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Some anime deaths are so famous, impactful, and memorable that new fans are spoiled even before they have a chance to watch the series.
Some anime deaths have become so famous that they precede the anime that they come from and effectively prove that anime isn’t afraid to delve into serious topics. Depending on the series, anime character deaths can have a massive impact not only on the anime’s storyline and its characters but also on its fans.
Many anime characters have died throughout the years for innumerable reasons, but only anime deaths that carried the most impact have been effectively immortalized.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
10 Roy Focker Died From Blood Loss While Playing Guitar (Super Dimension Fortress Macross)
Super Dimension Fortress Macross is a classic anime from the early 1980s that secured Macross‘ longevity as a franchise. Roy Focker is the rough and old-fashioned manly senpai to Hikaru Ichijyo, the original series’ main protagonist. During a fierce battle against Milia Fallyna’s force of Queadluun-Rau battle suits, Roy suffered fatal injuries. Instead of divulging his injuries and going to a hospital, Roy accepted his fate and died from blood loss while playing a classical guitar and awaiting a delicious pineapple salad made by his girlfriend, Claudia LaSalle.
9 Maes Hughes Was Killed In A Heartless Manner (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Envy is one of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood‘s most devious homunculi and Maes Hughes’ death scene nails that point home. Hughes was attacked by Lust after discovering a deep government conspiracy, but he managed to fight her off and flee with minor injuries. While attempting to contact and warn Roy Mustang at an unmonitored phone booth, Envy held him up at gunpoint. After spotting a fallen family photo Hughes accidentally dropped on the ground, Envy assumed the appearance of Hughes’s beloved wife, effectively disarming him emotionally before shooting him dead.
8 Portgas D. Ace Met His End While Protecting Luffy (One Piece)
Although they were separated for a long time in One Piece, Portgas D. Ace held protecting his brother Luffy as his top priority up to the moment that they’re reunited. During the Marineford Arc, Luffy and the Straw Hats (along with Whitebeard’s crew) attempted to rescue Ace from being executed by the Marines – and succeeded.
But a well-timed insult from Admiral Akainu lured Ace back to protect Whitebeard’s honor, but Ace was overpowered. Akainu then turned his attention to Luffy, prompting Ace to act as a shield and take the killing blow.
7 Jiraiya Died A Hero’s Death Fulfilling His Mission To Investigate The Akatsuki (Naruto Shippuden)
Despite knowing the risks of investigating the Akatsuki and Pain on his own in Naruto Shippuden, Jiraiya nevertheless bravely took on the important mission. As Naruto Uzumaki’s most important mentor, Jiraiya won himself a special place both in Naruto’s and the audience’s hearts. His death at Pain’s hand was both shocking and devastating, but Jiraiya made sure to send the Great Toad Sage Fukasaku back to the Hidden Leaf Village with his dying message, alerting the village leaders on how to defeat Pain.
6 Zabuza & Haku Were The First Deaths In The Original Naruto
While there are many deaths in the original Naruto anime series, the first on-screen deaths of Zabuza Momochi and his disciple, Haku, have gone down in anime history. The impact of this scene made it clear to both Naruto and audiences that the politics and way of life in the world of Naruto are far more complicated than a simple “good guy vs. bad guy” dynamic. Instead, Zabuza and Haku are humanized as ordinary ninja who were just doing what they had to for survival.
5 Jonathan Joestar Died While Holding Dio Brando’s Severed Head (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Phantom Blood)
The image of Jonathan Joestar holding his adopted brother’s severed vampiric head while on a sinking ship engulfed in flames is one of the most famous early deaths in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise. There is a multitude of heartbreaking deaths that occur after Jonathan’s, but the original JoJo’s death holds a special place in fans’ hearts. Taking Dio down with him to protect others is the pinnacle of Jonathan’s noble and principled nature and an honorable way for his life to end.
4 Kamina Refused To Die Until The Fight Was Finished (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)
Studio Gainax shocked Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann fans the world over when, not even halfway through the series, they killed off one of the series’ most charismatic characters. Kamina’s death was certainly not foreseen by audiences, but it was an appropriate choice considering that Simon, the anime’s protagonist, relied too heavily on Kamina’s bravado.
Nevertheless, Gainax didn’t allow Kamina to go out with a whimper. Instead, Kamina gets back up from the brink of death to invigorate Simon one last time and help defeat the Beastmen.
3 Spike Spiegel’s Iconic “Bang” Came From His Death Scene (Cowboy Bebop)
Even those who have never watched Cowboy Bebop have likely seen a damaged Spike Spiegel deliver his famous “bang” line before collapsing on the cathedral steps. Spike’s death has long been a contentious decision by the original creator, but one that has also been staunchly defended by a number of hardcore Cowboy Bebop fans. Whether or not fans agree with Spike’s death, however, doesn’t change the fact that his dying moments have been immortalized in anime culture for the unforeseeable future.
2 Caesar Died As A Proud Zeppeli Fulfilling His Grandfather’s Will (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Battle Tendency)
The heroic death of Caesar Zeppeli is undeniably one of the most dramatic scenes in the entirety of the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise. Before giving in to his death at the hands of the villainous Pillar Man Wamuu, Caesar snatched the lip ring holding the antidote that Joseph Joestar needed and used the last of his Hamon to protect it from Wamuu’s hands. Like the Zeppeli men before him, Caesar died a hero’s death while helping a Joestar get closer to defeating their nemesis.
1 Mami Tomoe’s Death Set The Tone For The Rest Of The Series (Puella Magi Madoka Magica)
Part of what makes Mami Tomoe’s death in Puella Magi Madoka Magica so memorable is the fact that pretty much no one was expecting it. Prior to the end of Episode 3, Madoka Magica had effectively marketed itself as a light-hearted magical girl anime about friendship and defeating evil. But after seeing Mami unceremoniously ripped down from her highest point, audiences realized that this anime would not be the fun and games it initially appeared to be. The way that she dies is especially shocking and unforgettable.
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