10 Anime Characters Whose Deaths Left an Unforgettable Impact

Many anime characters are remembered long after their stories end, thanks to their ability to form strong connections with viewers. Anime goes beyond quirky, unrealistic characters, delving into the impossible and making it possible. As a result, these characters continue to bring joy and happiness to many fans.

When an anime character dies with pride, it signifies that they lived their lives honorably and were proud of their accomplishments. On the other hand, there are characters who met tragic ends as a result of their misguided morals or evil actions. This is a list of anime characters who died with pride, as well as those whose deaths were filled with despair.

5 anime characters who died with pride

1) Jiraiya (Naruto)

Jiraiya Sage Mode (Image via Pierrot)

As a member of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya was a formidable ninja who earned the admiration of many. This anime character possessed one of the most diverse skill sets in the series, and with his mastery of sage jutsu, he was unquestionably one of the most powerful of his era.

2) Hange Zoe (Attack on Titan)

The death of Jiraiya was a deeply impactful moment in the anime series. He bravely confronted Pain of Six Paths, ultimately sacrificing his life to pass on crucial information to Naruto and the Hidden Leaf. In his final moments, Jiraiya managed to alert the Hidden Leaf Village that the Six Paths of Pain were under the control of Nagato. He is fondly remembered as Jiraiya of the Sannin, the man who selflessly gave his life for his convictions.

Hange Zoe (Image via MAPPA)

Hange, an expert on titans, had a quirky personality that added some much-needed levity to the dark world of Attack on Titan. Despite her entertaining nature, she was deeply committed to the cause and played a crucial role in the battle against the Titans.

Hange had made the decision to sacrifice her life in order to save her comrades and to provide them with more time to repair their ship. Courageously, she charged towards the Colossal Titans and successfully managed to take down two of them before succumbing to severe burn injuries, causing her to fall from the sky. Hange passed away with a sense of pride, knowing that she had given her all to fulfill her responsibilities as the Captain of the Survey Corps.

3) Jonathan Joestar (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)

Jonathan vs Dio (Image via David Production)

Jonathan Joestar, a character from Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, serves as the protagonist in the initial arc called Phantom Blood. Known for his courage and heart of gold, Jonathan stands in stark contrast to his adopted brother and series antagonist, Dio. With a natural talent for utilizing energy-based Hamon martial arts, Jonathan exemplifies the virtue of righteousness in his quest for justice.

At the conclusion of Phantom Blood, Jonathan sacrifices his life to safeguard his wife and infant son. Despite having been defeated before, Dio launches a final, desperate attack on Jonathan and his family in a bid to take over his body. Ultimately, Jonathan perishes knowing he has shielded his family and fellow shipmates by defeating Dio, thereby solidifying his status as a selfless hero for all time.

4) Kyojuro Rengoku (Demon Slayer)

The character Kyojuro Rengoku, shown here in a still from the anime, is a beloved figure from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Despite his limited screen time, he captured the hearts of fans with his unwavering determination. As a member of the Demon Slayer corps, he was so skilled that he ultimately succeeded his father as the Sun Hashira. Kyojuro played a vital supportive role, reaching his pinnacle during the Mungen Train Arc.

At the conclusion of the Mungen Train Arc, Kyojuro ultimately succumbed to Akaza, the upper rank three. Throughout their fierce confrontation, Akaza lauded Kyojuro for his prowess and courage, even offering to transform him into a demon. However, Kyojuro staunchly adhered to the belief that his abilities were meant to be utilized in the protection of the innocent, which he proved by successfully safeguarding them. He will be remembered by fans as an anime character who met his end with honor, having given his all.

5) Edward Newgate (One Piece)

The death scene of Whitebeard (Image via Toei Animation)

Edward Newgate, also known as Whitebeard, served as the captain of the Whitebeard Pirates. Following the passing of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, he was revered as the "Strongest Man in the World" and was widely recognized as the "Man Closest to One Piece." As a member of the Four Emperors, he held dominion over the New World as a formidable sea emperor.

5 anime characters whose deaths were pitiful to watch

Whitebeard's ultimate demise occurred at the Battle of Marineford, where he fell victim to Blackbeard and his crew. Whitebeard firmly believed in the potential of the younger generation and was willing to sacrifice himself for their future. He met his end standing tall, upholding his reputation as the strongest individual in the world, and displaying his unyielding will even in death.

