The Villains We Love - How To Write Sympathetic Villains In Anime, Manga, And Marvel Comics

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ค. 2024
  • Today we are talking about how to write sympathetic villains in anime, manga, and movies!
    Thanks so much for watching!
    Opening song by RiftiBeats: • Hunter x Hunter - Rest...
    0:00 - Intro
    5:26 -Pain (Naruto Shippuden)
    15:15 - Akaza (Demon Slayer)
    23:52 - Kagura (Inuyasha)
    27:15 - Magneto (X-Men)
    33:53 - Killmonger (Black Panther)
    37: 44 - Father (Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood)
    44:36 - Superior Spider-Man
    50:36 - Meruem (Hunter x Hunter)
    57:30 - Outro
    Follow me on social media to keep up with the channel!
    Discord: / discord
    Twitch: / axellianyt
    Twitter: bit.ly/3p6otE0
    Channel Intro / Outro Song: bit.ly/3nP18oZ
    #anime #analysis #howtowrite #characterdesign #naruto #inuyasha #demonslayer #fullmetalalchemist #hunterxhunter #spiderman #xmen #blackpanther
    Sympathetic characters are some of the most effective tools a writer can work with when done correctly. They ability to reshape the audience's perspective on the world, and make them question to values and integrity of the protagonists allow for development which just wouldn't be possible in other stories.
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ความคิดเห็น • 291

  • @ghost245353
    @ghost245353 ปีที่แล้ว +534

    I like sympathetic villains too. What I dislike is people equating their sympathy for a character for their correctness. Having sympathy for someone and understanding their motives doesn't make them right

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +115

      Absolutely. It's not about agreeing with people, it's about understanding their perspective

    • @dytgyfgyffuh243
      @dytgyfgyffuh243 ปีที่แล้ว +21

      @@AxelBeats yes anti villains make think that the world is not black and white and if you were in there shoes you might have made the same decision

    • @FLancer218
      @FLancer218 ปีที่แล้ว +20

      Or to quote a Fate meme, just because you're correct doesn't mean you're right.

    • @cathria.
      @cathria. ปีที่แล้ว +8

      Or, to quote a Jijutsu Kaisen character, “Just because you have more hardships doesn’t mean you’re right”

    • @Berlin_XD
      @Berlin_XD ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Oo i absolutely agreed with what you said but I would add just one lil thing,
      Having sympathy for someone and understanding their motives doesn't make them right, it makes them human.

  • @Eiszahn
    @Eiszahn ปีที่แล้ว +87

    While meruem and his kind were reason for many atrocities, people seem to forget he was basically a hyper intelligent infant that learned to be better after meeting someone that for once was better than him.

    • @darkrite9000
      @darkrite9000 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Yup, as we grow up, we are taught how to behave based on our environment and only change if something interests us or forces us into doing so. Now outliers do exist, you can have someone who had an upbringing that should lead to a good person end up making a terrible one, just as you could have someone with an absolutely terrible upbringing where the recipe was perfect for making a bad person, but they end up one of the most generous and kindest individuals around. And there's also outliers for influences that happen later on in life, you could have a terrible person turn into a better one because of something changing them, but then a similar terrible person has a similar situation happen and they remain the same. And vice versa with good people, where the same situation that may spark one to become evil, whereas the other stays good.
      Meruem was born, basically as the best of his species, the strongest being we knew at the time, he was hyper intelligent, and was basically told you are the king, everything in the world exists for your benefit. And we see him behave in a manner befitting someone of high intelligence who's been told he's the best, and everyone is lucky to even serve him. Yet when he loses a match against any of the game masters, he thinks, ok try again, and sooner or later, he wins. Then he wonders if they can get any better to beat him again, if they can't they die. And because of how all the game masters are, they are all scared of him the moment they see him. Even more so when they can't beat him anymore. But then we get to the last game master, a little blind girl who doesn't fear him, and just enjoys playing the game, that's all she has. And this girl who the world would view as one of the weakest people to exist in society due to her being blind and a bit sickly. She alone continues to beat Meruem, leading him to question his existence, he then has the thought that he may not be perfect.
      When he's told not being able to win in one type of board game against someone who seemed to awaken her nen to just play the game even better, is no big deal. He says yeah it doesn't matter, then goes off to kill her, but then sees a bird attacking her, he acts instinctively to kill the bird, and see if she's ok. When he asks why she didn't call for help, she says she didn't want to bother anyone. It's at this point Meruem begins to realize his feels for her, and what he thinks someone with absolute power should do. Then we get the part a bit later where Komogi is seriously injured by the surprise attack. Seeing Meruem's expression upon finding her injured when Pito shows up, is chilling, and mirrors Gon's expression when he learns about Kite. Then fast forward to after the fight, Meruem has amnesia and is having trouble remembering things, something important he can't place. When he hears Komogi's name, it clicks, to him nothing else matters after that, she means that much to him. And while his character arc doesn't get rid of his past crimes, he isn't really a villain by the end of his arc, it's like how you see in other shows with former villains becoming heroes. Though in this instance Meruem was not given that chance, I understand from a writing perspective why not, but it did have a very heavy emotional impact on me when I saw him and Komogi's last moments.

