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1%% Trope was declared Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease via crowner by the Real Life Maintenance thread.
2%% Image replaced per Image Pickin' thread: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1308186654016000100
3%% Please do not change or remove without starting a new thread.
4%%
5[[quoteright:274:[[Film/TheOmen2006 https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/antichrist01_6762.png]]]]
6[[caption-width-right:274:"Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son." -- [[Literature/TheBible 1 John 2:22]]]]
7
8->'''Anti-Christ:''' ''Condemn'' them, Mother, for they know ''exactly'' what they do!\
9'''Stan:''' Uh, I'm-I'm sorry, what does that mean?\
10'''Anti-Christ:''' You know, it's the opposite of, 'Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.' Hello? I'm the Anti-Christ! I'm the opposite of Jesus in every way!"
11-->--''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'', "[[Recap/AmericanDadS6E9RapturesDelight Rapture's Delight]]"
12
13The Antichrist is a MessianicArchetype, but [[EvilCounterpart aligned with the forces of evil]] of his '{{Verse}}. His purpose is to bring about TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt so that evil can [[DystopiaJustifiesTheMeans inherit the Earth]] by force. They may be employed by the SatanicArchetype or TheAntiGod of the setting.
14
15This is a guy so far up the SortingAlgorithmOfEvil that there's not likely to be a DeusExMachina [[GoodIsImpotent capable]] of stopping him (or her), so the heroes likely have to race to stop him from either [[SealedEvilInACan being released]], [[EnfantTerrible being born]], [[Dangerous16thBirthday coming of age]], or [[DemonicPossession demonically possessing]] someone. Often, the consideration is that the vessel and the messiah are [[OurSoulsAreDifferent different entities]], and killing the bad also kills the innocent. If they do catch him before he starts putting his [[StoryBoardingTheApocalypse storyboards to film]], they ''still'' have to kill an innocent.
16
17If the writer likes {{irony}}, the Antichrist will take after [[{{Satan}} Dad]] and rebel against ''his'' Dad, ditching the whole "destroy the Earth" shtick to become an AntiAntichrist.
18
19Expect a lot of [[NumberOfTheBeast 666]] motifs, as that is the number attributed to the Beast of the Literature/BookOfRevelation in Literature/TheBible. This trope is an integral part of ReligiousHorror, particularly of the Christian variety. If the Antichrist is unaware of or resistant to their fate as the Destroyer of All, they are the ApocalypseMaiden. Chances are that the Antichrist will pose as an {{Ubermensch}}, and will almost certainly be a DarkMessiah. If a monster or animalistic creature heralds the apocalypse, rather than a human, then they're a BeastOfTheApocalypse instead.
20
21Note that while an actual description of the Antichrist in Christianity is not very well defined, it doesn't follow this trope very much. Mostly, the Antichrist is a FalseProphet who is attempting to undermine the faith of Christians and slowly pervert their teaching. While he appears before the beast of the sea, he is more like the chief of propaganda and does not direct or even participate in the end of the world. In fact, [[UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} Jesus Christ]] himself defines Antichrist as anyone who believes that Christ is incorrect, with "anti-" being used in the same way as "anti-Semite." The man of sin or lawlessness described by Paul in a chapter entitled "Antichrist", is where this trope comes from, along with the Literature/BookOfRevelation, which refers to the "Beast" and false prophet. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjj_5DK-rU4 Thus]], the idea that the "anti-Christ" is a biblical {{Supervillain}} of sorts is NewerThanTheyThink.
22
23See also AntiAntichrist, which is a (progressively less) rare heroic version of this type of character.
24
25'''''For the movie, see Film/{{Antichrist}}. As for the book by Creator/FriedrichNietzsche... erm, give us some more time to get back to you on that.'''''
26
27While it seems ridiculously common nowadays for people to be accused of being this, such accusations are always baseless (and usually pretty dumb), so Administrivia/NoRealLifeExamplesPlease. Though we're going to add one person, purely for historicity's sake, because [[OlderThanTheyThink he was definitely the first one]] who was bestowed with this title: Emperor UsefulNotes/{{Nero}}. For centuries he was seen as the embodiment of everything Christians despised, especially since he persecuted them before Christianity became Rome's state religion. There is even a theory the "Beast" in the Book of Revelation was a veiled reference to him, with "666" representing his name in Hebrew (where every letter has a number too). In this particular example one can immediately see why labeling people as ''Antichrists'' just boils down to picking one celebrity you hate, as if he is so ultimately ''evil'' that nobody else will ever come round and top him.
28
29----
30!!Examples:
31
32[[foldercontrol]]
33
34[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
35* Punie from ''Anime/MagicalWitchPuniechan.'' This becomes increasingly obvious as the series progresses. [[spoiler: Her mom was basically this for Magical Land, and she succeeded.]]
36* Lucy from ''Manga/ElfenLied'' is a near-literal example because not only is she superpowered but has [[BiblicalMotifs horns and her name is the female version of Lucifer, a demon]], and wants to wipe out the [[OmnicidalManiac human race]] and replace it all with her species.
37* Yuji Sakai from ''Literature/ShakuganNoShana'' after merging with the Snake of the Festival, but [[DarkIsNotEvil subverts it]] because his motive is to SaveTheWorld by means of creating a duplicate world where the Denizens can live without consuming humans to survive so he can live with Shana in peace.
38* Mistress 9 in ''Anime/SailorMoon''. Luckily, it's an [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism extremely idealistic show.]] The outer Senshi also confuse her for Sailor Saturn (whose body she's using) and attempt to prevent her from awakening as a result. Saturn is actually a beneficial version of the ApocalypseMaiden.
39* Griffith from ''Manga/{{Berserk}}'' is more of a DarkMessiah as he plays the saviour part to perfection, but still counts as he is an arch-demonic manifestation of god's will who has come back to the physical plane so that he can become a king in the material world as well, and is prophesied to bring about an Age of Darkness [[spoiler:which, following the Millennium Falcon arc, he fulfilled]].
40* In ''Manga/ChainsawMan'', [[spoiler:Makima]] the Control Devil is a DarkMessiah and the first of the HorsemenOfTheApocalypse. She's a [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Devil]] born into the world with human form and [[TheVamp supernatural charisma]] whom the government attempted to mold into a perfect servant, but instead aims to create a WorldOfSilence--and isn't too concerned with causing TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt if she fails. She seeks the complete subjugation of humanity, [[FalseProphet posing as a savior to the lost and disfranchised of the world]], [[spoiler:such as [[LoserProtagonist Denji]]]] while in truth leading them to ruin. To drive the point home, [[spoiler:she has artwork of [[https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Paradise_Lost_12.jpg Lucifer falling]] from ''Literature/ParadiseLost'' in her house and the anime adaptation has her depicted as the Virgin Mary in the third ending]].
41* Millions Knives from ''Manga/{{Trigun}}'' probably counts. He wants to wipe out the [[PunyEarthlings human race]] and replace it all with his "plant" kin.
42* Creed Diskenth from ''Manga/BlackCat'' uses nanomachines to [[spoiler: become immortal and, as he says it, a "God"]]. His goal? To wipe out all the [[{{Muggles}} humans who don't have superpowers]] and create a society where he and Train Heartnet can rule the "worthy". Too bad Train wants nothing to do with this goal.
43* Johan Liebert from ''Manga/{{Monster}}'' is compared with the Antichrist. Repeatedly. [[CardCarryingVillain And appears to enjoy the comparison]]. One character, a drunk, even once sees him as a giant multi-headed dragon monster, much like the Biblical Dragon of Revelation.
44* [[WhiteHairBlackHeart A]][[TheChessmaster i]][[{{Satan}} o]][[CardCarryingVillain n]] of ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'' anime.
45* In ''Manga/{{Beelzebub}}'', the {{Delinquent}} main character, Oga Tatsumi, is forced to raise baby Be'el, the Son of {{Satan}}, into a powerful demon lord whose destiny is to destroy the world. A side effect of the bond they now share is that the more Oga fights, the more demonic ''he'' becomes. Incredibly enough, this is (mostly) PlayedForLaughs.
46* ''Manga/RaveMaster'''s Lucia, who was primed by the universe itself to destroy the world.
47* Played With ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'''s Dio Brando, starts off as this in Phantom Blood, especially with [[TeensAreMonsters his atrocities at 14]] and his demonic LegionsOfHell. In Stardust Crusaders, he's more of a DarkMessiah in his followers' eyes, but it's very obvious he's still an Antichrist.
