The 5 best villains in animation

For many animation fans, villains are often the most captivating part of the story. This is because they often have complex layers and unique motivations that explain their destructive behavior, generating great interest from the audience.

And, in addition to Disney characters, other studios have also created memorable villains in their animations. Check out five of them in the list below!

1. The Other Mother, by Coraline

The Other Mother, also known as the Beldam, was a terrifying figure for many children born in the early 2000s as the main antagonist of “Coraline and the Secret World.” In the animated series, her origins are not completely clear, but her main goal is to lure children living in the Pink Palace to her own refuge through a small door. There, she seeks to satisfy her insatiable hunger for souls and hearts, two things she lost long ago.

2. Yubaba from Spirited Away

The powerful witch Yubaba from Spirited Away is a prime example of what we understand as an evil witch. Taking on the role of the head of a bathhouse where spirits can frequent when they are away from their duties, she does not hesitate to harm her employees if it means she will benefit from it. Turning the protagonist’s parents into pigs and making her give up her own name to save them is truly cruel.

3. Fairy Godmother, from Shrek 2

One of the most iconic characters in the “Shrek” franchise, the Fairy Godmother wins over the kingdom’s subjects with her charisma, but hides a true face of bargaining and falsehood behind her smiles and granted wishes. She will not rest until she achieves her goal: to unite her son, Prince Charming, with Princess Fiona, even if it means interfering in the lives of everyone around her.

4. Kingpin, from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

The Kingpin from “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” acts cruelly in the plot due to a traumatic event he experienced with his wife and son, which is directly linked to his motivations for opening the Multiverse. However, his selfishness, which makes him focus only on his own interests without realizing the devastating impact he is causing to civilians and the deaths it results in, makes him a difficult character to sympathize with.

5. Lady Eboshi, from Princess Mononoke

Studio Ghibli’s film “Princess Mononoke” offers a profound critique of the rampant exploitation of natural resources by humans, and this is directly related to the character Lady Eboshi. Although she is the villain of the story, her actions always carry motivations behind them, including her dedication to protecting her community. However, her nobility is accompanied by a ruthless determination, willing to eliminate anyone who opposes her goals.