The 13 Greatest JRPG Villains of All Time

Godlike sorcerers, tragic masterminds and grinning agents of chaos — this lineup gathers the schemers who defined a genre, from household names to deep-cut menaces. Cast your vote!

1

Sephiroth

The silver-haired, one-winged antagonist of Final Fantasy VII, widely cited as gaming's most iconic villain.

1000pts

2

Magus

The brooding dark mage and antihero antagonist of Chrono Trigger.

1000pts

3

Golbez

The imposing armored antagonist of Final Fantasy IV, cloaked in mystery and tragedy.

891pts

4

Kefka Palazzo

The cackling court mage of Final Fantasy VI who actually succeeds in becoming a god and remaking the world.

849pts

5

Ultimecia

The time-compressing sorceress and final antagonist of Final Fantasy VIII.

734pts

6

Kuja

The flamboyant, mortality-obsessed genome antagonist of Final Fantasy IX.

636pts

7

Emperor Mateus

The tyrannical ruler of Final Fantasy II who conquers both Heaven and Hell to return.

636pts

8

Albedo Piazzolla

The unhinged, immortal Variant antagonist of the Xenosaga trilogy.

520pts

9

Tohru Adachi

The affable detective whose shocking turn reframes the mystery of Persona 4.

382pts

10

Yaldabaoth

The god of control masquerading behind the plot of Persona 5.

382pts

11

Mithos Yggdrasill

The fallen idealist and final antagonist of Tales of Symphonia.

212pts

12

Ardyn Izunia

The tragic, vengeful chancellor at the heart of Final Fantasy XV's story.

212pts

13

Dhaos

The tragic alien antagonist of Tales of Phantasia, fighting to save his dying world.

212pts