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Hey there, fellow RWBY fans! As an avid viewer of the series, I’m sure you’ve noticed that RWBY has a knack for creating captivating, complex villains. Unlike the typical one-dimensional, tropey antagonists we often see in other shows, the villains in RWBY boast intricate backstories and unique personalities. In this article, we’re going to take a deep dive into some fan favorite RWBY villains and explore what sets them apart from their more clichéd counterparts. So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let’s get started!
Also note we won’t be spoiling anything from Volume 9 of RWBY since Kat and Tat (founders of All Ages of Geek) will be reacting to the volume. Stay tuned for that over on All Ages of Geek’s YouTube Channel and Patreon. Now let’s get into more RWBY talk!
Roman Torchwick is a fan-favorite villain who first appeared in Volume 1. He’s a suave, charismatic thief with a penchant for making trouble. But what really sets Roman apart from other villains is his personality and backstory.
Roman is the perfect example of a villain who’s simultaneously lovable and detestable. His smooth-talking, flamboyant demeanor is hard not to like, but his criminal activities make it clear that he’s not someone you’d want to cross paths with. In Volume 2, Episode 1 (“Best Day Ever”), Roman’s sarcastic wit and hilarious banter with his henchmen illustrate his undeniable charm, even as he’s orchestrating nefarious schemes.
While we don’t get a complete picture of Roman’s past, we know enough to understand his motivations. In the RWBY: Roman Holiday novel, we learn that Roman was an orphan who grew up on the streets, honing his skills as a thief to survive. This gives him a relatable, human quality that’s rare among villains. His actions aren’t driven by pure evil or a lust for power but by a need to survive and thrive in a harsh world.
Roman’s relationship with his mute partner-in-crime, Neopolitan (Neo), adds another layer of depth to his character. They have a genuine bond, as seen in Volume 3, Episode 11 (“Heroes and Monsters”), when Roman passionately defends Neo against an attacking Grimm. This moment shows that Roman is capable of loyalty and care, further humanizing him and making him a more complex and interesting antagonist.
Cinder Fall, one of RWBY’s primary antagonists, is a woman on a mission. Cunning, calculating, and driven, Cinder has her sights set on obtaining the powers of the Four Maidens. Let’s delve into what makes her such an intriguing villain.
Cinder’s determination and ambition are her most defining traits. She’s ruthless in her pursuit of power and is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. In Volume 3, Episode 7 (“Beginning of the End”), we see just how far Cinder is willing to go when she manipulates Emerald and Mercury into joining her cause.
In Volume 8, Episode 6 (“Midnight”), we finally learn Cinder’s tragic backstory. As a child, she was abused by her stepmother and stepsisters, and her life as a servant left her feeling powerless. This history gives us a better understanding of Cinder’s relentless pursuit of power, as she seeks to ensure she’ll never be vulnerable again.
Cinder’s journey throughout the series is one of the most fascinating arcs among RWBY villains. She starts as a mysterious, enigmatic figure, gradually revealing more of her motivations and backstory as the series progresses. This slow unraveling of her character keeps us invested and intrigued. We see her grow from a seemingly unstoppable force to a more vulnerable, almost desperate figure as she faces setbacks and challenges. This transformation adds depth to her character and makes her journey all the more compelling.
Adam Taurus, the leader of the White Fang’s Vale branch, is another complex villain in the RWBY universe. A staunch advocate for Faunus rights, Adam’s descent into extremism offers a fascinating character study. (Even though I hate the guy, he’s compelling enough to make the list).
Adam is a charismatic leader who can inspire loyalty among his followers. However, his obsession with revenge and his willingness to harm innocent people make him a dangerous and unpredictable adversary. Despite his radical views, there are moments in the series that hint at a more vulnerable side to his character, adding nuance to his role as an antagonist.
Adam’s backstory sheds light on the motivations behind his extreme actions. As a Faunus, he has experienced oppression and discrimination, which fuel his anger and desire for change. However, his methods for enacting change become increasingly violent and radical, ultimately leading to his downfall. This exploration of the line between fighting for justice and embracing extremism creates a thought-provoking and layered villain.
Adam’s darker side is revealed through his abusive and manipulative behavior, particularly towards his former partner, Blake Belladonna. He resorts to gaslighting, a form of psychological manipulation, to maintain control over her and undermine her self-esteem. This emotional abuse, combined with his physical violence, makes him a truly despicable villain. His toxic and harmful actions have long-lasting effects on those around him, illustrating the profound impact that such abuse can have.
Adam’s relationship with Blake Belladonna, a former member of the White Fang and a protagonist in RWBY, adds another dimension to his character. Their turbulent history, marked by feelings of betrayal and resentment, creates a captivating dynamic between hero and villain. The interactions between Adam and Blake throughout the series, such as in Volume 6, Episode 11 (“The Lady in the Shoe”), highlight the complexities of their relationship, adding emotional weight to their eventual confrontation.
