The Tales serieshas been around since 1995 building a fanbase for over 25 years. Yet, despite its position as the third most popular JRPG behindFinal FantasyandDragon Quest, it’s remained a relative niche franchise in the West. Even some of their most popular hits likeTales of SymphoniaandTales of Vesperiawhich despite selling well for the series don’t match the box office appeal of aFinal Fantasy.
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WithTales of Arise, however, Namco Bandai has finally gained mainstream appeal with a visually stunning title that moves the franchise forward. Yet, as a whole, it remains faithful to its roots in themes, characterization, and the antagonists. Many of the series’ antagonists don’t have the grandiosity of other JRPGs but they do have believable backstories and motives. That remains in the latest entry but where does it rank among the best villains and antagonists in theTalesfranchise?
10Tales Of Xillia 2 – Victor
Victor is the interdimensional or fractured version of theTales of Xilliaantagonist Ludger. Victor’s future, however, is set eight years ahead of Ludger’s and is the father of the young girl Elle. Victor’s motivations are driven by saving his daughter from a seemingly inevitable fate.
Unfortunately, his goals don’t align with Ludger’s and the two are destined to clash. Victor is more ruthless than the protagonist and is responsible for killing own his friends and brother. This makes him one of the more motivated and cold-hearted villains in the franchise.
9Tales Of Xillia – Gaius
As the main antagonist ofTales of Xillia, Gaius serves as one of the most memorable in the series. However, he doesn’t quite qualify as being a true villain. It’s true that most of the antagonists in theTalesseries have an understandable motivation, Gaius’ worst crime is thinking like a politician.
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He has a single-minded goal of protecting his own people at all costs but this is at odds with Jude and Milla’s goals of saving the spirits. He was, in part manipulated by the Great Spirit Muzet and was redeemed in the end. Furthermore, he returned as an endearing ally inTales of Xillia 2.
8Tales Of Eternia – Shizel
Shizel is the mother of the female protagonist Meredy and the ruler of Celestia inTales of Eternia. Shizel descended into madness after she and her husband were betrayed by their own government and their prejudices. Shizel’s husband the King Balir was killed in an attempt to escape and Shizel descended into madness and destroyed her attackers and everyone else in the vicinity with a power known as the Dark Aurora.
Shizel’s goals became twisted by an interpretation of a dream that Balir had, leading her to bond with an evil entity known as Vatenkeist. In an effort to control the Dark Aurora in her children, Shizel cruelly experimented on Meredy and her brother Hyades. Ultimately, she overcame her possession and sacrificed herself in an effort to stop Vatenkeist’s plan to destroy both worlds.
7Tales Of Vesperia – Duke Pantarei
Duke Pantarei served as both an untrustworthy ally and as the main antagonist inTales of Vesperia. He is often referred to as the hero of the Great War but witnessing humanity’s potential for cruelty and barbarity he lost faith in it.
Duke intends to trade all human life to destroy the Cataclysm known as The Adephagos whereas Yuri and the party are trying to offer the energy source as Blastia in place of humanity. After being defeated, Duke puts aside his extreme views and earns redemption by helping the party to destroy the Cataclysm. He’s not the most menacing villain in the series but he’s one of the most intriguing and complementsa fine cast of characters.
6Tales Of Zestiria – Hedalf
As the most powerful Helion inTales of Zestiria, Hedalf serves as the ultimate villain in the game’s story. Also known as the Lord of Calamity, Hedalf was the general in the Rolance Army that was cursed to a life of eternal solitude by the Shepard Michael.
He grew mad with despair after witnessing his family’s death and despite attempts to end his life, Hedalf accepted the malevolence within him becoming the most powerful Helion in the world. Hedalf pledges to end world suffering by destroying all the humans and Seraphs that exist within it. As a villain Hedalf remained evil and committed to his cause in defeat there was no redemption for him and his hatred for Sorey remained.
5Tales Of Berseria – Artorius
Artorius Collbrande also known as Arthur inTales of Berseriais the main antagonist in the game. Continuing the themes of Arthurian mythology that were featured in itspredecessorTales of Zesteria, Artorius was supposed to be the chosen one and a savior of the world.
Unfortunately, his motivations and views are driven by extremes after the loss of his wife. This loss awakened the hidden sociopath inside Artorius and he became a ruthless and despicable villain hell-bent on ridding the world of its emotions. Additionally, his almost perfect heroic looks proved to be a great contrast to the dark anti-hero that was the protagonist Velvet.
4Tales Of Symphonia – Mithos Yggdrasill
Mithos is revealed to be the villain ofTales of Symphonia, the leader of the evil organization known as Cruxis. He hides behind two personas, the great heroes known as Mithos who sacrificed himself to save the world, and the dark angel known as Yggdrasill.
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Disturbed by the prejudices of humankind which led to the death of his sister, Mithos vows to rid humanity of emotion and feeling and resurrect his sister. He’s completely blinded by his ambitions and even the manifestation of his sister condemned his actions. However, rather than being redeemed, he continues with his goals until Lloyd and the party destroys him once and for all.
3Tales Of Phantasia – Dhaos
As the first major antagonist in theTalesseries, Dhaos remains a fan-favorite to this day. At first, he appeared to be the typical bad guy that’s usually found JRPGs in the 90s. However, his backstory is both well-written and tragic.
He tries to prevent his kingdom from draining the World Tree of Mana knowing that it would destroy the world but led to his own people branding him a Demon King. As a result, he vows to force the world to listen by joining forces with the Demons and raising an army to wage war against the Midgardians. While his motives are just, his quest for vengeance twisted his ideals make for a complex antagonist that would become the blueprint for futureTalesvillains.
2Tales Of Arise – Vholran Igniseri
Tales of Ariseis the most recent entry in the series and will likely introduce a lot of new fans to the series as a whole. With a great game comes an excellent antagonist in Vholran Igniseri. The series has always lacked a really cool and memorable villain to matchFinal Fantasy’s rogue’s gallery.
Tales of Arise’s villain is the closest the series has come to achieving its own Sephiroth. That cool factor will hit home upon his first introduction as the mysterious hooded swordsman. His backstory is similar to that of Alphen as a former slave but unlike the protagonist his views and mind become twisted. Being a polar opposite to Alphen he feels that fighting for justice and freedom is a worthless endeavor making him a true villain and a stand-out for the series.
1Tales Of The Abyss – Van Grants
Even though Van Grants establishes himself as the main villain inTales of the Abyss, his charismatic and likable persona makes him a very memorable villain. He originally served as a mentor to the protagonist Luke teaching him to use the sword and bestowing his wisdom upon him.
Van, the leader of God-Generals was revealed to be far crueler, however, as Luke was revealed to be a clone that was meant to die in the original Luke’s – now known as Asche – place. Van plans to destroy the world and replace it with replications use the power of Absorption Gate. Van is one of the most determined villains in theTalesseries and doesn’t back down from his plans from start to finish. Van’s cruelty doesn’t just extend to his goals, it’s reflected in his treatment of Luke. Van was like a father figure to him but once Luke’s origins were revealed Van mocked and taunted often him referring to him as less than human or a weak copy of Asche.
