There are many ways for an author who wants to wrap his work. Some of them give the main character the good result of his hard work throughout the series. However, there are popular shows that just make the anime where the main character dies at the end of the series.
Below, we’ve gathered the best anime where the main character dies. But before we continue, let’s be clear that this list contains the anime where the MC really dies, and is not resurrected like Goku from Dragon Ball or Subaru from Re:Zero. Without further ado, let’s dive into the sea of tears!
10. Nine and Twelve (Terror in Resonance)
Some of you may remember the hype for this anime back in 2014. It is about two teenage boys, calling themselves Sphinx, terrorizing Tokyo after stealing a prototype of an atomic bomb. In reality, both of them are the product of a secret experiment. The Rising Peace Academy conducted it to develop children with savant syndrome into human weapons.
So, why are these young boys setting off bomb after bomb and agitating the government? Well, like all puberty kids, they just want attention. They want everyone to hear the truth about the nefarious experiment and judge the one behind it. We won’t spoil the whole story, but in the end, the truth comes out at the cost of two terrorist’s lives.
Overall, MAPPA did a good job making this original anime series. They finely depict the rage of Nine and Twelve towards the system that no one is truly aware of. Their message is good, but don’t ever try to copy it under any circumstance, guys!
9. Kaori Miyazono (Your Lie in April)
Moving from the best psychological anime in 2014, we got the best romance anime in 2014. Your Lie in April is definitely one anime that makes the memory resurface at least once a year. Up till this year, some of the weebs still commemorate Kaori’s death with increased intensity, specifically in February.
To be fair, her death scene is such a heartbreaking moment. It happens at Arima Kousei’s last piano performance in the anime. With him seeing the illusion of Kaori Myazono, he just knows that the operation ends up in failure. He keeps pushing the performance, not wanting to stop, but in the end, everything must end.
8. Ichiro Inuyashiki (Inuyashiki)
The whole series tells about alien beams gone wrong. With Earth hosting 7 billion people, they just happen to modify two people with different personalities, a sociopath boy and an old man who already tastes the bitter-sweet of life.
Watching the series, you will see how Spiderman acts without Uncle Ben saying “With great power comes great responsibility”. Hiro Shishigami, who is just a high school student, abuses his newfound power to everyone who rejects him. He just kills everyone left and right without minding the consequences. Fortunately, Ichiro Inuyashiki, who has the same power as him, manages to lead him to the right path. At the end of the series, both the anime main characters die saving the Earth.
7. Light Yagami (Death Note)
“You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain”.
That quote sums up Light Yagami’s life in Death Note. At first, his purpose after discovering the Death Note was pure. He just wants to clean the Earth from scumbag. But at a later date, he starts to kill innocent lives who try to sniff his identity as Kira.
In the end, his death is signed by none other than his Shinigami friend, Ryuk. It is kind of ironic how Light Yagami, who has accomplished his mission to get rid of everyone who chases him, died by his murder tool, a Death Note. Started as a hero and died as a memorable villain.
6. Jonathan Joestar (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure)
Who doesn’t know Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure? This series has amassed a huge fanbase throughout the world. Without a doubt, the third installment is more popular than other series. However, the main villain origin, Dio Brando, starts his villainous deed in the first series. It is surreal how he is almost responsible for most accidents in the Jojo series from the third to the sixth season.
The one who stopped his plot is no other than the ever gentleman, Jonathan Joestar. Set in Victorian England, he successfully defeats Dio with the supernatural ability “Hamon”. However, before he can get rid of him forever, Dio manages to mortally wound him. The next scene is even more thrilling as the anime where main character dies sinking into the ocean with an exploding ship. Fortunately, Jonathan’s wife Erina is pregnant with a child and manages to escape and continue the bloodline of Joestar.
5. Tatsumi (Akame Ga Kill)
Many wonder who is the real main character in this series. Even some say that the title should be Tatsumi Ga Kill instead of Akame Ga Kill. It happens because Tatsumi always gets the spotlight for character development instead of Akame who is already overpowered from the start.
But joking aside, the series is a whole house of murder. Instead of asking who died in the series, it’s better to ask who isn’t dead at the end of the series. Unfortunately, our boy Tatsumi is one on the dead list. His valiant struggle against the corrupt government’s ultimate weapon costs him his life. But, hey, at least Akame is still alive, right?
4. Akira Fudo (Devilman Crybaby)
Devilman Crybaby is a Netflix anime remake of the 1970s Devilman. Though the setting is pumped up into the 21st century, it has the same premise as the original. The objective of the story was to be an anti-war story. By taking demons as a premise, they want to depict that humans can be as cruel as demons.
Leaving philosophies aside, this anime has a rare ending in which everyone except the antagonist dies. Ryo, who reveals himself to be Satan, wants to exterminate humanity. Then, Akira confronts him along with another Devilman. In the end, Akira died at the hands of his best friend. Ultimately, with the Earth having no other resistance, it is destroyed and reshaped.
3. Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)
The scenery where Titan stomps half of Earth still lingers from last year. Eren Yeager keeps his promise to protect the people of Paradise at the cost of every life outside the wall. Well, that’s how he convinced everyone anyway. But later, Armin and others find out that Eren only wants to stomp around 80% of the entire population so they can’t retaliate on Paradise Island.
But before making that revelation, the anime where the main character die at the hands of someone he loves! It is unfortunate that Eren doesn’t get a chance to confess his feelings to her. Is his death worth it? Well, Paradise becomes a fascist nation and the world outside of walls still needs years to recover. Either way, mad respect for Hajime Isayama for making such a good ending for Attack on Titan.
2. Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass)
Code Geass is one anime that you should watch at least once in your life. It is a mecha anime that contains heavy aspects of politics. The story tells about how the exiled prince Lelouch vi Britannia successfully claims the throne with his supernatural power, Geass.
His objective is quite clear and simple. It is to find whoever murdered his mother, destroy the Britannian Empire, and make the world where his little sister, Lunally, can be happy. However, he underestimates his power and ultimately dies at his discretion. But, at least, he can accomplish his objective above.
1. Spike Spiegel (Cowboy Bebop)
The main character of Cowboy Bebop’s whereabouts at the end of the series invites a debate among the fans. Many of them think that Spike Spiegel survives the ordeal while others believe that his nemesis Vicious will never allow him to do so. This controversy still becomes a thing even after about 25 years since the series began. Moreover, Shinichiro Watanabe, the director of Cowboy Bebop, was unable to claim whether he lived or died.
However, at the end of the day, the ending scene shows that he collapses after receiving a mortal wound from his last fight. If he got a good ending, the fans should know RIGHT NOW!
Final Notes
So, how does the sad roller coaster feel to you? Which series do you think has the most impactful moment? Well, either way, all of the series are great, and you should watch it if you haven’t. Just prepare a bag of tissues and brace for the sudden heartbroken impact.
Do you want more of an anime list like this? Just stay tuned to Anime Fleek for more future anime updates!
Frequently Asked Questions
Shinichiro Watanabe, the director of Cowboy Bebop, was unable to claim whether the main character lived or died in the anime. However, at the end of the day, the ending scene shows that he collapses after receiving a mortal wound from his last fight.
No, the concept of the stand is introduced in the third installment. In the first and second series, they use the supernatural called Hamon.
She died from illness on February 18.
