Top 10 Best Cartoon Network Villains

1. Aku (Samurai Jack)

   

   Aku is a fictional character and the main antagonist of Samurai Jack, an American animated television series created by Genndy Tartakovsky for Cartoon Network. He is a shape-shifting demon who sends Jack into the distant future to prevent him from defeating him in the past. Aku was originally voiced... read more

   He fought the old gods and nearly ruled the universe. After his initial defeat, he landed on Earth and proceeded to kill humans for centuries before he conquered the planet. He sent the only man who could stop him, Jack (after enslaving his people), into the future to witness what centuries of suffering look like under his rule. He has unlimited power, strength, and knowledge, yet still gets pleasure from seeing others, especially Jack, fail.

   Did I mention he is literally the physical manifestation of Evil? He's black, takes all shapes and sizes, and shoots laser beams from his fiery eyes. Is this even a competition?

   With titles like "Deliverer of Darkness" and "Master of Masters," Aku is undoubtedly evil. Said to be nothing but pure evil, he's ruled the world for thousands of years and enslaved countless people. He's even sent captives to the Pit of Hate or condemned them to a life of slave labor.

   He's an utterly foul being comprised of pure evil, but despite that, his ability to also provide comic relief makes him likeable.

2. Slade (Teen Titans)

   

   Slade is a fictional version of the character Deathstroke in the American animated series Teen Titans. He is the main antagonist of Seasons 1 and 2 and is the archenemy of the Teen Titans, particularly targeting them for reasons initially unknown. He appears as a vision in Season 3 and returns in Season... read more

   Evil. This villain is the embodiment of evil. He has eluded the Teen Titans for so long that I don't think they can touch him. Evil to the core, without one regret, Slade deserves to be the number one Cartoon Network villain.

   The creepiest guy ever. He's definitely not like your average cartoon villain.

   "If you join me, if you swear to serve me, if you never speak to your friends again, I will allow them to live. But if you disobey even the smallest request, I will annihilate them, Robin. And I'll make you watch."

   - Slade

3. Mojo Jojo (The Powerpuff Girls)

   

   Mojo Jojo is a fictional character from the American animated television series, The Powerpuff Girls, created by animator Craig McCracken for Cartoon Network.

   Mojo yearns just to be evil. As a "thorn in the City of Townsville's" side, Mojo is constantly thwarted, bested, and embarrassed by his hero counterparts. Lest we forget, his hero counterparts are a trio of preschoolers.

   Mojo Jojo is Craig McCracken's love letter to supervillains, and we see that echoed in many of the schemes that Mojo has pulled - from gathering all the baddies to form a league of supervillains to reverse-engineering the Powerpuff DNA and making evil twins for the girls. It is Mojo's belief in being evil that makes him such an awesome villain.

   Mojo Jojo is all I like an archenemy to be: menacing, badass, intelligent, wise, cunning, mysterious, dominant, misanthropic, funny, competent, and sophisticated. He's got eyes of revenge against the Powerpuff Girls and would do anything to stop them.

   Another trait I like about Mojo Jojo is that he also uses good manners, even around the people he hates (unless they really piss him off).

4. Katz (Courage the Cowardly Dog)

   

   Katz is a fictional character from the Cartoon Network animated series Courage the Cowardly Dog. He appears frequently as a recurring antagonist. His first appearance was in the episode "A Night at the Katz Motel."

   Sophistication.

   Seriously, this villain was absolutely awesome and badass. So sleek. A sleeker villain won't exist in Cartoon Network history, at least.

   Smooth, suave, and evil. Plus, he has the best theme song by far of any villain.

   Suave, psychotic, evil. What's not to love?

5. Father (Codename: Kids Next Door)

   

   Father is just ruthless. Watch his first appearance. Father is the first villain who ever defeated the KND and turned his children into animals.

   This guy is mean and ruthless. After him, my number two would be Him from The Powerpuff Girls.

   He is the greatest villain that the Kids Next Door ever had to face.

6. Mewtwo (Pokémon)

   

   Mewtwo is a Psychic-type Legendary Pokémon. Designed by Ken Sugimori, it first appeared in Pokémon Red and Blue in 1996.

   Created by Dr. Fuji through gene splicing to clone Mew, Mewtwo is known in game lore as one of the most powerful Pokémon. In later games, it can undergo Mega Evolution into... read more

7. Him (The Powerpuff Girls)

   

   I really think he was more powerful than any of the other villains. CN did a great job on him.

   How is Mojo Jojo above Him? Him is awesome!

   That guy fascinates yet creeps me out. Great villain, probably the only one that has creeped me out.

8. The Joker (The Batman)

   

   The Joker is a fictional supervillain created by Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson, who first appeared in Batman #1, released on April 25, 1940, by DC Comics. Credit for the Joker's creation remains disputed. Both Kane and Robinson claimed responsibility for his visual design, while Finger is... read more

9. X.A.N.A. (Code Lyoko)

   

   While I agree with the idea that Aku is the most well-known, except possibly for Slade, X.A.N.A. was a better villain than all of them. His subtle manipulations are more interesting than the typical world domination archetype.

   He was also relentless and didn't let his enemies live, as he was the only one on this list who actually killed someone - in X.A.N.A.'s case, Franz Hopper.

10. The Beast (Over the Garden Wall)

    

    "Good" villains have some sort of redeeming quality or perhaps some reasoning behind their actions. There's a purpose behind their villainous deeds, so while the actions of the villain are villainous, their intentions are good (at least at first).

    Some classic examples:

    Darth Vader goes to the Dark Side to try to save his wife.

    Lex Luthor is a sociopath and a psychopath, but he honestly thinks everything he does is for the greater good.

