Demons are often themost powerful beings in anime. Though known for their merciless ways, some of them possess qualities that resemble those of humans. There is even a hierarchy among these entities, and not all demons are created equal in terms of power.
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Interestingly, the most beloved demons in anime are not always the ones who inspire fear and awe with their ferocity and brute force. Rather, it is the ones that capture the hearts of fans for other reasons, such as their character development orunique attributes. These are some of the best ones among them!
10Meliodas (Seven Deadly Sins)
Meliodas is Demon King’s elder son in the anime,Seven Deadly Sins. The Demon King intended to use him as a vassal body to take over Britannia. This, however, proved to be disastrous as such demonic powers created a great imbalance in nature, ruining everything in sight.
Being the “Sin of Wrath,” Meliodas has had some pretty intense moments where he’s gone completely berserk. This is understandable, given he’s had to watch his lover Elizabeth die and come back to life 107 times! In general, Meliodas is pretty cheerful and loves to serve the customers at his Tavern, The Boar Hat.
9Roxy Migurdia (Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation)
When it comes tofemalecharactersin theIsekaigenre, Roxy is definitely one of the best. Fans can’t get enough of her adorable facial expressions and occasional clumsiness. While Roxy may appear and behave like a teen, she has actually lived for over four decades.
She ran away from the Migurd tribe and became a magic instructor. Despite her demonic abilities far surpassing those of humans, Roxy does not look down upon the show’s main character, Rudeus. Rather, she sees potential in him and believes that he will soon surpass her in terms of skills.
8Diablo (That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime)
Diablo is a primordial Demon believed to have existed since the dawn of time. He got bored with his infinite powers and sought some entertainment. Fortunately, Rimuru gave him what he needed, and he didn’t mind being the private butler of this young, emerging Demon Lord.
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Diablo displays a modest and unpretentious demeanor while still possessing enough power to confront the likes of Guy Crimson, the mightiest Demon Lord inThat Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime.
7Maou (Maoyuu Maou Yuusha)
Maou is a rare example of a female Demon King. Demon Kings typically do not contemplate bringing peace to the world, as death and destruction are the norms. However, Maou forms anunlikely duowith Yuusha, the Hero, to put an end to centuries of war between demons and humans.
She does not believe in violence as a means to achieve this end. Instead, she uses her bookworm intelligence to implement socio-economical changes that will benefit both humans and demons, ultimately bringing an end to the war.
6Ryuk (Death Note)
Armed with a supernatural notebook called Death Note, Ryuk has the power to eliminate anyone whose name he scribbles in it. But the Demon God of death hates his mundane existence. So he gave his diary to Light and watched him using it for his own amusement.
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Ryuk’s truly frightening nature goes beyond his already eerie appearance. Those who entertain him end up paying the price. He embodies the very definition of a demon - unfeeling, merciless, and utterly devoid of empathy. In a way, Ryuk’s character represents the consequences of existence, where life is nothing more than a game to be played until the end.
5Hildegarde (Beelzebub)
Hildegarde’s (Hilda for short) deadpan humor is a significant part of her appeal. As a certified Tsundere, she takes great pleasure in roasting Oga with her dry wit and sarcastic jabs, playfully mocking his less-than-stellar intellect and mortal shortcomings.
And while their friends are quick to label her as Oga’s better half, Hilda never bothers to correct them – perhaps she enjoys the confusion? She’s got a shy, affectionate side that peeks out from behind her stoic demeanor. This hidden gem of a personality trait shines brightest in the manga’s “Memory Loss Arc,” a delightful subplot that, regrettably, never made it to the anime adaptation.
Anos Voldigoad has resurrected himself after two millennia. He’s known as the “Demon King Of Tyranny,” and even the gods cower before his might. With just a snap of his finger, he can erase any being from existence utterly, only to bring them back on a whim.
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His magical might knows no bounds, for should he unleash it in its entirety, the very fabric of the multiverse would crumble. As if this weren’t enough, Anos is capable of processing thousands of thoughts at once. His superhuman character description places him in the same league as the likes ofGoku,Saitama, and other Titans.
3Rem (Re: Zero - Starting Life in Another World)
“Who is Rem?” – a question that still haunts the hell out of Subaru since everyone, including Rem’s twin sister Ram, seems to have completely forgotten her after Arc 3 ofRe: Zero. It’s become an inside joke reference among fans, where some pretend not to know Rem, despite her immense popularity in the anime community.
For those unfamiliar with the show, Rem is a demonic maidservant at Roswaal’s mansion. Initially harboring intentions to eliminate Subaru, she later becomes his steadfast companion, always remaining by his side. Braving even death, Rem battled valiantly for him before falling into a coma. With such loyalty, it’s no wonder other waifus struggle to rival Rem.
2Femto (Berserk)
Femto is the newest member of God Hand, a group of five powerful demons who are the primary antagonist of the acclaimedBerserk. This powerful demon has left an indelible mark on fans with his white feathers, impenetrable black armor, and skull-like mask.
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Once known as Griffith, a charismatic leader loved by all, he transformed into a sinister force that knew only darkness. Femto has committed horrific acts against his best friend, Guts, and The Band of Hawks. This event is known as Eclipse: one of the most defining and gruesome moments in Berserk and in anime history.
1Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)
Muzan Kibutsuji is the primary antagonist ofDemon Slayeranime. As the leader of Twelve Demon Moons, he’s a deeply feared being. He is also the first demon from whom all others have originated. And with just a drop of his blood, he can turn anybody into his loyal minion.
A shapeshifter-extraordinaire, Muzan can alter his appearance, gender, and even ethnicity. He is basically omnipotent; however, even this creature has a fatal flaw: sunlight is his bane, and exposure to its rays ensures his demise—much like the fate of vampires.