1) Light Yagami (Death Note)

Light Yagami (Image via Madhouse)

Light Yagami, also known as Kira, is a compelling and intelligent character from the Death Note series. His unmatched intellect and intuition made him a formidable adversary. With a skewed sense of justice, he wielded the Death Note with dangerous consequences. Despite his belief in being unbeatable and godlike, Light met his end at the hands of Near and the Kira Task Force. Ultimately, he died alone and betrayed, unable to achieve his ultimate goal, as Ryuk wrote his name in the Death Note, marking his pitiful demise.

2) Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)

Eren Yeager (Image via MAPPA)

Eren Yeager, the central character of the popular anime Attack on Titan, has always yearned for freedom and the ability to explore the world outside the walls with his companions Armin and Mikasa. However, as he matured and harnessed his Titan abilities, Eren underwent a transformation.

Becoming consumed by the desire to vanquish his adversaries, he became convinced that conflict was the sole means to attain freedom. Ultimately, Eren deprived his friends of their ability to choose, convinced that he alone possessed the path to peace. In doing so, he orchestrated a scenario where he would have to sacrifice his own life and take the lives of countless innocent people. In the end, Eren was killed by Mikasa, his closest friend. The loss of Eren is a deeply poignant event for fans who have followed his journey and supported him throughout the anime.

3) Emi Akezawa (Baki the Grappler)

Emi Akezawa (Image via Akita Shonen)

Emi Akezawa, the mother of Baki Hanma, has always pushed her son to become stronger since his birth. She was in love with Baki's father, Yujiro Hanma, known as the strongest creature on Earth. Yujiro wanted someone who could challenge him, and he expected Emi to train Baki for this purpose.

During a fight between Baki and Yujiro, Baki failed to impress his father, who began to mercilessly attack the teenager. Emi, realizing her duty as a mother, tried to intervene and protect her son, sacrificing her own life in the process. It was a tragic end for Emi, who had finally understood the true meaning of motherhood and realized that she had been chasing after Yujiro for the wrong reasons.

4) Junpei Yoshino (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Junpei Yoshino (Image via MAPPA)

Junpei is a pivotal character in the anime Jujutsu Kaisen, created by Gege Akutami, and a close friend of Yuji Itadori. He was a victim of relentless bullying at school, leading to a deeply negative outlook on life. When Junpei was on the brink of being bullied again, the powerful cursed spirit Mahito intervened, leading Junpei to become infatuated with him and adopt his nihilistic philosophy.

Tragically, Junpei's life took a turn for the worse with the death of his mother and a fateful confrontation with Yuji, during which Mahito cruelly ended Junpei's life. This act was all part of Mahito's sinister plan, leaving Junpei, a character with a compelling and sympathetic backstory, to meet an untimely end just as he believed he had a chance to turn his life around.

5) Maes Hughes ( Fullmetal Alchemist)

Maes Hughes(Image via Bones)

Maes Hughes is a compellingly written character from the anime Fullmetal Alchemist. As an Amestrian State Military Officer in Central City, he was a dedicated family man with the ability to seamlessly switch from discussing his loved ones to serious military matters.

After stumbling onto dangerous secrets, Hughes became the target of deadly individuals. Tragically, he was shot by a shapeshifter masquerading as his wife and left to die in a telephone booth. His untimely death had a profound impact on the series and evoked a sense of sorrow among fans.

Concluding Thoughts

The death of an anime character is often viewed as a defining moment for them. In many popular anime, important supporting characters sacrifice their lives to aid the protagonist's development or to shift the storyline in a new direction.

Some anime characters are remembered for the impact of their deaths and the role they played leading up to that moment. Whether their death was heroic or tragic, well-written characters leave a lasting impression on viewers and are remembered for the impact their demise had on the anime and the other characters.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I have grown up watching anime and have witnessed the profound impact that character deaths can have on a series. The deaths of Jiraiya and Jonathan Joestar, in particular, left an indelible mark on me. Jiraiya's sacrifice to protect Naruto and the Hidden Leaf Village was both heartbreaking and inspiring, showcasing the true meaning of selflessness. Jonathan's demise, on the other hand, was a testament to his unwavering courage and determination to safeguard his loved ones.

Moreover, the tragic end of Hange Zoe in Attack on Titan resonated deeply with me. Her decision to sacrifice herself for the greater good, despite her vibrant personality and crucial role in the battle against the Titans, was both poignant and heroic. Hange's death highlighted the immense sacrifices that characters are willing to make for the sake of their comrades and their cause. Overall, these character deaths in anime have left a lasting impression on me, reminding me of the power of storytelling and the profound emotions that anime can evoke.