#AND!! Dostoyevsky lets his male characters cry!! I love that!

[hamliet]

Who are your top 10 female villains? And your top ten male villains? Thank you!

Oooooh. Well, in this list I am including antagonists (people I see as conflicted/not committed to like, the bad side, if there even is a bad side, but basically oppose the protagonist at some point). Also, they are in no particular order:

Female Villains:

Cersei Lannister (A Song of Ice and Fire)

She's sympathetic enough so that we understand how she came to be the way she is, yet terrifying and depraved enough that we fear for the characters around her. I don't think that's an easy balance to strike for a character: if you make them likable it's hard to keep audiences from rooting for them, but the balance is struck perfectly with Cersei.

Azula (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

As @aspoonofsugar wrote recently on Azula, I think she is a fantastic female villain. I think she is sympathetic despite her actions, and I wish the story had explored her redemption, which was clearly hinted.

Claudia (The Dragon Prince)

The first three seasons have kind of been Claudia's fall. While as a whole I don't think TDP is very well-written, I do think that Claudia, Viren, and Soren's family dynamic is a polished gem of writing that literally carries the story. I fully expect to see redemption for Claudia down the line, but not until she spirals further and further. At the end of season 3, Claudia resorts to killing someone to save her father's life when she has nothing and no one else left, and she makes this choice after her brother Soren (now redeemed himself) chooses to kill their father in front of Claudia, devastating her. Their choices are clear parallels and both are somewhat negative, somewhat sympathetic. Soren can't kill his past: he has to live with it, and Claudia can't cling to the past: she has to let it go.

Delores Umbridge (Harry Potter)

She is awful and I hate her, but you're also supposed to hate her. Her comeuppance is hilarious ad perfect, and just--I think she's a fantastic villain because she reminds every single one of us of an albeit exaggerated version of a teacher we all know.

Karren von Rosewald (Tokyo Ghoul:re)

Karren is TG:re's best written character in my opinion. Her tragic arc takes place throughout the first three arcs, which imo is also the highest point in the series. Karren just wanted to be loved, and if she had to die, at least she got to die as herself. 

Nora (Noragami)

Nora! The reason I read Noragami is pretty much for Nora and her redemption arc. The fandom hates her for... reasons, but she's always been primed for redemption. Her name is in the title (which yes also refers to Yato, etc.) She's important. I wrote a few metas on Nora, notably here.

Enoshima Junko (Danganronpa)

Despair. It's fun to find a character who is, well, just plain fun, but who is also bored, despairing, cruel, and terrifying. She's unique and a brillaint character.

Toga Himiko (Boku no Hero Academia)

I'm not the first one to say that Toga is BNHA's best written female character, but I do agree that she is. She, like Junko, is fun and interesting, and she has an arc that is compelling. Her actions directly move the plot; she’s bloodthirsty and yet uniquely empathetic and compassionate. 

Yoshimura Eto (Tokyo Ghoul)

Eto's backstory and her motivations were fascinating. She was one of the most complex characters in the entire story, and despite the fact that you understood why her father gave her up, you also understood her pain and justified anger at his doing so. She perfectly illustrated the divide between human and ghoul.

Male Villains:

Shigaraki Tomura (Boku no Hero Academia)

BNHA's best-written male character, imo. His backstory and the current chapters that focus on him are extremely well-done, thematic and full of character development, and detailed artistically. He gets so much focus that I can tell he's important to Horikoshi, and I'm excited to see where he goes.

Dabi (Boku no Hero Academia)

I'll admit there's a lot missing here. Namely, we don't know his identity for certain, but it seems basically certain that he's Todoroki Touya; however, we still don't have his backstory. Still, his fury at the presumed father who destroyed his family and yet has the audacity to be a "symbol of hope" is fascinating to me, and I'm excited to see how he develops as well. (Both Shigaraki and Dabi seem primed for some kind of redemption).

