In anime storytelling, villains often shine as brightly as the heroes, sometimes becoming the most unforgettable aspects of a series. Following the exceptional success of Solo Leveling season 2, fans have reignited their interest not only in Jinwoo but also in his former foe, Beru. This character, known for his impressive speed, strength, and commanding presence, was initially portrayed as an indomitable threat until Jinwoo made his entrance.
Even though Jinwoo managed to defeat Beru within moments, the latter’s role as a formidable adversary in the Solo Leveling universe should not be underestimated. Beru’s intense character added excitement to the narrative, but it’s essential to acknowledge that the anime landscape is abundant with villains who eclipse Beru in strength, intellect, and destructive capabilities. From strategic warlords to literal deities, numerous adversaries have raised the stakes far higher than what Beru could achieve.
10
Meruem: The King of Superior Intelligence and Power
Hunter x Hunter
Meruem, known as the Chimera Ant King from Hunter x Hunter, stands out as one of the series’ most formidable characters. Like Beru from Solo Leveling, he was born of a queen, but unlike the devoted Shadow Soldier, Meruem’s birth was forced—resulting in his mother’s death. This fundamental difference shapes their personalities and approaches to power; Meruem quickly claimed his right as King, whereas Beru remained subservient to his Queen until her demise.
Meruem’s exceptional intelligence, combat skills, and capacity to adapt during battles empower him to grow stronger with each encounter. In contrast to Beru, who follows Jinwoo’s orders and depends on brute force, Meruem hones his skills dynamically, defeating even the strongest Nen users like Netero. While Beru is undeniably fierce, Meruem’s intellect, ambition, and capacity for endless improvement position him as the superior king.
9
Madara Uchiha: The Shinobi Who Conquered All
Naruto: Shippuden
Madara Uchiha represents one of the most legendary and overpowering villains in anime history. Armed with the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and Rinnegan, he unleashes devastating jutsu that can cause widespread destruction. During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Madara summoned meteors capable of eradicating entire armies, showcasing power levels far beyond Beru’s.
Additionally, his Perfect Susanoo—a colossal armored entity—boasts impenetrable defenses and can sever mountains with ease. Madara has battled against legions of shinobi alone, fortified by immense chakra reserves, rapid regeneration, and battlefield supremacy. It is evident that even a powerful Shadow Soldier like Beru stands no chance against the legendary Uchiha.
8
Acnologia: The Dragon King Who Instills Fear
Fairy Tail
Acnologia, the Dragon King of Destruction in Fairy Tail, is a figure whose mere name strikes terror in all dragons. Unlike Beru, who is a powerful Shadow Soldier, Acnologia embodies an apocalyptic force, annihilating everything that dares to stand in his way. His Dragon Slayer Magic allows him to consume magic and obliterate entire landmasses with ease. In the series’ climactic battle, it took every Dragon Slayer—including Natsu—to finally take him down.
While Beru showcases exceptional speed and power, Acnologia’s resilience against the most potent attacks from mages and dragons underscores his supremacy. Unlike Beru, who operates within constraints of command, Acnologia acts purely on a desire for chaos, establishing him as a vastly greater menace.
7
Father: A Mortal Who Achieved Near-Omnipotence
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
In the world of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Father transcends Beru in power, intellect, and his manipulation of reality. After absorbing the energy of an entire nation, he can defy natural laws. While Beru relies on raw power and immediate combat skills, Father showcases far-reaching abilities: nullifying alchemy, creating matter from nothing, and effortlessly surviving catastrophic injuries.
Father’s potential allows him to reshape his environment, absorb souls for power, and regenerate from even the most severe wounds. Meanwhile, Beru is constrained to physical strength and combat prowess, which leaves him significantly disadvantaged when matched against someone capable of reality alteration. In a confrontation with an entity that can instantly erase threats and manipulate existence itself, Beru would find it insurmountably challenging to prevail.
6
Aizen: The Conqueror of Hueco Mundo
Bleach
Aizen stands out as an anime villain that exists in a realm of his own, surpassing the limitations of an ordinary Shinigami to achieve immense power. His Kyoka Suigetsu presents absolute hypnosis, allowing him to manipulate entire battalions into combatting illusions while he remains unharmed. In addition, his overwhelming spiritual pressure, regenerative abilities, and near-immortality make him a nearly indestructible force, able to contend with some of the strongest characters in Bleach effortlessly.
