also: あくけい
villain role; villain's part
Primarily used in kabuki to refer to the role of a villain or antagonist. Can also be used metaphorically for a person playing a villainous role in a situation.
He specializes in villain roles in kabuki.
bad shape; poor formation
Used in board games like shogi and othello to describe a disadvantageous or awkward arrangement of pieces. Not used for physical shape of objects.
あの政治家はいつも悪形を演じている。
That politician is always playing the villain.
In this position, the first player has fallen into a bad shape.
I didn't play that move to avoid a poor formation.
Standard kanji form for both senses; 形 is the usual character for 'shape' or 'form'.
Rare on'yomi reading, mostly limited to shogi/othello terminology.
Alternate kanji form using 方 (person/role), seen in kabuki contexts for the villain role.
Compound of 悪 (aku, 'bad, evil') and 形 (kata/kei, 'shape, form, role'). The reading あくがた is the more common kun'yomi-based reading, while あくけい is a rare on'yomi reading used in game terminology.