Salem, the ultimate antagonist of the RWBY series, is a mysterious and ancient figure with near-godlike power. Her presence looms large over the story, making her a villain that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
Salem’s calm, composed demeanor belies her cruel and malicious nature. She manipulates events from behind the scenes, using her cunning and intelligence to orchestrate chaos and suffering. Her patience and strategic planning make her a formidable foe, and her ability to control and manipulate others adds to her aura of menace.
Salem’s tragic past is revealed in Volume 6, Episode 3 (“The Lost Fable”), where we learn that she was once a young woman who fell in love with a legendary hero, Ozma. After Ozma’s death, Salem pleaded with the gods to bring him back, but her actions led to catastrophic consequences. Her transformation into an immortal being cursed with eternal despair, and her eventual descent into darkness, is a tale of love, loss, and the corrupting power of grief.
As the mastermind behind many of the series’ conflicts, Salem’s influence is felt throughout the RWBY universe. Her machinations and the fear she instills in her subordinates, such as Cinder Fall and the other villains, only serve to heighten her power as an antagonist. Her ultimate goal – to divide humanity and bring about its destruction – is a testament to the depth of her bitterness and despair.
Arthur Watts is a cunning and ruthless former scientist of Atlas, whose allegiance to Salem makes him a dangerous adversary to the heroes of RWBY.
Watts’ refined, intellectual demeanor masks a cold and calculating mind. He’s a master manipulator and tactician, using his technological expertise to wreak havoc and undermine his enemies. His arrogance and condescending attitude make him an easy villain to despise, yet his cunning and resourcefulness command respect.
While not much is known about Watts’ past, it’s clear that his fall from grace as an Atlesian scientist has left him bitter and vengeful. His alliance with Salem seems to be driven by a desire for revenge against those who cast him aside, making his motivations as intriguing as they are sinister.
Throughout the series, Watts plays a key role in executing Salem’s plans, often utilizing his technological prowess to manipulate events and sow discord. His actions in Volume 7, such as sabotaging the city of Mantle and pitting the heroes against each other, showcase his cunning and ruthlessness as a villain.
Tyrian Callows, a sadistic and deranged Faunus assassin, serves as one of Salem’s most fearsome enforcers.
Tyrian’s twisted, chaotic nature makes him an unpredictable and dangerous antagonist. He revels in violence and mayhem, often displaying a perverse joy in causing pain and suffering to others. His fanatical devotion to Salem only adds to his disturbing aura, making him a truly terrifying presence in the series.
Tyrian’s past remains shrouded in mystery, but his actions throughout the series suggest a deeply troubled and damaged individual. His twisted worldview and fanatical devotion to Salem hint at a traumatic past that has warped his sense of morality and loyalty.
Tyrian’s appearances in the series often result in chaotic, high-stakes encounters that leave the heroes reeling. From his clashes with Team RNJR in Volume 4 to his battles in Volume 7, Tyrian proves time and time again that he is a formidable and deadly opponent. His volatile nature and penchant for violence make him an antagonist that the heroes cannot afford to underestimate.
Emerald Sustrai, a skilled thief with the ability to manipulate perception, is a complex and conflicted character who finds herself caught up in the schemes of Salem and Cinder Fall.
Emerald’s tough, confident exterior belies a more vulnerable and conflicted nature. Her loyalty to Cinder stems from the fact that she was saved from a life of poverty and hardship, but her conscience often struggles with the atrocities she’s asked to commit. This inner turmoil makes her a more relatable and sympathetic antagonist compared to her more ruthless counterparts.
Emerald’s past as a street thief is explored in Volume 3, Episode 7 (“Beginning of the End”), where we see her struggling to survive before being taken under Cinder’s wing. This background gives context to her unwavering loyalty to Cinder, as well as her willingness to follow a path that often leads to morally questionable actions.
Emerald’s character arc throughout the series is one of personal growth and self-discovery. As she becomes more entwined in Salem’s schemes and witnesses the horrors they cause, her moral compass begins to waver. Her eventual decision to break away from Cinder and join the heroes in Volume 8 showcases her growth as a character and adds complexity to her role as an antagonist-turned-ally.
The villains of RWBY are a testament to the power of thoughtful character development and storytelling. By giving their antagonists unique personalities, intricate backstories, and relatable motivations, the creators of RWBY have crafted a series with villains who are as compelling as the heroes they face. Salem, Arthur Watts, Tyrian Callows, and Emerald Sustrai are just a few examples of the complex, well-rounded antagonists or bad guys gone good that make RWBY such an engaging and thought-provoking series.
So, fellow RWBY fans, let’s celebrate the incredible storytelling that has gone into creating these unforgettable villains. Their depth and complexity are a shining example of what makes RWBY stand out in the world of animation. Here’s to many more volumes and fascinating antagonists to come!