    The Illusive Man is xenophobic (to an extreme) and hinders Commander Shepard, all in a bid to save humanity from extinction and ensure humanity's progress in the galaxy.

    So while we know they're the bad guys, we can find a grain of heroism in who they are.

    Not so with The Beast. He is only thinking of himself. He has no grand plans, and he does not care how his actions affect others. He is unfettered, unprincipled, and apathetic unless it concerns his own well-being. The only villain to come close to this kind of evil is the Joker (the Joker at least has a "theme" to his villainy, as horrendous as it is).

    That... thing gave me chills when I first saw it, and I don't know if I'll ever see another villain quite like The Beast for a long time.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Beast Master (Lego Nexo Knights)

    
12. ?

    Simon Laurent (Infinity Train)

    
The Contenders

13. The Lich (Adventure Time)

    

    The Lich, originally named the Lich King in early concepts and the episode "His Hero," is a powerful undead entity and a major antagonist in the American animated television series Adventure Time. In his infant form, he is referred to as Sweet Pig Trunks or Sweet P. The character represents pure evil... read more

    The Lich, simply put, is the twisted manifestation of the raw lack of existence that originated before nothingness itself. He is not an agent of death but the End incarnate. He is not merciless. He simply knows not mercy.

    Upon examining the Lich from a non-subjective standpoint, the utter fear and hopelessness he induces on those that stand in his gruesome path forces the primary protagonists to undergo some of the most strenuous character development ever portrayed in an animated series, even leading the audience to challenge their own perception of reality.

    While it is a shame that the Beast has not attained a higher position on this list, I firmly believe that the Lich ought to be considered the most vicious and unrelenting antagonist to have ever graced the face of modern television - or, at the very least, the "Best Villain" ever conceived by Cartoon Network.

14. Nergal (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy)

    

    Adam Nergal Darski, born Adam Michał Darski on June 10, 1977, in Gdynia, Poland, is a Polish musician and television personality. He is best known as the frontman of the blackened death metal band Behemoth.

    Raised Catholic, Darski began playing guitar at the age of eight. He adopted the stage... read more

    The prototype Slenderman of Cartoon Network who can be funny, hysterical, badass, and just fun to watch! His son, Nergal Jr., is interesting to watch as well.

15. The Kanker Sisters (Ed, Edd n Eddy)

    I think that the Kanker sisters are the best Cartoon Network villains because, unlike other villains who want to take over the world and fail, they are successful when it comes to their goal: torturing the other children of the Cul-De-Sac.

    They're not villains per se, but they definitely harass the Eds to the point that they can be scary.

16. Trigon (Teen Titans)

    

    Trigon is a demon and a comic book character published by DC Comics. He is one of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, having enslaved many worlds. Trigon is best known as the archenemy and father of the Teen Titans member Raven.

17. Vilgax (Ben 10 series)

    

    Vilgax is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists in the American animated TV series and media franchise Ben 10. The franchise was created by Man of Action Studios and produced by Cartoon Network Studios. Vilgax is a powerful alien warlord who repeatedly attempts to steal the Omnitrix and... read more

18. Elmer Fudd (Looney Tunes)

    

    Elmer J. Fudd is a fictional cartoon character and one of the most famous Looney Tunes characters. He is the de facto archenemy of Bugs Bunny. Known for his speech impediment and catchphrase Be vewy vewy quiet, Elmer is typically portrayed as a hapless hunter.

19. Eris (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy)

    

20. Heather (Total Drama Island)

    

    Heather was a camper and the main antagonist in Total Drama Island, where she competed as a member of the Screaming Gophers. She returned in Total Drama Action as part of the Screaming Gaffers. Heather later became a finalist in Total Drama World Tour, representing Team Amazon and gaining a reputation... read more

    Iconic and somewhat beguiling. One of the few true antagonists.

21. Van Kleiss (Generator Rex)

    

    He is the best villain in any cartoon series ever, with Amon and the Beast being close second and third. His mysterious past, cunning, and the fact that he is voiced by Troy Baker make him all the more amazing. It is disappointing that more people have not seen this awesome show.

22. Garrett Bobby Ferguson (Regular Show)

    AAH! It's a giant bearded face! Makes me laugh every time.

23. General Grievous (Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

    

    General Grievous is a fictional character and antagonist in the Star Wars franchise. He served as the Supreme Commander of the Confederacy of Independent Systems' Droid Armies during the Clone Wars. Grievous is voiced by Matthew Wood and first appeared in Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003) before appearing... read more

    I am the leader of the most powerful droid army this galaxy has ever seen!

24. Mandark (Dexter's Laboratory)

    

    Susan "Mandark" Astronomanov is the primary antagonist in the American animated television series Dexter's Laboratory. He is Dexter's rival and nemesis, constantly attempting to sabotage Dexter's scientific achievements and prove himself the superior intellect. Mandark is voiced by actor Eddie Deezen... read more

    Namely going off of Ego Trip, Mandark stole Dexter's ideas, banned all technology, and was blown up, leaving only his brain behind. Of course, there's also his laugh.

25. Rowdyruff Boys (The Powerpuff Girls)

    

26. Rob / Dr. Wrecker (The Amazing World of Gumball)

    

    He's just awesome, the greatest character in this entire series!

    This should be higher because I think he was one of the most complex villains out there.

27. Ice King (Adventure Time)

    

    The Ice King is a central character in the American animated television series Adventure Time, which aired from 2010 to 2018. He is a wizard with the ability to control and generate ice and snow and refers to himself as the ruler of the Ice Kingdom. The Ice King lives in this icy domain alongside a group... read more