Adult Trio: Illumi Zoldyck, Hisoka Morow, Chrollo Lucilfer (Hunter x Hunter)

Am I counting these three as one so that I can get extra characters? Of course I am. In all honesty I really think all three of these antagonists are really well done, sympathetic and/or likable. They're the shadows of the three MCs they foil: for Illumi, Killua, for Hisoka, Gon, and for Chrollo, Kurapika. They represent the traits the three protagonists (sorry Leorio) don't want to acknowledge in themselves, and therefore their encounters with their shadows are particularly thematic and powerful. Also, one doesn't usually kill their shadow, but instead integrates with it, so I highly doubt the three of them will be killed by their respective protagonist.

Meruem (Hunter x Hunter)

Yes, again, HxH. It has great antagonists. But Meruem's development is literally one of the most powerful I've ever read about. I don't know anyone who starts his story not loathing him, hoping he dies, and then by the end of it, ebfore you've even realized it's happening, you're crying for him and Komugi. His arc explores human nature at its finest, most horrific, and ultimately most beautiful.

Furuta Nimura (Tokyo Ghoul:re)

Furuta's a fantastic villain whom I wish got a better ending (not even redeemed really, but just... something more). He was so damaged by the system of an unfair world that he made it his life goal to become the villain and burn the system down, destroy it no matter what it took--and also hoped to destroy himself in the process, as he was born knowing he would die young and longed for it. I wish he had been forced to live.

Mori Ougai (Bungo Stray Dogs)

Mori's utilitarianism is chilling. He's not exactly unlikable, despite being absolutely morally repugnant, and the Beast AU from Asagiri himself shows us that Mori is certainly capable of a positive life and positive change; however, within the canonical story, I don't see that for him. He's been set up IMO as the final boss of the series, and his habit of targeting the most vulnerable (especially children) to control people is almost certainly going to bite Dazai in the ass eventually.

Eren Jaeger (Shingeki no Kyojin)

I can't believe I'm writing this. I don't know what to call Eren: he's the protagonist, and he's sunk to becoming the final boss. While it's possible he, like Furuta and like Lelouch of Code Geass, is playing the villain, I really hope not, as I think the themes are much more powerful if Eren sincerely believes what he proclaims to believe. He's a kid who has always wanted to fight for freedom and for the people around him, and now we're seeing the dark side of those traits, wherein he's destroying the world via genocide to save the people close to him. He's driven by fear and by anger at the cruelty and unfairness of the world, and he's forgotten the beauty of it. I hope Mikasa can  remind him before the end.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (Bungo Stray Dogs)

MY BOY. Look if a character is named after my very favorite real-life author, I must stan. But actually I do think Fyodor is well written and a master manipulator. He's modeled after my favorite character in all of fiction, Dostoyesvky's Demons' Alexei Kirillov. He really seems to want human connection, to live, and has forgotten that empathy is an important and necessary part of both of those. I hope--and think it is likely given BSD's prolific redemption arcs--that he will remember eventually.

Lee Yut-Lung (Banana Fish)

Again,, he's less a villain than an antagonist. Like Ash, the main character, he is a teenage boy betrayed by the people who were supposed to protect him and abused his whole entire life. He's driven by a desperate need to be loved and jealousy that Ash is loved while he is not. His ending, when Sing finally tells him he will in fact be staying by Yut-Lung's side and will help Yut-Lung redeem himself, "because you're in pain... your soul's bleeding, even now" is literally the perfect ending for him.

Jin Guangyao (Mo Dao Zu Shi)

I've written a lot on Jin Guangyao, but he's a walking tragedy. He ties with Wei Wuxian, the protagonist, as my favorite, and the reason is because they are two sides of the same coin--in fact, they're the same side of the same coin. They're not very different, and the fact that he finally at least got empathy in the end and was able to push the person he loved most to safety because of that--well. Brb time to cry.

[winnieyylau]

Reunited, for the last time

Characters/Pairings: Akutagawa Ryuunosuke/Nakajima Atsushi

Summary:  For once, Akutagawa decided to strive for what's important to him.

