Falling for the dark side

A good villain is detrimental for a good story. The antagonist or villain of the story is as important and as good as the protagonist or hero. I have personally read/watched many stories where there wasn’t any balance between the two and either the hero was a very basic/boring character or the villain was nearly unimportant to the story, serving only as a dull obstacle for the protagonist. I also had the honor of reading/watching stories where I was left utterly excited and in pure bliss of the greatness both sides expressed, especially the darker side. I do view antagonists or villains fondly in these stories, but only when they are written just superbly. I have a habit of liking the ‘’bad boys’’ or ‘’bad girls’’ in a story and that can be deeply connected with the human psychology and even superficially connected with the attractiveness such characters usually possess (I will forever fangirl over Mikkelsen’s Hannibal and the class and charisma he expressed).

Why do we like these evil bastards indeed… I had been wondering that ever since I realized my preferences in characters and did some research of my own. Turns out that the things a well written villain or antagonist inspires excites us, makes us relate to them, sometimes even more than the protagonist or hero. First of all, a person that falls into the dark side of humanity is much more human than the ever so ideal noble and morale ‘’hero’’. We understand their angst because it is closer to our inner thoughts. Furthermore, their decision to act in certain ways against the entire world around them, breaking the law and doing as they wish, not caring of the repercussions, inspires a sense of freedom. A very important aspect of a good villain (that I love in any strong character) is conviction. They have a goal and will do everything and anything to achieve it. It is the main reason I mix up my characters in a way that makes you doubt who is good and who is bad.

We also connect with the tragic, sad aspect of a villain or antagonist. Well written characters usually have dark pasts or are survivors of unfortunate circumstances that turned them into who they are. We admire their ability and will to survive and to even avenge the unfairness fallen upon them. The above also leads to a very important code of ethics and beliefs usually expressed by the villain as a counteract of the hero’s own set of beliefs. It makes their existence that much more terrifying and adoring when we find ourselves agreeing with them. A person that certain of their beliefs, so disturbingly right, you can’t help but admire and love, even if their actions are not acceptable by our society.

I would like to mention some of my personal favorites, such as Mad Mikellsen’s Hannibal, Asakura Hao from Shaman king, Makishima Shogo from Psycho Pass, Madara Uchiha from Naruto, Overhaul from Boku no Hero Academia come to mind. There are so many more in the fiction genre.

The characters I have created personally, vary. I do try my best to give my main characters a backup for their actions, ending up mixing who is fundamentally bad or good. You may easily realize who is presented as the ‘’bad guy’’, but as you read on you might get confused, since the motives of each character make sense and end up being neither good nor bad.

At the end of the day we must realize that even if they are nonexistent, truly good written characters are very much like us down to their very core and that is the main reason we love them.

(All opinions above are completely personal and not based in any sources.)

C.T.K.