In anime, certain deaths are portrayed in a comical manner or can be seen as funny after the fact. Whether it be a hero or a villain, emotional deaths are often portrayed in a way that can elicit laughter from the audience, even during what should be a serious and sad moment.
Anime is known for its ability to add humor to serious moments. Regardless of the intense drama in genres such as action, fantasy, and sci-fi, death is a common theme. While some deaths are portrayed with seriousness, others take a more comical approach, showcasing the unique blend of gravity and levity in anime.
Note: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the writer.
Some of the funniest anime deaths that never made anyone cry
Dandy from Space Dandy
Despite being the titular character of Space Dandy, Dandy is quite accustomed to meeting his demise in the most unusual and comical fashions. In the initial episode, Dandy and his team find themselves stranded on a dangerous extraterrestrial world.
Despite having no way out, Dandy makes the bold decision to blow everything up, resulting in a hilarious and grand explosion. This event sets the tone for the entire series and showcases the show’s preference for outrageous storytelling over maintaining a consistent storyline. In each episode, Dandy and his companions miraculously return, ensuring that his deaths are met with laughter rather than the typical sad and dramatic anime deaths.
Potato from Magical Witch Punie-chan
The death of Potato in Magical Witch Punie-chan is just as ridiculous as it sounds. During the school festival episode, the villain of the series turns the ingredients at a curry booth into living creatures. The vegetables, terrified of their impending fate, watch as Potato valiantly sacrifices himself by peeling himself and diving into the curry to save his vegetable comrades.
Despite being unnecessary, this self-sacrifice adds to the dark and comical tone of the anime, perfectly aligning with its parody of magical girl clichés. Potato’s bizarre and exaggerated death, a blend of amusement and ridiculousness, guarantees that viewers will find it humorous rather than tragic, solidifying its place as one of the most comical anime deaths.
Fraudrin: The Villain from The Seven Deadly Sins
Despite being responsible for causing immense chaos by controlling the Holy Knights and resurrecting the Ten Commandments, Fraudrin’s death in The Seven Deadly Sins is unexpectedly humorous. His final clash with Meliodas is portrayed more as a farce than a tragic event.
In a display of his immense strength, Meliodas easily defeats Fraudrin, who had resorted to desperate measures in their battle. Despite trying to self-destruct, Fraudrin ultimately surrenders upon being persuaded by the young boy he had come to see as his own son. Requesting to be killed, Fraudrin is swiftly taken down by Meliodas without any hesitation. This unexpected and almost comical turn of events highlights Meliodas’s dominance and the lack of seriousness in Fraudrin’s death, making it a memorable example of dark humor in anime.
Kazuma Sato from KonoSuba
In the isekai series KonoSuba, known for its humorous take on the genre, Kazuma Sato’s death serves as a perfect illustration. As a reclusive NEET, Kazuma meets his end while attempting to rescue a girl from an “oncoming truck,”but ultimately dies from the shock of believing he was actually hit. This makes it one of the many comical deaths in the anime.
In truth, it was simply a slow-moving tractor and the girl was never at risk. This humiliating end catches the eye of Aqua, a goddess who brings him back to life in a different world. Kazuma’s ridiculous death sets the tone for his escapades, filled with mishaps and humor as he begrudgingly strives to defeat the Devil King.
Dolph, a Character from Nichijou
In Nichijou, the death of Dolph perfectly captures the show’s trademark combination of dark comedy and absurdity. As a treacherous maniac, Dolph sets out to conquer an elven kingdom and confidently proclaims his triumph to the imprisoned rulers. But in a fittingly comedic turn of events, Dolph trips and falls to his comical anime death.
Dolph’s death is met with laughter rather than sorrow, thanks to the show’s surreal tone and absurd ending. This exemplifies Nichijou’s talent for transforming unexpected events into comedic brilliance, as seen in Dolph’s comically sudden and undignified demise.
Brain and Brawn in One Punch Man
In the world of One Punch Man, Brain and Brawn are a formidable duo known for their lethal combination of intellect and physical prowess. Brain is the mastermind behind their schemes, while Brawn’s immense strength allows him to carry them out with devastating force. However, during a crucial battle with heroes, Brawn’s uncontrollable enthusiasm causes him to accidentally crush Brain into pieces, adding a darkly humorous twist to their villainous partnership.
Saitama quickly finishes off Brawn with his signature punch, showcasing the series’ tendency to use humor to subvert expectations. This sudden and unexpected ending highlights One Punch Man’s skill at turning intense confrontations into comical moments, solidifying its reputation as a humorous anime death.
Satoru Mikami, the protagonist of That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
In That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, Satoru Mikami’s death is portrayed comically. As a mundane 37-year-old office employee, Satoru is killed by an unknown assailant with a knife. Despite the seriousness of his death, it becomes the punchline of the universe’s joke rather than a dramatic event.
On his deathbed, he prioritizes clearing his browser history, causing laughter rather than sadness. This final moment encompasses both hardship and humor, setting the stage for his reincarnation as the slime hero Rimuru Tempest. This comical foundation sets the tone for the mischievous adventures that ensue.
In conclusion,
Anime masterfully balances humor and tragedy in its depictions of death, utilizing a combination of adaptability and captivating storytelling. This is evident in the poignant deaths of beloved protagonists like Satoru Mikami in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime, as well as the ironic fates of antagonists such as Fraudrin in The Seven Deadly Sins.
These humorous anime deaths demonstrate the versatility of anime’s storytelling across various genres, including action and fantasy. They effectively evoke both emotional depth and unexpected humor, showcasing anime’s ability to captivate audiences with its diverse and compelling narrative techniques that provoke both empathy and laughter.
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