TBA’s Top Ten Greatest Deaths in Anime

artwork by Sango.


Death is never pleasant.


But for these heroes, villains, and mere men; they have attained unsurmountable greatness by paying the ultimate price.


We’ve all shed tears for the loss of these existence because of how they made their exit. Regardless of whether it was made with a bang or with a whimper, they had style when the time came for their departure.


We cry because they fought against the odds and the inevitables. We weep because the ideals and people they fought for were larger than life and held value greater than death itself.


The existence of these remarkable characters and their extraordinary departure is burnt into our hearts because it holds some ungraspable meaning that bears tremendous significance to life, to the world, and to us.


Get the tissues ready, you are guaranteed to bawl. This is TBA’s Ten Greatest Deaths in Anime!






10. Going Merry of One Piece:


“Why is a pirate ship on this list? Can pirate ships even die?” That is what you’re thinking.


Going Merry is an exception. It showed that even inanimate objects can have a sense of duty, and it went beyond itself to fulfill it. Prolonging the inevitable through sheer determination and carried his nakama to safety.


Those of you that followed One Piece from the beginning would understand. In the midst of the viking funeral, the flash backs of Merry’s journey and the voice of gratefulness, Merry Go’s death was truly touching. Who wouldn’t after 310 episodes?

In fact, Merry Go was so loved by the fans that a life-size replica was made in Japan!


Spoiler: Bon Clay’s heroics at Impel Down were also one that was worth noting. Sacrificing yourself for your nakamas and knowing the hell you will face is definitely very awesome.





9. Nicholas D. Wolfwood of Trigun:


A priest that believed in killing and to die in a chapel, finally accepting Vash’s pacifist views –Wolfwood’s death was very ironic in many ways. However, it was very realistic, people do have the tendency to realise things when they’re finally knocking on heaven’s door, when it’s all too late.


His plea and desperation to want to continue his existence was very raw and powerful. It felt very genuine and very emotional. Because of that, Nicholas D. Wolfwood earns himself the number nine spot on our list.

8. Maes Hughes of Full Metal Alchemist:


Maybe it’s because he had those baka antics, or because of his uncontrollable obsession to ramble on about his affection for his wife and daughter, or because it was his compassionate personality towards others that lead us to love this mildly irritating fool.


His unexpected death, despite his resourcefulness to survive against homunculus just added to its impact. The addition of the funeral with his daughter, wife and the manly Mustang weeping just made it unbearable.


He was a good man, a good man protecting his country.

7. Uchiha Itachi of Naruto Shippuden:


Not much need to be said about the sharingan-wielding Akatsuki member that risked his life for the ninja world and his little brother, a man who even in death was shrouded in mystery. His sacrifices and obscurity elevated the sensation of his death which he had long planned beforehand.


His enormous and surprising love for his brother and his valiant sacrifices for the ninja world’s existence really brings out the admirations for his convictions and principles in his passing. The whole scene is sure to summon up some tears.

Jiraiya’s death was very well written too, but I’d like to imagine that he’s just holding his breath at the bottom of that lake…





6. Yagami Raito (Light) of Death Note:


Although Light’s quest was noble, and he believed in the ends justifying the means like many on this list, in the end, he did not succeed.


In his final moments, he revealed the ugly side of himself. He lost his cool and composure, and to put it bluntly, he displayed himself pathetically.


Who can blame him though? Most would have lost their façade too if their masterful scheme came toppling down. However, the fact of the matter is that he didn’t accept defeat gracefully and that made certain he wouldn’t climb any higher on this list.

5. Raoh of Fist of the North Star:


There are tears, and then there are manly tears. Raoh’s death will make you bawl out the latter. Yes, it is rare for one to be high on testosterone yet still be crying. Ra-oh’s death is testimony of it.


To be dealt the final blow by your brother in order to bring hope to an apocalyptic wasteland already created an emotionally-charged atmosphere. But to accept defeat and say something as badass as “I, Raoh, need no one’s help to return to the heavens”. It just grips your heart.

Shuu’s death was very intense as well. If not for Raoh being one of the main figures in the whole series, Shuu would have taken this spot.





