Most of the time anime deaths don't really bother anyone. That's usually because they come back through some magic, or hang around as a ghost. You get what I mean? Death in anime doesn't usually mean a lot because it's rarely final, like comic books. But, every now and then it is final and that's okay because it's anime and isn't always sad. Every now and then there's one that really gets to you and touches your soul, even your eyes. You know I love lists more than Buzzfeed so I sat down and made a list to send you down memory lane that'll make your eyes water all over again. There's clearly going to be spoilers.
1. Gen Shishio - Kekkaishi
Gen was an asshole from the start, but we soon learned that he had never had a friend before. His entire life had seen him tormented for his abilities and used. Eventually he opens up and we realize he's actually a really good person. He's never had lasting happiness in his life, but he finally finds it and he's finally got friends he cares about. Gen fully transforms into his wolf form and for the first time it's accepted. Then he gets stabbed through the abdomen and just dies in a fight he was dominating. He doesn't come back, he's just dead. There's no ghost of Gen past to inspire him, no flashbacks to his days of adventure he's just dead.
2. Jiraiya - Naruto
Jiraiya was like the grandfather Naruto needed. He was a pervert, but a hero as well. He'd touch the lives of many across multiple generations. In the end he sacrificed himself to give others a chance to defeat Pain who was thought to be immortal. Jiraiya's death was so sad because of the way it happened. His body was never buried and no real funeral for him. His body sank to the bottom of the ocean and most people didn't know of his death until much later. He was a man that did so much to help others in his life despite his flaws and he just vanished from history over night as an unsung hero.
3. Ace - One Piece
Ace was a cool guy, someone that almost everyone liked. He had a rough life but turned it into greatness. Luffy goes on this crazy journey to save him and he actually pulls it off. One free'd from the seastone Ace was untouchable. Literally, the man was a Logia and was never touched unless seastone was involved. He was free and taking people down left and right, Ace does not get hit, his body has no scars. Then HE CHOOSES to get hit for the first time in years to sacrifice himself for Luffy. Nobody fucking dies in One Piece, that was the rule. Then Whitebeard dies in the war takes a new tone because "Wow, half of his face is missing. Whitebeard is a strong guy, what the fuck did he just die? Oda wouldn't do that twice. Oda doesn't kill people." Then the next thing you know Luffy and Ace are laughing their way to freedom then suddenly there's a fist through Ace's chest and he's just dead. He's like the second real character to die and his death is even more tragic than the first and it was right after. Everything you knew about One Piece was a lie in that moment. Anyone could die from then on. It's a new world when you know your favorite character might get pieced up at any moment.
4. Maes Hughes - Full Metal Alchemist
Here's the thing about Maes Hughes, he wasn't the most important character to the story, but he was important to all the important characters. Maes was what I like to refer to as the conscience of the series. He was a father, and a good father. A good friend and mentor. While he laid everything down for his job, it would never come before his family and that's what caused his death. Envy's transformations didn't really stop Maes from defending himself. That is until Envy transformed into his wife. Maes couldn't attack what he knew was just an impersonation of his wife because he loved her so much. He accepted his death peacefully. Then we see his best friend Roy Mustang crying at his funeral and we get hit with one of the saddest conversations ever:
"It's a terrible day for rain"
"What are you talking about? It's not raining"
"Yes it is."
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet. You can also check out his playthrough of Sleeping Dogs or Skyrim
1. Gen Shishio - Kekkaishi
Gen was an asshole from the start, but we soon learned that he had never had a friend before. His entire life had seen him tormented for his abilities and used. Eventually he opens up and we realize he's actually a really good person. He's never had lasting happiness in his life, but he finally finds it and he's finally got friends he cares about. Gen fully transforms into his wolf form and for the first time it's accepted. Then he gets stabbed through the abdomen and just dies in a fight he was dominating. He doesn't come back, he's just dead. There's no ghost of Gen past to inspire him, no flashbacks to his days of adventure he's just dead.
2. Jiraiya - Naruto
Jiraiya was like the grandfather Naruto needed. He was a pervert, but a hero as well. He'd touch the lives of many across multiple generations. In the end he sacrificed himself to give others a chance to defeat Pain who was thought to be immortal. Jiraiya's death was so sad because of the way it happened. His body was never buried and no real funeral for him. His body sank to the bottom of the ocean and most people didn't know of his death until much later. He was a man that did so much to help others in his life despite his flaws and he just vanished from history over night as an unsung hero.
3. Ace - One Piece
Ace was a cool guy, someone that almost everyone liked. He had a rough life but turned it into greatness. Luffy goes on this crazy journey to save him and he actually pulls it off. One free'd from the seastone Ace was untouchable. Literally, the man was a Logia and was never touched unless seastone was involved. He was free and taking people down left and right, Ace does not get hit, his body has no scars. Then HE CHOOSES to get hit for the first time in years to sacrifice himself for Luffy. Nobody fucking dies in One Piece, that was the rule. Then Whitebeard dies in the war takes a new tone because "Wow, half of his face is missing. Whitebeard is a strong guy, what the fuck did he just die? Oda wouldn't do that twice. Oda doesn't kill people." Then the next thing you know Luffy and Ace are laughing their way to freedom then suddenly there's a fist through Ace's chest and he's just dead. He's like the second real character to die and his death is even more tragic than the first and it was right after. Everything you knew about One Piece was a lie in that moment. Anyone could die from then on. It's a new world when you know your favorite character might get pieced up at any moment.
4. Maes Hughes - Full Metal Alchemist
Here's the thing about Maes Hughes, he wasn't the most important character to the story, but he was important to all the important characters. Maes was what I like to refer to as the conscience of the series. He was a father, and a good father. A good friend and mentor. While he laid everything down for his job, it would never come before his family and that's what caused his death. Envy's transformations didn't really stop Maes from defending himself. That is until Envy transformed into his wife. Maes couldn't attack what he knew was just an impersonation of his wife because he loved her so much. He accepted his death peacefully. Then we see his best friend Roy Mustang crying at his funeral and we get hit with one of the saddest conversations ever:
"It's a terrible day for rain"
"What are you talking about? It's not raining"
"Yes it is."
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet. You can also check out his playthrough of Sleeping Dogs or Skyrim
Honorable mentions: Genkai from YYH before she was brought back. Joseph from Jo Jo's Bizarre Adventure. -Tai
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