Top 10 Most Honorable Anime Deaths Ever
Top 10 Most Honorable Deaths in Anime
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Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Most Honorable Deaths in Anime. For this list we'll be looking at anime characters who passed away while committing honorable or heroic deeds. We’ll also be including the deaths of characters who were later resurrected. As we will be mentioning key plot points, be advised that a spoiler alert is in effect. Which anime death do you think deserves the title of most honorable? Let us know in the comments below.
#10: Meruem Stays With Komugi
“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14) From the moment he was born, Mereum proved himself a cruel and merciless ruler to both humans and even other chimera ants. Thankfully, he changes for the better after meeting exceptional humans like Isaac Netero, who teaches him not to underestimate humanity’s potential for evolution and malice, and the Gungi prodigy Komugi, who teaches him kindness and compassion. After realizing his death was inevitable following his fight with Netero, Meruem accepts his defeat with dignity, rather than seek revenge. He even goes so far as to bow to his enemy for the chance to spend his final moments with Komugi. Despite his short existence, Meruem dies with more honour than most humans ever achieve in a lifetime.
#9: Iggy Dies to Save Polnareff
“Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders” (2014-15) Unlike the rest of Team Joestar, the stand using dog Iggy is more focused on causing acts of mischief, especially towards his teammate Polnareff, rather than helping them to defeat Dio. However, when the time finally comes to confront Dio and his minions, Iggy sticks to his guns and fights valiantly alongside his comrades to stop him. Although Iggy dies while fighting the vampire Vanilla Ice, he manages to use the last of his life force to save Polnareff. For all his rude and cocky behavior, Iggy definitely proved himself to be man’s best friend.
#8: Simon Protects Erza
“Fairy Tail” (2009-19) Growing up in the poorly named Tower of Heaven, the familial bond Erza shared with her friends was one of the few saving graces from the tower’s unfathomable darkness. Especially, when it comes to her bond with a young man named Simon. Many years after escaping the tower, Erza is forced to confront her friends who believe that she abandoned them. Fortunately for Erza, Simon proves to be an exception. Unlike the rest of his comrades, Simon was able to see through the lies of his former friend, now enemy, Jellal who threatened Erza so many years ago. Simon’s love for Erza runs so deep, that when Jellal tries to kill her, he does not hesitate to take the blow in her place.
#7: The Oniwaban Group's Noble Sacrifice
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“Rurouni Kenshin” (1996-98) Most mercenaries may only be in it for themselves and money, but for the members of the Oniwaban Group, their bond is thicker than blood. Serving as the bodyguards for the greedy entrepreneur Takeda Kanryu, the group comes to blows with Kenshin and his comrades. When the Oniwaban group fails to defeat them, the situation quickly escalates into bloodshed when Kaneda betrays the group and attacks them with a gatling gun. Disregarding their own safety, the Oniwaban Group bravely sacrifice themselves to protect their leader, Aoshi, from Kaneda’s treachery. After such a noble sacrifice, it felt immensely satisfying watching Kenshin avenge them by taking out Kaneda.
#6: The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant Comes to an End
“Naruto Shippuden” (2007-17) After coming face to face with Pain, the leader of the Akatsuki, Jiraiya appears to have met his match. Despite using Sage Mode, Jiraiya is quickly overwhelmed by the power of Pain’s Rinnegan and his Six Paths. While Jiraiya does have the chance to escape, he chooses to continue his fight with Pain in order to gather information. Although his body is destroyed, Jiraiya fights back through sheer force of will to pass on one final message to his student Naruto. In the end, Jiraiya dies a proud shinobi who did what needed to be done to protect the next generation. An honorable death worthy of a great warrior.
#5: Vegeta's Redemption
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“Dragon Ball Z” (1989-96) Although Vegeta is a far cry from the villain he used to be, there are times when he can’t help but revert back to his old ways. While fighting to prevent the resurrection of Majin Buu, Vegeta allows the evil wizard Babidi to take control of his mind to increase his power. Along with resurrecting Majin Buu, Vegeta also kills innocent people to provoke Goku into fighting him. Fortunately, he tries to atone for his betrayal by sacrificing himself to destroy Majin Buu. Although his sacrifice was in vain, the fact that Vegeta was willing to go so far to save the Earth and his family, makes this one of his more honorable moments.
#4: Erwin Charges the Beast Titan
“Attack on Titan” (2013-) As the leader of the Survey Corps, Erwin is often forced to make difficult decisions for the sake of mankind. After he and the Corps find themselves cornered by the Beast Titan, he rallies them for one final mission. Despite knowing that their demise is imminent, Erwin bravely leads the charge against the Beast Titan and convinces his troops that it is better to die fighting, rather than to simply wait for death and do nothing. At the cost of his life and those of his men, Erwin distracts the titan long enough for good ol’ Levi to take him down.
#3: Lelouch Dies a Villain to Ensure Peace
“Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion” (2006-08) When Lelouch vi Britannia vowed to change the world, it was inevitable that he’d need to pay a heavy price for it. After declaring himself emperor of Britannia, Lelouch becomes a tyrannical ruler who even declares war on the entire world. However, his horrific actions hide his true objective, which involves branding himself the enemy of the world and being struck down by the hero Zero. By ensuring that the world’s hatred dies with him, Lelouch is able to usher in a new era of peace. The fact that Lelouch was willing to shoulder such a heavy burden for humanity, and especially his sister and close friends, makes his passing all the more honorable.
#2: Kittan Goes Out in a Blaze of Glory
“Gurren Lagann” (2007) After Team Dai Gurren find themselves caught in a trap made by the Anti-Spirals, their only hope for escape requires one of their own to make the ultimate sacrifice. With time running out, Kamina’s old rival Kittan takes matters into his own hands to allow his comrades to escape. Despite knowing that he won’t survive, Kittan goes above and beyond to free his comrades from the Anti-Spiral’s clutches. Kittan’s resolve to protect his friends is so strong that he unlocks his own Spiral Power, allowing him to destroy the Death-Spiral machine while going out like an absolute chad.
#1: Whitebeard Dies Standing
“One Piece” (1997-) As the Battle of Marineford reaches its heart wrenching conclusion, Pirate Emperor Whitebeard unleashes all of his power to protect his allies from the Marines. After surviving an intense battle and enduring hundreds of wounds from swords, bullets, cannons and even magma, this mighty titan is dealt a lethal blow by the Blackbeard Pirates. With his final breath, Whitebeard confirms the existence of the legendary treasure One Piece to the world, delivering a devastating blow to the World Government. However even after he dies, Whitebeard refuses to fall. Leave it to the world’s strongest man to die in the most honorable and epic way possible.
