Alucard. Satelight and Madhouse animate the brutal destruction of London as the Major’s forces successfully manipulate Alucard into erasing his own existence. He dies with a smile on his face knowing that he successfully rendered his immortal enemy nonexistent for thirty years. His love for war is fully satisfied by the carnage he unleashes upon England.

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

Rustal Elion executes a ruthless political and military campaign to destroy the Tekkadan faction and restore order to the galaxy. Sunrise depicts the gritty mecha battles that lead to the total annihilation of the show’s protagonists at Rustal’s hands. He not only survives the final conflict but goes on to lead the reformed government that brings peace to the system. Rustal enacts the very reforms the heroes fought for while maintaining his power and reputation.

‘Dragon Ball Super’ (2015–2018)

Zamasu and Goku Black succeed in eradicating all mortals and gods in Future Trunks’ timeline. Toei Animation depicts the desolate world that serves as a testament to their completed Zero Mortals Plan. They technically win until the Omni-King erases the entire timeline to stop them. Their goal of a world without humans is achieved before their ultimate erasure.

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