Top 20 Most Satisfying Deaths of Cartoon Characters
#20: The Grand Inquisitor
Top 10 Satisfying Deaths of Cartoon Characters
“Star Wars Rebels” (2014-18) This guy’s job description is pretty straightforward: find Force-users and either convert them or put them in the ground. Suffice it to say, the Master of the Inquisitorius fulfilled his quota with utter abandon. By the time he came face to face with Ezra and Kanan, he was a major lightsaber in everyone’s side. But ironically it’s not the Jedi that deals him the finishing blow. Instead, the Grand Inquisitor decides he’d rather fall to his death than face the consequences of his actions. He says himself that there are some things even worse than death. But, falling into an exploding engine still couldn’t have felt very nice.
#19: Orm
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“Justice League” (2001-04) The spoiled Prince Orm took a squabble with a sibling to new depths. He usurped the throne, trieD to flood the surface world, and even targeted his own baby nephew. Fortunately, the Justice League stepped in to stop him. But it was up to Orm’s brother Aquaman to defeat the traitor by…actually doing nothing. When Orm is left dangling from the side of a steep ledge, all he can do is beg for mercy from the brother he just tried to murder. Instead of lending a hand, Aquaman reclaimed his stolen trident and then just sat back and enjoyed the show. His inaction definitely rubbed some sea-salt in the wound.
#18: Simon
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“Infinity Train” (2019-21) Since Simon let the good natured Tuba be crushed under the train’s wheels, it would have been oh-so-sweet if Simon met the exact same fate. But Grace came in clutch with a merciful last-minute save. After staring death in the eyes, Simon finally saw the error of his treacherous ways…just kidding. He immediately betrayed Grace and tried to knock her from the train. Following all of that, it’s some serious karmic justice when he ends up next to a very nasty and soul-eating Ghom. Let’s just say it doesn’t show Simon the same mercy Grace did. And, honestly? Good riddance.
#17: Toffee
“Star vs. the Forces of Evil” (2015-19) Don’t let the goofy name fool you. Toffee possesses echoes of a dark overlord, a Shakespearan villain, and a crafty businessman. As slick as he is slimy, Toffee may be the most intimidating foe that Star ever went up against. Toffee seemingly met his end at the conclusion of the first season, but only his physical form was destroyed. Biding his time, Toffee made a comeback during the Battle for Mewni. His unwavering confidence in the wake of his apparent victory makes it all the more satisfying when Star taps into her mewberty form, blasting the villain into a gooey pulp. Toffee remains self-assured until his grotesque end. Considering everything Toffee put Ludo through, it’s fitting that he delivers the final blow.
#16: Roland Thompson
“Duckman” (1994-97) In the name of lining his own pockets, this corrupt businessman does everything in his power to exterminate the cure for cancer. The only catch is that it’s inside Duckman’s brain. What follows is something of a literal game of duck-duck-goose. Except, this one ends with Roland crashing into a delivery truck of cigarettes and succumbing to cancerous smoke. Oh, and the driving company’s name? It’s literally “Poetic Justice.” We’re not sure any animated KO spells it out for you quite like this. Since he's the one who vetoed a cure in the first place, it’s safe to say Roland’s end was definitely poetic justice.
#15: Mr. Freeze
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“Batman Beyond” (1999-2001) Originally, everyone believed that Victor Fries had died as a villain. But in the future, technology allows him to come back to life in a new body. Fries genuinely tries to be a better person when he returns and acknowledges all his shortcomings. Unfortunately, after his new allies turn on him, he builds a new cold suit and tries to get vengeance. But Freeze eventually puts aside his rage to save the new Batman from a foe. And when the unlikely allies are both stuck in a building about to explode, the former villain volunteers to sacrifice himself to save the futuristic hero. The bittersweet ending was the perfect fit for a character that was as complex as Mr. Freeze.
#14: Dick Hardly
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“The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005) Most people would abandon their evil plan before it turned them into a giant, radioactive beast. But Dick Hardly isn’t your run of the mill villain. After launching a plan to make knockoff powerpuff girls, he transforms into a giant monster himself. Hardly initially overwhelms the main trio. However, Professor Utonium eventually convinces the villain’s knockoffs to turn on their creator. On paper, having death by an army of your own greed is just the kind of ironic sendoff that’s perfect for someone like Dick Hardly. It’s up to viewers to decide if the fact that the entire building exploded into flames afterwards feels like overkill or not.
