Seven Amazing Character Deaths in Anime and Manga

Death is something that one must come to terms with at some point. Eventually one will experience the end of the life of someone dear to them. They will also face their own mortality as well. In storytelling deaths are often a useful tool for bringing about the end. In many ways it is. Yet sometimes it is more than that. It can be only the end to a chapter in a much longer tale. For me personally, this one of my core points for why I often enjoy the storytelling in anime and manga. Characters are far less safe, thus making the stories feel more real. It is impossible to say whether the death of a character makes a better conclusion or turning point as when executed correctly, both add something to the story something that wasn't there before, interestingly enough, by taking something away.


-Standard Spoiler Warning applies to this post. Read at your own risk-

#1 Ikari Gendo, The End of Evangelion
Why it's on the list: Through the entire series of Evangelion the audience can feel nothing but contempt for Gendo. He abandons his son, breaks the hearts of two women, time and again is shown to be hiding the truth, working in shady underhanded dealings that directly effect those around him, and at least one person is killed by his own actions. Even as the story begins to reach its climax, instead of working for what could be the good of all humanity, all he seems to care about is reuniting himself with his dead wife. We are not supposed to like him. Yet despite this, in his final moments, we see a man who truly regrets his misdeeds, admitting his faults and heavily cloaked shame. Painfully he admits that despite the facade he's worn for so long, he truly does care for his son, Shinji, perhaps because he is the only link he still has to Yui. Confessing that without Yui by his side, all he ever does is hurt Shinji. It's a profound moment and an amazing turnaround. It's somewhat surprising that one character made so detestable is able to be redeemed with just this one final scene.

#2 Master Asia, G Gundam
Why it's on the list: Not the final villain of the series, but definitely the rival of the main character, Domon. Early on in the series it is revealed that the man that taught Domon everything he knew (and continues to teach him) is working on the side of the evil force poised to devour the planet. His mentor, best friend, and second father now on the other side of a conflict, Domon struggles time and again with the notion that his master isn't the man he thought he knew. Domon sincerely wants to hate Master Asia, but cannot accept it. It's is this internal conflict that makes part of the story of G Gundam so gripping.
In one of the best battles seen in an anime, Domon and Master Asia finally square off in the final round of the Gundam Fight, shouting back and fourth at one another, revealing that ultimately they both believe in saving the Earth, but choose to support a different means to do so.
Even with the hints of Master Asia dying spread throughout the series, when he finally succumbs to both his illness and Domon's strength, his death still hits hard. Opening his shirt, he shows that he never once fell victim to the outside influence of DG cells, but rather chose to join the opposing side by his own will revealing that he was not a good soul corrupted, but instead, nothing more than a foolish old man. "Look! The East is burning red!"

(Note: It seems to be a twist of irony that I write this comment in wake of the news of the passing of Osaka Hiroshi, whose credits include the character designs for G Gundam)

#3 Akemi, Saishu Heiki Kanojo (Saikano)
Why it's on the list: I've seen this scene in both the manga and anime versions of this title, and it's difficult to say which one I prefer, both have their merits for different reasons. On one hand, the manga forced me to take a moment to pause and process it when I read it, on the other, even well done onomatopoeia can't complete with hearing the actual sound of Akemi sticking to her bedsheets because of all the blood she's lost. Her final confession to Shuji reveals so much. Many subtle hints are brought together in one of the best bittersweet moments. Shuji can do nothing to comfort his childhood friend as she dies in his arms, all he can do is accept her confession of unrequited love, hold her, and tell her that despite mortal wounds from an earthquake she is beautiful. It is one of the pivotal examples of Shuji's struggle throughout Saikano to try and be the rock of support that so many people view him as, despite ultimately being powerless.

#4 Kamina, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Why it's on the list: It's hard not to like Kamina. He's comic relief, a role model to the main character Simon, holds a fierce sense of honor, persistant, and has some insane levels of dumb luck. When Kamina's death finally comes, it's a hard, fast, gripping end to a character that quickly became a favorite. Yet it's the aftermath of his death that becomes the core for the story later on. His words and the significance of his personality echo throughout the rest of the series. (See #14 in the Insert songs entry for more)

#5 Setsuko, Grave of the Fireflies
Why it's on the list: If you've seen the film, you can probably already guess why this one made the list. As mentioned before, the deaths of characters can often make a story feel more real, and the death of Setsuko, a mere child, through no fault of her own is one of the times that the reality of death really hits home. Seita finds himself unable to go after Setsuko's death, asking the very same question the audience is; "What good comes from war?" Perhaps what makes the ending of the Grave of the Fireflies so much more pointed is that it goes against the rules. Yet breaking the rule that children are usually safe in storytelling, just drives the point home even further.

#6 Four Murasame, Zeta Gundam
Why it's on the list: Losing your soulmate is never an easy thing to go through, but losing them twice, that pain has to be uncanny. That is the case for Kamille in Zeta Gundam. In a story that seems to do nothing but punish him, there are two noticeable breaks. The first comes in the story arch in Hong Kong where Kamille first encounters Four. The two find a kindred spirit in one another, and love more in only a few days than some do in a lifetime. Yet Four's creeping madness and alliance to the Titans create rifts. Yet still Four winds up protecting Kamillie on several occasions. The two finally seem to find someone that makes sense to them in the crazy world they have been plunged into.
The second time Kamille finds Four he is dumbstruck to find her alive, yet troubled that she has trouble remembering him. History seems to repeat itself (and not just for the two young lovers) as their happiness together is again made fleeting and only through Four's desperate actions does Kamille live to see another day. Kamille sought to be the one to rescue Four, to keep her safe and in the end she is the one who protects him, using the Psyco Gundam to block an oncoming blast. With her dying for certain in his arms this time, the cold snows of Kilimanjaro seem of no consequence to Kamille, all he knows now are a heightened bitterness for the world that he has to fight in. In many ways, there is no turning back for Kamille after Four's death, any remaining glimmers of hope for finding happiness were lost in the snow.
This entire section of the Zeta Gundam story was omitted from the movie version of the story. Without a doubt, these events are the ones I missed the most when viewing them.

#7 Tokiha Takumi, Mai-HiME
Why it's on the list: Takumi's death stands out a bit different from many of the other entries on this list because it's not so much the actual death of the character that is the key to it, but rather what is set in motion after it. In the moments following Takumi's death, Natsuki says it best. "She's lost it". Takumi's well being was very much Mai's source of happiness. So many of her choices in life were directly made in order to sacrifice something in order to take care of her brother. To suddenly and abruptly take that away from her unfairly and make all her efforts and sacrifices for naught, it's no wonder that Mai snaps as a result. To make matters worse, Takumi's death is brought upon by the actions of someone she had trusted and cared for as well. Shots of her screaming in furious rage and biting her lip so hard she draws blood, Mai's pain is very real in this scene. What seemed to be a rather gentle happy story suddenly takes a turn.