Top 10 Anime Heroic Sacrifices

"JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders" (2014-15) Kakyoin is one of Jotaro’s most trusted allies but it wasn’t always that way. Originally under Dio’s control he tried, and failed, to take out the young delinquent. After being set straight by Star Platinum, Kakyoin joins the group in order to find redemption. As Dio attacks the group, Kakyoin decides to take on his former master. Despite his best efforts Kakyoin is quickly defeated, but not before he discovers the truth behind Dio’s stand, and in his last moments leaves a hint to Joseph that helps them out immensely in the final battle.

"Samurai 7" (2007) Samurai: strong, Cyborgs: super strong. So you’d expect a Cyborg samurai to be the strongest of the lot, but instead he spends most of the series as a lovable buffoon. But that’s not to say he doesn’t have his day… Due to his former life as a farmer, this mechanized warrior shares a strong bond with the peasants of Kanna and does his best to protect them. His heart is as big as his sword, and even when the situation is at its bleakest he promises to marry the young Komachi when she grows older. This makes his sacrifice all the more heartbreaking. As the capital comes crashing down, he uses all his strength to divert it just enough so that the village isn’t destroyed. Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto.

"Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket" (1989) If there’s one thing the Gundam series likes to hammer into our heads it’s that war is beyond tragic. Bernie was recruited by the Principality of Zeon to fight against the Earth Federation. It’s during this conflict that Bernie meets Christina Mackenzie, a beautiful woman who is, unbeknownst to him, the pilot of Earth’s Gundam Alex. Upon learning that Zeon plans to nuke Side 6, Bernie rushes out to try and capture Alex in an attempt to prevent disaster. A fierce clash between the two results in Bernies death, and the worst part is that neither of them knew they were fighting the other.

"Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood" (2009-10) You wouldn’t expect the homunculus Greed to have a heroic sacrifice considering he has a habit of causing trouble. However, during the final battle with the leader of the homunculi, Father, the unexpected becomes a reality. As Father begins to weaken, he tries to absorb Greed and use his philosopher’s stone to help keep his power under control. Surprisingly, Greed severs his connection to Ling Yao so that he does not get dragged in as well. This leads to him using his own ability from inside to give the heroes a fighting chance. Unfortunately, in doing so, he leaves himself open to Father’s attack.

"Naruto: Shippuden" (2007-17) It’s well documented within the Naruto series that the power of the nine-tailed fox is one hell of a force, but just how did it get sealed within the spunky ninja in the first place? Shortly after giving birth to her son, Kushina is captured by a masked man who then extracts Nine-Tails within her in order to destroy Konoha. Having no other choice, the two parents resolved to seal the demon within their child. After both acting as a shield against the Nine-tails attack, Minato finishes the sealing ritual… ending their lives and leaving Naruto to a very lonely childhood…

"One Piece" (1999-) Though not related by blood, Ace always acted as Luffy’s reliable older brother. But, his true lineage does cause him a few problems, since his father was none other than Gol D. Roger himself; ranking Ace as one of the World Government’s most wanted. He’s eventually captured and sentenced to execution, and although Luffy managed to free him, Ace ultimately sacrificed himself to protect his defenseless brother from Akainu. It’s a moment so devastating, that even Luffy’s unwavering optimism was shattered.

#4: Piccolo

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"Dragon Ball Z" (1989-96) There’s something particularly tear-jerking about a former villain turning good and sacrificing himself so that another could live. Though originally rivals, Piccolo sees something in Goku’s son Gohan and takes it upon himself to train the young saiyan after his father dies. When Nappa and Vegeta finally arrive on earth and do in most of the Z-Fighters, the heroes give it everything they’ve got to stall the Saiyans until Goku can turn the tide of battle. Naturally it’s not enough and Gohan is left wide open for Nappa’s counterattack… Only for Piccolo to do something quite unbecoming of a demon king.

“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14) You should never underestimate the “old master” archetype in anime. As the 12th Chairman of the Hunters Association, Isaac Netero might be getting up there in years but he’s no slouch when it comes to combat. While he mostly takes a backseat in the earlier part of the series, it’s during the Chimera Ant arc that he really comes out to play. He ends up in combat with the Chimera Ant King, Meruem, and manages to match him blow for blow. With no other means to put an end to the king’s villainy, he trades in his own life to release an explosion containing deadly poison.

#2: Mr. Inuyashiki

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“Inuyashiki” (2017) Oh boy, this is a rough one. It isn’t everyday you get an anime with a timid salary-man as the super powered protagonist. Mr. Inuyashiki finally got a shot at being a hero when his body was replaced by one stacked with every kind of sci-fi weapon imaginable. Though it was able to get him through his battles with Shishigami, a new threat emerged in the form of a giant asteroid headed to earth. Despite his promise to come back to his family alive, he realizes that the only way to save mankind is to activate his self-destruct ability…

“Gurren Lagann” (2007) When Kittan was first introduced as the leader of the Black Siblings, he acted more like a rival to Kamina than anything else and even matches his level of confidence. But later, He became one of Simon’s most trusted allies and does his best to make sure that Team Dai-Gurren succeeds. When the Team is trapped within the dense space sea produced by the Death Spiral Machine, Kittan goes head first into the abyss to help them escape – despite knowing the obvious outcome. Instead of tears, he goes out with a badass speech and his own version of the Giga Drill Break… The team is saved and Kittan is cemented as one of the greatest heroes in anime.