5 Anime Villains That Teach Biblical Lessons
Spoiler Warnings: Each heading lists the character name and the show. Potential spoilers are found in the entries for Ascendance of a Bookworm (Season 1 finale), Tower of God (Season 1 finale), and Sugar Apple Fairy Tale (Episode 3). By far, the biggest spoiler is Tower of God, which is why this entry is last on the list.
A great number of stories exist about villains. Some may make them seem misunderstood or sympathetic, but even if we empathize with their situation, they’re still villainous. While there is always hope of turning one’s life around thanks to Jesus, many villains do not experience redemption and choose to do evil regardless of how it affects others.
In anime, many villains (whether they experience redemption or not) can remind us of Biblical lessons. Their example is not one to imitate; in fact, their choices show us what not to do in our own lives.
But today, our focus is on anime villains and their poor choices. Their mistakes. Every story teaches us a lesson, and the following 5 anime villains teach biblical lessons (indirectly).
5 Anime Villains That Teach Biblical Lessons:
Bezewanst: Ascendance of a Bookworm
Bezewanst, also known as the High Priest (anime) or High Bishop (light novels), is the main antagonist in Ascendance of a Bookworm seasons 1-3 (or parts 1 and 2 of the light novels). He’s the head of the church (temple) that Myne joins, which follows a polytheistic religion. He’s lustful, corrupt, selfish, and evil.
His story reminds us that just because someone claims to be a righteous servant of God (or gods, in the case of Ehrenfest’s polytheistic religion) doesn’t mean they actually are following God. It’s all about the fruit.
Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV) says:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Bezewanst put himself before others; he tried to harm Myne and her family, he treated his servants poorly, he manipulated children, and he didn’t care for orphans. Ultimately, he did not have good fruit.
Light Yagami: Death Note
In Death Note, Light Yagami has the power to take the life of others by writing their name in a notebook. He starts out as someone seeking justice, desiring to rid the world of criminals and evildoers. During this process, he becomes evil himself, and he decides to become like a god.
There is only one God, and to strive to be like Him in power and authority is prideful. In Genesis, the serpent tempted Eve, trying to convince her to eat the forbidden fruit:
“For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5 ESV).
This sounds a lot like Light Yagami’s desire to “become the god of a new world.”
A desire to be like the Most High in holiness and righteousness is not evil but is encouraged by the Scriptures (Ephesians 5:1–2). But a craving to have God’s power and authority is evil, stemming from the depths of depravity (Proverbs 16:5). God is incomparably great (Psalm 145:3), so it is irrational to attempt to surpass Him…The only reason a creature would want to become its Creator is due to a warped, prideful sense of self-importance.
Light Yagami desired to become a god, which is prideful and impossible.
“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me,” (Isaiah 45:5 ESV).
Isabella: The Promised Neverland
Isabella from The Promised Neverland is quickly outed as a villain. She raises children who trust her and consider her their mother, before giving them to monstrous creatures as food. She’s manipulative and betrays child after child.
Despite the immense cruelty of raising children as livestock, Isabella chooses to do so anyway. Why? She cares more about her life than the lives of others.
She’s willing to raise children and lead them to the slaughter to preserve her own life. The lesson she teaches us is that self-preservation can lead us to selfish, immoral actions.
John 15:13 (ESV) says,
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Christ laid down His life willingly for mankind. Whereas Isabella clung to her life and sacrificed other people’s lives instead of her own, Christ sacrificed His life for us, which is a picture of grace, forgiveness, and mercy. Personally, I’d much rather imitate Christ than Isabella.
Jonas: Sugar Apple Fairy Tale
At the beginning of Sugar Apple Fairy Tale, Jonas is constantly begging the heroine, Anne, to marry him (she doesn’t want to). However, in reality, he’s not actually in love with her and he uses her instead.
Jonas lacks confidence in his abilities and steals Anne’s competition entry, attempting to pass it as his own. This sounds like a classic case of competitive jealousy until you realize that he doesn’t just try to steal her work—he tries to murder her.
Luke 12:15 (ESV) says, “And he said to them, ‘Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'”
Jonas was jealous of Anne’s skill, and he allowed his jealousy to lead him to theft and attempted murder. We should be on guard and not allow covetousness to take hold of our hearts.
Rachel: Tower of God
Rachel from Tower of God does not initially seem like a bad person at all. In fact, she’s the motivation for the main character, Bam. All Bam wants is to find Rachel, and he initially climbs the tower to find her. However, at the end of Season 1, she tries to murder Bam to advance herself.
This plot twist may be extremely unexpected for viewers, but her story reminds us not to allow our desires to override morality. Rachel chose to put herself and her dreams above others, betraying someone who loved and trusted her.
Philippians 2:3 (ESV) says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
We are called to put others first, to “love your neighbor as yourself” (part of Mark 12:31 ESV). Bam nearly lost his life because of her actions. Our desires, our dreams, and our wants should not lead us to harm others.
Conclusion: 5 Anime Villains That Teach a Biblical Lesson
Anime villains make bad choices—there’s no doubt about that—but while their actions are evil, they often inadvertently teach us what not to do in our own lives.
Bezewanst reminds us that our fruit reveals more about our hearts than a religious position. Light reminds us that it’s dangerous (and unwise) to play God. Isabella reminds us that sacrificing ourselves for others is better than sacrificing others. Jonas reminds us that jealousy can lead to many immoral actions. And finally, Rachel reminds us of the dangers of selfishness.
Ultimately, an anime is not a moral guide; God’s Word is. However, stories like these can remind us of God’s truth and point us to Him.
As long as you’re alive, it’s not too late to find redemption, salvation, and forgiveness through Christ (if you’re not sure what that means, click here to learn more). There are so many anime villains in existence, and while some never repent, others do, finding redemption, changing the course of their lives, and making things right with those they’ve wronged.