48** The trope is revisited again in Vento Aureo, but is played much more straight with the antagonist Diavolo, whose origin is so enigmatic that fans wonder if he's even human at all and instead an evil spirit possessing a mortal vessel. Not helping is that he was born out of nowhere and literally named "devil".
49* Sir Isaac Ray Peram Westcott from ''Literature/DateALive''. He has a great obsession to use the Spirits's Inverse Form to [[RealityWarper rewrite the laws of reality according to his own image]]. [[CardCarryingVillain He says he would do the world upside down]], in the process of his plan, he could kill billions and make the world descends into pure chaos.
50* The One-Eyed Owl from ''Manga/TokyoGhoul'' is considered one by many powerful organizations, and has gleefully embraced this trope. A naturally-born HalfHumanHybrid, the Owl has been hunted since birth as a threat to the order of the world and responded to this by gathering the largest and most dangerous Ghoul organization ever seen -- leading them under the guise of the "One-Eyed King". The Owl is a master manipulator, gleefully leading people towards temptation or ruin with clever words and half-truths. For bonus, the Owl even discusses the story of the Tree of Knowledge while [[TemptingApple offering an apple]], tempting them to give into their hatred and resentment while promising to become their new God.
51* ''Literature/FateZero'': [[PlayingWithATrope Downplayed and implied]] for the purpose of a MindScrew with Kiritsugu Emiya, TheChosenOne for [[spoiler:[[GodOfEvil Angra Maniyu]]]]. The clues are:
52** The number of rib-powdered Origin Rounds: 66 (one 6 short of the [[NumberOfTheBeast Number of the Beast]]). [[RuleOfCool It isn't six-hundred-and-sixty-six because such a large number tarnishes Kiritsugu's reputed skill, the significance of each bullet]], and the WillingSuspensionOfDisbelief on account of their creation from two of his ribs.
53** The removal of two of his ribs: historically, post-mortem, UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} was stabbed between the ribs to certify his death; mythologically, the blood and water that poured from the subsequent wound was caught by the Holy Grail. Those two ribs are likely the two removed from Kiritsugu via Natalia. This means it is completely impossible for such a ritual as the aforementioned one to be performed on Kiritsugu, specifically disqualifying him as a candidate for TheMessiah while simultaneously distinguishing him as a unique individual on the planet.
54** A SelfMadeOrphan, on account of his murdering his father. This act violates the Fourth ''and'' Fifth Commandments, the ones about honoring one's father and mother, and the prohibition against murder. Secondarily yet more importantly, [[{{Camp}} the murdering of the parent has been the most prominent and distinguishing desire of the characters portrayed as the Antichrist in cinema]].
55** His ArchEnemy: the most pragmatic [[AnimeCatholicism Catholic Priest]] alive during the Fourth Grail War is his most dangerous, personal opponent. The Catholic Church, like the noted trait mentioned above, is the typical nemesis of the Antichrist.
56** His Command Seal symbol: while it is meant to look like a sword, it can also be viewed as an upside-down cross. This would seem to be coincidental until Kirei confronts Emiya: literally a moment before their climactic fight, Kotomine kisses his necklace-bound crucifix; immediately following that shot is a view of Kiritsugu's Command Seals as an upside-down cross, as the hand beneath them grips his [[HandCannon Thompson Contender]].
57** [[FatalFlaw The error of his wish]]: Kiritsugu needs the Grail simply because he knows, better than anyone, the impossibility of the realization of his desire by practical means. Simply, he absolutely cannot produce a miracle, and this understanding is the singular reason for his pursuit of the Grail, including every decision made since murdering his father. Yet, it is the necessity of an understanding of the method by which to produce a miracle that Kiritsugu needs to make his initial, six-year-old-boy's wish a reality. This specific lack of understanding - particularly because it is what ultimately denies him his desire - is the polar opposite trait of the purported Messiah that UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} claimed to be.
58* [[BigBad Lord Embryo]] from ''Anime/CrossAnge''. While he's pretty close to a God (despite him denying the claim, thinking that 'Creator' is more apt), he is actually more close to an Anti Christ figure seen in ''Literature/TheBookOfRevelation''. He granted a [[MarkOfTheBeast substance]] that gives pleasure to mankind, which in turn made them worship him unquestionably but also very decadent and full of sins, with them too lazy to wash it off, the Mana. They worshipped him like a God when there is another benevolent deity (Aura, though to be fair, she is a deity of another race). By the end of it, he decided that he's done with the world, and then initiated TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt, without any care of these worshippers. When he is defeated, those who were subservient to him were left in the ruined world whereas those who oppose him were whisked away to a better world.
59* Of all people in ''Manga/BlackClover'', it's the [[spoiler:benevolent Wizard King of Clover Kingdom, or more accurately,]] his [[spoiler:dominant split personality Lucius Zogratis]] who turns out to be this. People [[spoiler:in Clover Kingdom worshipped him like a God because of all the efforts he did to the Kingdom, not knowing that he's actually a megalomaniac waiting to unleash a Holy War to remake humanity into angelic humans devoid of suffering and inequality until it's too late. Even worse, his real name, Lucius is the birth name of the Roman Emperor Nero and just like the emperor and the Bibilical Antichrist, he was once backstabbed by a close associate through impalement by sword but mysteriously came back to life, causing wonder and awe amongst those who saw it.]]
60* Friend, the BigBad of ''Manga/TwentiethCenturyBoys'', is repeatedly compared to the Antichrist, being a FalseProphet disguising himself as a messiah of sorts and using it to try and seize control of the planet, while also turning them against the real MessianicArchetype. For added bonus, one of the biggest forces of good opposed to him is the actual Catholic Church.
61[[/folder]]
62
63[[folder:Comic Books]]
64* The "Son of Man" storyline in ''ComicBook/{{Hellblazer}}'' has a demon that John used in a faux-resurrection (then promptly got the fuck away from, as the corpse's father was one of the most dangerous mobsters in London) plot to bring about the birth of a messiah for Hell (because, as he reasons, Heaven is so popular on Earth because they ''proved it'').
65** Another involved a journalist coming across the mummified, aborted (but still alive) fetus of the antichrist in its crib. Said crib has a hole in it through which the fetus can attach itself via its umbilical cord and corrupt the holder ("pissed in my soul"), the journalist having taken it from an insane serial killer and having started to kill people under its influence. ... Except that after the journalist dies of a heart attack, Constantine picks up... a flat cardboard box with a hole cut out taped over the man's nipple, containing a dead rat.
66* ComicBook/{{Hellboy}} in both continuities and Nuada in ''Hellboy II.'' Luckily, [[AntiAntichrist Hellboy is fervently opposed to bringing about the apocalypse]], but then again, he's just one dead love interest away from the necessary SuperPowerMeltdown...
67* ''ComicBook/JohnnyTheHomicidalManiac'' - ''ComicBook/{{Squee}}'' has this in the form of Pepito, who announces within his class that he is the Antichrist and goes so far as to use his powers. [[BystanderSyndrome Nobody gives a flying fook.]]
68** Plus, he consider Squee to be his friend, and saves his life at least once. This does nothing to help Squee's neuroses, of course.
69* Turns out, ComicBook/GreenLantern's old HarmlessVillain Black Hand is a NotSoHarmlessVillain. ''ComicBook/BlackestNight'' reveals he is the destined leader of the ZombieApocalypse.
70* Creator/MarvelComics' ''ComicBook/SonOfSatan'', Daimon Hellstrom, AKA Damien Hellstorm... yeah, you can imagine. He's an extremely conflicted individual and he's got some serious daddy issues. And you wouldn't believe what a bitch his sister is, don't get this guy started. All in all, a force for good in spite of his heritage, but he's still painfully aware that if he doesn't remain constantly vigilant, he will raise the infernal horde and bring ruin to the earth. Nice guy, though.
71* The Antichrist, also known as the Moonchild, is the main threat in the ''ComicBook/LeagueOfExtraordinaryGentlemen's'' Century arc. In ''Century: 2009'', he finally appears in a monstrous form that's covered with eyes and spurting magical power from every orifice. [[spoiler: He's also Harry Potter, from the franchise of the same name. Turns out all the exploits were ''arranged'', to hide what Hogwarts was preparing him for. He is ''extremely'' pissed off about this and goes on a shooting through the entire school.]]
72** And while the League puts up a good fight, the Antichrist is ultimately defeated by [[spoiler: ''Mary Poppins'']], who is strongly implied to be God in this context.
