Summary

  • Re:Zero features a diverse array of antagonists, from demi-humans like Garfiel to powerful witches like Pandora.
  • Characters like Roswaal and Sirius add complexity and depth to the already intricate plot of Re:Zero.
  • The impact of powerful witches like Satella and Echidna in the series further complicates the lives of Subaru and Emilia.

The Re:Zero anime's tremendous impact on the Isekai genre is unparalleled. The action-filled show follows the main protagonist, Subaru Natsuki, on his eventful journey. As Subaru gets to grips with the foreign world and nation of Lugunica, he meets several intriguing and complicated characters as he travels alongside Emilia.

Due to his association with Emilia and connection to the Witch of Envy, Subaru encounters many villains that alter his plans, making the protagonist utilize his Return by Death to overcome their evil. Ranging from out-and-out antagonists to frenemies, Re:Zero's assortment of antagonists raises the stakes of an already complex anime.

Beatrice surrounded by fire, Emilia, and Subaru in a yukata in Re:Zero
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9 Garfiel Tinzel

A Demi-Human That Aimed To Halt Subaru's Progress

Re:Zero
  • Anime Debut: Episode 28

While season 2 of Re:Zero features many villainous characters, Garfiel Tinzel acts as one of the season's most prominent antagonists, often halting Subaru's progress in the Sanctuary. From the offset, Garfiel shows disdain for much of Subaru's party. The powerful demi-human immediately torments Subaru in order to keep citizens inside the Sanctuary as the character clings to the place he calls home.

After terrorizing Subaru several times, Subaru manages to defeat Garfiel, making the demi-human deal with his past. This results in the brash warrior joining Emilia's cause in the fights to come.

8 Roswaal L. Mathers

A Two-Faced Mage Who Tries To Reunite With His Master

Roswaal
  • Anime Debut: Episode 4

Roswaal L. Mathers is a mystifying individual, despite being Emilia's backer in the Royal Selection Process. While acting innocent and lackadaisical, Roswaal's sinister plots come to fruition in the Sanctuary arc, where he tries to bend Subaru to his will to achieve his ulterior goal of reuniting with the Witch of Greed, Echidna.

Despite his carefully laid plans, the frenemy is ousted by Subaru and Emilia. Both conquer their demons to succeed in saving the Sanctuary, resulting in Roswaal's defeat. Although his villainous phase fails, Roswaals joins forces with Emilia, backing her in becoming Queen no matter the obstacles.

7 Sirius Romanée-Conti

An Unhinged Character That Loses Control Easily

Sirius Romanee-Conti in season three of Re:Zero
  • Anime Debut: Episode 51

Emerging in Re:Zero's newest arc, Sirius Romanée-Conti arrives with a bang, eliminating Subaru and hundreds of citizens in Priestella with ease. Powered by her obsession for Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti, Sirius and other Witch Cult members, such as Regulus Corneas, are stationed together as they carry out the bidding of their evil organization.

Along with her wrathful actions in Priestella, Sirius bears a deep resentment towards Emilia, with the half-elf sharing the same appearance as the Witch of Envy. When Emilia faces off against the Sin Archbishop of Wrath, Sirius becomes enraged, causing Emilia more trouble in their intense fight.

6 Pandora

A Mysterious, Powerful Witch That Has Lived For Eons

Pandora speaking to Emilia in Re:Zero
  • Anime Debut: Episode 43

Though she has only appeared in a couple of episodes, the Witch of Vainglory made an impact as the character terrorizes the elves in Elior Forest. As the main antagonist in Emilia's flashbacks, Pandora decimates the forest, antagonizing Emilia into destroying her home and freezing her people.

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Not much is known about the powerful witch. However, her harrowing strength has led to events that still have ramifications in the current proceedings of Re:Zero, affecting Emilia and her life dramatically. While not a prominent villain, Pandora is sure to emerge in future arcs, where the terrifying witch will surely aim to wreak havoc on her foes.

