There's plenty of things to be afraid of in anime. A tsundere's punch. A 90's dub. A thirteen-episode filler arc. However, ruling anime terror above all else is Japan's expressive and eclectic designs for demons. A culture that not only pulls from a variety of different cultural sources but has dark, twisted ones of its own, Japan and, of course, anime have created some of the most terrifying incarnations of demonic forces ever to make heavy metal bands jealous.

From this, decades of content have created a variety of iconic and powerful demons that have acted as both immense foes and beloved main characters. Putting them side by side, however, this list just can't help but think of who would really rule the anime underworld. Let's find out.

Updated by Brianna Albert on March 31st, 2021: Anime deals with the supernatural often— and it's no surprise that demons are one of the most frequently appearing entities in many series. Whether they were walking in the light or were shaded by the dark, demons were popular in many anime from the 2000s and 2010. Although the hype around them has dwindled somewhat, they are still in certain popular anime such as Demon Slayer. No matter if they truly "good" or "bad," these 15 demons have had some kind of impact on fans— whether they're hated or loved by the fandom, they are definitely some of the strongest ones in anime.

15 Nura Rikuo (Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan)

Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan

Nura Rikuo is nothing but an average human— or at least that's what everyone thinks. He's actually part yokai as well, and he happens to transform into one at night. Although he doesn't wish to become the next head of the Nura Clan, he can't run from his destiny.

When Nura is in his yokai form, he is one of the strongest demons in the series. He has great sword skills, knowledge of tactics, and kindness which causes him to help not only demons but humans.

14 Albedo (Overlord)

Albedo Smiling Overlord

Albedo is a succubus who also happens to be one of the strongest demons in Ainz's circle. Acting as the right-hand woman for him— and also harboring an obsessive love for him because of him messing with her settings— Albeo also happens to be arguably one of the strongest Floor Guardians in the Tomb of Nazarick.

Although she can be seen mostly fawning over Ainz, when she is required to show her strength, she shows her sword skills and battle smarts against various enemies whenever she's needed.

13 Diablo (How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord)

Diablo, Shera and Rem from How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord

Diablo was a player inside a game who buffed his character to oblivion, but unbeknownst to him, this also caused him to become one of the strongest Demon Lords in the game he was summoned in.

Not only does he have various spells, items, and tactics, but he also doesn't have to do nearly as much to inflict damage on his enemies. He can even defeat other Demon Lords with ease because of all of the knowledge he gained throughout playing in the real world.

12 Kaiser De Emeprana Beelzebub IV (Beelzebub)

Kaiser de Emeprana Beelzebub IV

Starting off this list is a nightmare for babysitters all around. The son of a demon lord and the burden of one, high-school ogre, Baby Beel is proof that not everything is as it seems. Behind that pacifier and crying eyes is a potential ruler of the underworld sent to destroy all of humanity.

His abilities include shocking his enemies (and Toga), creating flooding amounts of pee, changing his size, incredible strength and fighting acumen, and his special "Super Milk Time," which allows him to synchronize abilities and strength his brutal protector. He really is a kid that people don't want growing up too fast.

11 Sadao Maou (The Devil is a Part-Timer)

maou sadao working at Wcdonalds

While not much is known about his base abilities, Sadao was once "Demon King Satan," a powerful demon lord who used his strength, cunning, and power to annex all demons in the Demon Realm, uniting them under one banner. However, not one to be easily satisfied and needing to satiate the needs of his people, Sadao would set his sights on Enta Isla.

While his rampage would prove fruitful for a while, a mysterious hero arrived to end his reign and send him running to another dimension. The Demon King is not easily discouraged, however. Proving his place as one of the best demons around, he would soon set course on his new journey through the ranks of fast food. Beware his ensuing conquest.

10 Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)

Black Butler Sebastian

Providing service with a grim smile, Sebastian Michaelis is one butler who can get any stain out of the carpet. Crumbs. Wine. The blood of his enemies. Anything. He is a loyal, tactile, and powerful beast capable of taking on earthly enemies with the most beautiful grace.

However, if the situation ever called for it and his lord was in dire danger, Sebastian will pull out his full demonic form and shred the crumbling limbs of anyone who ever dared to step off-screen.

9 Inuyasha (Inuyasha)

Inuyasha From Inuyasha

For many anime fans growing up in the early 2000s, Inuyasha was more teenage heartthrob than a bloodthirsty demon. However, behind that cute smile are vicious fangs ready to sink into anyone who dares stand to oppose him or his mistress, Kagome. Wielding his mighty, demonic blade Tessaiga, Inuyasha is able to fend off other demons with ease and challenge master sword fighters with aggressive power.

With his more primal, demonic powers, he's also gifted with superhuman strength and senses, showing foes what the "Inu" in his name means with his hound-like rampages. With the added bonuses of being able to weaponize his blood and transform into a full-fledged demon, he's constantly proving why he's one of the most infamous beasts in anime.