    • @Eiszahn
      @Eiszahn 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@darkrite9000 i very much enjoyed watching him change
      Love the paragraphs you wrote

  • @skimp1974
    @skimp1974 ปีที่แล้ว +43

    Aakaza lost his family twice and the corruption by demon blood helps us view him through a very human lens.

  • @Rainesniri
    @Rainesniri ปีที่แล้ว +96

    I love how you say “if your favorite villain isn’t pain then it’s definitely merum” because yes it is.😂

  • @DJMichaelMcClain
    @DJMichaelMcClain ปีที่แล้ว +215

    You know there's one thing I have learned about sympathetic villains. it's based off of somewhat reality because if you really think about it in a logical level. every side has their own beliefs their own ways of thinking and you may see it differently depending. on what side you're on as crazy as that sounds when you really see a villain perception of what they have experienced and felt. It can change a person's idea of a villain to being sympathetic to their way of life.

    • @eternallylearning2811
      @eternallylearning2811 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Case in point my view of SCP 682 and 999 If SCP 999 erased my PTSD then everything else gets erased with it because guess what nobody thinks of how entertwined and personal everything is nor do they care they just keep going uwu best scp ever.
      With 682 it's me relating I was under constant shit in the past just like that big lizard is

    • @SeanWinters
      @SeanWinters ปีที่แล้ว

      How do you use no periods when you need one, and you use periods where you meed commas?

  • @garyallen1473
    @garyallen1473 ปีที่แล้ว +30

    Being able to relate to a villain is the mark of great writing, and Meruem is my all time favorite villain, and that ending was so incredibly sad.

  • @JurassicGodzillaFan
    @JurassicGodzillaFan ปีที่แล้ว +98

    I liked Kagura very much. Despite being a side villain, I also felt bad for her, since she was restrained by Naraku.

    • @Sparkle8205
      @Sparkle8205 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Same here not gonna lie.
      She was one of my favorite side characters in Inyuasha and I always felt bad for her

  • @ghost245353
    @ghost245353 ปีที่แล้ว +89

    I remember being floored by Pain's speech when reading the manga. When watching the anime, I couldn't help focusing on the flaws of his perspective and the lunacy of his plan. He nuked a whole area and attempted to convince the protagonist that it was justice because the Leaf village fought a war in his village. The more I hear about his speech, the more a roll my eyes at how insane it all is. No one *really* believes nuking a village is justice. Naruto wanting to kill Pain to stop an evil is NOT the same as Pain nuking a village. Remember, he wasn't even going to nuke the village until Tsunade hurt his worldview by saying the Leaf had suffered enough. He makes good points. Unfortunately, the real world does some of the same things. It doesn't make those things right. Pain was a good villain. I like how he challenges your perspective. Pain is crazy and incredibly damaged by the world.

    • @xiezhao9075
      @xiezhao9075 ปีที่แล้ว +23

      I am going to disagree here as bit.
      The point of the issue is that Pein nuked a village that ravaged his country years prior, killed his parents and aided in death of his friend.
      If the anime was called "Pein" we would have been cheering for him.
      The whole point of that arc was to rise beyond such perception.

    • @jaydenc367
      @jaydenc367 ปีที่แล้ว +13

      Well the leaf village are considered heroes and they got his village involved in a war...so is he really any less of a hero? The Rain Village themselves considers Pain like a god. Are you sure no one believes nuking a village is justice? Look at real life war....also people believe that what Itachi did was right so yeah.

    • @mrjong-pildasong1468
      @mrjong-pildasong1468 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      You said a lot of things but nothing at the same time

    • @Logic_1997
      @Logic_1997 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      If the manga was called “Pain” instead of “Naruto” u would have been rooting for Pain tbf

    • @odysseymusicrelations2752
      @odysseymusicrelations2752 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Pain is contradicting bc he claims justice but his actions are injustice in nature. The thought of inflicting pain on another so that everyone could understand each other is not what I think makes him a villain. It’s the wanting to do that to innocent people that aren’t directly responsible for that pain in the first place. It’s like a random child going through the nuking of the village is unjust and to me is vastly different then a participant in war. Pain sees them as equal. Ironically he of all people should know how unjust his ways is because his family were treated like participants in war when they weren’t.

