5 Most Powerful Shōjo Villains, Ranked

The shōjo category of manga and anime has had no shortage of over-the-top villains over the years. The word itself simply means ‘girl’ in Japanese, with series fitting the category typically being targeted towards teenage girls.

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Many of shōjo’s finest villains have proven to be compelling, complex, and in possession of motives that challenge the “evil for evil’s sake” trope of villainy. Many possess tragic backstories that lend more depth to their character, with actions that are frequently driven by both personal vendettas and their own unconventional, often twisted concepts of justice. In many cases, these rogues also possess immense powers, often derived from magical means. Of the many over-powered antagonists to entertain shōjo viewers over the years, there are a select few whose strength and dominance have stood out from the rest.

5 Nakago Is Both Super-Strong And Supernaturally Skilled

Series: Fushigi Yûgi

• First manga appearance: Chapter 15
• First anime appearance: Episode 10

This mighty Celestial Warrior of Seiryuu is a compex and multifaceted antagonist. Serving as the leader of the Seiryu Seven, Nakago sports both psychological and physical strength, often resorting to cunning manipulation to achieve his goals.

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His sad past and inner turmoil help to add more depth to his character, ensuring he’s more relatable than the average villain. When it comes to his impressive superpowers, Nakago’s knack for devastating energy blasts is frequently on display. He also has superhuman strength and, as if all that wasn’t enough, is also an effective magic practitioner. On top of his immense powers, his charisma and wits make it relatively straightforward for him to influence and take charge of those around him. To top it all off, his constellation mark allows him to take people down simply by raising his hand, making him an unpredictable and dangerous figure to tangle with.

4 Rido Kuran Is A Sinister, Ambitious Vampire

Series: Vampire Knight

• First manga appearance: 29th Night
• First anime appearance: Episode 17

A compelling ominous figure in the Vampire Knight series, Rido Kuran is a malevolent and powerful vampire. Cunning and malicious, he frequently adds a sense of danger and suspense to the show.

As a pureblood vampire, Kuran is both immortal and invulnerable, which makes taking him down a tall order. On a scarier note, he’s also capable of possessing others by moving his spirit into their bodies. Between his intellect, nefarious ambitions, and diverse blend of dangerous abilities, Kuran consistently makes for one of the most compelling characters on the show. The narrative adds more depth to the trouble he poses, as viewers learn about the various connections he has to the show’s principal characters.

3 Queen Beryl Is A Spiteful Ruler Out To Take Over Earth

Series: Sailor Moon

• First manga appearance: Act 2 Ami – Sailor Mercury
• First anime appearance: The Crybaby: Usagi’s Beautiful Transformation

This classic rogue from Sailor Moon has a litany of magic attacks at her disposal. Typically depicted as the eternal nemesis of the Sailor Soldiers, Beryl’s presence always spells destructive trouble.

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Her dark, supernatural powers, manipulative strategizing, and relentless determination to fully conquer Earth make her a suitably unpleasant figure in the series. Serving as the leader of both the Dark Kingdom and the Shitenou, Queen Beryl seemingly has an endless supply of dangerous ringers to put the series’ protagonists through. On top of her immense power and fearsome leadership, Beryl tells a curious origin story of unrequited love and jealousy. An Earth-based sorceress rocked by the fact Prince Endymion didn’t return her romantic feelings, Beryl’s increasingly scornful mentality catches the eye of Queen Metalia, who leads her into becoming the evil figure fans know so well.

2 Sailor Galaxia Is A Destructive Look At The Dangers Of A Rogue Sailor Soldier

Series: Sailor Moon

• First manga appearance: Act 50, Stars 1
• First anime appearance: Farewells and Encounters: The Transitional Stars of Destiny

The name is a useful clue in what to expect from this devastatingly powerful rogue Sailor Senshi. Where most Sailor Soldiers embody just one planet, Galaxia represents a galaxy, and sports the unimaginable power to match.

Once a heroic figure, Sailor Galaxia seemingly defeated Chaos during the Sailor Wars. However, in an unfortunate twist with some potentially apocalyptic level-threats, it turns out Galaxia simply locked Chaos away within her own body. Needless to say, this supremely self-destructive decision winds up causing her to gradually slip into evil as the influence of Chaos becomes too much to deny. By that point, Galaxia’s depicted as being so powerful that the full might of both the Inner and Outer Sailor Guardians wasn’t enough to stop her, with the increasingly unhinged villain single-handedly taking them all out.

1 Ragyo Kiryuin Can Shrug Off Any Injury, No Matter The Severity

Series: Kill la Kill

• First manga appearance: n/a
• First anime appearance: Episode 6

The complex main antagonist of the Kill la Kill series is typically presented as a ruthless, powerful leader. Wealthy and greedy, Kiryuin is driven by her all-consuming need for control.

The series itself functions largely as a satire of the popular magic girl subgenre often found in Japanese fantasy stories. With this in mind, it’s hardly surprising that the villainous Kiryuin is absurdly powerful. Thanks to her life fibers, this deadly villain boasts impressive regenerative abilities and superhuman strength. In one of the more absurd moments of the series, Kiryuin survives being decapitated by successfully regenerating her own head. Serving as an effective big bad for the series’ protagonists, Kiryuin remains a benchmark in the over-the-top strength for shōjo baddies.

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