Ask John: Why are Emotionless Villains Popular?

Question:
What is the reason behind the large popularity of anime characters who are just emotionless jerks? As basic examples, Sesshomaru from Inuyasha, Itachi of Naruto, and Bleach’s Byakuya are all cold hearted characters with no personality other then the motives to their actions, that are some of the most popular of their series. They have neither the charm or wit to their personality that make such kind of characters likeable or even acceptable. They commit actions that are truly reprehensible in cruelty and malice and do nothing to redeem themselves and do not care if they do. So why are characters like these so popular in anime when there seems to be nothing in their character to make them likeable?

Answer:
Anime fans often tend to take anime seriously, but it’s their enthusiasm for anime, and a desire to approach anime with a rational criticism that they’re serious about. Anime isn’t a guideline for real life, and I don’t believe that most rational viewers perceive vicious, evil characters are serious role-models. But the argument is always made that villains are more interesting than heroes.

Single-minded villains are appealing because their singular, unwavering determination and refusal to concede to expected morals or compromise make them respectable. Real life is filled with compromise and characterized by the inability to do what we genuinely most want to do. Characters that refuse to compromise their goals – whether those goals are affirming and positive, or ruthless and self-serving – represent a determination of will and independence which most viewers can only dream of. Qualities like efficiency, dignity, determination, and discipline are admirable traits regardless of the ends to which they’re applied.

Coldly efficient and uncompromising villains command respect, and exhibit a sort of noble dignity. These characteristics apply to not only anime villains like Sesshomaru and Itachi, but also American movie villains like Darth Vader. The respect that viewers have for these characters isn’t approval of their morality or actions; it’s respect for their determination and insistence upon uncompromising submission. These villains may not be kind, just, or moral, but they do have the strength of will to prioritize the efficient acquisition of their goals without compromise or irrational emotion. Viewers appreciate the principles of ruthless, determined efficiency that these villains exhibit and embody. And viewers can eagerly and unashamedly respect and adore these characters because we know that they’re not real people. It’s easy to respect the admirable qualities of a villain, and appreciate the dramatic conflict that his actions create when we know that we, or any real people, aren’t actually being harmed.