Anime has never been shy about big ideas, but few concepts are as consistently fascinating as world domination. These stories aren’t just about heroes defeating evil — they’re about ambition on a global (or galactic) scale. Kings, tyrants, revolutionaries, and shadowy masterminds all pursue control through war, strategy, ideology, or overwhelming power. Sometimes it’s deadly serious, sometimes it’s darkly comedic, but it’s almost always compelling.
World domination anime thrive on grand stakes: entire nations rising and falling, moral lines being blurred, and characters forced to decide whether ruling the world is salvation or damnation. Below are some of the most notable anime that explore conquest, control, and the cost of power in very different ways.
The anime are not listed in any particular order.
Combatants Will Be Dispatched!
This series approaches world domination from a comedic angle. Created by the same author as KonoSuba, Combatants Will Be Dispatched! follows Agent Six, a disposable foot soldier of the evil Kisaragi Corporation, sent to another world to prepare it for conquest. The organization is evil by design, but incompetence, absurdity, and crude humor constantly derail their plans.
Despite the jokes, the show still plays with classic domination tropes: infiltrating foreign lands, exploiting political instability, and spreading influence under the guise of “help.” It’s world conquest viewed through satire, poking fun at both villain organizations and isekai power fantasies.
Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra
Apocalypse Bringer Mynoghra leans hard into dark fantasy and strategy. The story follows a reincarnated protagonist who takes control of an evil civilization modeled after a strategy game faction. Instead of heroic expansion, the series embraces the perspective of monsters, corruption, and ruthless pragmatism.
What makes this series stand out is its unapologetic embrace of villainy. World domination isn’t framed as a misunderstanding or a joke — it’s a calculated objective. The anime explores how ideology, fear, and long-term planning can be just as powerful as brute force when building an empire.
Overlord
Few anime embody the world domination theme as thoroughly as Overlord. The story centers on Momonga, an ordinary player trapped in the body of an undead sorcerer king after his favorite MMORPG shuts down. As the ruler of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, he commands fiercely loyal and terrifyingly powerful servants.
What begins as cautious exploration quickly turns into systematic conquest. Nations fall not because Momonga is evil for evil’s sake, but because his power and followers make domination inevitable. Overlord excels at showing how overwhelming strength, paired with careful manipulation, reshapes the world — often with chilling consequences.
Big Order
Big Order presents a more chaotic and abstract take on domination. Characters are granted “Orders,” supernatural abilities that allow them to impose their will on reality itself. The protagonist’s power — to control the world — is as literal as it sounds.
The series blends psychological drama, apocalyptic stakes, and moral confusion. Rather than traditional empire-building, Big Order explores how absolute power distorts relationships, ideals, and identity. World domination here feels less like strategy and more like an inevitable collapse driven by unchecked authority.
Code Geass
Often considered one of anime’s greatest political thrillers, Code Geass is a masterclass in strategic domination. Lelouch Lamperouge gains the power of Geass, allowing him to command absolute obedience, and uses it to wage war against the Britannian Empire.
What sets Code Geass apart is its focus on rebellion, sacrifice, and manipulation. Lelouch doesn’t just want power — he wants to reshape the world through revolution, even if it means becoming a villain in history’s eyes. The anime constantly questions whether ruling through fear and control can ever create peace.
The Eminence in Shadow
At first glance, The Eminence in Shadow seems like a parody, but beneath the comedy lies a surprisingly effective domination narrative. The protagonist wants to be a hidden mastermind, operating from the shadows while pretending to be insignificant. Ironically, his made-up conspiracies turn out to be real.
World domination here happens almost accidentally. Secret organizations, covert wars, and unseen influence shape the world while the main character plays along for his own amusement. It’s a clever twist on the genre, blending self-awareness with genuine empire-building.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes
If world domination anime had a crown jewel of scale and depth, Legend of the Galactic Heroes would wear it. This epic space opera chronicles the ideological clash between democracy and authoritarian rule across an entire galaxy.
Rather than focusing on superpowers or gimmicks, the series emphasizes politics, military strategy, and philosophy. Battles are massive, but the real conflict lies in leadership and governance. World domination is portrayed not as a fantasy, but as a complex, often tragic struggle shaped by human ambition.
Kingdom
Kingdom grounds the theme of domination in historical realism. Set during China’s Warring States period, the series follows the brutal campaign to unify the nation under a single ruler. Unlike many anime on this list, Kingdom focuses on boots-on-the-ground warfare, military tactics, and the cost paid by soldiers and civilians alike.
World domination here is national unification — a dream fueled by bloodshed, loyalty, and vision. It’s raw, intense, and deeply human.
Final Thoughts
World domination anime captivate because they operate at the highest stakes possible. They ask uncomfortable questions about power, control, and leadership while delivering epic battles, intricate strategies, and unforgettable characters. Whether played for laughs, tragedy, or philosophical debate, these series prove that sometimes the most interesting stories aren’t about saving the world — they’re about deciding who gets to rule it.