  • @Fives_Waffeleisen
    @Fives_Waffeleisen ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Akaza's backstory broke my heart :(

  • @valiensr1037
    @valiensr1037 ปีที่แล้ว +63

    You know, it occurs to me that Pain was actually right. What finally unified the ninja world (for a time) was a singular great tragedy and enemy (The war against Madara)

    • @IMTSin
      @IMTSin ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Underrated comment

    • @royalfun1031
      @royalfun1031 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Still needed to stop
      Neji was right too he didn't have a Neji(screw) loose after all

  • @runbaa9285
    @runbaa9285 ปีที่แล้ว +110

    Personally, I think The Lizard is one of Spider-Man's best portrayed villains in the comics, especially in recent years. Curt Connors slowly losing his mind to the animalistic instinct that is The Lizard was such a sad and terrifying thing to see. Connors being a bystander within his own mind helplessly pleading The Lizard to not eat his son was so horrifying. It hits even harder that said story arc was one of the few where Spider-Man failed to save the day. Connors' son died. Spider-Man was too late to stop him. And with Connors' wife and son mauled by The Lizard, Connors was gone, entirely consumed by the animal.
    As a side note, would you mind talking about "force of nature" villains in any of your future videos? Villains that are by nature, akin to natural disasters. From Marvel, from the top of my head, are Galactus and Knull. Galactus consumes planets as an act of balancing the cosmic ecosystem so that Celestials wouldn't breed out of control. He is unfeeling, and is just is. Knull, being a God of Darkness from before the time of the Big Bang, is in his very nature to despise the light, and thus wants to consume the galaxy in darkness. Villains who are in their very nature, actual natural disasters instead of schemers or "evil".

    • @theauthor6669
      @theauthor6669 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      I think the problem with knull compared to galactus is that Knull has grudges and plots, he has the power of a force of nature but he doesn't have the same... mentality. Galactus didn't hold a grudge he just kept on coming back because earth had so much energy iirc.

  • @zhiarverse299
    @zhiarverse299 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    Pain is my personal favourite
    Great backstory
    Great dynamic with naruto
    Great motivation
    Great goal
    Great philosophy and quotes
    Great voice actor and design

    • @HomoSapienMan
      @HomoSapienMan ปีที่แล้ว

      No one mentioning itachi

    • @zhiarverse299
      @zhiarverse299 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      @@HomoSapienMan not a villain imo

    • @etam8099
      @etam8099 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@zhiarverse299 pretty sure he is one

    • @zhiarverse299
      @zhiarverse299 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@etam8099 explain

    • @froot...
      @froot... ปีที่แล้ว

      @@zhiarverse299 he murdered children???

  • @megmi2694
    @megmi2694 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    idk if you can call isabella from the promised neverland a sympathetic villan but she’s one of my favourite characters. she’s a character that’s capable of being liked and hated at the same time. the first time hearing her backstory was extremely impactful and it definitely changed my view of her. i could write a whole essay on her if i wanted to.

  • @abigailaceves9230
    @abigailaceves9230 ปีที่แล้ว +144

    The fact that you add SO much depths in your villains video essays like this one makes me appreciate you more. Hope you keep up & take your time.

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Thanks Abi! I'm glad you are enjoying the series so far :)

    • @brandongreene9319
      @brandongreene9319 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AxelBeats I name a lots of bad guy from D.C Not only DC but also from Power Rangers and others shows. Not just from Superheroes shows. But show like power, Sons of Anarchy, and even soap opera villains. Name list of villains.

    • @brandongreene9319
      @brandongreene9319 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AxelBeatsJune Stahl, Damon Pope, Jimmy O'Phelan, Galen O'Shay Ethen Zobelle, August Marks, Cameron Hayes, Lee Toric and Clay Morrow from son of Anarchy. JR Ewing, JEREMY WENDELL, ANGELICA NERO, B.D. CALHOUN, KATHERINE WENTWORTH, Cliff Barnes from Dallas. Darth Vader.

    • @brandongreene9319
      @brandongreene9319 ปีที่แล้ว

      ​@@AxelBeats Villains like the Joker, Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, and the Riddler, The Penguin. Catwoman, Bane,
      Savitar, Captain Cold. Eobard Thawne. Zoom. Gorilla Grod. Mirror Master. Weather Wizard. Thinker. Lex Luthor, Brainiac, General Zod, Bizarro, and Doomsday. Metallo. byssal Dark. Vandal Savage. Black Manta. The Cheetah. Princess Maru. DC

    • @brandongreene9319
      @brandongreene9319 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AxelBeats That some villains found that you can used.

  • @culturehub2628
    @culturehub2628 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    Love pain and meruem however I could not stop rooting for meruem hoping he would somehow survive the poison. Went out like a whisper instead of a bang like u said. Sad.

  • @Zekrel
    @Zekrel ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I love villains. I love them more than the heroes. Don’t get me wrong, I still root for the heroes but, whenever I see a villain that just grabs my attention and makes me feel as giddy as a little kid opening a present, the villains earn my love every time. I love them when they’re pure evil, sympathetic, funny, people who are just unlucky and had no choice in life or death, turn from good to bad or bad to good, or are just who they are because that’s just who they are and they are satisfied with themselves. As much as I don’t like it when stories get heroes wrong, it’s only when they get the villains wrong that I get angry. Thank you for speaking about some of my favorite villains in history. You are a true hero, no joke.