73* ''ComicBook/BlackMoonChronicles'': Hints are dropped early in the series that Wismerhill's DisappearedDad might be TheDevil himself. [[spoiler:It's a RedHerring; Lucifer's son is actually Haazheel Thorn. Wis dad is actually Pazuzu, a demon prince disguised as an elf]].
74* In the Italian comedic comic book ''[[ComicBook/RatMan1989 Rat-Man]]'', [[spoiler: the main protagonist is eventually revealed to be the vessel through which [[SatanicArchetype his world's equivalent of the devil]] will unleash the Apocalypse]].
75* ''ComicBook/{{Ghostopolis}}'' has Vaugner, the charismatic and sinister leader who promised the ghost world unity under his rule and also serves as the BigBad of the story.
76[[/folder]]
77
78[[folder:Fan Works]]
79* ''Fanfic/AbraxasHrodvitnon'': In this Franchise/MonsterVerse fanfiction, [[TwoBeingsOneBody Monster X]] is the AntiAntichrist; a half-human ArtificialHybrid created by Ghidorah which [[spoiler:Ghidorah]] wants to drive down a StartOfDarkness but is firmly on the side of humanity and the heroic Titans. The Zmeyevich are {{implied}} to be a straighter example of this trope: they are quite literally Ghidorah's hybrid offspring, and once they're born, there's nothing to suggest they'll be inclined to side with Team Good like Monster X did.
80* In ''Fanfic/ShadowchasersTorment'', Lareth the Beautiful is referred to as a DarkMessiah, but he fits this Trope better, only not to Satan, but to the [[ReligionOfEvil Cult of Tharizdun]]. At least, he's ''supposed'' to be such. [[spoiler:Whether he is or not, the three leaders of the cult don't truly believe it and plan to double-cross him; Tharizdun himself, however, is more appreciative to Lareth's loyalty.]]
81* [[spoiler: Sonic the Hedgehog himself]] and [[spoiler: Shadow the Hedgehog]] are both revealed to be this in ''FanFic/SonicXDarkChaos'', as they was literally created by Maledict to be "Ultimate" creatures who would defeat the Angels and cement his rule. [[AntiAntichrist Neither of them accept it]].
82* ''Fanfic/JimmyTwoShoesTheMovieMiseryLovesCompany'': Beezy's [[LongLostRelative long-lost brother]] Belphy is meant to be one (in contrast to Beezy's status as an AntiAntiChrist), having been born under a curse placed by his ancestor Lucius Heinous I to become a vessel for Lucius' return so that he could escape [[FireAndBrimstoneHell Miseryville]] and start the apocalypse on Earth.
83* ''Fanfic/{{Kage}}'': According to {{the prophecy}} of Kandrakar's first Oracle N'Ghala, Jade (or the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide Queen of the Shadowkhan]]) will spread darkness across all the Known Worlds. And Yua shares with Ari another [[PropheciesRhymeAllTheTime prophecy]] (which she heard from her late Shadowkhan friend Kage) regarding a being whose description Jade matches bringing about the downfall of Kandrakar:
84--> "From another realm, another place; comes a dark child of a long forgotten race; from thrive to trial she will reach her throne; the light of the sky will be darkened by her will alone."
85** In the RecursiveFanfiction ''Fanfic/ShadowsOverMeridian'', we learn of a ''third'' prophecy -- the long-banned cult from Meridian that [[CloudCuckoolander Tyrian]] is a member of worships a goddess from the Shadow Realm who is foretold to one day rise and cover all worlds in darkness. [[StopWorshippingMe Jade is annoyed when she hears this and realizes she matches the criteria.]]
86* ''Fanfic/WhatItTakes'': Damien Darhk has always had shades of this (its right there in his [[Film/TheOmen name]]), but his turning the Star City council against Laurel has definite 'false prophet' vibes to it. This is in addition to him initially styling himself as the city's savior, as he did in canon.
87[[/folder]]
88
89[[folder:Film]]
90* Damien Thorn from ''Film/TheOmen'' is perhaps the biggest TropeCodifier of Devil spawn in fiction. Such an [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast innocent name]]. This movie [[NewerThanTheyThink invented the idea that Damien was an evil name]] -- [[IronicName it's a saint's name, after all]].
91* ''Film/Holocaust2000'' (which was [[FollowTheLeader inspired by]] ''The Omen''): Robert starts to believe that he may have spawned the Antichrist after noticing several symbols showing up in different places and dreaming about the end of the world. Since he had just hooked up with a younger woman who quickly became pregnant, he's convinced that he needs to abort their child to save mankind. In fact, his older son Angel is the actual Antichrist.
92* Although it might've been made only to [[DuelingMovies pre-empt]] the ''Film/{{Left Behind|2000}}'' movie, the movie ''Film/TheOmegaCode'' offers a rare, somewhat sympathetic portrayal of the Antichrist. A rich philanthropist who's trying to exploit Biblical prophecy in a bid to rule the world, he actually does believe that he's doing [[WellIntentionedExtremist what's best for the world]], and intends to stop following the prophecies before things can go sour. Unfortunately, since the Biblical exegesis of ''Left Behind'''s Tim [=LaHaye=] says that the Antichrist suffers a fatal head wound and is resurrected as a [[TheSoulless soulless]] [[DemonicPossession avatar of evil]], he loses all say in the matter after getting shot in the head.\
93\
94The plot-hole filled prequel/sequel ''Film/OmegaCode2Megiddo'' shows that the Antichrist has been possessed by Satan since he was born. [[UnintentionallySympathetic Any sympathy created in the first film's portrayal was probably accidental]]; we were supposed to think he was pure evil all along.
95* Lead character Kirstie's son in ''Film/TheCalling2000'' turns out to be the son of the devil and the anti-christ, complete with resurrection and crucifixion.
96* Simon Magus in the Sci-Fi Channel film ''Film/{{Soulkeeper}}'' is described this way.
97* This is the nickname for the jeep in ''Film/TheGodsMustBeCrazy''. [[TheAllegedCar It really was that bad]]. Ay ay ay ay ay.
98* Franco Maccalusso in the ''Film/{{Apocalypse}}'' film series.
99* Palpatine from ''Franchise/StarWars'' is basically the Antichrist of that setting (especially if you take the expanded universe into account). He's an ''incredibly'' powerful Sith Lord (even Yoda was no match for him) who, through years of plotting and manipulation, managed to exterminate the Jedi and set himself up as the ruler of the galaxy. In the expanded universe he even manages to come back to life multiple times using clone bodies, becoming more insane with each resurrection. Finally he is defeated for good when a Jedi master [[HeroicSacrifice heroically sacrifices]] himself and, along with the spirits of other departed Jedi, drags Palpatine's spirit into the netherworld of the force (the Star Wars universe equivalent of Hell). It's even more obvious in the novel ''Literature/DarthPlagueis''. In the prologue, Palpatine admires the constellations that dot Coruscant's eastern sky just before the sun rises, i.e. the ''morning stars''. If that's not Revelation-y enough for you, he refers to the Dark Side in his thoughts as the "beast" that will bring about the "end times".
100* The EvilPlan of the cult in ''Film/RosemarysBaby'' is to spawn an Anti-Christ, [[spoiler:and the ending suggests that they not only succeed, they convince Rosemary herself to accept the role as its mother. The original novel subverts it, however, where Rosemary's true intent at the end is to raise him to become an AntiAntichrist.]]
101* ''Film/XMenApocalypse'': [[WordOfGod Director]] Creator/BryanSinger [[http://ca.ign.com/articles/2016/05/02/x-menas-professor-x-is-christ-and-apocalypse-is-a-false-god invokes this]] when he describes Apocalypse.
102-->"[Apocalypse is] kind of the opposite of Christ, actually. Christ would have come years after him, by the way."
103* In ''Film/SixTheMarkUnleashed'', he is simply referred to as The Leader, and his MarkOfTheBeast is called The Holy Implant.
104* In ''Film/SantasSlay'', it turns out that Santa Claus is the son on Satan, and the only reason he delivers presents to people is because he lost a curling match with an angel. But once the bet is up 1000 years later, Santa resumes his old tradition of killing people on Christmas.
105* In ''Film/EndOfDays'', Satan is freed from Hell and takes human form on New Year's Eve, 1999. His goal is to rape and impregnate a young woman named Christine York, whose child will then become the Antichrist.
