The Japanese RPG often gets accused of following the same tired tropes for decades since the likes of Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and Ys popularized the genre in the 1980s. The heroes can either be plucky happy-go-lucky naive adventurers/treasure hunters or brooding teenage archetypes. Even though these protagonists have time to grow on the players, the villains often carry the story.
This is the same in any medium where the story follows a similar path. What would Star Wars be without Darth Vader and The Emperor? Or The Lord of the Rings without Sauron and Saruman? For all their cliché, JRPGs can be great at creating and writing memorable antagonists.
10 The Conquerer – The Last Remnant
Originally released on the Xbox 360 in 2008 and remastered in 4K for the PlayStation 4 in 2018, The Last Remnant is an overlooked gem of an RPG. It’s a unique tactical RPG with a good ensemble cast of characters. However, it’s the main antagonist The Conqueror that is the true star of the game.
The Conqueror is a tyrannical warlord that invades city-states to obtain all of the Remnants and gain absolute power. While that may seem generic as far as villains go, his motives and development are superb, while his charisma and presence can be felt immediately. When The Conqueror arrives on screen and his music hits there’s an overwhelming sense of dread and awe. Not least because he’s an absolute destroyer on the battlefield with unbelievable superhuman strength.
9 Lezard Valeth – Valkyrie Profile
Valkyrie Profile and its sequel Valkyrie Profile 2 possess some of the most tremendous writing and character development seen in an RPG. One of the real stand-out characters in both games is Lezard Valeth.
Valeth is an excellent villain in the sense that his basic traits come down to being a narcissistic stalker that’s obsessed with Lenneth. His insanity knows no bounds and he even uses the Philosopher's Stone to go back in time to try and achieve god status simply to impress Lenneth. Like a true narcissistic psychopath, he’s selfish, manipulative, lacks empathy, and he bears no responsibility for his actions.
8 Mithos – Tales of Symphonia
First released on the Nintendo GameCube in 2004, and again for the PlayStation 3 in 2013, Tales of Symphonia is still widely regarded as one of the best entries in the series. Symphonia has a fantastic cast of likable characters but it arguably has the best villain in the entire series.
Mithos Yggdrasill is a half-elf and half-human who at one time was a hero that rejected by those he tried to save. He’s an incredibly complex and layered character that is difficult to define as a pure villain because he shows many signs of heroism by protecting those he cares about and ultimately reviving his sister. Unfortunately, his drive to revive her is what ultimately sends Mithos down a dark path and becomes completely blind to his actions.
7 Ghaleon – Lunar Silver Star Story
Lunar Silver Star Story was first released in 1992 on the Sega CD, the Sega Saturn in 1996, in 1998 in Working Designs’ Silver Star Story Complete edition, and finally Lunar Silver Star Harmony. It’s one of the most beloved JRPGs of all time and home to one of the most iconic villains in Ghaleon.
Ghaleon’s development from a fallen hero and one of the four chosen by the Goddess Althena to a cunning and manipulative antagonist is executed brilliantly. He always seems to be one step ahead of the hero Alex and his party and has attained almost godlike powers. Ghaleon returns again in Lunar Eternal Blue and has one of the most satisfying and emotional conclusions in the genre.
6 Ardyn Izunia – Final Fantasy XV
Released in 2016, Final Fantasy XV was divisive title among fans. However, what most can agree on was that the main antagonist Ardyn Izunia was a fantastic villain that needed more screen time. Fans got their wish with the release of the Episode Ardyn DLC which not only fleshed out an already great character but solidified his place among the best villains in the series.
Episode Ardyn finally gives players the chance to see how he was betrayed and transitioned into a villain by laying waste to hordes of Lucis soldiers. What makes Ardyn unique is that most players will be able to empathize with him. After all, he was tortured and twisted into the demonic manipulative monster fans saw in the base game.
5 Fou-Lu – Breath Of Fire IV
Capcom’s Breath of Fire IV was released on the PlayStation in 2000. Like its predecessor Breath of Fire III, the lead protagonist has strong connections to the main antagonist in the game. This time, there’s a sense of yin and yang between Ryu and the villain Fou-Lu, who are two halves of the god Yorae.
What makes Fou-Lu interesting to the player is, long before Final Fantasy XV did it with Ardyn, gamers get to take control of the awoken antagonist. Fou-Lu was the first emperor of the Fou Empire and he takes back his throne with brutal force.
4 Albedo – The Xenosaga Series
The Xenosaga trilogy features a huge cast of heroes and villains in its complex science fiction world based around themes of religion. One of the biggest standout characters in the series is the terrifying Albedo Piazzolla.
He, along with his twin brother Rubedo/Junior, one of the supporting protagonists in the series, was created to combat U-DO also known as the true God in the series’ universe. Albedo was never stable, showing signs of obsessiveness towards his brother but his true insanity manifested when he connected with U-DO. Yet, despite how sadistic and deplorable his actions are, the writers still managed to find a way to make him sympathetic.
3 Kefka – Final Fantasy VI
For many fans of the Final Fantasy series, it is Final Fantasy VI that has the greatest cast of characters and the best villain in Kefka. While the title for the greatest villain in the series has been debated among fans for over two decades there’s no denying that the title of most evil belongs to Kefka.
Kefka is a pure nihilistic psychopath that wants nothing more than to destroy the world simply because he hates everything in existence. Not much is known about his past other than he was the prototype Magitek Knight and the imperfect procedure caused his insanity. For many fans of the series, his Clown-like appearance has led to comparisons to DC’s Joker and Stephen King’s IT.
2 Sephiroth – Final Fantasy VII
More than twenty years later and many RPG fans still consider Final Fantasy VII one of the greatest games ever. This was in large part due to the main antagonist Sephiroth. His insanity manifested itself when he learned of his origins as a warrior created in a laboratory using the cells of the alien entity known as Jenova. Believing that Jenova was his true mother, Sephiroth set about bringing destruction to the world.
The rivalry between the two characters is expertly and carefully written and Cloud’s animosity towards Sephiroth can really be felt in the final moments of the game’s finale. Even after death, Sephiroth corrupted the Lifestream, created a disease called Geostigma, and manifested an avatar of himself through Kadaj. Despite being defeated, he accomplished what he set out to do by merging with the Lifestream, forever able to torture Cloud.
1 Luca Blight – Suikoden II
The Black Prince Luca Blight is the main antagonist of Suikoden II. He is easily one of the most sadistic and cruel villains in gaming. Blight’s psychopathy originated in his childhood after he and his parents were ambushed by bandits. His father the king fled in fear leaving him helplessly looking on as his mother was assaulted.
After discovering the bandits were hired by a town from the Jowston City-States, Blight manipulated and created a war by committing mass genocide, satiating his bloodlust by killing everyone in his path. One of his more memorable moments came when executed a woman after making her beg and act like a pig. He’s a fearsome warrior and considered to be the strongest human in the Suikoden universe despite not having any augmented powers or abilities.