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Not every hero saves the world.
Some rule it with an iron fist.
In traditional isekai anime, the main character is transported to another world and becomes a savior. But what if the MC isn’t noble? What if they become a villain, an overlord, or even the final boss?
In this blog, I’ll show you the top isekai anime where the main character is a villain, antihero, or feared force in their new world. These stories are packed with power, strategy, moral ambiguity, and dark twists that make them unforgettable.
Table of Contents
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1. Overlord – Ainz Ooal Gown
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Isekai
MC Traits: Undead overlord, cold strategist, morally grey
Streaming On: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Why the MC is a villain:
Momonga is trapped in a virtual MMORPG as his skeleton avatar—Ainz Ooal Gown. With god-tier power and NPCs who worship him, he decides to rule this world.
He’s not outright evil but commits cold-blooded acts in the name of control. From massacres to political manipulation, Ainz is feared as a dark ruler.
Watch it for:
- A villain MC with absolute power
- Ruthless kingdom-building
- A dark take on fantasy and morality
2. The Rising of the Shield Hero – Naofumi Iwatani
Genre: Dark Fantasy, Drama, Isekai
MC Traits: Betrayed, angry, morally flexible
Streaming On: Crunchyroll
Why the MC is a villain (to others):
Naofumi is falsely accused of a crime and rejected by the kingdom. This betrayal breaks his trust and morality.
He becomes cold, manipulative, and power-hungry—building his team through questionable means.
While he isn’t evil, he’s viewed as a dark hero or villain by others in the world.
Watch it for:
- Redemption through revenge
- Gray morality and political intrigue
- Strong emotional shifts in character
3. Saga of Tanya the Evil (Youjo Senki)
Genre: Military, Isekai, Psychological
MC Traits: Ruthless, atheist, genius tactician
Streaming On: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Why the MC is a villain:
A salaryman is reborn as a little girl, Tanya, in a war-torn magic world. But she’s vicious, calculating, and merciless—climbing military ranks while mocking God (whom she calls Being X).
Tanya doesn’t hesitate to commit war crimes if it benefits her survival or status. She’s a child with a killer’s mind.
Watch it for:
- Intense psychological depth
- Strategic warfare led by an antihero
- A terrifying villain trapped in a child’s body
4. Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest
Genre: Isekai, Action, Fantasy
MC Traits: Edgy, vengeful, merciless
Streaming On: Crunchyroll
Why the MC is a villain:
Hajime is betrayed by a classmate and left to die in a dungeon. He survives, transforms, and becomes a cold-blooded killer.
He no longer follows heroic ideals—he’ll kill without regret if someone stands in his way.
His transformation from idealistic teen to dark antihero makes him villainous in tone and action.
Watch it for:
- Monster evolution and dungeon survival
- Ruthless character growth
- Powerful yet morally dark MC
5. Tsukimichi: Moonlit Fantasy
Genre: Fantasy, Isekai, Action
MC Traits: Banished hero, outcast, brutal strategist
Streaming On: Crunchyroll
Why the MC is a villain (from the world’s POV):
Makoto is summoned to a fantasy world but deemed ugly and discarded by the goddess.
As revenge, he builds his own society and wipes out threats with overwhelming force. Though kind to his people, others fear him as a rogue anomaly.
Watch it for:
- Unique MC society-building
- Cold vs kind duality
- A god-tier MC feared as a threat
6. Re:Creators (Reverse Isekai)
Genre: Action, Supernatural, Reverse Isekai
MC Traits: Destructive idealist (Altair)
Streaming On: Amazon Prime Video
Why the MC is a villain:
In this reverse isekai, fictional characters come to the real world. Altair, a character created through tragedy, wants to destroy the real world to avenge her creator.
She’s cunning, manipulative, and unstoppable. Though not the protagonist, she becomes the central villainous force.
Watch it for:
- Philosophical takes on creation and destruction
- Powerful villain MC arc
- High emotional stakes and unique worldbuilding
7. The Devil is a Part-Timer! (Hataraku Maou-sama)
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Slice of Life
MC Traits: Demon Lord, former villain, reforming
Streaming On: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Why the MC is a villain:
Satan—the literal Demon Lord—is transported to modern Japan and works at a fast food joint.
While now harmless, his past as the world’s destroyer defines his role.
The humor comes from his contrast—former evil king now flipping burgers. But make no mistake: he once ruled hell.
Watch it for:
- Wholesome reformation of a villain
- Fun and light-hearted villain isekai
- Unique blend of dark past and normal life
8. How Not to Summon a Demon Lord
Genre: Ecchi, Fantasy, Comedy
MC Traits: Overpowered, villain-like roleplay
Streaming On: Crunchyroll
Why the MC is a villain (on the surface):
Takuma Sakamoto enters the game world as his in-game character: Diablo, the Demon Lord.
He roleplays as evil and intimidating, but inside, he’s socially anxious and kind.
Though not a real villain, he’s perceived as one by everyone due to his overwhelming power and aura.
Watch it for:
- Fun contrast between fearsome and awkward
- Overpowered MC with a “villain” façade
- Classic isekai with fanservice and dark flair
9. I’m the Villainess, So I’m Taming the Final Boss
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
MC Traits: Self-aware villainess, redemption-focused
Streaming On: Crunchyroll
Why the MC is a villain:
A woman is reborn in an otome game as the villainess doomed to die.
But instead of accepting her fate, she flips the script—taming the demon lord, avoiding her death, and rewriting her narrative.
She isn’t evil, but everyone sees her as the villain due to her role in the game.
Watch it for:
- Smart female-led isekai
- Subversion of villain tropes
- Comedy and romance blended with strategy
10. Cautious Hero: The Hero Is Overpowered but Overly Cautious
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Isekai
MC Traits: Cold, ruthless, feared by allies
Streaming On: Crunchyroll
Why the MC is a villain (by perception):
Seiya is summoned to save the world—but his actions are ruthlessly efficient, often destroying enemies to the point of overkill.
He’s not a villain in truth, but his lack of empathy, extreme methods, and zero tolerance make him seem like one to those around him.
Watch it for:
- Comedic take on antihero behavior
- Strategic overkill and unpredictability
- A layered character behind the facade
PAA (People Also Ask)
Can an isekai MC be a villain?
Yes. Many isekai anime feature protagonists who turn villainous due to betrayal, power, or a twisted worldview.
Why are villain MCs popular in isekai?
They break traditional hero tropes, offer complex storytelling, and give viewers a refreshing dark perspective.
What’s the darkest isekai anime with a villain MC?
Overlord and Saga of Tanya the Evil are two of the darkest, both featuring morally detached protagonists.
Are villain MCs always evil?
Not always. Some are misunderstood antiheroes or forced into dark roles by circumstance.
Conclusion
In these villain-led isekai anime, the main character doesn’t follow the path of justice.
Instead, they embrace darkness, cunning, or moral ambiguity to survive or dominate.
Some are misunderstood. Some are truly ruthless.
But all of them remind us: in a new world, you don’t have to be a hero to win.
Read | Top 10 Manga Where the Main Character Is a Villain
Read | Top 10 Best Anime Where the Main Character Is the Villain
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