106* In ''Film/TheDayOfTheBeast'', the main character wants to find and stop the Antichrist, which according to him will be born on a TwistedChristmas.
107* In ''Film/TheDevilsAdvocate'', it comes up a bit abruptly at the end that Creator/AlPacino's Devil, "John Milton", wants the protagonist to give him a child, specified as a "son" who will "sit at the head of all tables" going forward -- Kevin finishes the thought, "an Antichrist". ("Whatever.") [[spoiler:Shooting most of a gun at the Devil having failed to resolve it, Kevin turns doing his half-sister down and takes himself out of the picture; that is, he shoots himself with the last bullet. Milton takes this turn poorly.]]
108[[/folder]]
109
110[[folder:Folklore]]
111* Myth/{{Merlin}}, King Arthur's advisor, was sired as part of a plan to create an Antichrist; his mother was seduced by a demon and conceived a child. But the plan was foiled when she confessed to a church elder who was very forgiving; the child was baptized minutes after being born, severing his ties to Satan. Still, his infernal heritage played at least some part of Merlin becoming a great wizard.
112[[/folder]]
113
114[[folder:Literature]]
115* This is the job description of the Child of Dark in the ''Literature/{{Belgariad}}'' and ''Malloreon'' by David Eddings. It starts the first series in the body of Torak, God of Darkness, as it has since the beginning of the backstory. When Torak ends up on the wrong end of Iron-Grip's Sword, it changes hosts and picks up Zandramas for the second series before finally settling on [[spoiler:Garion's son, Geran]].
116* In Creator/NeilGaiman and Creator/TerryPratchett's ''Literature/GoodOmens'', we have Adam Young, a young boy born in suspiciously similar circumstances to Damien Thorn (hybrid son of Satan meant to be swapped with a politician's child), but one of the Satanic nuns makes an oopsie and Adam is actually given to a perfectly average British family, with the intended parents getting a different baby. Because Adam grew up away from Heaven and Hell's influence, he grows up perfectly human. When Armageddon is scheduled to start upon his eleventh birthday, Adam is exposed to the full extent of his RealityWarper powers, and, upon seeing [[HumansAreBastards how much humans have screwed up the planet]] he almost starts the Apocalypse to start it over from scratch... before he comes to his senses, and [[AntiAntichrist calls off Armageddon despite the insistence of]] {{Metatron}} [[AntiAntichrist and]] {{Beelzebub}}.
117* Wilbur Whateley from ''Literature/TheDunwichHorror'' by Creator/HPLovecraft. He's a HalfHumanHybrid HumanoidAbomination, the son of [[spoiler:the EldritchAbomination Yog-Soggoth]], and was bred by his mad cultist grandfather to help usher in the return of the Great Old Ones.
118 * In ''Literature/LeftBehind'', Nicolae Carpathia was conceived by Satan and born from a human woman he made a deal with. Soon after TheRapture, Nicolae is revealed to be the Antichrist described in the Book of Revelations.
119* Christopher Goodman in the ''Literature/ChristCloneTrilogy'' novels. He eventually proclaimed that he's the Second Coming, and also the long-awaited messiah of many other faiths, setting up a global religion centered on himself which incorporates many different beliefs, while persecuting Christians who reject it. His goal is to mislead the most people he can so they'll go to Hell with him in the end.
120* [[InvertedTrope Inverted]] by ''Literature/TheInquisitorCycle'', taking place in an AlternateTimeline where UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} BecameTheirOwnAntithesis and [[GodIsEvil changed the course of Christianity forever]] as a ruthless GodEmperor. Instead of [[HeroicSacrifice dying for mankind's sins on the cross]], He instead went into an UnstoppableRage from His betrayal and broke free. He [[FinalSolution nearly exterminated the Jews for their role in it]] before [[KungFuJesus conquering the Roman Empire]], then proceeded to AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence and left Saint Peter in charge of TheEmpire. In the present day, UsefulNotes/{{Christianity}} is much bleaker than its real-world equivalent as the teachings of mercy and forgiveness have been replaced with violence and terror. [[spoiler:In one of the books the trope is PlayedStraight as it's implied that Jesus ''did'' die on the cross but [[DevilInDisguise Satan]] [[PossessingADeadBody possessed His corpse]] and did all of this, but this underwent a soft {{retcon}} with later books ignoring this plot point.]]
121* Randall Flagg in ''Literature/TheStand''. Not so much in ''Franchise/TheDarkTower''.
122** He winds up replaced by [[spoiler:Roland's half-son, Mordred Deschain.]] While he's built up as a super-powerful half-God that will destroy Roland and bring about the end of the multiverse for three and a half books, when he finally arrives, [[spoiler:he is shown to a be a pitiful, hateful child who can barely survive in the wilderness and winds up being weakened enough by food poisoning for Roland (and Oy!) to bring him down]]. Regardless, he does get points for [[spoiler:killing and eating Flagg when the old and arrogant (key word: ARROGANT) wizard decides to try and use him to further his own ends.]]
123* Iscarius Alchemy, a resurrected Judas Iscariot in Matthew Dickens' ''Literature/{{Magnus}}''.
124* The original human, Theo, in ''Literature/TheWarOfTheFlowers'', plays this role.
125* In Creator/JamesHerbert's ''Literature/{{Sepulchre}}'', [[MesopotamianMonstrosity Sumerian incarnate deity]] Bel-Marduk's veneration of corruption and mission of destruction directly contrasts the later ministry of UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}}.
126* In Creator/SergeyLukyanenko's ''Literature/SeekersOfTheSky'', several characters wonder if [[spoiler:Marcus]] really is the second coming of the [[MessianicArchetype Redeemer]] or the Tempter, who is to come before the Redeemer and lead the world astray. However, one of the characters is a bishop who points out that the Church does not officially recognize the existence of the Tempter, as he is only mentioned in a non-canonical gospel. Privately, however, even the head of the Church is wondering the same thing. Of course, said bishop's nickname is [[spoiler:[[LouisCypher the Lightbringer]]]].
127* In ''Literature/TheWheelOfTime'', Ishamael/Moridin plays this role, as he is [[GodOfEvil the Dark One's]] anointed champion and also the EvilCounterpart to the series MessianicArchetype, Rand al'Thor, the "Dragon Reborn". It's heavily implied that his soul is reincarnated throughout history to serve as the Antichrist whenever Rand is reborn[[spoiler:, when he's not still alive from the last cycle, anyway.]] They also mirror each other's ''thought processes,'' [[spoiler: with Rand becoming an AllLovingHero / AntiNihilist, and Ishamael an OmnicidalManiac / StrawNihilist]], from extremely similar realizations about the meaning of life and the implications of reincarnation. They're both even resurrected [[spoiler: in the same body]] at different times for similar reasons.
128* In ''Literature/TheAdversaryCycle'', Rasalom is actually much worse than this, but religious people often mistake him for it. Also, in Reborn, a group of religious people think [[spoiler: Jim]] is the Antichrist after learning that [[spoiler: he's a clone.]]
129* In Nick Perumov's ''Literature/{{Keeper of the Swords}}'' series, this character is known as the Destroyer (the local CrystalDragonJesus is known as the Saviour). Then it gets interesting. First, the main character, Fess, and two of the series' villains, are assessed as potential Destroyer candidates. Then it becomes obvious that the Saviour is pretty nasty but the Destroyer [[AntiAntichrist is the real saviour]] ([[spoiler: and it's Fess after all.]])
130* Sanjay of ''Literature/ChristianNation'' is viewed as this according to the interpretations of certain evangelical Christians suggesting that the Antichrist must be gay.[[note]]The Scripture reference is Daniel 11:37, which in the King James Version reads "Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all."[[/note]] However, he doesn't live up to the trope and is ultimately killed after the CivilWar.
131* American President Joshua Kayim is revealed to be this early on in the first book of the ''Literature/LastDaysTrilogy''.
132* From ''Literature/DarthBane'', [[VillainProtagonist Darth Bane]]. Bane extensively researches the Sith'ari prophecy that is the Sith's equivalent to TheChosenOne. Since he believes the Force is there for him to command, instead of vice versa, he discounts the prophecy, but if the Sith'ari does exist it's probably Bane himself. This was later confirmed by the Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia. His successor [[TheEmperor Darth Sidious]] acted as a SatanicArchetype for the setting, but his success was the result of Bane's work.