  • @phantomroxas2002
    @phantomroxas2002 ปีที่แล้ว +39

    Some of my favorite villains of all time brought up here. Love Pain and Meruem with all my heart. And love the use of the Digimon Survive theme throughout too. That's one of my favorite games I played this year.

    • @kyriss12
      @kyriss12 ปีที่แล้ว

      Speaking of digimon impmon was another sympathetic villain that needed to be on the list.
      Not only do you get a tragic backstory to explain why he’s so obsessed with strength and not trusting anyone, but he has a proper character arc going from obnoxious pain in the ass, to serious threat, before finally killing a main character and starting to ask the questions that would put him on the slow road to redemption.

  • @grandadmiralzaarin4962
    @grandadmiralzaarin4962 ปีที่แล้ว +64

    An excellent video essay.
    Would you cover the category of 'unrepentant but respectable' villains? The ones that are monstrous or serve monsters, but also have a degree of honor and show respect as well as that they die bravely rather than cowardly. Like King Bradley from Full Metal Alchemist, The Captain from Hellsing Ultimate, Shishio from Rurouni Kenshin and Barragan from Bleach?

  • @RepDeanPhilips
    @RepDeanPhilips ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I still don’t know how to properly process the Meruem arc…I was completely at a loss for what the story wanted me to think. I mean, Meruem is only a monster because he was biologically born to be such a monster and then his guard socialized him to be an even crueler monster…but once he actually did the work to seek some truth about who he actually wants to be and could be from his gungi games and interactions with name(?), he puts in the effort to change and even seek peace and love and understanding. Most of us are born to weak to even dominate other people in a way that requires such effort. You can’t really take credit for not being violent if you have no impulse to do such and are afraid of confrontation. It’s very easy for a coward to be peaceful, but it’s very impressive for a born near-perfect predator to be peaceful by their own will. Which in my opinion, makes Meruem one of the greatest heros in anime/manga, at least in terms of who they go out of their way to become.

  • @Kintaku
    @Kintaku ปีที่แล้ว +12

    This is such a great breakdown for these characters and what makes them great villains.
    Magneto in particular is sympathetic to me because time after time, he's proven right about the world turning against mutants. His methods are more extreme and may contribute to the problem, but it's hard not to understand his perspective.

  • @sub-zero5433
    @sub-zero5433 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Fantastic video, although I did want to add that In addition to meruem, the chimera ant arc of hunter x hunter also has a sympathetic villain in neferpitou. Pouf and yupi are also sympathetic in some ways, but not nearly to the degree of meruem and pitou. Like meruem, pitou was born with incredible power, and a misguided mindset on how to use it. Pitou believes, at first, only in protecting her king. her entire purpose as a royal guard is to do just that. Even before her king is born she kills kite because he was threatening the hive where the king was soon to be born, which causes gon to develop a vendetta against her. Later on, however, when the hunters attack the palace and accidentally injure komogee in the process, pitou is asked by meruem to heal her above all else, and the simple act of human-like affection makes pitou shed tears. She learned in that moment what true human compassion is, which the chimera ants surprisingly have the capacity for. Later, when gon forces her to the room where kite is being kept by threatening komogee (he does this because he believes her powers can heal kite) she does something nobody expected. She apologizes for killing kite. Despite holding all the cards in this situation and being on the higher end of a massive power divide, she doesn’t kill gon immediately, she takes the time to apologize and repent for her actions, before lamenting that despite not wanting to kill gon she still has to because he is a threat to the king. We all know what happens after that (gon turns the tables by creating a nen vow and kills her) but that brief moment before gon’s transformation reveals that, like meruem, she did have true humanity within her the entire time.
    Pitou and meruem both had the capacity to change for the better, and if their lives hadn’t been cut short, they probably would have evolved into genuinely good people. Meruem likely would have realized there is far more to live that simply conquering, and pitou likely would have come to the conclusion that her own live matters beyond simply serving the king. What makes pitou’s death more tragic, however, is that she died without ever achieving a true human connection or goal, while meruem spent his final moments in peace with the person he cared for most. What makes pitou’s development especially great is how much it flies under the radar, as I still see people hating on her completely, missing the subtlety of her character arc and only focusing on the bad that she did.

  • @animevideos2506
    @animevideos2506 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Bro Chrollo is underrated after new manga chapters you finally see his backstory and understand why he is a ruthless monster towards others you can't help but feel empathy as a human being still, I've never hated any villain as much as I hate him

  • @DannyLuxray
    @DannyLuxray ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I just want more villains as great Pain and Meruem I don't think I've ever been more impressed, captived and intrigued with 2 villains in any shonen

  • @ashleightompkins3200
    @ashleightompkins3200 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    I'd love to see a video on characters, not just villains, who you can't help but LOATHE. I'm talking the Shou Tucker's, Griffith's, the real and true scumbags of fiction who have nothing redeemable about them

  • @alwaysapirateroninace443
    @alwaysapirateroninace443 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    It is interesting how Meruem (and I'd argue, Pitou's) evil they do pales when we know & understand them.
    I wonder why that is.
    Foe me, it might be because I had the impression they were still mentally infants despite their powers, and while killing was their first instinct, it wasn't who they were.

