Top 10 Best Monster Anime Characters Like Meruem And Ryuk

Monsters often captivate us with their sinister allure within fiction, and anime is no exception. Anime brims with terrifying and powerful beings, so here are ten such creatures.

By Sneha Sam

Published on Mar 20, 2024 | 06:16 PM IST | 311.1K

(Hunter x Hunter [Yoshihiro Togashi] , Death Note [Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata]) [Madhouse, Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu]

In this Article

10. Baskerville – Hellsing
9. The Bunny Elder Bairn – Blood-C
8. No-Face – Spirited Away
7. Korosensei – Assassination Classroom
6. ‘The Dwarf in the Flask’ – Fullmetal Alchemist

Monsters have always held a special place in our collective imagination, captivating audiences with their sinister allure and chilling presence. As former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi aptly put it, "Everybody loves monsters." Indeed, the world of fiction often teems with a diverse array of monstrous beings, each more terrifying than the last. From eldritch horrors to cruel and powerful beings beyond comprehension, anime monsters embody the very essence of fear and fascination.

Monsters come in all shapes and sizes, from the hulking behemoths to the cunning and elusive entities lurking in the shadows. As devoted anime viewers know, these creatures of the night come in all shapes and sizes, from grotesque demons to enigmatic entities. Each monster brings its own brand of terror, whether through its insatiable hunger for destruction or its insidious schemes to prey upon the unsuspecting.

In the words of Ishiro Honda, director of the 1954 Godzilla movie, "Monsters are tragic beings. They are born too tall, too strong, too heavy. They are not evil by choice. That is their tragedy." Indeed, monsters often grapple with their own existential dilemmas, especially with their frightening nature in anime. Let's delve into ten such creatures within the realm of anime's monstrous characters.

10. Baskerville – Hellsing

Hellsing [Kouta Hirano, Satelight, Madhouse, Graphinica, Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu]

Baskerville, also known as the Black Dog, is one of Alucard's most fearsome familiars in Hellsing. With shaggy black fur, multiple red eyes, and razor-sharp teeth, this demonic canine is a dependable ally. Its ability to transform into a smokey creature adds to its terrifying presence. Alucard often relies on Baskerville during intense battles, making use of its immense power. This monstrous canine aids Alucard in battles, often emerging from his arm, and remains loyal to its master.

9. The Bunny Elder Bairn – Blood-C

Blood-C [Junichi Fujisaku, Production I.G, Hulu]

The Bunny Elder Bairn from Blood-C is a chilling embodiment of pure sadism and brutality. With a penchant for torturing and devouring humans, its grotesque transformations include razor-sharp limbs and makeshift meat processors. Despite its bunny-like appearance, it's a menacing force capable of manipulating and dividing itself to wreak havoc. Its white skin, small gold eyes, and red stripes add to its eerie presence, making it a truly terrifying adversary in the series.

8. No-Face – Spirited Away

Spirited Away [Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video]

No-Face is a mysterious spirit capable of absorbing others to adopt their traits. Initially drawn to Chihiro's sincerity, he learns and mimics behaviors from those around him, hoping to earn her affection. Initially translucent, his form evolves, developing limbs and even organs. His consuming desire for connection drives him to imitate those around him. His ambiguous nature, blending innocence and darkness, mirrors Miyazaki's commentary on human complexity and the search for identity.

7. Korosensei – Assassination Classroom

Assassination Classroom [Yusei Matsui, Studio Lerche, Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll]

Korosensei is the beloved yellow, octopus-like teacher from Assassination Classroom and a complex character with both a tragic past and a heart of gold. Once a master assassin, his encounter with Aguri Yukimura changes him, instilling compassion and a desire to protect. A man-made monster with a clear time limit on his lifespan, he dedicates himself to guiding and teaching Class 3-E, displaying unparalleled intelligence and lightning-fast speed.

