In anime, deaths play a crucial role in the plot and are often the most impactful moments. They not only serve as major events, but also deeply affect the characters’ emotions and drive the development of the anime or manga.
It can be painful to witness the death of a beloved character. Yet, just as death is an unavoidable part of human existence, it is necessary for anime characters to die in order to maintain realism in the series.
The significance of a tragic event holds more weight than the event itself in a storyline. For instance, in Attack on Titan, Eren’s desire to eliminate all Titans stemmed from one devouring his mother, while Sasuke’s quest to avenge his parents in Naruto led him to seek revenge against his brother, Itachi. This compilation highlights the 10 most influential anime deaths across various series.
Top 10 Most Impactful Anime Deaths
Mio’s Death in Dororo
The 2019 dark fantasy anime Dororo is a thought-provoking tale. Mio is a secondary character who turns to prostitution in order to survive in a war-torn village.
Mio, a compassionate and caring woman, made an effort to assist both Dororo and Hyakkimaru. Hyakkimaru was born without limbs, organs, or emotions. When he and Dororo encountered Mio, he had only recently regained his hearing and was only able to tolerate Mio’s singing.
Mio’s passing served as a symbol of political suppression and carried with it an emotional weight. Witnessing this had a profound impact on Hyakkimaru, causing him to go into a frenzy and slaughter all the soldiers in his path.
The Death of Ai in Oshi No Ko
Ai Hoshino’s death is a significant event in the world of anime, as it serves as the catalyst for the entire story. The plot of Oshi no Ko centers around Ai’s children, who become fixated on uncovering the truth behind their mother’s untimely demise.
In their previous lives, both of Ai’s children were devoted admirers of hers. Even after being reborn, they retained all of their memories and cognitive abilities, and continued to do whatever they could to assist Ai.
The tragic death of Ai shed light on the challenges faced by idols in their line of work. As a result, her children suffered psychological distress and struggled to seek justice in the aftermath.
8) The Death of Ubuyashiki in Demon Slayer
Similar to Gege, the creator of Demon Slayer, Koyoharu, also did not shy away from killing off crucial characters in the story. Out of all the deaths, the passing of Rengoku and Ubuyashiki were perhaps the most impactful.
Despite being afflicted with a curse that left him in a frail condition, Kaguya Ubuyashiki was a skilled strategist and the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. In anticipation of his own death, he devised a masterful plan to defeat Muzan, which he nearly accomplished while sacrificing his own life.
Kaguya collaborated with Tamayo to devise a cynical scheme to sacrifice himself, his family, and Muzan in a massive explosion. The audacity and skill displayed in this seemingly impossible feat cemented Ubuyashiki’s death as one of the most memorable anime deaths ever.
7) The Death of Thor – Vinland Saga
The anime Vinland Saga, released in 2019, has received widespread critical acclaim for its powerful critiques of colonialism, slavery, and imperialistic wars. The story begins with the death of Thors, a pivotal event that sets the action in motion.
Thors, a Jomsviking general, abandoned the battlefield in pursuit of a peaceful existence. However, he was targeted by Askeladd for assassination. Despite emerging victorious in their duel, Thors’ son, Thorfinn, was taken hostage and a volley of arrows was fired at Thors in an attempt to end his life.
Thors’ untimely demise had a profound effect on Thorfinn’s life, causing a shift in the story as he seeks revenge and deals with the repercussions. It is widely considered one of the most impactful deaths in the animeverse due to its powerful emotional and technical impact on the narrative.
The Death of Hughes in Fullmetal Alchemist
Similar to Attack on Titan, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is also filled with violence and death. However, amidst this dark and somber setting, Maes Hughes’ cheerful personality provided a glimmer of hope. As a well-respected military officer, he shared a close bond with the Elric brothers.
During his research into the past of Amesteris, Hughes uncovered significant details about the philosopher’s stone and homunculi. He was then suddenly attacked by “Lust,”but managed to injure her before leaving the office to contact Roy Mustang from a nearby telephone booth.