  • @lostlikezoro1979
    @lostlikezoro1979 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    dawg I could listen to you all day. I wouldn't even be mad if you just talked over a picture I just listen to you while I play games because your just that good.

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you for the kind words friend! New video today, I hope you enjoy :)

  • @ImchautzuCHAUTZU
    @ImchautzuCHAUTZU ปีที่แล้ว +10

    32:01-32:57 Replace the word "Mutants" with "Fishman" and this perfectly sums up what Oda was trying to convey with the Fishman Island Arc. I love ArlongX and Martin Luther Jimbe, don't forget about Fisher Tubman, cause they all show exactly this. Sometimes people take drastic measures when there are no other options. We do that in real life too, first we protest peacefully, then we riot.

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +3

      It's a very common theme to play with for sure, and oda does a great job too. It's all about understanding where people come from - the we can have conversations and hopefully riots can be avoided. If they can't, they can't. But it's at least a step in the right direction.

    • @Chiefteeth1
      @Chiefteeth1 ปีที่แล้ว

      I don’t know man. It seemed like Oda made the fish men way too forgiving. On top of that i feel like oda’s solution to discrimination against fish men is some magical teenage power fantasy demigod aka luffy. This is where I think Oda fails at storytelling despite being one of the greatest shonen authors ever. He really knows his world history and how to give it depth but doesn’t offer solutions to societal problems with using magic and the power of friendship.

  • @saverna1
    @saverna1 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I love that the through line of the Anime Villains is that Humanity is a thing you can hold and can be taught, ignored, given away, dropped and picked up again, or stolen. Since the concept considers humanity as an object it can be examined and scrutinized from many angles, and you can choose to respect or be irreverent toward it.

  • @jamesplaza7134
    @jamesplaza7134 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    I loved Kagura and she released Kohaku! And I love Inuyasha!

  • @culterwaleddy
    @culterwaleddy ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I sympathize with Pain, but Jiraiya really dropped the ball by not taking the kids back to the hidden leaf village.

  • @tacticstories7159
    @tacticstories7159 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Madara uchiha is like the only boss I actually agreed with. If you compare his idea for solving suffering to our world, it doesn't become that unreasonable, since we can't even tell if humanity is able to save itself.

    • @dytgyfgyffuh243
      @dytgyfgyffuh243 ปีที่แล้ว

      Madrara was right end 33 proves it what do think

  • @tommymears6836
    @tommymears6836 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Man I feel like this guy should be getting so much more views, the work he puts in is insane and the length of detail and consistently in his videos are crazy. Hope this guy gets the support and views he deserves for his dedication

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว

      We are climbing slowly! Thanks for the support fam :)

  • @anname7373
    @anname7373 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "Which is not very cash money," LMAO. I hope you keep making videos like this, I love them.

  • @SamTheGumMan117
    @SamTheGumMan117 ปีที่แล้ว +17

    Huge congrats again on 50K followers Axel and sympathetic/respectable villains that come to my mind besides these dope picks are Wamuu from JoJo part 2, Sensui from YYH, Oikawa from Haikyu, Twice from MHA, Patry from BC and Rip from Undead Unluck

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +5

      Thanks Sam! Also excellent choices!

    • @friartuckshops2467
      @friartuckshops2467 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Morgana from The House In Fata Morgana is also a great antagonist

    • @SamTheGumMan117
      @SamTheGumMan117 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@friartuckshops2467 So I've heard and to start that series plus first time I seen it talked about was from The Masked Man

    • @royalfun1031
      @royalfun1031 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@SamTheGumMan117 dem

  • @gilgeaschwithkerk2344
    @gilgeaschwithkerk2344 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Pain did something no other villain did in Naruto, he made him speechless and that Made him so great.

  • @nataliapanfichi9933
    @nataliapanfichi9933 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Catra from she ra , karai from tmt 2012 and starlight Glimmer from mlp are great sympathetic villains.

  • @KingOpenReview
    @KingOpenReview ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Leaf ninjas after murdering Pain's family: ......Oops.

    • @ghost245353
      @ghost245353 ปีที่แล้ว

      At least they felt bad

  • @neve2501
    @neve2501 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is so well made, I'm so proud of you dude! Keep it up.

  • @nosuperwoman79
    @nosuperwoman79 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Thanks for another addition to your villain series, Axel! It's obvious how much effort you are putting in to it.

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm really glad you are enjoying it! Thanks for the kind words 🙏

  • @nabukeeragrace
    @nabukeeragrace 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Very good I really love it
    Looks so awesome

  • @avashool3842
    @avashool3842 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Props! This was an awesome video!

