There are many terrifying and lethal characters in the world of anime, but the ones with the ability to manipulate thoughts are the most unnerving. Many of the characters in anime make deadly use of the terrifying concept that one’s thoughts, actions, and memories can be controlled by another.
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These characters are among the most terrifying in anime because of the many methods they use to dominate others, whether it’s subtle manipulation, overt mind control, the sheer force of personality, supernatural skills, or psychological techniques. These people have the power to manipulate others easily, leaving a wake of havoc and disaster wherever they go.
7Aizen - Bleach
One of the most iconic villains in anime history is the formerGotei 135th Division captain. Few can compete with the mystery and unpredictability of the character, who maintains composure while manipulating others.
Aizen’s ability to influence minds is one of the scariest aspects of theBleachanime series. The execution is what really gives it that chilling effect. Aizen is a superb manipulator because he can quietly affect the ways in which other characters feel and think. He manipulates even the strongest of wills by planting memories and ideas that play on their weaknesses and desires.
6Hitoshi Shinso - My Hero Academia
In theMy Hero Academiaseries, Shinso started as astudent in U.A. High School’s General Department. Nonetheless, Shinso’s oddities and powers allowed him to switch to the hero track for his second year of school with sufficient preparation.
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Shinso’s skills in mind control are above par thanks to his quirk, Brainwashing. Because of his peculiarity, he may force someone to completely submit to his will. Shinso’s quirk is quite horrifying, despite the fact that it only activates when his target replies audibly to whatever he says and may be neutralized by a powerful shock. The fact that Shinso can use his quirk to influence numerous individuals at once and that his victims may not even realize they are under his control makes his brainwashing/mind control powers all the more terrifying.
5Eren Yeager - Attack On Titan
Eren Yeager is one of themost intriguing and terrifyinganime characters known to date. His strong will and ambition to succeed are inspiring, but the extremes he’s willing to go to get what he wants are enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine.
In the anime seriesAttack on Titan, Eren was able to master the minds of other Titans once he inherited the power of the Founding Titan. Eren was able to command both the mindless Pure Titans and the powerful Colossal Titans. Using his titan-controlling abilities, Eren let loose millions of Colossal Titans, which trampled to death 80% of humanity. It was like equipping an RPG with a nuclear bomb when Eren gained the ability to control the minds of Titans.
4Shalnark - Hunter x Hunter
As a former member of the diabolical group of thieves, the Phantom Troupe, Shalnark is terrifying in various ways. Despite his positive demeanor, Shalnark enjoyed murdering and often did so while grinning. Even though it greatly improved his powers, he hated killing in autopilot mode because he couldn’t take credit for his work or recall the details.
Shalnark was a Nen manipulator. Afterimplanting an antennawithin his opponent, he was able to exert complete control over them because of his manipulative skills. Shalnark was able to manipulate his foe’s thoughts and movements like a puppet after implanting an antenna into his head.
3Illumi Zoldyck - Hunter x Hunter
The Zoldyck family in theHunter x Hunteranime series is well known for their deadly and infamous assassins. Illumi is Killua’s older brother and is known for his skill as an assassin and his expressionless face. After a period in the series, Illumi joined the Phantom Troupe and began interacting with Hisoka on an intermittent basis.
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Although Illumi possessesnumerous terrifying superpowers, his ability to manipulate minds as a Nen manipulator is particularly unsettling. Needles inserted into living or dead subjects allow the Illumi to exert influence. If Illumi injects a specific needle into a person, the target loses all sense of self and obeys his or her every command until death. One of the many applications of his power is its ability to instill a great deal of terror in his subjects, ensuring that they will not defy his orders.
2Lelouch Vi Britannia - Code Geass
The 11th Prince of the Holy Britannian Empire, Lelouch iswell known for his schemesin theCode Geassanime series. Lelouch, posing as Zero, used his wit and skill to incite a rebellion against his father. After the Holy Britannian Empire conquered Japan and the rest of the world, the people were inspired to rise up and fight for Japan’s independence.
Lelouch used the supernatural power of Geass in his quest for rebellion as the masked mastermind Zero. Lelouch was able to implant orders into his targets' heads using the “power of absolute obedience” he gained through his Geass. Like hypnosis, once he made eye contact and activated his Geass, the target was fully subservient to his every instruction until it was carried out.
1Q - Bungo Stray Dogs
TheBungo Stray Dogsanime series has a lot of terrifying characters. Even then, Kyusaku Yumeno, popularly known as Q, remains one of the deadliest. Q is a child, which makes his sadistic, carnage-loving personality even more twisted.
What makes Q so frightening is his Dogra Magra ability. When Q takes damage of any kind, this ability goes into effect. Q typically uses strategies like taping razor blades to his arm and then bumping into a target to inflict pain on himself by proxy. If Q’s ability is used and certain conditions are satisfied, the victim will start crying bloody tears and have horrific hallucinations that will drive them to kill anyone they see.