133* Various novels by Creator/KimNewman, but especially ''Literature/TheQuorum'' and ''Life's Lottery'', feature the monstrous media magnate Derek Leech, who is a combined NoCelebritiesWereHarmed of Richard Branson (in the 1970s) and UsefulNotes/RupertMurdoch (from the 1980s to date) and is also literally The Antichrist and a HumanoidAbomination. He is also the GreaterScopeVillain of the Literature/DiogenesClub sequence.
134* In ''Literature/TheServantsOfTwilight'' by Creator/DeanKoontz, an extremist Christian cult believes that a young boy is the Antichrist. [[spoiler:The book never confirms one way or the other whether he actually is.]]
135[[/folder]]
136
137[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
138* ''Series/{{Angel}}'': The Shanshu Prophecy was not explicit on which side Angel would be fighting on during the end times. At the start of ''Angel'', the idea of Angel willingly cooperating with the Senior Partners seems unthinkable. By the end of Season Four, Angel has darkened enough and his circumstances have gotten hazy to the point where he does join them. According to the comics, the jury's still out on whether the Shanshu prophecy spells doom for mankind in general. Wesley's father, Roger Wyndam-Pryce (or at least a close facsimile thereof) warned that Angel is "more dangerous than you realize."
139* Christina Nickson in ''Series/PointPleasant'', a rare female example.
140* In ''Series/{{Salem}}'', John, the child of [[spoiler:Mary and John]] is the vessel for Satan's return.
141* From ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': Sam was called this by Gordon early in the series. At the time, Gordon was written off as a fanatical murderer, but the StrawmanHasAPoint. The literal Antichrist InUniverse is one-time character Jesse Turner, who becomes the AntiAntichrist more effectively than Sam did.
142** Lilith also checks a lot of the boxes: she's the first demon created by Lucifer (and thus, his firstborn child) and is a DarkMessiah to the demons, seeking to release [[SealedEvilInACan Lucifer]] from hell and start the Apocalypse so demons can KillAllHumans and TakeOverTheWorld. The demons even refer to her as their Messiah, just as they see Lucifer as their God, and [[spoiler:she succeeds in releasing Lucifer by sacrificing herself, in true [[MessianicArchetype Messianic]] fashion]].
143* ''Series/MidnightMass'': Father Paul Hill/Monsignor John Pruitt is a metaphorical example of this. From acting as a spokesman for a divine being, leading a flock, performing healing miracles, Paul shares many similarities with Jesus Christ. It's just that all his work is destructive and selfish and almost brings about TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. The most blatant parallel is when Paul compares his crisis of faith and dementia in Damascus to when Jesus walked through the desert and was tempted by Satan while ignoring the most important part of that story, Jesus rejected Satan and accepted his coming death while Paul was made immortal and considered it a blessing from God.
144* In ''Series/OnlyFoolsAndHorses'', Rodney suspects that Del Boy's son, Damien, is this, reading sinister undertones into everything he does. There is, of course, no indication that he's anything but an ordinary child.
145* ''Series/AmericanHorrorStoryMurderHouse'' has Michael, who is the product of [[spoiler: TheSociopath ghost Tate raping the human Vivien]]. His birth is so brutal it kills [[spoiler: Vivien and his twin brother]]. At three-years-old he murders his nanny.
146** He returns as the BigBad in ''Series/AmericanHorrorStoryApocalypse'', now an adult and ready to bring about the end of the world, aided by a [[TheIlluminati secret society]] of influential [[HollywoodSatanism Satanists]].
147* On the new ''Series/DoctorWho'', TheMaster fulfills this archetype in "The End of Time," being resurrected on Christmas Eve to herald the end of the world.
148* ''Series/StargateSG1'': Adria was created by the [[SufficientlyAdvancedAliens Ori]], who impregnated Vala Mal Doran [[MysticalPregnancy via supernatural means]], and when she was born she grew to adulthood in a matter of days, gaining the knowledge and power of the Ori, and was named the "Orici". The Ori deliberately created her this way to [[LoopholeAbuse get around their treaty]] with the [[BigGood Ancients]]. The Ori couldn't exert their power outside of their own galaxy without the Ancients interfering, but if a child was born in another galaxy and inherited the power of the Ori, then she would technically be a native of that galaxy, and thus the Ancients couldn't do anything to stop her. She was only defeated when the Ascended Ancient Morgan Le Fey [[HeroicSacrifice sacrificed herself]] to [[SealedEvilInADuel engage her in an eternal battle on the higher dimensional planes]].
149* ''Series/ChillingAdventuresOfSabrina'': [[spoiler: Sabrina herself is [[LukeIAmYourFather revealed to have been sired by Satan]], and manipulated by him and Lilith into performing acts that are perverted inversions of Jesus' miracles, in order to fulfill a prophecy that will unleash the hordes of Hell on Earth and kickstart the Apocalypse.]]
150* ''Series/GoodOmens2019'': The Adam in the series is mostly the same as his literature counterpart, with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Boz7rHYLj6s this video hammering home his roots in The Omen and Rosemary's Baby]].
151* ''Series/KamenRiderOutsiders'': [[spoiler:[[TheComputerIsYourFriend Zein]] is an [[AIIsACrapshoot artificial intelligence]] version of the Antichrist. Zein poses as a BenevolentAI that zealously seeks to bring out the good in people opposed by villains, former and current, such as [[Series/KamenRiderZeroOne Gai Amatsu]] and [[Series/KamenRiderExAid Kuroto Dan]]. However, it has a rather [[KnightTemplar perverse sense of justice]] given how it inflicts [[BewareTheSuperman ungodly brutality]] on villains such as [[Series/KamenRiderDrive Tenjuro Banno]]. Underneath its benevolent pretenses, Zein plays the role of a DarkMessiah all too well and doesn't hesitate to [[EvilAllAlong drop the act]] in front of its followers that it manipulated to furthering its cause by possessing its host Yuto Sakurai and plans to use a DeadlyGame to trick humanity into setting up their own self-destruction.]]
152[[/folder]]
153
154[[folder:Music]]
155* This trope is the central theme of Music/MarilynManson's ''Music/AntichristSuperstar'', [[SarcasmMode surprisingly]]. Interestingly, the protagonist of the album doesn't actually start out as the titular Antichrist: he evolves from [[TheWoobie The Worm]] to [[{{Ubermensch}} The Little Horn]], and finally to the titular Antichrist, also known as [[OmnicidalManiac The Distintegrator]], by becoming progressively more [[DespairEventHorizon disaffected]] with the state of society.
156* "Damien" by Music/IcedEarth, inspired by ''Film/TheOmen''.
157* [[Music/JohnLydon Johnny Rotten]] claimed to be one in The Music/SexPistols' song ''"Anarchy In The U.K."'', heard on ''Music/NeverMindTheBollocksHeresTheSexPistols''.
158* Russian rock band Aria has a song called "Antichrist", sung from POV of one.
159[[/folder]]
160
161[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
162* In a ''Dilbert'' strip, it comes out to a pun when the PointyHairedBoss tells his employees ominously that when he eats a sandwich, he always removes the "useless edges" of the bread first, and he thinks that tells you what kind of manager he is. He doesn't especially like it when Asok hazards the answer, "You're the anti-crust?"
163[[/folder]]
164
165[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
166* {{Subverted|Trope}} by Julius Smokes, The Devil's Son...[[ObnoxiousInLaws in-law]].
167* In [[Wrestling/ImpactWrestling TNA]], Wrestling/JeffHardy has referred to himself as this since his [[FaceHeelTurn Face Heel]] [[TheReveal Reveal]] as part of Immortal... which lasted about five months thanks to his most infamous screw-up to date and resulted in a RedemptionQuest upon his return after another five months.
168* I am without regret, I am devoid of shame, I am the antichrist, let em know the name! I'm the violence, on the backstreets. The spawn of, all your bad dreams. A product, of your weakness. When your god's gone, you can believe this: I'm Wrestling/KevinSteen, and fuck Wrestling/RingOfHonor!
169[[/folder]]
170
171[[folder:Religion]]
172* Literature/TheBible actually isn't that straightforward on the matter of the Antichrist, and what it does say about him at times diverges from the popular image of the figure.
173** According to the second chapter of the [[Literature/EpistlesOfJohn First Epistle of John]], "antichrist" refers to individuals who either (a) denies that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, or both (v. 22); or (b) abandons Christian teachings and becomes an apostate (v. 19). (Verse 18 says "even now many antichrists have come.") Other texts note that an antichrist (c) actively persecutes and attacks followers of Christ (John 15:20, 21); or (d) claims to be the Messiah (the Christ) but isn't Jesus (Matthew 24:24). Groups engaged in the actions described above can also be considered antichrists.