The Shin-Soukoku ver. of this fic

~~~

“Dazai-san!” Akutagawa shouted as he entered the scene.

Both Akutagawa and Chuuya had rushed to where Fyodor Dostoyevsky―the culprit of all the disasters currently happening in Yokohama―is according to Dazai’s information. Expecting to simply act as a back-up, they didn’t bring more than a troop of men. After all, they were talking about Dazai, who might just be able to solve anything humanly possible.

But they were wrong. Never in a million years would they ever imagine that even the great Dazai Osamu would fail. The sight that welcomed them was quite a horrifying one. The brunet was unsteady on his feet, looking as weak as a kitten. On the other side of the room, there was the Russian guy they’re looking for, lying on the floor and laughing breathlessly. A book and some papers were scattered messily here and there.

The Mafiosos had yet to recover from their shock when Dazai suddenly collapses. Thankfully, the tall blonde guy next to him was quick to catch him. But that didn’t make them feel at ease at all.

Akutagawa was horrified. Though as much as he is concerned about Dazai, it was nothing compared to what the redhead beside him was feeling. Akutagawa glanced at Chuuya from the corner of his grey orbs. Chuuya was silent. He said nothing as he dashed to where Dazai was.

Akutagawa didn’t know why, but watching the side of Nakahara Chuuya that he had never seen before stunned him into silence as well. He stood there unmoving while listening to Dazai’s eplanation about their current situation.

The brunet’s voice was shaky and he was anxiously holding Chuuya’s hand the whole time. It was painful to watch, even for someone like Akutagawa who doesn’t seem to recognize how emotions feel like. But once again, he couldn’t even begin to fathom the pain in the redhead’s chest.

“Chuuya...” said Dazai, sounding uncharacteristically weak, tightening his grip on the other’s hand.

“What is it?”

“Dying alone is really sad, you see? But there isn’t any beautiful lady around.”

“What are you trying to say, mackerel-face?” There wasn’t any sign of venom in his tone.

“I’m thinking that even Chuuya will do for now.” Dazai chuckled. “So, marry me, Chuuya?”

The whole marriage proposal sounded like a joke. That is, if you can even call it a ‘proposal’. Normally, the redhead would shake it off since it’s stupid. But not this time. The look on Chuuya’s face wasn’t that of disgust. Akutagawa wasn’t sure how he’d describe it. All he could say is that Chuuya certainly didn’t seem to hate the idea.

“Say no more, bastard.” Said Chuuya in a voice so soft that anyone besides Dazai could barely hear. He then helped the brunet to stand on his own before giving him a ride on his back. Ready to set off before they were stopped by one of their forgotten spectators.

The dark-haired male was putting on an uneasy look. Seeing the heart-wrenching scene from both of his superior had suddenly reminded him of a certain someone. The person he’d least expected himself to think of in this near-death situation. The person that’s been getting on his nerve these past months. The person that has stolen the attention of his admired superior. The person he should be hating the most : Nakajima Atsushi.

“Wait, Dazai-san!”

“Yes, Akutagawa-kun?” replied Dazai with a limp voice. He gazed at the hand grabbing on his own arm. Then looked back at his ex-subordinate.

Akutagawa’s breathing was uneven. It was simple yet difficult to voice out his thought. But given the situation, he realized it was not worth wasting his time anymore. “Where is... Where is the Man-Tiger?”

Dazai didn’t answer immediately. He’s still as pale as ever, though amusement clearly showed in his eyes. Then a curve of smile formed on the brunet’s lips. “Atsushi-kun is still on the battlefield. No one could stop him so we had not other choice but to leave him behind.”

Akutagawa’s grey orbs widened in disbelief. He then uttered a quick thanks before storming out of the room.

Akutagawa ran down the streets, up the stairs, past the alleyways. Basically all around Yokohama, searching for the whereabout of the Man-Tiger, He didn’t know how long he’s been running. Nor did he care about  his breath running out and the frequent coughing that’s been hurting his throat like hell. All those didn’t matter at the moment.

During all his running, various things related to Nakajima Atsushi flowed through Akutagawa’s mind. Such as what their first encounter was like. And then how Atsushi decided to face him head on for the first time. They beat each other up quite badly and had been on bad terms since then. When they met again after that, they were forced to team up, understand, and even fight alongside each other (though it was mostly schemed by Dazai).