#13: Satan
“South Park” (1997-) The very fact that Satan is a recurring character on a TV show is already absurd. So, it only makes sense that his death scene is just as bonkers. See, he doesn’t perish by weapon, storm, or prayer. He dies defending the town from the aptly-named ManBearPig. “South Park” is probably the only show in existence that could get away with a feral beast wrestling the devil to death. But somehow that’s not even the weirdest part. Through some sort of miracle, Satan himself made it into heaven. While it’s a completely ludicrous ending for his character, we wouldn’t expect anything less from “South Park”.
#12: The Earth Queen
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“The Legend of Korra” (2012-14) Despite the unforgivable deeds that he committed, a part of us did shed a tear for Amon when Tarrlok took his brother’s life as well as his own. The same can’t be said about Hou-Ting, aka the Earth Queen. Where many of the other villains in this universe are sympathetic to an extent, the Earth Queen is simply an arrogant ruler who puts her ego before her kingdom and the rest of the world. Her oppressive treatment of airbenders and vendetta against Team Avatar further fuels our disdain for her. That doesn’t mean that we’d go as far as Zaheer does. Still, there is poetic justice in seeing the airbender take the Earth Queen’s breath away, resulting in arguably the franchise’s most graphic death.
#11: Faraday
“Cyberpunk: Edgerunners” (2022) Faraday runs the gamut as far as despicable villains are concerned. He commits corporate espionage, sets up assassinations and manipulates just about everyone he meets. But Faraday’s actions particularly ruin protagonist David’s life in too many ways to count. Fortunately, all the villain’s hateful acts just build towards one of the most cathartic deaths in all of animation. David’s able to inflict some terrible wounds on Faraday. But he’s not the one who ends the villain. Ironically, Faraday is sent spiraling to his doom by his own subordinate/assassin Adam Smasher. While we can’t show the aftermath, trust us when we say that the sound of a “splat” has never been so gratifying.
#10: Diane Simmons
“Family Guy” (1999-) After the Griffin family arrives at a fancy mansion, they find themselves tangled in a violent murder mystery. Initially, it seems like anchorman Tom Tucker is the one responsible for the bloodshed. But Lois eventually pieces together that newswoman Diane Simmons is truly responsible. She went on her spree just to frame the anchorman that scorned her and was willing to take out Lois to keep her secret safe. However, Stewie’s quick actions cause Diane to fall to her death. Her demise is especially satisfying because the young Griffin is usually trying to assassinate his mom himself. The moment is also ironic because Lois took Stewie out in a simulated world.
#9: Slade
“Teen Titans” (2003-06) While the vicious Slade committed many terrible crimes, his worst misdeed arguably centered around the young metahuman Terra. The villain forced her to befriend the Teen Titans so she could betray them in his name. While the pain this caused Terra and teen heroes is immeasurable, at least the heroine got back at the big bad. She ends up using her considerable earth moving powers to lash out at her former boss. Unfortunately, Terra’s outburst also triggered a volcanic eruption. As she made a big sacrifice to stop the lava, Slade sunk into the molten liquid. Although Slade wouldn’t stay dead forever, that didn’t make his defeat here any less glorious.
#8: Silco
“Arcane” (2021-) While Silco was unquestionably a twisted villain, he grew to care for Jinx after he took her under his dark wings. That’s what made his death strangely tragic. His demise came after Jinx took him and her very own sister hostage. Although both parties tried to appeal to their captor, her mental state rapidly deteriorates and she lashes out. When the smoke clears, it’s clear that Silco has sustained fatal wounds. He had every right to be furious with Jinx in the end. However, Silco spent his final moments reiterating how much he loves Jinx. This probably isn’t the goodbye anyone expected, and it’s all the better for it. Silco’s final scene showed that the seemingly heartless man was still capable of love.
#7: Tammy Guterman
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“Rick and Morty” (2013-) After traumatizing Morty and the audience, we all cheered when Rick turned King Jellybean into… well, jelly. We have to give this spot to Tammy, however, as our hatred of her was built up over multiple episodes. Summer’s classmate and Birdperson’s love interest, Tammy seems like a minor character. Not even Rick could’ve predicted Tammy being an undercover Galactic Federation agent. Using her wedding to assemble the Federation’s enemies, Tammy shoots Birdperson and turns him into her secret weapon. Tammy finally gets her comeuppance two seasons later. It’s highly satisfying that Summer gets the drop on Tammy, as she betrayed her trust and friendship. It’s just as gratifying that Rick finishes Tammy off, having made him go to a wedding… amongst other things.