174** The charismatic world-ruler who is anointed by Satan to bring about the end of the world does appear in the Literature/BookOfRevelation, but is never referred to as the Antichrist, only as the Beast (specifically, the First Beast or the Beast from the Sea, in contrast to the Second Beast or the Beast from the Land, aka [[TheDragon the False Prophet]]). In fact, a key feature, of the Beast is that it ''[[DefiedTrope does not use any name found in the Bible]]'' when it claims its divinity! Rather than being a prediction of some specific future ruler, however, many mainstream Christian scholars see the two Beasts as representing either one of the Roman emperors (probably UsefulNotes/{{Nero}} or UsefulNotes/{{Caligula}}) and the religious-political establishment that supported him, UsefulNotes/TheRomanEmpire itself, or tyranny in general. Furthermore, there are more than two Beasts with important parts to play in Revelation. The First Beast and Second Beast are just a set that appear together.
175** There is, however, a character in the [[Literature/BooksOfThessalonians Second Epistle to the Thessalonians]], the [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Man of Lawlessness]] or Man of Sin, who fits the description rather well, [[BlasphemousBoast proclaiming himself to be God]]. Evangelical Christians identify him, along with the Revelation Beast and another character referred to in the Book of Daniel, with John's Antichrist. (That is, "the" Antichrist of verse 18, who the other "many [lesser] antichrists" are compared to.)
176** The Literature/BookOfDaniel has a figure referred to as "the Little Horn", because he at first seems innocent but is actually deadly. He is often said to be a future leader who will [[OneWorldOrder sweet-talk the entire planet into following him]].
177* [[UsefulNotes/{{Islam}} Islamic]] traditions (not Literature/TheQuran) has the ''Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal'' (literally "the deceiving messiah"), often shortened as just ''Dajjal'' ("deceiver"), who is believed to appear near the end times to gain followers by performing miracles. He will sway the entire world, except for Mecca and Medina, into his order, before [[UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}} Isa]], the Messiah, will descend from the heavens to defeat him and lead the world into glory once more.
178* Medieval Judaism has its own Antichrist in the figure of Armilus.
179[[/folder]]
180
181[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
182* In the ''TabletopGame/{{Greyhawk}}'' campaign, Iuz the Old may be considered an anti-Christ, being the son of the demon lord Graz'zt and the mortal sorceress Iggwilv. The tyrannical ruler of the Empire of Iuz, he has had a long and bloody history in his attempts to conquer various territories of the Flanaess, which thus far, have all ended in failure.
183* The Vistani of ''TabletopGame/{{Ravenloft}}'' have their own equivalent of the Antichrist, known as the Dukkar. A Vistani-blooded male born with the Sight, the Dukkar is foretold to destroy the Vistani people while freeing the darklords from their domains: a feat that may or may not cause the Land of Mists to collapse entirely, unleashing its trapped evils upon the multiverse.
184** It's actually a bit more complicated than that: there have been at least two Dukkar already, each threatening the Land of Mists' status quo and the Vistani in his own way. The first wrote a series of {{Self Fulfilling Prophec|y}}ies meant to sunder Ravenloft (which almost came to pass, and would have if not for the meddling of some Darklords who caused two of the prophecies to happen out of order... [[UnwittingPawn Just As Planned]]) and the second one is currently doing his damnedest to torture to death any and all Vistani he can lay his hands on, even if it means sending his {{mooks}} to hunt them across the borders of other domains--which means the south-central Core is currently a political powderkeg. And since "stability" in the Core tends to be based on all the Darklords (pretty much all of them sociopaths) not paying much attention to anything outside of their own affairs...
185* Horus in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'', who initiated the Literature/HorusHeresy which led to fully half of the [[SuperSoldier Astartes Legions]] going insane and creating the [[CrapsackWorld current state of the galaxy]]. He also nearly killed the [[GodEmperor Emperor of Mankind]], who has not recovered in 10,000 years.
186** The ''Literature/HorusHeresy'' series reveals that [[DarkMessiah Lorgar]] fits the trope much better. He's touched by the powers of Chaos during his creation much more than his brothers, is raised on a world ruled by [[PathOfInspiration a church that worships Chaos]], and is the first to fall to the Ruinous Powers. His [[TheDragon Dragon]] Erebus is directly responsible for turning Horus into the monster he becomes. It's the sheer infamy of Horus's deeds that causes the Imperium to think of ''him'' as the Antichrist instead of Lorgar.
187** Horus's [[TheDragon Dragon]] and possible clone son Abaddon the Despoiler has assumed Horus's mantle for most citizens of the Imperium. Really, only the Chaos Legions who knew him before he got famous think of him as anything less than the universe's Antichrist.
188* Archaon in ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'' was destined from birth to become the Everchosen of Chaos who will finally bring about the End Times. Since he was raised as a devout follower of Sigmar before learning this he is understandably ''extremely'' unhappy about this fate and intends to ultimately subvert the will of the Chaos Gods. Unfortunately for everyone else his plan is to [[OmnicidalManiac kill every living thing in the word]] to permanently rob the Chaos Gods of sustenance, destroying them in their moment of triumph.
189[[/folder]]
190
191[[folder:Video Games]]
192* In ''VideoGame/EldenRing'', the cult of the [[GodOfEvil Frenzied Flame]] and the [[MouthOfsauron Three Fingers]] are awaiting the arrival of a 'Lord of Chaos', someone who will contain the essence of the Outer God and use it to [[OmnicidalManiac melt the world into a primordial soup]] so that [[AssimilationPlot everything can be one again]]. [[spoiler: YOU can potentially become said Lord by coming into contact with the Three Fingers (after being heavily warned to ''not'' do it), which leads to an outright DownerEnding that, unlike every other route, locks you out of the other endings unless you do a specific, obscure sidequest to become the AntiAntichrist and purge the Flame from your body.]]
193* At this point, Sephiroth from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' has finally morphed into the definitive video game icon of this. Being the Son of Jenova (a false alien God), being able to herald the Apocalypse (Meteor), and, finally, having armies of Devout Worshippers (the [[{{Cult}} Reunion]]). Just for a kicker, he also comes back to life twice. The sequel film is even called ''Advent Children'' because Sephiroth does a Second Coming in it.
194* The Demi-Fiend from ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' was created with the potential to become the Antichrist, and not following any of the Reasons allows you to fulfill this potential to varying degrees. [[spoiler:In the True Demon ending, you fulfill this trope to the letter by destroying all of Creation and becoming TheDragon to [[{{Satan}} Lucifer himself]], before leading the LegionsOfHell [[RageAgainstTheHeavens to take on]] ''[[RageAgainstTheHeavens God]]''.]]
195* Played with in ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor''. [[spoiler:The main character obtains the potential to become an antichrist and a demon king partway through the game. Depending on the ending you gun for, you may become it or choose to use that potential for other ends.]]
196* ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' puts {{Dracula}} here. You spend every game stomping him before he reaches full strength.
197* In ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'', this seems to be what the Covenant [[MookHorrorShow naturally see the Spartans as in general - Master Chief in particular.]] In a demonstration of how perspective is everything, to humanity the Master Chief is the HopeBringer at the very least, and the MessianicArchetype at best.
198* Gig from ''VideoGame/SoulNomadAndTheWorldEaters'', who was [[spoiler:created from the dead soul of [[TheGrimReaper Vigilance]] by Drazil for the explicit purpose of killing everything in Haephnes, leaving Drazil as the only remaining world.]]
199* In ''VideoGame/InFamous'', it turns out that [[spoiler:the villain is actually the protagonist from a BadFuture, coming back in time to better prepare him for]] the [[spoiler:''actual'']] world-ending villain, who is called, of course, "the Beast."
200* Omega in ''VideoGame/MegaManZero'', AxCrazy yet loyal [[TheDragon Dragon]] to Dr. Weil. Caused the demise of 75% of all sentient life (combined total of humans and reploids). Making things even more horrifying is that Omega is [[spoiler:exactly what Dr. Wily intended Zero to be.]] Sprinkle a little extra FridgeHorror on there when the reveal is made that [[spoiler:Omega is Zero's original body, meaning that Wily ''succeeded''.]]
