~Honorable Villains~

This is a club for those we love to hate; the evil yet somehow appealing bad guys. Like them or not, their stories would be a lot less enjoyable without them. There are the suave manipulators, the troubled psyches, the maniacs who are out to destroy the world, and the tricksters who just want to keep the heroes on their toes. Whatever the category, villains are in a league of their own and should be praised for it! Here is where anime fans can pay respects to their favorite antagonists, villains, anti-heroes, and the like. It’s good to be bad. <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Welcome!</strong><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Club Stuff:</strong><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><div class="spoiler"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.nextSibling.nextSibling.style.display='block';this.style.display='none';" value="Show spoiler"> <span class="spoiler_content" style="display:none"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.parentNode.style.display='none';this.parentNode.parentNode.childNodes[0].style.display='block';" value="Hide spoiler"><br>Here are some lovely userbars by member <!--link--><a href="http://myanimelist.net/profile/Simbelmyne">Simbelmyne:</a> <img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn13/pyrefly114/userbaner_sephitach_copy211.jpg" border="0"> <img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn13/pyrefly114/userbar_dante160.jpg" border="0"> <img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn13/pyrefly114/userbar_vincent_copy179.jpg" border="0"> And some banners by <!--link--><a href="http://myanimelist.net/profile/milky-manga">milky-manga:</a> <img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn13/pyrefly114/Lighthonorablevilliansbanner1-2.png" border="0"><img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn13/pyrefly114/Lighthonorablevilliansbanner2-1.png" border="0"> <img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn13/pyrefly114/lucyhonorablevilliansbanner1-1.png" border="0"><img src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn13/pyrefly114/lucyhonorablevilliansbanner2-1.png" border="0"> (If you like using Photoshop and want to make userbars/banners/etc. for the club, go ahead and PM me with them!)<!--center--></div><!--spoiler--></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;">Browsing through our character list, you may find some people who you don't believe count as "villains." This is because "villain" is actually a pretty general term. Here is a list of common antagonistic archetypes:<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><div class="spoiler"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.nextSibling.nextSibling.style.display='block';this.style.display='none';" value="Show spoiler"> <span class="spoiler_content" style="display:none"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.parentNode.style.display='none';this.parentNode.parentNode.childNodes[0].style.display='block';" value="Hide spoiler"><br><strong>Villain</strong>: "A cruelly malicious person who is involved in or devoted to wickedness or crime, or a character in a play, novel, or the like, who constitutes an important evil agency in the plot." These are your general "evil" characters. They aren't intended to get any sympathy from the audience, though the best ones are given nice character development (the only reason we like these guys...is because we're just weird). <strong>Antagonist</strong>: “Character in a work of fiction who is against that which the main character or protagonist contends.” Is usually presented as the evil villain, but this is not always the case (such is why you see both Light and L from <em>Death Note</em> on the character relations list; Light is the evil protagonist, L the heroic antagonist). <strong>Anti-hero</strong>: “A central character in a story, film or play who lacks the conventional heroic qualities seen in the archetypical hero.” Morally ambiguous, technically fighting on hero’s side but has questionable motives. Sometimes also takes the role of the protagonist. The audience is often meant to sympathize with his character. Tends to overlap with anti-villain, but his intentions can be seen as more admirable. <em>Kingdom Hearts’</em> Riku is an anti-hero. <strong>Anti-villain</strong>: “A character in a film, drama or literary work who pursues undeniably villainous ends, but employs methods that are arguably noble in order to advance his interests.” Opposite of anti-hero, also morally ambiguous but seems to fight on villain’s side or take villain’s role. These are tougher to find than anti-heroes, but a prime example is Michael Corleone from <em>The Godfather.