6. ‘The Dwarf in the Flask’ – Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood [Hiromu Arakawa, BONES, Hulu, Disney+]

‘The Dwarf in the Flask,’ also known as Homunculus or Father, is a central antagonist in Fullmetal Alchemist. Created from the essence of the Eye in an alchemical experiment, he embodies arrogance and self-righteousness, deeming himself superior to humans while seeking to become the perfect being. Originally a charismatic being within a flask, his deep-seated loneliness and jealousy of human connections eventually turned him into a power-hungry villain. Ultimately, his quest for power and perfection leads to his downfall, as he is consumed by the very entity he sought to control.

5. Meruem – Hunter X Hunter

Hunter x Hunter [Yoshihiro Togashi, Madhouse, Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu]

The King of the Chimera Ants in Hunter x Hunter, Meruem, is a character who underwent a profound transformation in the series. With superhuman speed, agility, and stamina, coupled with his genius-level intellect and Nen abilities, Meruem was one of the most horrifying beings from birth. Initially consumed by his instincts, which desire power and domination, the Chimera Ant’s encounter with humanity challenges his beliefs. His interactions with Komugi, a blind girl, awaken empathy and humility within him.

4. Void of The God Hand – Berserk

Berserk [Kentaro Miura, Kouji Mori, OLM Team Iguchi, Crunchyroll, Netflix]

Within Berserk's monstrous pantheon, Void stands as a chilling epitome of horror. Cloaked in billowing darkness, his visage is a macabre fusion of human and skeletal features, with a grotesque brain laid bare. Eyelids stitched, nose absent, and flesh manipulated by cruel hooks, he embodies terror and power. Void's philosophical nature and enigmatic demeanor set him apart as he navigates the flow of causality with eerie calmness and manipulative prowess. In his presence, one cannot help but feel the weight of destiny's relentless march.

3. Eren's Founding Titan – Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan [Hajime Isayama, Wit Studio, MAPPA, Crunchyroll]

The Founding Titan, an epitome of power and enigma, lies at the core of Attack on Titan's intricate lore. Crafted from the essence of Ymir Fritz, this Titan harbors the ability to command and manipulate both Titans and memories of Eldians. When held by Eren Yeager, it became known as The Doomsday Titan, but its prowess remained constrained by the absence of royal blood. Serving as a nexus for the paths connecting all Subjects of Ymir, Marley hailed it as the 'Coordinate.'

2. Ryuk – Death Note

Death Note [Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata, Madhouse, Netflix, Crunchyroll, Hulu]

Ryuk, a shinigami—a deity of death—lurks from the inception of Death Note, both in manga and anime forms. Bored in the realm of death, he discards a Death Note into the human world, intrigued by its potential. Upon high schooler Light Yagami's discovery of the notebook, Ryuk becomes his constant companion, bound by the Death Note's rules. Ryuk's insatiable craving for red apples fuels his allegiance to Light, and in exchange for services, Light feeds Ryuk's craving for the shinigami world.

1. Ainz Ooal Gown – Overlord

Overlord [Kugane Maruyama, Madhouse, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Crunchyroll]

Ainz Ooal Gown, once Momonga, commands respect as the mastermind behind Nazarick's ascension. As Sorcerer King, he wields unparalleled magical might, shrouded in a skeletal visage that exudes dread. In his guise as Momon, he's a formidable warrior, leading with a stoic demeanor. Ainz's calculated moves, veiled in mystery, propel him toward his goal: to etch his name as a legend and safeguard Nazarick's supremacy in both worlds. At all times, Ainz's actions are driven by a desire to advance Nazarick's interests, with both ruthlessness and strategic cunning.

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Credits: CBR, Screen Rant, Ranker, Fiction Horizon, Crunchyroll, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Grand Library of Nazarick, Death Note Wiki, Attack on Titan Wiki, The BERSERK Encyclopedia, Blood-C Wiki, Fullmetal Alchemist Wiki, Ghibli Wiki, Heroes Wiki, Hunterpedia