201* ''VideoGame/StreetFighterIII'' has Gill, in a surprisingly closer form to the Biblical version than most. He says that he wants to take mankind to a promised land where they'll be protected from TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt, but considering how his [[OddlySmallOrganization oddly small]] {{cult}} engages in a lot of brainwashing, deception, genetic experimenting, forcing people's hand, and whatnot, and the fact that they're called TheIlluminati of all things, well…
202* ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' series:
203** [[spoiler:Takaya]] plays this role in ''VideoGame/Persona3''. As the EvilCounterpart to the [[MessianicArchetype Player]] [[HelloInsertNameHere Character]], he seeks to bring about TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. In doing so, he strives to prevent the heroes from destroying the Dark Hour, and is the founder of a cult to welcome the arrival of [[spoiler:Nyx and the Fall of Humanity]].
204** [[spoiler:Adachi]] from ''VideoGame/Persona4'' is a bit of an Antichrist. He is a terrible person who hates the world and wants to end the age of man, masterminding the events of the game [[spoiler:since the real mastermind didn't do anything other than give the means.]] Even gets the Shadows on his side towards the end of the game.
205* ''VideoGame/{{Lucius}}'' has the antichrist as ''[[VillainProtagonist the protagonist]]''. It's essentially a VideoGameAdaptation of ''Film/TheOmen''.
206* ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword'' puts longtime series antagonist Ganondorf as this. [[spoiler:As he is the incarnation of the hatred of [[GodOfEvil Demon King Demise]] who was defeated long ago by the Goddess Hylia's champion (Link). Demise then cursed the blood of the goddess and spirit of the hero to be locked in eternal war with his own reincarnation. Even when he reincarnates as a decent person initially, the curse inevitably drives him to [[AmbitionIsEvil seek unlimited power]], as shown in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTheWindWaker'' where he (ambiguously) started out as a WellIntentionedExtremist or [[WhatCouldHaveBeen the original concept for]] ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' where he was initially just [[FromNobodyToNightmare a normal guy]] (and a Music/{{Metallica}} fan).]]
207* Walter Sullivan in ''VideoGame/SilentHill4'' appears to be this. He is committing serial murder as part of the 21 Sacraments to resurrect the cult's [[GodIsEvil evil God]] and be reunited with his mother, burned the orphanage he was raised in in the process of killing one of his victims, rose from the dead after committing suicide, and you find his crucified original body in the secret room behind Henry's apartment.
208* ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc'' has the Ultimate Despair (not to be confused with the ApocalypseCult they started that shares their namesake), [[spoiler: Junko Enoshima, aka The Mastermind, who already caused TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt and is now using the School Life Of Mutual Killing to [[HopeCrusher crush any last traces of hope in the world]] simply because she can. She manages to amass a following, which comes into relevance in ''VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair'', but definitely doesn't project herself as any kind of savior.]]
209* Julius in ''VideoGame/FireEmblemGenealogyOfTheHolyWar''. He was born as a result of the Loptous cult's long-term plotting to bring back their dark god by literally breeding a child with a strong enough Loptous lineage. By some accounts he started off as a normal kid until he was given the cult's AncestralWeapon; then he became Loptous' murderous vessel.
210* In ''VideoGame/FireEmblemAwakening'' your player character (the Avatar) was bred to be the vessel of Grima. A big plot point hinges on whether the Avatar decides to embrace their fate or ScrewDestiny. [[spoiler: In the timeline you are physically playing in, they fight fate and become the AntiAntichrist. In the Future Past timeline, they embrace it and truly becomes the Antichrist.]]
211* ''Franchise/BaldursGate'' has the Bhaalspawn, children of the TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms' [[GodOfEvil god of murder]] Bhaal. It's a coin toss on whether they become an OmnicidalManiac or an AntiAntiChrist, with a prominent example of the former being the BigBad of the [[VideoGame/BaldursGate first game]] Sarevok and examples of the latter being [[spoiler:the PlayerCharacter of I & II, their sister Imoen, and potentially the PlayerCharacter of ''VideoGame/BaldursGateIII'']].
212** ''VideoGame/BaldursGateIII'' has Lord Enver Gortash, who acts very much as a traditional example of this [[spoiler:courtesy of his status as TheChosenOne of the [[GodOfEvil god of tyranny, Bane]]]]. According to his parents he was simply born evil, as despite having been born into poverty he was a spiteful, demanding SpoiledBrat from day one [[FreudianExcuse and only got worse after they sold him to a warlock]] [[spoiler:who in reality was the [[DevilInDisguise devil Raphael]]]]. In the present day, he pulls a TyrantTakesTheHelm on the titular city and becomes a DarkMessiah seeking to [[TheEvilsOfFreeWill save people from themselves]]. He solidifies his influence through EngineeredHeroics, [[FalseFlagOperation false flag operations]], and MindControl and turns the city into a nightmarish PoliceState he rules with an iron fist as the ApatheticCitizens are comforted by his deceit through the climate of fear he deliberately created.
213* In the Genocide route of ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'', [[spoiler:the Fallen Child--that is, the child who was adopted by Toriel and Asgore--becomes this by possessing the PlayerCharacter through their player-directed violence; by the end of the game, the Fallen has taken over entirely and not only destroys the entire world, they murder the player and force you to sell your soul for a reset, which taints every future playthrough]]. How much they are this on other storylines is ambiguous; they were said to hate humanity and want revenge on ''a'' village, but in Genocide, the character says that your actions showed them the "true path" (i.e. destroy it ''all'').
214* In ''VideoGame/Bayonetta2'' there's [[spoiler:Loptr, the evil half of the former Creator-God of Chaos, Aesir. He is literally the evil incarnate of the former god of humanity, and plans on taking back the power of free will bequeathed to humankind when he was whole so that he can become Aesir again. For an added bonus, he ascends into godhood on Christmas Day, the day celebrating the birth of Christ!]]
215* In ''VideoGame/CrusaderKingsII'', with [[MagicRealism supernatural events]] on, one possibility is the Antichrist, or an equivalent for another religion, arising and wreaking havoc upon the world with powerful traits (including the ability to regenerate from the most brutal mutilation the medieval world can offer) and event armies. Of course, it's just another wrinkle for the brutal politics of the medieval world, and often less dangerous than [[HordesFromTheEast Genghis Khan riding in from the east]] or [[AlternateHistory the Aztecs getting their hands on Viking longboats]].
216* ''VideoGame/HorizonZeroDawn'': Fear of this is why Aloy was outcast as a baby. She was found deep in the Nora's Sacred Mountain, in front of the door leading to All-Mother... and right under the claw of the Metal Devil, frozen from where the All-Mother struck him down. High Matriarch Teersa believed that she was [[MessianicArchetype the daughter of the Goddess sent to save them]], while High Matriarch Lansra believed that she was the daughter of the Metal Devil sent to destroy them. Making her outcast was a compromise: She would be raised by Rost, the most honorable outcast, where she would live safe but separate from the tribe, close enough to keep an eye on her but far enough not to do damage. The truth is that [[spoiler:the AI that re-terraformed the Earth created a clone of its creator because it knew she would be able to open the genetic locks and fix everything that was going off the rails]].
217* In ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'', it's eventually revealed that [[spoiler:your friend Leah is the daughter of the Diablo-possessed Prince Aidan and Adria the Witch, birthed in order to become the newest vessel for Diablo himself. Leah would probably have tried to become an AntiAntichrist if given the chance, but unfortunately nobody sees Adria's betrayal coming until the metaphorical knife is in her back and it's far too late to save her.]]
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222* Spatch and Spatch II from ''WebComic/RiceBoy'' are clear antichrists. The terms in their own world are false "fulfillers" -- but they have the role. They manage to be pretty darn scary for simply drawn anthropomorphic frogs.
223** In part, the problem with the Spatches was that The One Electronic essentially created his own Antichrists; somewhere between ''WebComic/OrderOfTales'' (or maybe even ''Webcomic/{{Vattu}}'', it's unclear) and ''WebComic/RiceBoy'', he, Golgo and Calabash were sent to search for the "fulfiller" (of a certain prophecy), and each time he thought he'd found the one, he'd groom them to be this messiah he's seeking; unfortunately, Spatch started leveraging it for his own benefit and became corrupted by the cushy gig messiahdom had become. Spatch II inherited the title and his dad's attitude.
224** ''WebComic/OrderOfTales'' has its own antichrist in reincarnated Rog [[spoiler: actually, Gerráh impersonating Rog]], the ancient warlord who drenched Overside in blood.
