Not a Villain

what follows is my spoiler-filled opinion on why i don't think kyubey is a villain.

from what i saw, the definition on what a villain is varies, but i mostly saw things saying that a villain does something evil, and additionally (in some definitions), they do so with malicious intent. although kyubey is generally cited as a villain, and i see people referring to him as "evil", i really don't think he is.

i'll start with him transforming the magical girls into soul gems. kyubey explains quite clearly that this is the most efficient form for the girls to take, and i agree. although it may not be in line with what humans are generally comfortable with (not that kyubey would understand that; he is an alien, after all), it does spare them from much of the harm that they would receive if they stayed in their meat suits. as kyubey said, human bodies are prone to failure. with their souls inside of a gem, they can avoid death, and heal damage done, without it being incapacitating and/or irreversible. moreover, it's not like the girls lose their bodies. they still feel (though it can be blocked out), and move about as if nothing is any different, as long as they keep their soul gem on them. it is really just an extra level of protection that is beneficial for the girls (though they may not agree).

now on to him making the contracts at all. although kyubey does leave some important information out, which is pretty manipulative, he does say that the girls' lives will now be devoted to fighting witches, and he doesn't promise a long life. He does not hide the fact that it's dangerous, though he does not mention the girls' inevitable fate. i almost think this is justified, however, because if he was completely honest with the girls, i don't think many people would be willing to make a contract. and, given the reasons for the contracts, i believe that kyubey's actions are ultimately justified. though it is unpleasant, his work is being done to preserve the universe. he explains this perfectly well; there is a possibility that he is lying, but i don't think it's likely. essentially, kyubey is causing suffering to some for the survival of all. it seems like his race could find no other comparable source of energy to fight entropy (which i imagine would be a universe-ending disaster, if gone unchecked). the way that they go about doing so is certainly not pleasant, but that does not mean that one can immediately brand it as "evil". something that is ultimately beneficial, even though it is rooted in suffering, to me should at least be considered "neutral". i believe that in kyubey's case, the ends justify the means.