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.
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.
He specializes in villain roles in kabuki.
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.
好形 is the antonym in shogi/othello, meaning 'good shape' or 'favorable 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.