</em> <strong>Archenemy</strong>: “The principal enemy of a character in a work of fiction.” As far as the hero is concerned, he is the baddest of the bad. In <em>Final Fantasy VII</em>, Sephiroth is Cloud’s archenemy; they both want nothing more than to see each other dead. <strong>Supervillain</strong>: “Whereas superheros often wield fantastic powers, the supervillain possesses commensurate powers and abilities so that he can present a daunting challenge to the hero. Even without actual magical or superhuman powers, the supervillain often possesses a genius intellect that allows him to draft complex schemes or create fantastic devices." The only difference between superhero and supervillain is the characters' intentions. <em>Naruto’s</em> Akatsuki members are supervillains, as well as <em>Pokemon’s</em> Team Rocket. <strong>Dark Lord</strong>: “He is often depicted as a diabolical force, and may, indeed, be more a force than a personality. The effects of his rule often assert malign effects on the land as well as his subjects. A Dark Lord is usually depicted as the ultimate personification of evil, and often commits atrocities that make common people afraid to speak their very names.” An obvious example is Sauron from <em>Lord of the Rings.</em> <strong>Mad scientist</strong>: “May be villainous, benign or neutral, and whether insane, eccentric, or simply bumbling, mad scientists often work with fictional technology in order to forward their schemes, if they even have a coherent scheme.” Not to be confused with “evil genius.” Any sort of obsessive behavior involving scientific research qualifies a mad scientist. <strong>Evil twin</strong>: “Physical copy of the protagonist, but with a radically inverted morality.” Pretty self-explanatory. Diva is evil twin to Saya in <em>Blood+</em>. <strong>Tragic villain</strong>: “A character, usually an antagonist, that does not truly intend to be evil. They are perhaps misled or not entirely in control of their feelings and/or actions, or pursuing morally ambiguous logic.” Also known as a sympathetic villain, he is more a victim of circumstance than anything. <strong>Trickster</strong>: “The trickster, in later folklore or modern popular culture, is a clever, mischievous person or creature, who survives in a dangerous world through use of trickery.” The trickster is not really evil at all, but more of a nuisance who sometimes has comedic qualities. Nagi Homura from <em>My-HiME</em> is an example of a trickster. <strong>Femme fatale</strong>: “An attractive and seductive but ultimately dangerous woman.” Uses her charms to achieve villainous means. Older versions of Catwoman, for example. She can also be more of an anti-heroic figure, like EVA from <em>Metal Gear Solid 3</em>.<!--spoiler--></span></div><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Ongoing: MAL Villains Tournament</strong><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;">Round 1<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><div class="spoiler"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.nextSibling.nextSibling.style.display='block';this.style.display='none';" value="Show spoiler"> <span class="spoiler_content" style="display:none"><input type="button" class="button" onClick="this.parentNode.style.display='none';this.parentNode.parentNode.childNodes[0].style.display='block';" value="Hide spoiler"><br>Winners in <span style="color:blue">blue.<!--color--></span> <strong>Match 1</strong> <span style="color:blue">Hollow Ichigo<!--color--></span> Mitsuomi Takayanagi <span style="color:blue">Lust<!--color--></span> Amshel Goldsmith<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 2</strong> Yukishiro Enishi Johan Liebert <span style="color:blue">Ichimaru Gin<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Hecate<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 3</strong> Darcia <span style="color:blue">Monou Fuuma<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Creed Diskenth<!--color--></span> Fate Testarossa<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 4</strong> Dietrich von Lohengrin <span style="color:blue">Kaguya Kimimaro<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">C.C.<!--color--></span> Kazutaka Muraki<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 5</strong> <span style="color:blue">Lucy<!--color--></span> Siegfried <span style="color:blue">Sohma Akito<!--color--></span> Yoite<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 6</strong> <span style="color:blue">Kimbley<!--color--></span> Stark Il Palazzo <span style="color:blue">Yagami Light<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 7</strong> <span style="color:blue">Hoshigaki Kisame<!--color--></span> Kirakishou <span style="color:blue">Revy<!--color--></span> Hisoka<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 8</strong> <span style="color:blue">Aion<!--color--></span> Seto Kouzaburou Ladd <span style="color:blue">Kadaj<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 9</strong> <span style="color:blue">Naraku<!