One of his most significant accomplishments includes taking dominion over Hueco Mundo, the land of Hollows—an ultimate threat to Shinigami. When Ichigo, the main protagonist, had to sacrifice all his powers for their final confrontation, it became apparent just how formidable Aizen truly is.
5
Sukuna: The King of Curses Without Equal
Jujutsu Kaisen
Sukuna, revered as the King of Curses, easily surpasses Beru in both strength and authority. His cursed energy is formidable, enabling him to wreak havoc on structures, slice opponents from considerable distances, and heal almost instantly from severe wounds. Even when facing special-grade adversaries like Mahoraga, known for their adaptability, Sukuna has consistently demonstrated why he is feared as the strongest entity within his universe.
Moreover, Sukuna’s techniques render evasion nearly impossible, placing Beru at a severe disadvantage as he primarily relies on his swiftness. His Domain Expansion, Malevolent Shrine, establishes a wide-range slashing effect that guarantees the success of his attacks. With superior intellect and tactical acumen to boot, Sukuna presents an overwhelming challenge. While Beru holds a reputation as a fierce combatant, he would be ill-equipped to withstand the precise and unavoidable onslaught from Sukuna.
4
Beerus: The Friendly God of Destruction
Dragon Ball Z
Beerus, the God of Destruction, wields divine might that places him on an entirely different plane compared to Beru. Despite his villainous nature, Beerus commands fear and respect, possessing the capability to erase anything from existence, travel faster than light, and obliterate planets with a mere flick of his hand. In Dragon Ball Z, Goku’s entire team on Earth had to appease him with lavish hospitality to evade global annihilation.
After his transformation into a Super Saiyan God—an ultimate form beyond mortal comprehension—Beerus treated their battle as a mere warm-up. In this light, while Beru symbolizes a daunting predator, Beerus represents a cosmic calamity capable of effortlessly eradicating entire civilizations.
3
Rimuru Tempest: An Unyielding Force in Disguise
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Following his transition into Jinwoo’s shadow, Beru emerges not as a traditional villain but as a devoted warrior; nevertheless, his immense strength is irrefutable. Similarly, Rimuru, the leader of the Tempest Federation, embodies kindness and warmth, yet to his foes, he becomes a formidable force of ruin. When his domain was threatened, Rimuru showed no mercy, annihilating thousands of adversaries and revealing a heartless potential akin to the most notorious villains.
Rimuru’s extraordinary abilities to absorb and evolve position him among the most unstoppable entities in anime. He possesses the power to erase opposition in seconds, and his efficiency in combat is what fuels the obsession with his character. While he governs with fairness and values his allies, enemies only see him as an overpowering, god-like adversary.
2
Dio Brando: An Evil That Defies Mortality
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Dio Brando emerges as a remorseless, cruel vampire whose ambitions are centered on dismantling the Joestar family and seizing control of the world. Even beyond death, his influence lingers, orchestrating turmoil and sowing discord for generations. Driven by an unyielding thirst for power and immortality, Dio’s aspirations lead him to covet godhood, aspiring to create “Heaven”according to his vision and reign supreme. His presence commands so much fear that even other villains like Gray Fly revere him as a dark messiah, worshipping him as the epitome of evil.
Dio’s tragic upbringing in London’s slums under an abusive father does not excuse the brutality he adopted. Given the opportunity for redemption under George Joestar’s care, he chose the path of domination. His unquenchable thirst morphed him from a depraved human into an immortal vampire capable of manipulating time itself. Through his rivalry with Jonathan Joestar and the climactic showdown with Jotaro Kujo, Dio stands as a lasting embodiment of ambition and wickedness.
1
Kars: The Indestructible Villain
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
Alongside Dio Brando, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure showcases a range of not just heroes but also some of the most nefarious villains. Kars, the leader of the Pillar Men, has ascended to become the Ultimate Life Form through the power of the Red Stone of Aja. Functionally immortal, he has the power to regenerate from severe injuries, exhibiting superhuman intellect and complete mastery over his own entity. Contrary to Beru, who can succumb under favorable conditions, Kars is impervious to conventional destruction.
He can generate organic weaponry from his own body, shapeshift, and endure in the vacuum of space, showcasing his superiority over human limitations. His tactical brilliance rivals his physical might, allowing him to outsmart and overpower opponents with ease. Although Beru portrays exceptional combat abilities, Kars represents a being without vulnerability, establishing him as one of the most formidable villains in anime history.