5 Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti

A Delusional Sin Archbishop That Used To Be Normal

Petelgeuse Romanee-Conti in Re:Zero Starting Life In Another World
  • Anime Debut: Episode 15

The wild and creepy Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti serves as one of the first introductions to the Witch's Cult. The Sin Archbishop of Sloth acts as Subaru's main nemesis during season 1. Although Petelgeuse terrorizes Subaru when he tries to rescue Emilia and the Roswaal Manor inhabitants, his descent into madness comes from a place of love.

In Emilia's flashbacks, Petelgeuse is shown to be a pleasant man who almost acts as a father figure to Emilia. However, Petelgeuse used the Witch Factor of Sloth in order to save the half-elf, resulting in the character losing control and descending on a path of villainy. This only worsened after he accidentally killed Fortuna, the elf he loved.

4 Regulus Corneas

An Arrogant, Confident Witch Cult Member

Regulus Corneas in Re:Zero
  • Anime Debut: Episode 26

Regulus is a villain who makes his mark in season 2 of Re:Zero, although the character is now acting as one of the main protagonists of the show's latest season. Often arrogant, Regulus is an ancient being that even appeared in Emilia's youth in a flashback. Fan favorites Rem and Crusch Karsten fall victim to Regulus after Subaru defeats Petelgeuse and a faction of the Witch's Cult, when Regulus overpowers the pair and their soldiers alongside Lye Batenkaitos, the Sin Archbishop of Gluttony.

Regulus returns to enact his villainy on Subaru and his group. The Sin Archbishop of Greed steals the helpless Emilia while Beatrice, Subaru, and Emilia become occupied with Sirius, his fellow Witch Cult member.

3 Elsa Granhiert

A Merciless Bowel Hunter Who Takes Pleasure In Killing

Elsa Granhiert talking to Subaru in Re:Zero
  • Anime Debut: Episode 1

As Re:Zero's first antagonist, Elsa Granhiert causes much devastation to Subaru and his friends throughout her tenure. From the get-go, Elsa proves to be an obstacle for Subaru and his newly acquired powers, as the Bowel Hunter preys on the protagonist.

In terms of vile characters, Elsa stands out, taking pleasure in her killings with no remorse for her demonic actions. Although the Bowel Hunter's vicious cycle ends with Garfiel defeating the assassin, characters like Subaru have been left traumatized by Elsa's murderous intent.

2 Satella

A Witch Who Destroyed The World

The Isekai Female Villain, The Witch of Envy, Satella, in Re:Zero
  • Anime Debut: Episode 34

Responsible for bringing Subaru into the world of Re:Zero, the Witch of Envy, Satella, has had a hand in many of the events in the story. Known for bringing the Great Calamity to the world, Satella destroyed the lives of many, delivering much harm to civilization 400 years before current events.

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Due to having the same appearance as Satella, Emilia has to deal with the ramifications, although their connection remains unknown. While trying to protect her beloved Subaru, Satella causes a lot of anguish and pain for the protagonist, who is held captive by the witch who granted him Return by Death.

1 Echidna

A Cunning Villain Who Yearns For Knowledge

Echidna looking menacing in Re:Zero
  • Anime Debut: Episode 27

Aeason 2's main antagonist, Echidna, connives at will, playing with Subaru and Emilia as they desperately try to save the Sanctuary. Often meeting with Subaru in the Castle of Dreams, Echidna lays the groundwork as she seeks information to quench her thirst as the Witch of Greed. While probing Subaru, the villain becomes fascinated with Return by Death, hoping to aid the protagonist in observing the power.

While acting nice to Subaru, Echidna attempts to bully Emilia during her trial, showing displeasure at accompanying the half-elf as she beats the obstacles put in her path. Although the antagonist does not engage in physical conflicts, Echidna is a fearsome and greedy witch who desires information above all else, making her a calculated sociopath.

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Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-
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Release Date
2016 - 2025-00-00
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Studio
White Fox
Japanese Title
Re:Zero kara Hajimeru Isekai Seikatsu
Creator
Tappei Nagatsuki
Number of Episodes
65
Streaming Service(s)
Crunchyroll
MyAnimeList Score
8.77 (Season 3)