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Some of the best shonen anime around are full to the brim with intriguing conflict, excellent stories, riveting settings, and memorable characters that help propel the quality of these shows to a whole new level. Most of the best shonen shows ever made feature a mix of all these elements in varying capacities, helping them stand out from the rest of the pack.
Villains are especially important to the main story of any shonen anime. For the most part, these villains seem rather diabolical and menacing, which is fitting given their antagonistic ideals and morally dubious actions. However, there are some shonen villains that are quite hysterical in their own right and become quite memorable as a result. Keeping this in mind, here are some of the funniest villains to have ever made their presence known in shonen history.
10 Emperor Pilaf (Dragon Ball)
There was a time when Emperor Pilaf used to be a genuine threat in Dragon Ball. People who see the anime now and witness his comedic gang in action would've never assumed this to be a reality.
However, even during the classic years of Dragon Ball, Emperor Pilaf was a rather funny antagonist. Watching his wish be usurped by Oolong for some panties was a genuine laugh-out-loud moment.
9 Speed-o'-Sound Sonic (One-Punch Man)
At its heart, One-Punch Man is a hilarious show that breaks down established shonen tropes. In this regard, Speed-'o-Sound Sonic is the personification of a character who overestimates his strength to a whole new level.
Watching him get a reality check at the hands of Saitama never fails to be amusing. Fans can't wait to see Sonic and Saitama interact over the course of One-Punch Man's run... once the third season is confirmed, that is.
8 Twice (My Hero Academia)
The League of Villains is one of the most intriguing criminal groups in My Hero Academia. However, not all of its villains are completely serious, with Twice being a great example for the same.
Himiko Toga could've replaced this character on the list... but her psychotic personality is more unnerving than hilarious. This is why Twice trounces her as the funniest member of the villain group, with his split personality leading to his dialogues being some of the funniest and most off-beat lines in the entire show.
7 Buggy The Clown (One Piece)
One Piece is full to the brim with over-the-top villains who have some truly mesmerizing personalities. Buggy the Clown is especially notable in this regard, with his name dropping a massive hint as to why he's made this list.
His narcissistic personality is an absolute treat to witness, with Buggy getting worked up whenever someone mentions his red nose. He's one of the most entertaining characters on the show and a great villain to spice things up in One Piece.
6 Barry The Chopper (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Viewers expected the ghost of a serial killer to be a downright chilling character who would send shivers down their spine. However, Barry the Chopper ends up being one of the funniest characters in a show that desperately needs some laughs.
Watching this possessed suit of armor trying to scare Alphonse is funny enough as is. However, it's the rant he gets into after his scare tactics fail that makes him such a memorable antagonist in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
5 Gentle Criminal & La Brava (My Hero Academia)
After the rollercoaster that was the Overhaul arc, My Hero Academia needed a lighthearted arc to give readers some breathing room. They managed to achieve the same with the School Festival arc.
The highlight of this arc was definitely the dastardy duo of Gentle Criminal and La Brava, who ended up sparing no expense in trying to stop Midoriya from foiling their plans. It helped that the ensuing fight was quite interesting and fleshed out the characters of two antagonists who seemed like nothing more than throwaway comic relief characters.
4 Maximillion Pegasus (Yu-Gi-Oh!)
Yu-Gi-Oh! features an eclectic collection of zany villains who are all memorable in their own right. However, it's the manner in which Maximillion Pegasus ends up hiding his disturbing nature behind a veneer of comedy that makes him such a great antagonist.
He might only appear in the initial few moments of Yu-Gi-Oh!, but he wastes no time in making a mark on fans. Most people would honestly find him to be a great and charismatic individual... if he hadn't kidnapped Yugi's father, that is.
3 Hidan (Naruto Shippuden)
The Akatsuki was one of the most fear-inducing terror groups in Naruto. Each member of this group seemed like a mysterious and dangerous criminal who would pull out all the stops to destroy the world.
In this group, Hidan almost felt out of place due to his flippant and goofy attitude. However, the brutal manner in which he killed Azuma made it clear for everyone that even a bumbling fool like Hidan was no laughing matter.
2 Majin Buu (Dragon Ball Z)
There was a time when Majin Buu seemed like the most imposing threat that the Z Warriors would ever face. However, that was before he decided to befriend Hercule and show that he was nothing more than a very powerful goofball.
All would've been right with the world after this revelation... had it not been for the fact that Buu had an outright evil side to him that manifested in the form of Evil Buu. After turning the good Majin Buu into chocolate and eating him, Evil Buu transformed into the villainous Super Buu and wreaked havoc around Earth.
1 Dio Brando (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Dio is easily one of the most interesting inclusions on this list. On his own, this character is easily one of the most menacing and evil antagonists in anime history.
However, it's the manner in which the fanbase has completely fallen in love with this character and his memes that makes Dio such a hilarious character to witness in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. It's impossible to watch the show and not start laughing whenever Dio starts with his over-the-top voice acting and demeanor. He's easily one of the best villains ever in a shonen anime by a country mile.