What is the Dark Triad in the Black Clover series?

Members of Dark Triad as seen in anime
Members of Dark Triad as seen in anime

In the world of Black Clover, everything is defined by either magic or social class. Therefore, the introduction of the Dark Triad was necessary as it became one of the pivotal turning points in the story. While the introductory arcs focused more on Asta and Yuno and their dreams, the arrival of the Dark Triad plunges the series into darker, more mature territory.

In Black Clover, the Dark Triad is a trio of powerful mages who seized control of the Spade Kingdom. After taking over the kingdom, they transformed it into a militarized zone where everyone worshipped the devil. From the information we have about the story, we know that each member of the Triad is possessed by a high-ranking devil from the underworld, which grants them immense magical abilities far beyond the scope of regular mages.

The three main people who formed these groups were Dante Zogratis, Zenon Zogratis, and Vanica Zogratis. These three people are biological siblings and of noble birth, which means that they are already pretty powerful characters. But their nobility wasn’t their only source of power.

Through Devil Possession and access to Devil-Human Fusion Magic, it seemed like they had God-tier powers. These three members were almost invincible. And they did not waste time on overthrowing the ruling House Grinberryall. Moreover, after achieving that goal, they formed a brutal regime with only one purpose in mind.

Zenon and Julius as seen in manga (Image credit: Shueisha)
Zenon and Julius as seen in manga (Image credit: Shueisha)

It was to open the gates of the Underworld and bring devils into the human realm. To understand why they were focused on becoming a threat to humanity, it is important to know the purpose behind their actions. In Black Clover, the Dark Triad’s goal is tied to the Tree of Qliphoth.

This tree is said to be a bridge between the human world and the underworld. Furthermore, this tree connects the two worlds via ten gates, and each gate allows progressively stronger devils to enter the human realm.

Interestingly, to make this ritual work, they needed access to two types of magic. That is Dark Magic and World Tree Magic. They kidnapped the only two mages capable of performing these magics, Yami Sukehiro of the Black Bulls and William Vangeance of the Golden Dawn.

By kidnapping both captains and using their magic in unison, the Triad seeks to open all the gates of the Tree of Qliphoth and unleash hell on Earth, quite literally. They view devils not as invaders but as gods or superior beings worthy of worship. To the Triad, chaos, and domination are the natural order of the universe. Their belief system is of survival of the fittest, where emotion and morality are weaknesses.


What is happening to the Dark Triad in Black Clover?

Megicula in Black Clover (Image via Shueisha)
Megicula in Black Clover (Image via Shueisha)

According to the current storyline, the Dark Triad has been defeated. But this does not mean that the characters have time to relax, as it does not mean the end of devil threats in Black Clover. We know that Dante has been defeated by Jack the Ripper and Magna Swing. They tried to neutralize his magic and were successful, as they had laid a trap.

Although this could not be called a perfect victory, Lucifero still manages to partially manifest using Morris, another Spade scientist and devil host. Zenon, perhaps the most conflicted of the trio, was ultimately defeated by Yuno. His defeat ended up in a tragic relationship as he realized the true meaning of strength and brotherhood.

Finally, Vanica is defeated by Noelle Silva. Defeating her triggered Megicula’s full manifestation, although she was ultimately destroyed by the combined efforts of Noelle, Lolopechka, and Charlotte Roselei.


Final thoughts

In the story of Black Clover, the Dark Triad represented one of the biggest threats that the Clover Kingdom had to face. These three siblings were the most dangerous and impactful villain groups because they were not just powerful enemies; they were ideological foils to the protagonists. As Black Clover is reaching its climax, the existence of Dark Triad is a grim reminder of how power without empathy becomes a monstrosity.

Edited by Debanjana