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. 1
   Sephiroth

   The silver-haired, one-winged antagonist of Final Fantasy VII, widely cited as gaming's most iconic villain.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Magus

   The brooding dark mage and antihero antagonist of Chrono Trigger.
   1000pts
3. 3
   Golbez

   The imposing armored antagonist of Final Fantasy IV, cloaked in mystery and tragedy.
   891pts
4. 4
   Kefka Palazzo

   The cackling court mage of Final Fantasy VI who actually succeeds in becoming a god and remaking the world.
   849pts
5. 5
   Ultimecia

   The time-compressing sorceress and final antagonist of Final Fantasy VIII.
   734pts
6. 6
   Kuja

   The flamboyant, mortality-obsessed genome antagonist of Final Fantasy IX.
   636pts
7. 7
   Emperor Mateus

   The tyrannical ruler of Final Fantasy II who conquers both Heaven and Hell to return.
   636pts
8. 8
   Albedo Piazzolla

   The unhinged, immortal Variant antagonist of the Xenosaga trilogy.
   520pts
9. 9
   Tohru Adachi

   The affable detective whose shocking turn reframes the mystery of Persona 4.
   382pts
10. 10
    Yaldabaoth

    The god of control masquerading behind the plot of Persona 5.
    382pts
11. 11
    Mithos Yggdrasill

    The fallen idealist and final antagonist of Tales of Symphonia.
    212pts
12. 12
    Ardyn Izunia

    The tragic, vengeful chancellor at the heart of Final Fantasy XV's story.
    212pts
13. 13
    Dhaos

    The tragic alien antagonist of Tales of Phantasia, fighting to save his dying world.
    212pts