Akutagawa almost laughed at those memories. Any good impression was almost nonexistant between them. So, why does Akutagawa have this kind of feeling toward the Man-Tiger? The kind of feeling which made him longs for the younger guy. Which made him think of what Nakajima Atsushi is doing, who he is with, and where he is when they don’t see one another.

The dark-haired male didn’t know emotions. He cared for no one besides Gin, his sister, and probably Dazai Osamu. But none of them showed Akutagawa how the world in the light looks like the way Atsushi does. That supposed-to-be good for nothing Man-Tiger taught Akutagawa Ryuunosuke how to love.

The Mafioso had reached the central of the town. He looked around. Finding out that the surroundings over there were much more horrible than the rest of the town. The buildings, cars, and streets were wrecked in havoc. Seemed like they were all destroyed with a great force.

Right before Akutagawa took a turn, a loud roar―most likely recognized of a tiger’s―was heard from nearby. The raven-haired speed up his own pace upon hearing that. A few more steps and he finally found what he’s looking for.

“Man-Tiger!” Akutagawa screamed his lung out.

The said younger guy turned around and what Akutagawa saw next broke his heart. All four limbs and the face of Atsushi had turned almost completely into that of a tiger. Ears started growing on top of his head. His teeth slowly turning into canines one by one. The dazzling light in those yellowish purple orbs had started to fade and replaced by sharp glint. He looked at the newcomer as if he wanted to devour him whole.

Without as much of a warning, Atsushi leaped from where he’s standing to Akutagawa. He was even faster than how he usually is on his best day. If Akutagawa hadn’t been quick to react, he might have lost his right arm.

“Get yourself together, Man-Tiger!” The dark-haired male screamed again. But it was futile. No words could enter Atsushi’s mind anymore.

The effect of the Book worked differently for each person. Atsushi’s Beast Beneath the Moon was making him stronger more than his body could handle before slowly turning him into a complete beast. Whilst Akutagawa’s Rashoumon was growing weaker each time he used it. It was already tough for him to keep up with defending attacks from Atsushi, let alone throwing any himself.

And the worst case of scenario just had to happen. Rashoumon stopped reacting all of a sudden. Atsushi took the chance when Akutagawa’s undefended to send him flying with a kick. Causing the older of the two to cough blood.

“Damn... Why does it have to be now?!” Akutagawa grumbled under his breath. At this rate he wouldn’t last any longer. Akutagawa gritted his teeth tightly. Wiped away the blood dripping from his mouth as he used up all the strength he could gather in his body to stand up. Meanwhile, Atsushi was bolting towards him, ready to finish him off.

“For the last time, listen to my order once again,” whispered Akutagawa before shouting, “Rashoumon!”

As soon as the words were spoken, Rashoumon was active again and back in action. It extended from Akutagawa’s coat and captured Atsushi’s limbs. At least he managed to stop Atsushi’s movement for now. Making good use of the little time he had, Akutagawa rushed to the younger gy and smashed him into a hug.

It wasn’t that easy though. Sure, the Man-Tiger is now in Akutagawa’s arms. But he tried to break free violently and roaring nonstop.

“Man-Tiger... no, Atsushi!” he exclaimed. And the said boy miraculously stopped moving. “Come back to your sense, you piece of shit! Who was it that had said he wanted to prove me wrong? That he’d make a bet with me of whether I’d like living in the light? That even someone like me could love like the way you do? You haven’t even seen the result yet and now you’re gonna leave just like that? Like hell I’m letting you do as you please!”

Silence filled the air between them. No one made a sound for god-knows-how-long until Akutagawa felt a stream of tears wetting his coat followed by a hoarse voice saying, “Aku... ta... gawa...”

Akutagawa felt like the burden on his shoulder was finally gone. He released the breath he’s been holding unconsciously. Rashoumon finally retreated and was gone for good. Leaving only the frail body of Akutagawa, who’s started coughing blood again.

“Back at last, huh, Man-Tiger?”