8 Rin Okumura (Blue Exorcist)

Rin Okumura Blue Exorcist

Rin Okumura was once just a normal, high school student until the death of his father revealed that he totally wasn't. Rin is the literal spawn of Satan, raised in a world where priests wield guns and Catholic schools teach kids how to hunt demons. Rin, however, isn't exactly one to follow the family business, as he dedicates his life to growing strong enough to avenge his adopted father's death.

To do so, he uses his Satan's Blue Flames as one of his primary modes of attack, controlling his fire with ease and using them to burn enemies while keeping friends unharmed. This ability is further accentuated with his blade Kurikara, a sword that can both contain his powers as well as channel them for slashing attacks.

7 Akira "Devilman" Fudo (Devilman Series)

Akira Devilman Crybaby

Akira Fudo was once just a weak, timid boy whose talents resided behind reading. However, that all changes when he summons the power of the incredible demon Amon and transforms into a walking apocalypse with anime hair. Balancing the differing incarnations between the original anime and the Netflix adaptation, Akira as Devilman is imbued with various demonic powers.

There's the typical run around of incredible strength and speed, physical enhancements that allow for some incredibly visceral combat, and then there's the more abstract abilities, such as wielding lightning and energy bolts, flight, and a belt buckle that acts as a Batarang.

6 Raizen (Yu Yu Hakusho)

Raizen Yu Yu Hakusho

Yu Yu Hakusho defines everything to love within a Shounen anime. It has stoic characters, epic fights, tons of tournaments, and plenty of power moves. Even as its heroes get stronger, it revels in the idea that there's always a stronger beast somewhere in the underworld.

However, not one has surpassed the likes of the most powerful Demon King of old, Raizen, a demon who embodies the same balance of rage and sincerity as Yusuke but with a more infamous degree. If he hadn't gone cold turkey on eating humans, Raizen would've outclassed his Demon King peers instead of just being on their level.

5 Meliodas (The Seven Deadly Sins)

Meliodas Seven Deadly Sims

Meliodas has proven in more than one occasion why "Wrath" is the most powerful sin of all. Even without summoning his demonic powers, Meliodas is an overpowered knight of his kingdom, adept with incredible strength and speed as well as a high class of sword talent.

Even with a weakened sword, he is capable of using his ability, "Full Counter," to just reflect the attacks and abilities of his enemies at ease, which is just cheating at every sense of the word. However, to make him more of a monster, Meliodas is also of demon kin, capable of summoning a black aura that only furthers his strength and reach.

4 Etherious Natsu Dragneel (Fairy Tail)

Etherious Natsu Dragneel Fairy Tail

Spoiler Alert for anyone who has yet to catch up with Fairy Tail: Natsu Dragneel is not only the resurrected little brother of Zeref Dragneel, but he's also designed to be the strongest of the demons in the Books of Zeref, a growing monster nurtured to one day kill the dark wizard himself.

Natsu, of course, already has his monstrously strong Dragon Slayer abilities, which allow him to both manipulate fire as well as consume it (among other things) to harness its strength. With his mage, dragon, and demon abilities together, Natsu is capable of becoming a near, unstoppable beast.

3 Muzan Kibutsuji (Demon Slayer)

Muzan Kibutsuji from demon slayer (2)

Muzan Kibutsuji wasn't called the Demon King for no reason. As the man behind not only Nezuko and the murder of countless people, he has immense power in his corner as the first of his kind and the progenitor for every demon in existence.

Coldhearted and wicked, Muzan seems to have no weakness for the majority ofDemon Slayer.He's fast, strong, and commands respect— as well as fear— from humans and demons alike.

2 Kurama (Naruto)

Kuruma & Naruto

Ranking at the top of this list is a monster among men, Shounen heroes, animation, and other monsters. Kurama is the embodiment of all the edginess and darkness lurking within all of us...but, more precisely, a lot of chakra aggregated with personality. He is the infamous Nine-Tailed Fox, the strongest of the lost pieces of the Ten-Tails who once wreaked havoc on the ninja lands.

While within Naruto Uzumaki, Kurama granted him superhuman abilities, regenerative power, a lot of chakra, and, for some reason, laser beams. However, best of all his powers, he carries the Tailed Beast Bomb, a large orb of chakra that essentially acts as a nuclear head. Kurama embodies all the metaphors, power, and terror anyone could ever want out of a demon; and for that, he gets the top spot on this list.

1 Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Jujutsu-Kaisen-Sukuna-smile

Sukuna resides inside of Yuji Itadori after he ate one of his fingers—but he's not there to play nice with him like Kurama fromNaruto.As the strongest demon in existence, he is only lying in wait because he is not in possession of the rest of his stolen fingers.

When Sukuna takes over Yuji's body, he is capable of killing other demons instantly and granted the ability to run so fast it seems like he's teleporting, as shown in his fight against Megumi.

NEXT: 10 Anime That Deserve a Revival