In the end, Maes is fatally shot by Envy. This event was a pivotal moment in the anime. Roy’s previous inaction turned into a thirst for revenge, while Ed and Al grew even more determined after witnessing the loss of their loved ones. It signaled the start of a fierce confrontation between the opposing powers of good and evil.
Ace’s Last Breath – One Piece
Portgas D. Ace, also known as Gol D. Ace, is a beloved character in One Piece. Similar to Luffy’s transformation after Jiraiya’s passing in Naruto, Ace’s demise had a profound impact on Luffy, causing him to realize the importance of becoming stronger in order to defend himself and those he cares about.
Despite Blackbeard surrendering Ace to the Marines and the announcement of his public execution, the “Marineford war arc”was set in motion. Despite being freed, Ace tragically perished while defending Whitebeard’s legacy and safeguarding Luffy.
Ace, the son of the former pirate king Gol D. Roger, had been pursued by the Marines for a significant period of time. Akainu’s determination to eradicate the bloodlines of both D. Roger and D. Dragon ultimately led to Ace’s tragic fate.
4) The Death of Twice in My Hero Academia
Despite being an anime known for its intense and tragic deaths, the 2016 series My Hero Academia stands out for its particularly impactful loss of Bubaigawara, also known as Twice. His death had a profound effect on the plot.
The “sad man’s parade,”also known as Twice’s power, proved to be a significant disadvantage for the heroes. As a result, Hawk, acting as a double-agent, took the necessary steps to eliminate him before he could pose a threat. However, the consequences of this action left Hawk severely wounded. This caused Toga, who was already in excruciating pain, to spiral into madness, leading her to acquire the ability to mimic Twice’s quirk.
The death of Twice is widely considered to be one of the most impactful moments in anime, as it completely changed the direction of the story from a position of strength for the Heroes to one of weakness.
3) The Death of Gojo in Jujutsu Kaisen
Despite not being the main character of Jujutsu Kaisen, Gojo Satoru’s captivating persona won over the hearts of the audience. He is known as the most powerful sorcerer and a visionary.
Gojo’s death holds immense significance within the plot as it symbolizes an act of rebellion against authority. It not only signifies the downfall of sorcerors, but also silences the voice of liberation and sparks a shift in Yuji’s character and the despair of other sorcerors.
In summary, the unexpected death of Gojo drastically altered the storyline of both the anime and manga. This event caused widespread frustration and anger among fans worldwide. When taking into account fan response, Gojo’s death could be considered one of the most significant in anime history.
2) The Tragic Death of Eren – Attack on Titan
The main focus of the story is on Eren, a member of the 104th unit of Survey Corps who possesses the power of the “Attack Titan.”As the plot unravels, the inhabitants of Paradis uncover the truth about titans, their origins, and the global control of Marley. The remainder of the narrative centers on Eren’s determined fight to put an end to the “cycle of violence”on his own.
Eren’s death holds immense symbolism, surpassing any other death in the anime despite occurring at the end. As he “became the greatest evil,”the world united against him and ultimately brought about his demise. It can be argued that Eren’s death stands as one of the most profound and impactful deaths in anime.
Jiraiya’s Death in Naruto
Despite the prevalence of violence in Naruto, the most poignant moment is undoubtedly the death of Jiraiya sensei. His murder occurred while he was on a mission in Amegakure, attempting to uncover the leader of Akatsuki. Jiraiya’s untimely demise had a profound impact on the storyline, particularly on Naruto.
Following the death of his master, Naruto came to the realization that he needed to enhance his strength. Motivated by a desire for revenge, he became incredibly formidable. Jiraiya also uncovered the true identity of “Pain”and his possession of the Rinnegan. This knowledge could have been crucial in aiding Konoha in preventing the impending disaster.
Jiraiya’s passing had a profound impact on both the storyline and the viewers. The fact that his former pupil was responsible for his demise was devastating, solidifying it as one of the most significant anime deaths.
Death has always been a captivating topic in popular media. It serves as a pivotal moment and a fresh start in a story, and anime deaths enhance the themes of the plot with their impact.
Despite being heart-wrenching, these deaths serve to drive the plot towards a meaningful resolution. The deaths of beloved characters like Setsuko, Itachi, and Rengoku are pivotal moments in these anime stories.
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