4. Spike Spiegel of Cowboy Bebop:


Sunrise has a history of ending many of their great series with the spectacular death of its main character; Cowboy Bebop was one of them. ~Ah! Spike Spiegel, the man had style, even in death. How many people can do that kind of death pose and not look juvenile?


I still remember that dramatic line he uttered: “I’m not going there to die. I’m going there to find out if I’m really alive.” I suppose he taught us, that sometimes, life and death are two sides of the same coin, to truly prove one, you must be willing to accept the other.


I’ll miss you space cowboy.

3. Rurouni Kenshin of Samurai X (Rurouni Kenshin):


His death may not have been spectacular like the many others on the list. In fact Kenshin is the only one on the list that died of more natural causes. But what made his death great was his journey: he lived a life trying to atone for his sins while he came across more twists and turns than most – he made it in the end.


It was a truly fitting death for the greatest samurai to die on his spouse’s lap, under cherry blossoms and finally a scar-absent face. His death was a work of art, something all fans can appreciate.

2. Kamina and Kittan of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann:


It just wasn’t appropriate to include one and not the other, thus Kamina and Kittan both share this spot. They both had their own spectacular final moments with their own merits. One died an unexpected yet inspiring death, while the other died willingly and valiantly.


Kamina’s death as sudden and as swift as it came, it still beared huge emotional impact for the epicness that he personified. Kittan’s was one more of sacrifice and bravery, and that too holds deep significance as well.


Sure Kamina has been hyped by many to be the manliest man in the universe, but I truly believe his underrated but no less manlier comrade, Kittan deserves a share of the limelight too.

1. Lelouch Lamperouge of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion:


Lelouch’s death is similar to Light’s but without the feebleness. Lelouch died on his own terms. At the hands of his best friend. By a symbol which he created: Zero. And unlike Light, Lelouch can claim that it was “all according to his plan”.


Seriously, not many people can say “I destroy worlds and create worlds” as their dying words and have it hold true. He’s preparedness for his own demise just added to the impact, especially when the execution of the scene of his death was that dramatic.


Many on this list were seeking redemption for their own personal past sins. Lelouch, on the other hand, was one that chose to sin knowingly, one that chose to bear the burden of the whole world’s hatred. And that is why, he rank above them.


Personal salvation is great, but to die for the salvation of humanity, that kind of commitment and sacrifice stands alone at the very top.

Now, the ranking was very hard to judge considering all of them were very emotional. The ranking would probably vary depending on one’s mood on a given day.


So, did this article hit the mark for you? Who’s on your list of the greatest deaths in anime?


Honourable mentions:


Kazuki Muto of Busou Renkin:
A theme that we’ve seen throughout this list and arguably one of the key factors for a heroic and admirable death is ‘sacrifice’. Kazuki’s death was also one of sacrifice, but his death will never be certain.


Rolo Lamperouge of Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion:
Sacrificing your life for someone who didn’t love you and rejecting the reality of it all just because you would have gone nutso is very impressive despite him being an insufferable character for the most part of the series.


Grave of the fireflies:
Ask any knowledgeable fan of Japanese animation on what they thought was the saddest animated film, most likely than not, Grave of the fireflies would be their reply. The whole film was just heartbreaking.


Dishonourable mentions:


Goku
This category was made especially for one man, and one man only – Goku. The man died and came back to life so many times that he transcended death.


All artworks belongs to their rightful creators and owners.

4 Comments

1. spikyface, February 14, 2010:

   No argument here, Kittan’s death was better than I remember

   Hmmm.. in the original Guyver manga videos Sho’s father’s death was pretty tragic, almost hard to watch if you were into it

1. spikyface, February 14, 2010:

   Oh and thanks for taking the time to put together this list

1. Sukai, February 18, 2010:

   Your welcome, glad that you enjoyed it. I definitely enjoyed putting this list together in a bittersweet way haha…

1. Kiiren, April 8, 2010:

   I would have added Ryoji Kaji from Neon Genesis Evangelion to the list, sacrificing everything in search of the truth, and the message he leaves on the answering machine for Misato gets me every time.

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