Top 10 Most Heroic Anime Deaths

Top 10 Heroic Anime Deaths

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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 10 Heroic Anime Deaths. For this list, we’re going to be going over the times where an anime character gave their lives for something greater, and in doing so broke many an otaku’s hearts. Think we skipped an essential sacrifice? Crucify us in the comments and let us know your picks!

“To Your Eternity” (2021) Dealt one cruel hand after another, you’d think a kid forced to wear a monster mask to hide his hideous scars would be doomed to a life of loneliness and pain. But Gugu is a man among men. After finding friendship with Fushi and falling for Rean, he pushed himself until he had become the peak of chad-ness. Things were finally going his way…at least until the Nokkers attacked. Throwing himself in the way of a collapsing building, Gugu passes away from the impact, but not before finally confessing to the girl he had long adored. What a champ.

“Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans” (2015-17) Given his harsh upbringing as a child soldier on Mars, Mika was always more weapon than human, which made his tragic demise rather fitting as he held the line against the encroaching Gjallarhorn forces. With the rest of Tekkadan making a planetary retreat, Mika stays behind as the last line of defence. That’s not to say he doesn’t hold his own. Without any fear for his own safety, Mika pushes Barbatos to its limit, basically slaughtering the majority of the enemy Mobile Suits himself. It just stings that he met his end at the hands of Julieta. Urgh.

“Akudama Drive” (2020) While originally having nothing to do with the S-Class criminals she would come to associate herself with, it didn’t take long for Swindler to discover her talents as a natural con-artist…who always seemed to fall into the worst predicaments. Willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of the two augmented children in her care, she pulls off her greatest swindle by allowing herself to be killed by the executioners, only for her death to be broadcast, which results in an insurrection that pretty much topples everything…

“Vinland Saga” (2019) In a world of barbarians, betrayers, and broken souls, only one stood among them as the epitome of a true warrior. While he had spent his youth as a merciless Viking, age and fatherhood had turned Thors into a peaceful man who sought to impart the same mentality onto his hot-headed son Thorfinn. And then they found themselves being raided by mercenaries, leading Thors into a battle where he was forced to weigh his desire to protect his child against his pacifist ideals. While he ultimately had to give his life to ensure Thorfinn’s survival, he died as a man among men.

“Naruto Shippuden” (2007-17) While originally nothing more than a ninja prodigy who considered himself superior to his peers, time and war humbled Neji, to the extent he was willing to even give his life for someone he originally looked down upon. With the Ten Tails on a rampage and killing its way through the Allied Alliance, Naruto’s future brother-in-law throws himself into the fray in a bid to block an incoming projectile. It goes about as well as you’d expect, but at least he got his moment in the sun before passing on without regret. Something tells us he wouldn’t have been able to handle being an uncle to Boruto anyway…

“Gurren Lagann” (2007) Kamina will always remain as the shining star that eclipses all with his sheer manliness, but there’s no denying that Kittan still went out like a boss. With all of Team Dai-Gurren in danger of being consumed by the Death Spiral Machine, Kittan breaks formation and flies off on a suicide mission. Imbued with his own sense of righteousness, a kiss from Yoko, and a crap-load of Spiral Power, the mad lad succeeds in taking the doomsday device out, and in doing so gives everyone a fighting chance against the Anti-Spiral.

#4: Piccolo

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“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96) We all know that Big Green is and always has been the best father figure in the whole franchise, but this was the moment that cemented his endearing relationship with Gohan. Before his pupil can be disintegrated by Nappa’s attack, the Namekian leaps in the way and takes the full brunt of the blast. While this results in his passing, it does demonstrate that his transformation from alien kidnapper to proud papa had come full circle, something that would only continue to evolve and endear through DBZ’s following arcs.

“Attack on Titan” (2013-) Humanity’s greatest commander was never one to shy away from making drastic decisions, even if it resulted in the elimination of his troops. That being said, he was also never afraid to throw himself into the fire either. With the Survey Corp under siege from the Beast Titan, Erwin makes the fatal choice to lead a final charge, just to give Levi a chance of launching a sneak attack. It doesn’t get more hype than seeing Erwin lead a battalion while screaming out top tier motivation, even as he’s torn apart by rocks.

“One Piece” (1999-) If Oda keeps dishing out these traumatising character terminations then we’re going to end up drowning in them. A member of Roger’s crew and legendary swordsman in his own right, Oden’s tale was cut woefully short when the malicious Orochi teamed up with the nigh-unstoppable Kaido to orchestrate his death. In order to protect his retainers from sharing in his demise, Oden willingly held them above his head, whilst being submerged in boiling oil, refusing to concede right until the very end. That man must have had a D on him somewhere because this was next level.

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train” (2020) Even in death, the Flame Hashira shone more brightly than anyone else. While his skill was beyond any we had seen so far, even Rengoku’s smouldering sword skills couldn’t handle the ferocity of the Upper Moon’s overwhelming strength and instant regeneration. The battle may have ended with Akaza running for the hills and Rengoku bleeding out with a massive hole in his gut, but right up until his passing, the eternally optimistic fireball continued to smile, knowing he’d given his successors the chance to fight another day.