  • @carmeun
    @carmeun ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You was really on to something this video you popped up in me recommendations you earned a sub Axel

  • @aweetodd
    @aweetodd ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Just when I thought I gone through all the character/writing channel i found your videos today and already subscribed. Great work

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks so much for the kind words! I hope I can make more content you'll enjoy :)

  • @anname7373
    @anname7373 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Dude, I love your videos. I wasn't expecting the next great writing youtuber to be an aniyoutuber, but here you are.

  • @johnnypollack3243
    @johnnypollack3243 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Love the video and keep up the great work

  • @delicoast5407
    @delicoast5407 ปีที่แล้ว

    your videos are so thoughtful and heartfelt. thank you so much for sharing!

  • @alfredmanzano680
    @alfredmanzano680 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    this taught me so much! Thank you

  • @DefinitelyNotaDogg
    @DefinitelyNotaDogg ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Such a well done video!! 😭😭

  • @melonruler3521
    @melonruler3521 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I think Zeke from attack on titan is another exellent example of another sympathetic villain.

    • @frostman4152
      @frostman4152 ปีที่แล้ว

      No, how is being a soyboy genocidal beta deserving of sympathy?

  • @atelier_rabbit
    @atelier_rabbit 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    i enjoy all your longer video formats, so thanks for all the time and effort you put into them. meruem x komugi killed me the first time i watched hxh, and you hit the nail on the head with forgetting all the evil things he's done bc whenever i think of mereum i only think of him and komugi T-T

  • @porky1118
    @porky1118 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    56:00 I already have to cry again. I think after watching "To your Eternity" my emotions are back for real.

  • @fernandozavaletabustos205
    @fernandozavaletabustos205 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video as always!

  • @keitricrodgers4560
    @keitricrodgers4560 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    That scene with meruem gets me every time🥺

  • @dmack9431
    @dmack9431 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Pretty cool vid!

  • @NoahRogers19980618
    @NoahRogers19980618 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks TH-cam Reccomendations, keep up the great work every single day that you can do so.

  • @mangantasy289
    @mangantasy289 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Another great video. Totally on point of why we love to love a good sympathetic villain.
    Even in real life I tend to look a lot behind people's behaviour, behind what makes them act like they do.
    I just like that feeling of hating what these villains do, but at the same time understanding where they come from, understanding their motivation and point of view, feeling sorry for them. Not to be confused with excusing all of their actions. It's that difficult line that makes sympathetic villains so intriguing to me.
    The opposite (maybe) is very interesting too, being obviously "good" people that you don't really like. Super hard to write I guess.
    You picked great examples. And I'm glad Kagura was amongst them. She's such a sad character, I love her (and her series)
    Well done!
    Love to get more of your essays.

  • @porky1118
    @porky1118 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good choice for the intro melody.

  • @Halomoon
    @Halomoon ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Ah my favorite villain is one you can empathize with ;w; video turned out amazing as always!

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thanks so much moonie

  • @empyrean57
    @empyrean57 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I think you're easily an underrated literary content creator. I love how comphrensive your videos are. They've so very helpful and have allowed me to garner a better understanding of storytelling. If you were to ever make a work, I'd easily read it

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      I'm not like an authority on anything and I'm sure a lot of things could be worded better, but it makes me very happy to hear that talking about my perspective resonated with you so much :)

    • @empyrean57
      @empyrean57 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AxelBeats I understand, we're all upon a journey to be better than our precedent. I think you in the right direction. I appreciate the effort and time you take to make these videos. Even though you aren't an authority, to me, you're very much sinsible in regards to producing written pieces and I don't your ability to be an authority if you wish to be such :D

  • @topcat59
    @topcat59 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great vid bro.😺

  • @SkyHavenVT
    @SkyHavenVT ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautiful video man! Wish I could’ve watched it sooner!

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      New one soon 👀

    • @SkyHavenVT
      @SkyHavenVT ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AxelBeats HYPE!

  • @marocat4749
    @marocat4749 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Oh i think my favourite in anime is squealer of shin seki yori becaue, spoiler but :( , its sympathic and yet efective.
    Oh and zubasa, i like his being a cool villain but he also struggles with his own philosophy to not get attached and use haku just as weapon, and narutos speech actually just targeting that inner conflict.
    An aneela in killjoys, live action. An scorpious thats more monstrous but he is just ry interting and even a twisted version of a noble goal, ending a war.
    Oh hao is very sympathic.
    Oh that is grat as youdont even have the contrast to ed, but also greed. The best boy. Greed who comes to the exact opposite position and is amae as part of father. And shows desire is good to have, but also h means with ed that trasures dont have to be material, it can be loved ones, and eds strong desire to help and protect them is good. And greed , but good.
    which is realy good to make itt clear to be human and even good when father is that really well don satan figure who yeah has desire but rejects his humanitywhich makes it worthless making him empty no matter what powerful form and freedom he got, as oppoed to greed who sacrifices himself seeing how rich he had a life recently. That what he wanted, was friends all along, that makes it worth everything and even hi sacrifice, that it was plenty.
    Which we see later ling takes too from him yes being very amitious, but rejecting the inhumanity of exterminating th rival families.
    I think greed is an even strong parallel
    And father is literally satan i man he was a part from truth likely, rebelling, being granted the freedom, then he could be frinds wih hohenheim, but rejecting that for , i mean thats a really good satan figure. Hell you could even get h becoms god at the end, when he returns to truth. He got what he said he wanted.