225* Parodied in ''WebComic/SluggyFreelance'': Apparently, {{Satan}} is intent on fathering someone who would become the Antichrist, but offspring from human mothers just don't seem to be good enough. So, albeit on a drunken dare, he fathers a litter of 18 ([[NumberOfTheBeast 6+6+6]]) Satanic kittens. They don't qualify as the Antichrist either, though, so they just become [[KillerRabbit killer slasher kittens of doom]].
226* In ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'', [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext Guy Fieri is the third and final Antichrist.]]
227* In ''Webcomic/MysteryBabylon'', Kick Girl states that Adrian, the self-styled Lord of Light, is in fact the literal Antichrist.
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230[[folder:Web Original]]
231* In ''WebVideo/MandelaCatalogue'', the Antichrist already won. [[spoiler:The setting takes place in an AlternateHistory where Satan [[DevilInDisguise masqueraded]] as ArchangelGabriel when he was sent to herald Jesus' birth, and replaced Him. He then managed to [[GodsNeedPrayerBadly trick all of mankind into worshipping him instead]], [[GodIsDead imprisoned Jesus]], and [[TheBadGuyWins took over the world]] while filling it with demonic {{Humanoid Abomination}}s to torment mankind further.]]
232* Sara Waite (aka Carmilla) of the Literature/WhateleyUniverse. The child of the demon lord Gothmog and a woman who is descended from [[Franchise/CthulhuMythos the Deep Ones]], she is prophesied to become The Kellith, which will wipe out humanity and replace it with her spawn. She's also one of the protagonists.
233* ''Website/TheOnion'''s coverage of the [[http://www.theonion.com/section/royal-baby/ royal baby]] in 2013 depicts Kate Middleton's child as a full out demon.
234* In a RunningGag of their LetsPlay of ''VideoGame/StarFoxAdventures'', the hosts of ''LetsPlay/AnalogControl'', under heavy amounts of AlternateCharacterInterpretation, have taken to the belief KidSidekick Prince Tricky is the son of "Dino-Satan". This mostly comes from his [[BreathWeapon fire breathing]], OffscreenTeleportation and the belief Fox and his team are (accidentally) the bad guys.
235* [[https://writing-prompt-s.tumblr.com/post/178353069693/eldritchsandwich-solarcat-talieclandestine This tumblr post]] is a bit subversion of the trope.
236* ''WebAnimation/UnbiasedHistory'', with a dose of HistoricalVillainUpgrade, depicts the Persian king [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khosrow_II Khosrow II]] as the Antichrist specifically created by the devil to wage war on Christendom.
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239[[folder:Western Animation]]
240* Marceline from ''WesternAnimation/AdventureTime'' could be said to be this, as her father is more or less the show's version of Satan. However, she, like Raven, falls firmly into AntiAntichrist territory.
241* The ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad'' episode "Rapture's Delight" depicts the Antichrist as a LargeHam akin to the Riddler from the 1960's ''Series/Batman1966'' live-action series. He claims to be the opposite of Jesus in every way--most of which make him incompetent and unintimidating. When the DeathTrap he places Stan, Francine, and Jesus in breaks down, he claims that it's because Jesus is carpenter, so the Antichrist is "not handy at all".
242-->'''Antichrist''': Condemn them, Mother, for they know exactly what they do!
243* Vlad Dracula Tepes from ''WesternAnimation/Castlevania2017''. The exact origins and purpose of Dracula's immense power and authority over vampirekind are unknown, but most vampires revere him and some were eagerly awaiting the day he would lead them into conquering the human world. However, though they get do get their wish, a select few express their disappointment that what finally motivated Dracula to wage war on humanity was the murder of a human wife, and that becoming a shell of the man he used to be has caused a nihilistic Dracula to campaign for mankind's extinction rather than its subjugation.
244* ''WesternAnimation/FinalSpace'': It's revealed in Season 3 that both the Lord Commander's and Ash's respective powers originally come from [[SatanicArchetype Invictus]]. [[spoiler:The resurrected Lord Commander]], who was already a megalomaniacal asshole before aligning with Invictus directly, is willingly serving Invictus within Final Space (albeit as part of a bargain rather than out of true loyalty). Ash herself is the AntiAntichrist, [[spoiler:until she makes a FaceHeelTurn and gets further corrupted, at which point she succeeds in freeing Invictus from its LeakingCanOfEvil]].
245* [[BigBad Unalaq]] from ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' acts as [[TheAntiGod Vaatu]]'s herald and seeks to blanket the whole world in darkness. He also can corrupt spirits and people.
246* The titular character in ''WesternAnimation/LucyTheDaughterOfTheDevil'' slightly subverts this as she is a girl. She also has an on again/off again relationship with her polar opposite, DJ Jesus.
247* ''WesternAnimation/TheOwlHouse'': Instead of being the classic "Devil's Spawn", [[Characters/TheOwlHouseEmperorBelos Emperor Belos]] fits the criteria in a biblical sense. [[spoiler: He comes from another world (in this case, the Human World), posing himself as a FalseProphet, manipulating and turning the peaceful people of the Boiling Isles into selfish, entitled jerkasses, and rules the Demon Realm by claiming to speak with a godlike entity (the Titan), so he could commit a mass genocide with the Day Of Unity’s plan, which even involves tricking everyone to wear the MarkOfTheBeast that marks them as damned in the form of Coven Sigils. In the finale, once he merges with the Titan’s still beating heart, his OneWingedAngel form is a draconic abomination (similar to Satan's form), while his true body is posed in a blasphemous parody of the crucified Jesus himself]]. This is a stark contrast with [[MessianicArchetype Luz]], who with time improved many people of the Boiling Isles’s lives for the better, and finally [[spoiler: is chosen by the lingering spirit of The Titan because of her kindness, more specifically towards their son, King, making her the true emissary of The Titan]].
248* Aku's daughters from the fifth season of ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' are seven of these, with a twist. He had ''zero'' idea he even had kids because [[spoiler:they were conceived via their mother drinking Aku's essence he left to her cult when he was flattered by their worship of him]] and only learns and acts on this trope [[spoiler:when he finds out Ashi is his daughter and performs a VillainOverride.]]
249* [[spoiler:Bart Simpson]] in episode 20.13 of ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', "Gone Maggie Gone". The episode is a parody of ''Literature/TheDaVinciCode''.
250* A running joke through the first few seasons of ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhostCoastToCoast''...
251--> '''Zorak:''' Space Ghost! I am the lone locust of the apocalypse. Think of me when you look to the night sky!
252* Damien from ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark''.
253** Cartman's "Critter Christmas" story involved a group of cute woodland animals who worship Satan attempting to give birth to the Antichrist on Christmas.
254* Raven from ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans2003'' is essentially the Antichrist, being the daughter of [[SatanicArchetype Trigon]] and serving as [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt his portal to Earth]]. However, she's an AntiAntichrist in that she's completely unwilling and is opposed to her father.
255* The ''WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime'' incarnation of [[BigBad Megatron]] has this going for him. He has necromancer-like abilities thanks to Dark Energon, made [[DoomedHometown Cybertron]] unsuitable for life, caused mass murder on Cybertron, plans to do the same thing on Earth, and [[NoOneCouldSurviveThat just when everyone thought he died when he was in a space bridge explosion]], he recovered. He gets progressively worse as the series goes on; he proves just how much of a ManipulativeBastard he is with Orion Pax and [[spoiler: Ratchet]], tries to corrupt Jack in the collapsed mine, and outright offers his service to Unicron, the Satan of the franchise. In season two, when Optimus acquires [[StoryBreakerPower the Star Saber]], Megatron counters it by ripping off the limb of a dead Prime, grafts it to himself to wield a sword made of the blood of Unicron, giving a big middle finger to his creator, Primus, and the lineage of the Primes. Optimus is appropriately horrified by this.
256** He even thinks he's the Anti-[[CrystalDragonJesus Primus]], as he believed that a vision of coming darkness and the destruction of Earth was All About Him.
257* On ''WesternAnimation/UglyAmericans,'' Callie is the [[HalfHumanHybrid half-human]] daughter of the current Devil. She is currently taking part in his plan to cause the Apocalypse, and it's sometimes been hinted that she could have a larger role (she once had recurring dreams of the world ending if she slept with Twayne). She's not particularly enthused by this, though, and seems unsure if she wants to be this or the AntiAntichrist.
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