Top 10 Anime Deaths You Didn't See Coming (ft. Todd Haberkorn)
For this list, we'll be looking at the demises in anime that came out of left field and totally blind sided us. Keep in mind we won't be counting the deaths of characters like Kamina, whose departures were heavily foreshadowed from the get-go!
#10: Ginshi Shirazu
“Tokyo Ghoul;re” (2017-18) We’re not going to pretend we were especially traumatised over the fact one of Kaneki’s new CCG underlings got themselves axed off, we didn’t really get to know him, but that being said it was still a surprise to see one of the main players lose their lives so early in the game, especially after what appeared to be an overwhelming victory. Turns out that dealing with an SS-ranked Ghoul like Noro isn’t that easy after all, leaving Shirazu with a gaping wound he’s unable to heal, leaving him to slowly die in the arms of his companions.
#9: Magne
“My Hero Academia” (2016-) In order for Overhaul to demonstrate just how worthy he was of carrying the title of main villain for the fourth season, someone of moderate status was going to have to take the L. Unfortunately for Magne, she just happened to be the one to catch his attention. After negotiations between the League of Villains and the Shie Hassaikai fall through, the magnetism manipulator tries to get a swing in against the bird-beaked gangster, which results in the top half of her body getting blown to pieces courtesy of Overhaul’s Quirk!
#8: Tokugawa Shige Shige
“Gintama” (2006-18) Only this show could take what had primarily been a joke character, and turn him into an icon whose assassination would leave everyone feeling wracked with guilt and despair. For the majority of the arc, Gintoki and the rest had slayed their way through multiple foes, got the stuffing kicked out of them, and basically put their lives on the line in the hopes that the Shogun would live and continue to broker peace. You can imagine that after going through so much torment, the sight of the sagely figure succumbing to something as simple as poison was more than enough to shock the fans.
#7: Mami
“Puella Magi Madoka Magica” (2011) Turns out even the most calm and collected of magical girls can lose their heads once in a while, though in Mami’s case…it proved to be a little too literal. While for the most part she appeared to have her target in her crosshairs, not even her array of unlimited rifles was enough to save her from getting her head removed from her shoulders when a desperate witch revealed its true form. Not only was this the moment that dramatically shifted the genre of the whole series, but it’s sad to think the girls lost their mentor figure out of the blue.
#6: Neji Hyuga
“Naruto Shippuden” (2007-17) We were expecting a fair few casualties out of the Fourth Great Ninja War, but given the fact this is Naruto, we were also expecting the majority of the cast to survive the incident because of plot armour no jutsu! So imagine our shock when the formally uptight ninja prodigy leapt in the way of a blow meant for his blonde rival, and as a result found himself shish-kebabbed by a giant splinter, passing away after imparting some final words of encouragement and comfort to the man who would eventually get freaky with his cousin.
#5: Ace
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“One Piece” (1999-) He may have been scheduled for execution, but given the extensive efforts and sacrifices of Luffy, Whitebeard and the hundreds of other pirates that swarmed Marineford, deep down we all held onto the slim hope they were going to do the impossible and free the fire user before he was purged before the eyes of the world. After all, Oda wouldn’t kill off such a beloved character after spending so much time building up a monumental rescue effort, would he? You bet your ass he would. With Ace stepping in to take the hit for his sibling, the image of a magma-soaked fist tearing through him was forever burned right into our brains!
#4: Lelouch vi Britannia
“Code Geass” (2006-08) From the moment he started his self-imposed crusade to overthrow the tyrannical Britannian Empire, it was clear that Lelouch was willing to go to extreme lengths. Turning on his own family, assassination, widespread anarchy, even becoming a masked figurehead to incite the suppressed Japanese masses into uprising. While he certainly made his fair share of mistakes, some of which cost a few lives, we still weren’t expecting him to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to finally bring peace to his broken homeland. You know you’re committed to a cause when you’re happy to have your bestie stab you with a sword!
#3: Bertholdt Hoover
“Attack on Titan” (2013-) We’re not going to pretend that Bertie over here didn’t deserve to meet his end at the hands of the Scouts. After all, he’s one half of the reason the Titans managed to breach the walls, slaughter numerous civilians (Eren’s mother included) and push the population closer to extinction. Plus, he’s kind of a traitorous S-O-B. That being said, we still weren’t expecting the Colossal Titan to meet his end. Dude’s kind of the poster boy for the whole series. While getting eaten is a seriously messed up way to go, if it’s choice between Bertholdt not getting digested and letting Armin die, then all we can say is - chow time!
#2: Maes Hughes
“Fullmetal Alchemist” (2003-04) That’s right, we’re going right back to the beginning, to the time where no one knew that everyone’s favourite anime dad was essentially a dead man walking. We can only imagine the visceral reaction fans must have had as they watched Hughes be mercilessly gunned down by Envy after assuming the guise of his wife. It still remains one of the most painful and heart-breaking deaths in the whole medium, and while Brotherhood emulated this moment perfectly, there’s no getting over the tragedy and rawness that stemmed from the first outing. Before we reveal our number one pick, here are a few honourable mentions. Caesar Zepelli “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (2012-) Kaori Miyazono “Your Lie in April” (2014) Lafter Frankland “Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans” (2015-17)
#1: L
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“Death Note” (2006-07) The mind games waged between the world’s greatest/weirdest detective and the God of the New World was the defining aspect that made this show great. The wily ways in which L battled it out with Light’s diminishing mortality, how each had to constantly outwit the other, it was all truly gripping. And then he ended up kicking the bucket. Whether you feel that the narrative suffered for it or not, watching Kira cradle his nemesis while secretly grinning at his supposed victory is still a haunting sight. We still miss you, you awesomely awkward genius who refuses to wear shoes!