  • @bat_rblx3916
    @bat_rblx3916 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazinggg!!!

  • @jojostwin2492
    @jojostwin2492 ปีที่แล้ว

    This deserves more attention

  • @devinthadude7420
    @devinthadude7420 ปีที่แล้ว

    Dope asf bro!!!!

  • @amalia1_
    @amalia1_ ปีที่แล้ว

    really good video 👍🏿

  • @dominicrich8326
    @dominicrich8326 ปีที่แล้ว

    this is amazing

  • @meimei8718
    @meimei8718 ปีที่แล้ว

    I can see some good points here.

  • @Catdogomeow
    @Catdogomeow ปีที่แล้ว

    Thumbnail is GOD tier

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว

      Gobdesigns on twitter 🤙

  • @XINN1X
    @XINN1X ปีที่แล้ว

    this was great, an episode on anti-heroes in anime would be great. Scar from FMA Brotherhood would be a good fit

  • @moodyjunior867
    @moodyjunior867 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    “Either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain”

  • @faeyzaihsanulfikri9975
    @faeyzaihsanulfikri9975 ปีที่แล้ว

    Seeing my favorite villains here makes me kinda happy because I like them because they make these villains more human more relatable

  • @TheRealUlti
    @TheRealUlti ปีที่แล้ว

    damn bro nice

  • @dlm292
    @dlm292 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I hope that Tetsuo from Akira appears in this series one day, I’d love to hear you talk about him

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I'm planning on watching that very soon lol it's been really interesting catching up on villains or series I hadn't had the time to watch before

  • @dikayevertear3509
    @dikayevertear3509 ปีที่แล้ว

    Would have been nice to have seen you talk about Nox from Wakfu. It's rare that we get a villain like him so well written and liked that he gets his own movie.

  • @bigdealproductions1707
    @bigdealproductions1707 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    ...
    Well... Damn.
    Honestly, I'm not sure a TH-cam video has ever hit me quite this hard in the feels... Or that I ever wanted to support a creator so badly. Honestly, not words I ever expected to be typing, but here we are.
    Sadly, I really have nothing to spare in the way of money. Times are tough, and I'm sure everyone knows it.
    But, one thing I can do is hope that this comment, alongside my sincere and heartfelt like and subscribe that this video more than earned, brings you some measure of happiness, and the determination to keep making such touching and heartfelt content, as well as wish you nothing but good things for the future.

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you for your kind words, they really made my night. Sending love and I hope I can continue making content you will enjoy :)

  • @martinboudrias9631
    @martinboudrias9631 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I will admit that I have seen neither Naruto nor Hunter X Hunter, but my go-to sympathetic villain is Lord Darcia III from Wolf's Rain. He is a very well written villain who you genuinely feel for even as he goes mad and commits atrocities.
    Also, I would love to see a comparison between Pein and Lelouch. As I said above, I haven't watched Naruto, but from your description they seem to have somewhat similar goals and character arcs, even if Lelouch is a bit more heroiv

  • @orihime2u913
    @orihime2u913 ปีที่แล้ว

    you made me cry, damit meruem!

  • @alishankhan8575
    @alishankhan8575 ปีที่แล้ว

    @AxelBeats! Can you do one more of this?
    best video till date

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Next video is nearly ready. They take about 2-3 weeks to make these aha sorry for the wait

    • @alishankhan8575
      @alishankhan8575 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@AxelBeats Hard work is visible and loved it

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@alishankhan8575 that means a lot, thank you! i'll keep trying to make videos you can enjoy :)

  • @Mighty127
    @Mighty127 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    When I think of Meruem I think of someone growing up

  • @thomasffrench3639
    @thomasffrench3639 ปีที่แล้ว

    If you ever do villain redemption, I highly recommend you watch the universal century Gundam shows first. Char Aznable is probably my favorite anime villain, and he has an interesting redemption arc because he almost gets redeemed, but in the end he dies a villain. Yeah it’s pretty long with 3 40-50 long episode series and a movie, but it’s so worth it. Also watch it subbed because of inconsistent voice actors in the dubs and Gundam ZZ isn’t dubbed.

  • @BlackPhonix-ju6wp
    @BlackPhonix-ju6wp ปีที่แล้ว

    Alex u have ma respect and ma subscription, wonder if u can write desperate villain

  • @asherivnmugari4798
    @asherivnmugari4798 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Pain is a villian who most can agree is one of the greatest! As someone who's trying to make their own manga, just hearing Pain's story and reasoning just makes me wonder if my own villians have a good reason for becoming what they are.