--color--></span> Nnoitra Rau le Creuset <span style="color:blue">Hidan<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 10</strong> <span style="color:blue">Enma Ai<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Cain Nightroad<!--color--></span> Dakki Tyki Mikk<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 11</strong> Marik Ishtar <span style="color:blue">Vegeta<!--color--></span> Xellos <span style="color:blue">Kururugi Suzaku<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 12</strong> Meier Link <span style="color:blue">Aoyagi Seimei<!--color--></span> X (Sai) <span style="color:blue">Mello<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 13</strong> Szayel Aporro Grantz <span style="color:blue">Sesshoumaru<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Alucard<!--color--></span> Hojo<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 14</strong> <span style="color:blue">Carl<!--color--></span> Kanone Hilbert <span style="color:blue">Krad<!--color--></span> Barasuishou<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 15</strong> Orochimaru <span style="color:blue">Ryuk<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Aizen Sousuke<!--color--></span> Sakurazuka Seishirou<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 16</strong> Vino Yakushiji Tenzen <span style="color:blue">Road Kamelot<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Mikami Teru<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 17</strong> <span style="color:blue">Schneizel el Britannia<!--color--></span> Jack Simon <span style="color:blue">Envy<!--color--></span> Zepia Eltnam Oberon<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 18</strong> <span style="color:blue">Zaraki Kenpachi<!--color--></span> Alex Rowe <span style="color:blue">Lelouch Lamperouge<!--color--></span> Uchiha Sasuke<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 19</strong> <span style="color:blue">Vicious<!--color--></span> Zhijun Wei Anemone <span style="color:blue">Reno<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 20</strong> <span style="color:blue">Diva<!--color--></span> Sailor Galaxia <span style="color:blue">Sephiroth<!--color--></span> Dilandau<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 21</strong> <span style="color:blue">L<!--color--></span> Ophelia Medusa <span style="color:blue">Kuchiki Byakuya<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 22</strong> <span style="color:blue">Archer<!--color--></span> Tanimoto Natsu Kanoe <span style="color:blue">Makoto Shishio<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 23</strong> Zelman Clock <span style="color:blue">Millennium Earl<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Uchiha Itachi<!--color--></span> Jagara<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 24</strong> Karasu <span style="color:blue">Priscilla<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Suigintou<!--color--></span> Shonen Bat<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 25</strong> Yuto Kigai <span style="color:blue">Laughing Man<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Viral<!--color--></span> Sakujun<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 26</strong> Takano Miyo Neliel Sasori Kousuke Asazuki<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 27</strong> <span style="color:blue">Scar<!--color--></span> Yakushi Kabuto <span style="color:blue">Kuroudo Akabane<!--color--></span> Count D<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 28</strong> <span style="color:blue">Deidara<!--color--></span> Bankotsu <span style="color:blue">Ulquiorra<!--color--></span> Ryuto Asamiya<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 29</strong> Gauron <span style="color:blue">Kagura<!--color--></span> Kougaiji <span style="color:blue">Greed<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 30</strong> Treize Khushrenada <span style="color:blue">Grimmjow<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Schuldich<!--color--></span> Keith Anyan<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 31</strong> Knives Millions Yura <span style="color:blue">Takasugi Shinsuke<!--color--></span> <span style="color:blue">Momochi Zabuza<!--color--></span><!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Match 32</strong> Anotsu Kagehisa Rosiel Suitengu Chouji Youji Sagan<!--center--></div><!--spoiler--></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Weekly Pic Winners:</strong> 1. Yagami Light 2. Alucard 3. Sephiroth 4. Ulquiorra 5. Grimmjow<!--center--></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:red"><strong>NOTE:</strong><!--color--></span> <span style="font-size: 200%;">ROUND TWO<!--size--></span> of the Villains Tournament now has a target start date of <strong>August 25.</strong> This is my goal but is of course subject to change.<!--center--></div> <!--center--></div><!--center--></div>