Summary
- Dark anime girls add depth and complexity to shows, making them more emotionally engaging and entertaining.
- These powerful and twisted female characters are not to be underestimated, as they are capable of extreme violence and cruelty.
- From cunning manipulators to ruthless killers, these dark anime girls are not your typical heroines, but they still steal the spotlight.
While some of the most popular anime characters are goodhearted and inspirational, in many cases, evil and dark characters are just as beloved as the heroes of the show. Some of the bravest female anime characters had epic battles and even violent deaths because of these diabolical and homicidal maniacs. While these horrible characters are certainly not role model material, they do make these shows more entertaining and often more complex and emotional.
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Discover which series exemplify girl power in the most thought-provoking ways by empowering their women with enough substance to steal the spotlight.
These imaginatively dark anime girls are often more memorable than the heroes they go up against, and they sometimes completely overshadow everyone else. Anime viewers can find all kinds of twisted characters in a wide variety of shows who stop at nothing to achieve their goals or just simply create suffering and destruction everywhere they go.
While the focus is mainly on girls, dark anime women who are between 18–30 years old will also be considered. If a character's age is not known, an approximation will be made.
Updated February 18, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Anime girls tend to be depicted as fairly innocent, but there are certainly exceptions to the rule. When a story decides to take things in a different direction, the result can be some of the most memorable and entertaining characters. Two more deadly anime girls have been added to this discussion.
25 Gretel
A Traumatic Past Leads To A Deadly Present
Black Lagoon
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2006 - 2006
- Directors
- Sunao Katabuchi
- Writers
- Sunao Katabuchi
- Studio
- Madhouse
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Rei Hiroe
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
Honestly, most of Black Lagoon's female characters could qualify for this discussion. Likable as she is, Revy is an extremely dark character, especially for a female protagonist in an action anime. However, as nihilistic as she is, she has nothing on Gretel, who forms one-half of Black Lagoon's most unsettling villainous duo. Alongside her brother, Hansel, Gretel arrives in Roanapur to kill Balalaika, and every one of her scenes is deeply uncomfortable.
Even without considering her background, a young girl who is willing to kill without hesitation is already incredibly dark; however, Gretel's backstory takes things up a few notches. The twins were forced to kill for their survival, and they eventually came to love the practice. They were also victims of physical and sexual abuse, which led to them developing unhealthy patterns as they got older.
24 Akito Sohma
Having Power At A Young Age Does A Lot To A Person
Fruits Basket
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Studio
- TMS Entertainment
- Number of Episodes
- 63
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Natsuki Takaya
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Akito is one of the hardest villains to feel sorry for, but at the same time, it’s a little understandable why she is the way that she is. Being abused by her mother and expected to be the head of the family at a young age after her father’s death, Akito was afraid of being alone and forced the other Zodiac members to be close to her. She controlled their lives through fear and reveled in the pain she caused them, abusing them both physically and psychologically.
Akito injured Hatori after he asked for her permission to marry Kana which led to their break up and Hatori erasing Kana’s memories. She pushed Rin out of a window after her relationship with Hatsuharu was revealed. There is much more to how she abused the members, and no one can blame the others for being distant.
23 Diva
A Vampire Who Doesn’t Care For Anyone
Blood+
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 8, 2005
- Studio
- Production I.G
- Number of Episodes
- 50
It would be so easy to feel sorry for Diva since her childhood was pretty rough. Being neglected while her sister had a great life was bound to leave some scars, but no one could predict that Diva would be like this. She’s utterly sadistic and couldn't care less if even her allies die. She enjoys making Saya’s life miserable and loves it more when her sister is in pain.
But what made Diva evil in a lot of viewers’ eyes was what she did to Saya’s Chevalier, Riku. Her infatuation with him turned very deadly and poor Riku died because of it. There are very few redeemable qualities to Diva, but it’s not enough to overlook all the horrible things she’s done.
22 Nana Hiiragi
The Friendliest Face Can Be The Most Cunning
Talentless Nana
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- October 4, 2020
- Japanese Title
- Munou na Nana
- Studio
- Bridge
- Number of Episodes
- 13
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Looseboy
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Talentless Nana is one of the twistiest psychological anime shows, all thanks to the seemingly cute and innocent Nana Hiiragi. She's one of anime's ultimate plot-twist queens who can fool anyone with ease.
The 14 Most Evil Female Anime Characters
Over the years, viewers have been introduced to some of the most feared and dangerous female anime antagonists who never hesitate to kill.
Nana is a deceptively cunning young girl, who is capable of playing the friend card flawlessly while plotting everyone's downfall. Nana is convinced that these kids' talents could cause the end of humanity. So, even though Nana is driven by a good cause, she's still a dangerous murderer. Her character is brilliantly crafted, so Nana is able to fool not only the other kids who are with her on the island but the viewers as well.