#6: Super Shredder
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“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (2012-17) Throughout the numerous iterations of “Ninja Turtles,” Shredder has been portrayed as either silly or sinister. The 2012 incarnation definitely leans towards the latter, becoming more unhinged each season. Once he becomes Super Shredder, any humanity that might’ve remained in Oroku Saki is consumed by power and vengeance. In a reverse of the 1990 “Ninja Turtles” movie, Master Splinter falls from a rooftop to his demise at the hands of his nemesis. The following episode mirrors “The Secret of the Ooze,” but instead of merely getting crushed by a dock, Super Shredder receives the bombastic sendoff he deserves. It’s the ultimate final battle that utilizes most of the major characters, culminating with Leo avenging his father. It’s hard to imagine the franchise ever topping this.
#5: Zhao
“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08) Admiral Zhao was an arrogant firebender who was willing to do anything to stomp out his enemies. He was so cocky that he killed the moon spirit without considering the consequences that would bring. However, Zhao didn’t anticipate that a young princess would give up her life to bring the moon back. After it returns, the Ocean Spirit decides to take down the firebender once and for all. Zhao’s enemy Zuko actually tries to save the admiral from a dark fate. However, the firebending villain chooses to preserve his pride instead of his life and refuses help. Zhao’s death became even more satisfying in “The Legend of Korra” when we found out that he’s still paying the price for his crimes against the spirits.
#4: Count Vlad Dracula Țepeș
“Castlevania” (2017-21) Be it the original NES classic or “Castlevania III,” it’s always rewarding when the player defeats Dracula. The standoff against Dracula towards the end of “Castlevania” season 2 is every bit as intense as a video game boss fight. While the outcome is satisfying, it’s also much sadder than we would’ve expected. Overpowering his son, Dracula is reminded of what he once had and realizes what he’s about to destroy. Repenting for his sins, the vampire allows Alucard to stake him. Rotting away, Dracula attempts to give his son a hug goodbye, but he isn’t permitted such a luxury. It’s a devastating demise and we wouldn’t have it any other way, even if Dracula does get resurrected down the line.
#3: Bill Cipher
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“Gravity Falls” (2012-16) “Gravity Falls” had one of the most satisfying finales ever, and Bill Cipher’s defeat is one of the many reasons why. Creepy, funny, and relishing in all of the chaos he unleashes, Bill is everything you could want in a villain. When anyone threatens Dipper and Mabel, though, they’ve got to go. On the verge of victory, Bill convinces Ford to let him inside his mind in exchange for his family. Bill may be manipulative, but Stan is the ultimate conman. Tricking Bill into entering his mind, Stan punches the dream demon’s daylights out while Ford fires up the Memory Gun. All that remains of Bill is a statue, leaving us to wonder if he’s truly gone for good. Perhaps a mystery for another day.
#2: Darth Maul
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“Star Wars Rebels” (2014-18) We all thought Darth Maul fell to his doom in “The Phantom Menace,” but that wasn’t even the half of it. The Zabrak warrior resurfaces in “The Clone Wars,” and meets his final resting place in “Rebels.” It’s only appropriate that Maul’s last stand is against Obi-Wan, given their history. Unlike their previous battles, however, this standoff is more like something out of a classic western or samurai duel. While Maul hasn’t changed much since they last met, Obi-Wan is much wiser. As such, Obi-Wan attempts to impart some words of wisdom until he’s given no choice but to draw his lightsaber. Learning from Qui-Gon’s defeat, Obi-Wan bests Maul, who takes some solace in knowing that the Chosen One will bring about Darth Sidious’ end.
#1: Aku
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“Samurai Jack” (2001-04; 2017) Since the first episode, this series has been building towards Jack defeating the Shapeshifting Master of Darkness. It took five seasons and about sixteen years, but fans were finally granted the rousing finale they were promised. Even with the support of his allies, Jack’s efforts appear futile against the relentless Aku. Ashi proves to be the key in her father’s undoing, as she discovers the power to take Jack back to where his journey started. Returning to when he first faced Aku, Jack is given an advantage. It’s a clever solution capped off by a thrilling final confrontation. As Jack plunges his sword at a helpless Aku, we all take a deep breath, knowing that this long-time rivalry is about to meet its heart-pounding conclusion.
