Last Updated on March 7, 2023 by Dexter Roona
Today we delve into the world of anime and recap 12 Tragic and Unexpected Deaths in Anime, careful of spoilers ahead.
Anime is a medium that has captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world. With its captivating storylines and beautifully crafted characters, anime has become a global phenomenon.
However, anime is also known for its ability to tell tragic stories that leave viewers feeling heartbroken. In this article, we’ll take a look at 10 tragic and unexpected deaths in anime that have left a lasting impact on fans.
NB: This 12 Tragic and Unexpected Deaths in Anime article contains some product affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase then AFG may make a very small commission at no cost to you.
12 Tragic and Unexpected Deaths in Anime
Maes Hughes – Fullmetal Alchemist
Maes Hughes, from Fullmetal Alchemist, was known for his kindness and loyalty.
He was a loving father and husband who like to endlessly talk about his family and share pictures with his friends and colleagues. But unfortunately, his love for his family was also his downfall.
When Hughes uncovers a conspiracy involving the military, he is assassinated by the villainous Envy a prominent member of the Seven Homunculi.
Maes Hughes’s death was a heartbreaking moment for Fullmetal fans and had a huge impact on the other character’s storylines in the series.
L – Death Note
L, is a brilliant, eccentric detective from Death Note, and a character that was loved in the Death Note series.
He had quirky habits, and was intelligent and showed he had the ability to outsmart the series’ main villain, Light Yagami.
But in a shocking turn of events, Light eventually managed to catch L off-guard and killed him. L’s death was a turning point in the series and changed the tone of the story.
Jiraiya – Naruto
Jiraiya was a legendary ninja from the Naruto series. He was a mentor and father figure to Naruto. Fans loved his wit, charm, and kick-ass combat skills.
But in a tragic turn of events, Jiraiya was sadly killed by the villainous Pain.
Jiraiya’s death left a scar on the anime series and had a profound impact on Naruto’s character development.
Kamina – Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Kamina was a fearless leader from the series Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann.
He was confident and had a rare ability to inspire his allies.
Sadly his life was cut short in the series when he was killed in battle.
Kamina’s death was a pivotal moment in the series that shocked fans and had a lasting impact on the other characters moving forward.
Kaori Miyazono – Your Lie in April
Kaori Miyazono was a talented violinist from the series Your Lie in April.
As a free spirit, Kaori loved music and really had a loving passion for life.
However, she was also battling a serious illness and knew that her time was running out.
Kaori sadly passed away before she could fulfill her dream of becoming a professional musician.
Her death was a tragic moment in the series and left fans in floods of tears.
Koro-sensei – Assassination Classroom
Koro-sensei was a lovable and eccentric teacher from the series Assassination Classroom. He was an alien with incredible powers, and he taught his students valuable life lessons.
However, Koro-sensei had a tragic past, and his ultimate goal was to be killed by his students. In a heartbreaking turn of events, Koro-sensei was killed by his students, and fans were left devastated by his death.
Shirley Fenette – Code Geass
Shirley Fenette was a kind and caring character from the series Code Geass, a student at Ashford Academy who had a crush on Lelouch the series’ main character.
In a very shocking turn of events, Shirley was killed by one of Lelouch’s enemies. Her death marked a tragic moment in the series.
Isla – Plastic Memories
Plastic Memories is an anime series that explores the torrid relationship between humans and robots. Isla, the female lead of the series, is a robot with emotions who works for a company that reclaims outdated robots.
Isla finds herself falling in love with her human partner, Tsukasa, but as a robot, she has a limited lifespan and must be retrieved after a few years.
When Isla’s time comes to an end, she passes away in Tsukasa’s arms which is a heartbreaking scene in the series. Her death marks a tragic moment and highlights the human-like qualities of the robots in the story.
Nagisa Furukawa
Clannad is a slice-of-life anime that follows the lives of high school students as they deal with personal issues and relationships during the school day.
Nagisa Furukawa is the female lead of the series and is a kind and caring person who wants to start a drama club.
Nagisa suffers from a weak constitution and suffers health problems as the series progresses.
Nagisa dies while giving birth with her death highlighting the fragility of life.
Ace
One Piece is a fan-favorite long-running anime that follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his crew as they search for the ultimate treasure, the One Piece.
Ace is the adoptive brother of Luffy and a powerful pirate known as the “Fire Fist.” Ace is captured by the Marines and sentenced to death.
A rescue attempt is launched to free Ace, but is ultimately unsuccessful, and Ace is killed with his death having a lasting impact on Luffy and his crew.
Sasha Braus – Attack On Titan
Sasha Braus‘s death in AOT is a shock to both the characters of the show and the audience watching. Her Attack in Titan character was loved for her humor, kindness, and loyalty, and her death was a tragic loss for the show.
Her death had a significant impact on the story with her absence leaving a void in the team dynamic. Sasha’s death became a rallying cry for her friends to continue fighting for their cause and serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of war and the sacrifices that are sometimes necessary to achieve victory.
Kyojuro Rengoku – Demon Slayer
In the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train arc, Rengoku is tasked with investigating a series of human disappearances that are linked to Enmu a powerful demon.
Kyojuro and Tanjiro prevail over Enmu only for Akaza, an even more powerful demon to join the fray with Kyojuro dying after an epic battle.
Kyojuro Rengoku‘s death is a devastating loss for the other characters and the audience and was truly unexpected. His death motivates Tanjiro and the other Demon Slayers to continue fighting and only strengthens their resolve to fight the good fight.
12 Tragic and Unexpected Deaths in Anime
Tragic deaths are a common theme in anime, and can leave a lasting impact as fans will often form attachments to the storylines
They can often be heartbreaking, but they also add depth and emotion to the storytelling.
The twelve anime deaths on this list are just a few examples of the many tragic deaths in anime, but they’re some of the most memorable and unexpected.
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