敵役|かたきやくkatakiyaku[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounrole of the villain; the bad guy

• Synonym悪役あくやくNeutralThe most versatile term: a villain's part in a play, or figuratively the hated role in an organization, as in 「悪役を買って出る」.
• Synonym悪玉あくだまCasualColloquial: a bad person or the bad side, not necessarily a role in a story. Also seen in 「悪玉コレステロール」.
• Synonym悪者わるものCasualColloquial: a person who does bad things; not limited to drama. Often in 「悪者扱いされる」, 'to be treated as the bad guy'.
• Antonym味方役NeutralThe role on the protagonist's side in a story; the direct opposite of 「敵役」.
• Antonym善役NeutralThe role of the good, positive character — the opposite of the villain 「敵役」 denotes.

For a villain in a play, 「悪役」 is the usual word; 「敵役」 is the villain who opposes the hero, in kabuki and the like, and by extension a hated role. For a bad person, say 「悪者」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 物語ものがたりや演劇えんげきで悪人あくにんを演えんじる役柄やくがら。悪役あくやく。