21 Shiro/The Wretched Egg
The Bubbliest Person Can Have The Darkest Side
Deadman Wonderland
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2011 - 2011
- Studio
- Manglobe
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Jinsei Kataoka, Kazuma Kondou
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Shiro herself is a very bubbly girl despite the grim environment she’s in. However, it’s her other half, the Wretched Egg that others should be worried about. The complete opposite of Shiro, the Wretched Egg personality is vicious and merciless to everyone around her. Because of the horrible experiments done on her body, Shiro created the Wretched Egg personality as a way of coping with the pain.
Though they usually disagree on most things, the only thing Shiro and the Wretched Egg can agree on is their love for Ganta. However, this doesn’t stop the Wretched Egg from harming those around him, and is the one responsible for slaughtering his entire class at the beginning of the series.
20 Malty S. Melromarc
One Of The Most Despised Characters In Anime
The Rising of The Shield Hero
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 9, 2019
- Japanese Title
- Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari
- Studio
- Kinema Citrus, DR Movie
- Number of Episodes
- 50
- Based On
- Novel & Light Novel
- Creator
- Aneko Yusagi
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
If there is one character who most anime fans hate: it’s Malty. This princess has to be one of the most irredeemable characters out there. She’s a spoiled, psychopathic princess who is good at manipulating others for her own gain and benefit. It’s almost painful to watch her get away with almost everything she does and how easily people fall for her tricks.
Even when she’s been caught, Malty will lie and pretend to cry as a way of trying to get out of trouble. She might not be the smartest person out there, but Malty isn’t above using her body or other tactics to get what she wants.
Malty's age has not been 100% confirmed, but she doesn't seem to be older than her early 20s.
19 Tanya Degurechaff
Her Body Count Is High Despite Her Young Age
Saga of Tanya the Evil
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2017 - 2021-00-00
- Japanese Title
- Youjo Senki
- Studio
- Nut
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Based On
- Light Novel
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Tanya Degurechaff is one of the darkest anime girls with a surprisingly high kill count. The Saga of Tanya the Evil's pint-sized powerhouse is not what she seems since she's a reincarnated salaryman turned military prodigy in an alternate war-torn world. She's driven by logic, self-preservation, and a vendetta against Being X, a mysterious god-like entity.
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What makes Tanya especially dangerous is that she enjoys battles, often uses extreme and ruthless methods, and joyfully leaps into battle with both tactics and tantrums. She happily climbs the military ranks, so she can live a cushy life, while also trying to defy the divine.
18 Makima
Uses Anyone And Everyone To Achieve Her Goals
Chainsaw Man
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2022 - 2022
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Number of Episodes
- 12
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Tatsuki Fujimoto
- Streaming Service(s)
- Hulu, Crunchyroll
Chainsaw Man's most popular dark anime girl is no doubt Makima. There were plenty of unforgettable twists and fights in Chainsaw Man and many of them were thanks to this chillingly intriguing character. Beneath Makima's poised exterior lies a mind that's always three steps ahead and ambitions as vast as the sea.
She's one of the show's top-tier devil hunters with a penchant for manipulation and control. Nothing is more important for Makima than power, and she's not afraid to use any tactics necessary as well as people, devils, or whatever she needs to achieve her goals.
Makima's exact age is not known, but she seems to be in her 20s.
17 Kirari Momobami
Obsessed With Understanding Human Nature
Kakegurui
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2017 - 2019
WHERE TO WATCH
- Studio
- MAPPA
- Number of Episodes
- 24
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Homura Kawamoto
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
While Kakegurui's world is filled with gambling addicts no one is as ruthless as Kirari Momobami since she isn't just playing games; she's turning them into psychological warfare. She is the enigmatic student council president at Hyakkaou Private Academy, who skillfully made high-stakes gambling the heart of school culture.
However, for Kirari, gambling is not about the money; it's the intoxicating thrill of seeing one's true colors under pressure. She’s obsessed with understanding human nature and uses her academy as her lab. Thanks to her unforgettable and terrifying gaze that can freeze anyone, and her sharp mind, she quickly became the queen bee in this hive of gamblers.
16 Android 18 (Alternate Timeline)
Killed The Z Fighters In Another Timeline And Still Deadly In The Present
Dragon Ball Z
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 1989 - 1996
- Studio
- Toei Animation
- Number of Episodes
- 291
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Akira Toriyama
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
Android 18 is one of the most powerful female characters in shonen anime who has a rather sadistic side. She also had one of the most interesting character arcs in Dragon Ball Z since she was one of the few deadly villains who turned things around and became a hero. However, during her villain time, she killed hundreds of thousands of people just for fun or because she felt bored.
For a long while, she was one of the most unstoppable and cruel villains in Dragon Ball Z who then ended up marrying one of the franchise's kindest heroes, Krillin. DBZ follows the adventures of Goku and the Z Warriors who try to protect Earth and battle against some of the most terrifying and powerful villains in the universe.