Makishima Shogo (
Psycho-Pass)
In a way, I see society and civilization as a barrier between who people pretend to be and who they are. I'm curious about who people are when they're empowered or vulnerable. It seems like the kinds of actions and reactions you'd see then are closer to that person's essential nature. I channel this curiosity into writing because I am not a sociopath. Mhm.
A darker me would probably be entertained by setting things up to fall apart and then observing the chaos. I'd rather work in the background than do much myself. Also, the Sybil System is gross. Blehhh!
For other characters, a bit of Claire Stanfield/The Railtracer (
Baccano!), Hisoka (
Hunter x Hunter), Callisto (
Xena: Warrior Princess), and maybe Anton Chigurh (
No Country for Old Men). Claire and Hisoka aren't antagonists, but they walk that line.
So, to reach villain-level, I have to become more curious, dramatic, and obsessive than I already am. All these people have absolute faith in themselves and their abilities, and they mostly operate solo. I admire that about them.
ETA: I forgot Beni Gabor from
The Mummy and GrÃma Wormtongue from LoTR. They both have a level of icky patheticness I relate to. In a past life I was probably a con artist.
But yeah, it's mostly Makishima.