��Akutagawa... Akutgawa...” called Atsushi repeatedly. Tears streaming down his cheek nonstop as he hugged the older guy back.

A fit if coughs interrupted them. Akutagawa clamped one hand over his mouth―staining it with his own blood in the process―while the other stayed at Atsushi’s slender back.

“If I could, Man-Tiger,” said the Mafioso, releasing the younger guy from his hug and cupped his face with both hand. The blood on his hand mixed with Atsushi’s tears as he wiped them away from the latter’s face. “I’d like to see that stupid smile of yours again.”

It was pretty ironic how the usually cold-blooded Akutagawa could only be gentle when he’s on the brink of death.

Atsushi stopped crying and corrected, “Hey, my name isn’t ‘Man-Tiger’.” His tail and the ears on top of his head had grown fully. His face could hardly be called a human’s anymore. It was only a matter of time until he turns completely into a white tiger and dies. Even so, the smile he put on right at that moment was, by far, the most enchanting one Akutagawa had ever seen.

“Oh yeah, that’s right, Atsushi.” Said Akutagawa as he pressed their forehead together. A moment of silence again before the raven-haired’s leg finally gave out and he collapsed on the ground. Earning Atsushi’s worry.

“You alright, Akutagawa?!” Atsushi kneeled down as well to assist him.

“I’m just―” coughing again. “Nah, I’m fine.”

Concern hadn’t leave Atsushi’s expression, leading Akutagawa to find something to distract the younger guy.

“I can’t get used to you worrying about me.”

Atsushi was confused, but soon he realized what the other was trying to do. Having calmed down, the white-haired replied, “The same goes for you. You’re rather talkative today, aren’t you?” He adjusted their position so the both of them could sit comfortably.

“I told you before I’m not the mute type.”

“Still, you’re out of character.”

Akutagawa didn’t respond to that rightaway. His eyelids felt really heavy and his head was spinning like crazy. Though the Mafioso did a great job in hiding it. He kept quiet for a while before saying, “Lend me your lap for a bit.”

Atsushi had yet to answer when the raven-haired casually lays his head on top of his thigh. He might be hiding it well, but the other wasn’t exactly a fool either. Atsushi could, more or less, guess Akutagawa’s current condition already. The glow in his eyes softened as he placed one hand on Akutagawa’s forehead and played with his hair. Being extra careful not to hurt him with his claws.

“See? You’re at it again.”

“Yeah, whatever, Man-Tiger.” Answered Akutagawa, letting the former do as he likes and slowly closing his grey orbs.

“Why do you call me that again?”

“Can’t shake off the habit. So you’ll have to bear with it.”

“I wouldn’t want to get used to it if we have to stay together for a long period of time.”

Akutagawa was coughing up more blood again before answering. “Now that I think about it, I saw Dazai-san ‘proposed’ to Nakahara-san before coming here.”

“Wow, for real?” A look of surprise from Atsushi as he chuckled. “I don’t think they’d ever gone to such length given the normal occasion.”

Akutagawa snorted, eyes still closed. “I’d say the same for us.”

“Yeah, right. We’re nothing compared to those two though.” Atsushi moved his hand to stroke Akutagawa’s face. “All we’ve done is trying to kill each other.”

“I wouldn’t deny that.” Akutagawa’s voice sounded limp. Almost as bad as Dazai’s that he had heard a while ago.

“Oh, I should have finish you off just now. It was such a good chance.” Said the white-haired male jokingly.

“Shut up, Man-Tiger!” scoffed the older accompanied by another fit of coughs. “But I’d rather die by your hands than any other jerk though. Not even Dazai-san’s.”

“There you go about Dazai-san again.” Atsushi laughed. “I guess I’m kinda flattered to hear that?”

Akutagawa reached out his hand to hold Atsushi’s. “You should. Think of it as an honor.”

“Okay, okay. As long as you’re satisfied, yeah?” No answer. “Akutagawa?” Still no answer. No more answer from the Mafioso.

Akutagawa didn’t respond anymore. Warmth slowly left his body. His grip on Atsushi’s hand loosened gradually. Atsushi knew what was going on already. He kept calm and said nothing as he held the other closer to him. He stayed there unmoving as the time passed.

The next day, the government sent a team to Yokohama in order to investigate things regarding the incident. At the central of the town, they found the body of the lifeless Mafioso, Akutagawa Ryuunosuke along with an unidentified corpse of white tiger in his arms.

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