Death is a universal experience that is never easy, whether it is depicted in anime or in real life. It is intertwined with a range of complex human emotions such as anger, contentment, sorrow, remorse, and, unfortunately, enjoyment for those who have lost their sanity. What sets anime deaths apart is the effort put in by the creators to capture and convey these intricate emotions from their unique perspectives.
In this article, I will discuss the deaths that deeply affect us, causing tears to flow and leaving a lasting impact, even beyond the world of anime.
Without any additional delay, let us now explore the list of the most emotionally impactful deaths in anime.
10. Nina Tucker
Show: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The daughter of state alchemist Shou Tucker, Nina Tucker is a cheerful and kind girl who spends her days playing with her beloved dog, Alexander. Little did she know of the heartbreaking destiny that awaited her.
Shou successfully obtains his state alchemist certification by performing a forbidden alchemical fusion, combining his daughter Nina and her pet dog, Alexander, to create a Chimera with the ability to speak. However, their actions are discovered and they are placed under house arrest. Despite this, Scar manages to infiltrate and eliminate Shou, ultimately freeing Nina from the torment inflicted upon her.
Ashload
Anime: Vinland Saga
Askeladd comes up with a daring plan to save both Canute and Wales, one that only he is capable of executing. He pretends to be a ruthless mercenary, slaughtering countless people until Canute ultimately ends his life with a sword. This act causes Thorfinn to lose his sole purpose of avenging his father Thors’ death. In a surprising turn of events, Askeladd urges Thorfinn to move on and find a new reason to live. This is a significant moment, as Thorfinn had become a mercenary solely to seek revenge on Askeladd, and now he is left unsure of how to channel his emotions.
Lelouch Lamperouge
One of my favorite anime shows is Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2.
Lelouch chose to give up his life in order to put an end to the cycle of animosity. By doing so, he became a target for the entire world. With a clever strategy, Lelouch arranged for Suzaku to pose as Zero and fatally wound him. This act would bring about the demise of their mutual enemy and bring an end to the hatred he had sought to break. While the world found a sense of tranquility, Lelouch’s beloved sister Nunnally was left with nothing.
7. Karina Smith
7. Biography of Thors Snorresson
7. Biography of Karina Smith
Anime: One of the popular anime series is Vinland Saga.
The most pivotal moment in Vinland Saga is the death of Thors Snorresson. Despite his legendary status among the Vikings, Thors was able to break away from their way of life and establish a peaceful existence with his family in Iceland. However, even the mighty Thors could not escape his past. He was eventually tracked down by the Vikings and, after facing a group of mercenaries, sacrificed his own life to safeguard his son Thorfinn and his fellow Icelanders.
The death of Thors had a profound impact on Thorfinn, forever altering his innocent and carefree nature. Fueled by heartbreak and fury from witnessing his father’s demise, Thorfinn made a solemn vow to personally avenge him by killing Askeladd. And for those familiar with Vinland Saga, the unfolding of this epic tale is well-known.
Maes Hughes
TV Show: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Despite slowly dying after being shot by Envy, Maes Hughes was still remembered for his lovable personality. He was known for his kindness and his love for his wife and daughter, who he was thinking of in his final moments.
Despite his kind nature and constant praise for his daughter’s adorability, Maes was a shrewd and seasoned military officer who never let his kindness overshadow his intelligence. However, it was this very intelligence that ultimately led to his unfortunate demise, as he uncovered the conspiracy within the military and the homunculi.
Kyojuro Rengoku
Demon Slayer : Kimetsu no Yaiba
Despite the fact that certain characters were given more time to develop and connect with viewers as the story progressed, Kyojuro Rengoku did not have the same opportunity. At the time of the release of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba—The Movie: Mugen Train, the franchise was only 26 episodes old.
Despite the Flame Hashira’s untimely death, it was executed so brilliantly that it quickly gained attention and the movie became a global sensation. In the short amount of time he appeared on screen, Rengoku made a lasting impact on viewers as the brave Hashira who battled against Akaza, the powerful Upper-Rank Three demon, in order to safeguard young warriors like Tanjiro, Inosuke, and the remaining survivors.
Portgas D. Ace
Anime: One Piece is the name of the anime.
Ace’s passing has long been a subject of debate, with some questioning the decision to kill off such a beloved character. Many sacrifices were made, including Whitebeard’s, in order to save Ace from execution at Marineford. His death was a unique and tragic event. In a moment of anger, Ace chose to confront Akainu’s insults towards Whitebeard instead of escaping with his brother Luffy.
Despite engaging in a one-on-one battle with Akainu, Ace was ultimately overpowered. In a desperate attempt to save his dear brother Luffy, Akainu then turned his attention towards killing him. In a selfless act of protection, Ace bravely stood in front of Luffy and ended up with a fatal wound through his chest.
Luffy was in disbelief and questioned Ace if he was going against his promise to never pass away. Ace clarified that he had never truly desired to live until Sabo and Luffy appeared in his life. In his final moments, he expressed his gratitude to Luffy for the love and support he had received from everyone.
3. Kaori
Anime: “Your Lie in April”
Kaori entered Kousei’s life like a tumultuous storm and departed in a similar fashion. She exuded warmth, radiance, and vitality, infusing Kousei’s mundane existence with vibrant hues. As a fellow musician, Kaori rekindled Kousei’s passion and devotion for the piano, which had waned after his mother’s death.
After some time, the entire truth is revealed: her admiration for Kousei’s performances since childhood, her desire to see him return to the stage, and how she first fell in love with him. Unfortunately, another spring arrived but Kousei was left with only a letter from Kaori expressing her feelings. If you have seen the show, you are familiar with the overwhelming emotions that arose during the final moments of episode 22. Tears were impossible to control.
Jiraiya
Japanese Animation: Naruto: Shippuden
Jiraiya’s character death in anime is a topic frequently discussed among fans. Although he appeared as a carefree and notorious pervert, Jiraiya was actually one of the few Shinobis who prioritized not only the peace of his village, but also the peace of the world.
Despite his many cherished possessions, what he valued above all else were his friends, particularly his pupils. Whether it was Minato, Yahiko, Kanon, Nagato, or Naruto, he treasured each and every one of them. However, he never could have imagined that during his mission to infiltrate The Village Hidden in the Rain, he would meet his demise at the hands of the very disciples he had trained as Shinobi in the pursuit of global harmony.
The reason for the immense emotional impact of Jiraiya’s death was not only his memories of his relationship with Tsunade, but also his regret at losing Orochimaru and his sense of duty as the godfather of Minato’s son. In addition to all this, he was also etching a code onto the back of one of The Two Great Sage Toads to warn Naruto about their enemy.
1 – Setsuko
Animated Film: Grave of the Fireflies
Despite being released decades ago, Studio Ghibli’s Grave of the Fireflies remains as relevant as ever due to its raw portrayal of humanity during World War 2. The film showcases the devastating effects of the war, as seen through the orphaned siblings Seita and Setsuko, whose lives were shattered by the constant bombardments.
During his little sister Setsuko’s illness, Seita sought the help of a doctor who simply requested food for her. Unfortunately, the fortunate ones did not even offer a glass of water during this time. In order to provide for his sister, Seita resorted to stealing and any means necessary. However, despite his efforts, his sister eventually succumbed to starvation.
I understand that you may not have come across names you expected to see on this list, as individual emotions can differ. This list specifically focuses on emotional anime deaths. Please share in the comment section below which names you would include or substitute in this list.
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