  • @dytgyfgyffuh243
    @dytgyfgyffuh243 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your right about love making having loved ones make them human

  • @NC-dw1ir
    @NC-dw1ir ปีที่แล้ว

    the skeleton of pain's story is a compelling story and worked well in Code Geass.

  • @qrowbranwen8600
    @qrowbranwen8600 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I am not crying your crying😢

  • @Max_Graphics
    @Max_Graphics ปีที่แล้ว +1

    @AxelBeats! Please fix timing for Father in description

  • @reichen609
    @reichen609 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hello AxelBeats! Just a query: When did you start your YT channel?
    I think you're a really good writer!
    I wonder what you're background is...
    Also, you seem like a progressive thinker as well (after seeing your other video about females in anime)!
    You're fantastic! ✨🌪️🌀🏮🌀🌪️✨

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Heya friend. This channel has been running for just over 2 years, but I've been on TH-cam either editing or hosting since 2015, as for background, i have a degree in history and worked in Japan as an English teach for a while.

  • @arkivemusic6941
    @arkivemusic6941 ปีที่แล้ว

    You have the exact letter for letter username I was gonna choose but I think saw this account and gave up on that lol

    • @AxelBeats
      @AxelBeats  ปีที่แล้ว

      If it helps, I was in your shoes for the last 3 channels I ran 😅 everyone gets a turn at it lol

  • @darkhawk123
    @darkhawk123 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I disliked how people swooned over Killmonger. Especially my American liberal white friends. (I mean I'm an American, white, liberal too but I digress) He definitely had a point about the oppression of black people. I won't say he didn't. But that point would be made stronger if he didn't shoot through his girlfriend. Also he had this view of African people like they were all one culture and people, and that's such a euro-centric view of African culture.
    It amazed me how he was this clear symbol of pseudo-liberation but that no one else saw it.

  • @jackmcdonnell8505
    @jackmcdonnell8505 ปีที่แล้ว

    Can’t believe Mr Freeze isn’t on here

  • @isaiahwilliam5588
    @isaiahwilliam5588 ปีที่แล้ว

    🔥

  • @MinniMaster
    @MinniMaster ปีที่แล้ว

    What's the song that plays near the end of the intro and during the Superior Spider-Man part? It's so familiar and it's just on the tip of my tongue, but I can't remember what it's from.

  • @myself511
    @myself511 ปีที่แล้ว

    yeeeeeee akaza

  • @katrinarobinson1037
    @katrinarobinson1037 ปีที่แล้ว

    "But what other path was there for him?"
    That's deep 😔💔

  • @yukiutaware1064
    @yukiutaware1064 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Kagura = Instant tears.

  • @nathankeel6667
    @nathankeel6667 ปีที่แล้ว

    The chimera ants as a hole are probably the most sympathetic villions iv seen because yes they killed alot of people and some of them even took enjoyment in doing it but alot were just following there instincs being carnivore insects and as they evolved and more realized their humanity they stoped and by the end I had my self asking were the humans any better then the ants

  • @BigPanda096
    @BigPanda096 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Meruem imo was among the most terrifying villians I've ever seen due to a couple of factors. One. Hes a premature baby still that was only 40 days old, after being premature in the first place. Two. His mental institution and ability to understand things is beyond any character Ive ever seen, he even makes things like Brainiac look normal. Brainiac had millenium to hone their mind and ability to think, and even with that handicap i bloeve Meruem could outmatch brainiac by detecting and sleuthong his own inperceptable bias towards certain actions. Hes comically beyond intelligent and his innate biological abilities would make him a terrifying creature indeed. He can gain the biological and power traits of someine he eats pieces of instantly, and he can add their own total aura to his as well as their aura based abilities. Further than that he can use thoae abilities at levels even the original user cant use if they havent fully developed the technique yet, seen with how he used Youpies Rage blast and his ability to change his nody to his desires, as well using Poufs spiritual message as a super advanced en. If he had time to develop he would have been unstoppable in every context of the word. He has the potiwntial to take anyone on even people wildyly above his power level so long as he can take a bite out of them. Thats all it takea for him to close the gap then beat his enemy over the head with their own ability and power. Its truly terrifying if you thiink about just how ppwerful Meruem could have become if he wwre able to gestate to full maturity and then grow to be older than an infant.

  • @mr.mustachio7338
    @mr.mustachio7338 ปีที่แล้ว

    i like how meruem kinda looks like and has thesame goal as cell but less handsome and dashing💅

  • @corpsenymph4644
    @corpsenymph4644 ปีที่แล้ว

    I’m not too big a fan of HxH season 3, it just kinda felt like a slog… except for the Gon and Muruem + Komogi stuff, ESPECIALLY the Muruem + Komogi stuff. If there’s any reason I’ll watch S3 again, it’s those moments alone. Their friendship is so lovely and beautiful, I think I actually cried at that last scene of them holding hands as Muruem died.