Top 21 Saddest Anime Deaths of Each Year (2000 - 2020)

Script written by Alex Crilly-Mckean

Top 21 Saddest Anime Deaths of Each Year

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we are counting down our picks for the Top 21 Saddest Anime Deaths of Each Year.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the most harrowing anime deaths of each year, starting from 2000 all the way to 2020. Prepare yourselves for sorrow and spoilers ahead.

Is there an anime demise that you’re still not over? Let us know in the comments!

2000: Bell-mère

“One Piece” (1999-)

There have been no shortage of deaths across this shounen powerhouse, each one lending itself to plenty of tears. One of the earliest examples being Nami’s mother figure. After Arlong and his Fishmen lay siege, they demand tribute, and those unable to pay end up buried. Despite putting up a hell of a fight, Bell-mere willingly gives her life just so her adopted daughters can afford to live under Arlong’s rule. It’s a truly haunting moment, one that would serve as the first of many as One Piece moved forward.

2001: Leomon

“Digimon Tamers” (2001-02)

When you think of the Digital Monsters, horrifying death scenes don’t normally spring to mind. Well, that all changed with Tamers. As per tradition, Leomon once again ends up meeting a grizzly fate, though in this instance it’s when he tries to protect the Digidestined from the wrathful and misguided Beelzemon, who spears him through the gut, leading to a rather swift deletion. While his parting words are filled with comfort, this sudden and brutal end was the tipping point for what we like to call the Jeri Trauma Variety Hour!

2002: Chiyoko Fujiwara

“Millennium Actress” (2002)

A career defined by magnificent roles and crushing depression. Through the eyes of two documentary filmmakers, we see the life of this aspiring actress from start to finish, all the while her own life is interwoven between the scenes. All throughout her twisting tale we see how above all else she yearned to be reunited with an unnamed artist. To have so many accomplished roles under her belt, survive both war and the film industry, only to pass due to her frail health will have you welling up by the end.

2003: Zabuza & Haku

“Naruto” (2002-07)

One of the greatest villains in Naruto’s entire canon, a swordsman feared far and wide for his murderous ways, and yet was given one of the saddest goodbyes. Following on from Haku’s death and his battle with Kakashi, Zabuza is left emotionally broken, physically crippled, and betrayed by his employer. So, does he lay down and accept defeat? Of course not! Even without the use of his arms, he slaughters his way through a whole group of mercs, ending the crony who turned on him, before spending the last few moments of life saying his farewells to his only friend.

2004: Maes Hughes

“Fullmetal Alchemist” (2003-04)

While it was revisited and recaptured brilliantly in Brotherhood, Maes Hughes’ murder and subsequent funeral remains at its most potent in the original series. Much to everyone’s shock and horror, the resident jokester of Central finds himself under assault from the Homunculi. Despite his skills, Hughes is in no way prepared for Envy’s shapeshifting abilities and is shot down. If that’s not painful enough, watching his family break down as he is put into the ground is sure to push you over the edge.

2005: Reinforce

“Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's” (2005)

As the vessel for the Book of Darkness, Reinforce was a lean, mean virus-possessed machine, one capable of dishing out major damage, even to beasts like Nanoha and Fate. However, after finally being brought back to her senses, she decides the only way to ensure the Book of Darkness never hurts anyone again is to self-destruct then and there. While her partner Hayate does everything possible to save her, Reinforce remains resolute in her decision, going out with a bang and ensuring a future for her fellow magical girls.

2006: Naomi Misora

“Death Note” (2006-07)

Misa may have been a victim of Light’s manipulation, but she wasn’t the first lady in his life whose future he destroyed. That honour belongs to this detective, whose sharp instincts and desire for revenge after her husband was killed by Kira put her squarely in Light’s crosshairs. While their confrontation appeared to have the God of the New World dead to rights, Light’s silver tongue eventually caused her to slip up and reveal her name. Which, as we all know, is all that’s needed for him to unleash the power of the Death Note.

2007: Kamina

“Gurren Lagann” (2007)

The man may have held no love for shirts, but with his blinding charisma and hilarious sense of machismo, Kamina enraptured everyone right from the get-go. A rebellious spirit that briefly became the face of the human resistance against the Beastman oppression, he had all the makings of a main character. And then, eight episodes later, he was gone. His departure was as sudden as it was shocking, and while it allowed for Simon to come into his own as a protagonist, there was no replacing the mesmerising magnetism of Kamina. The goofball was in a league of his own.

2008: Lelouch vi Britannia

“Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2” (2008)

His mission was to bring about peace and topple the oppressive regime instilled by his own family, and all it cost him was his name and his life. Gifted with the mind-controlling power of the Geass and the desire to make real change, Lelouch committed many atrocious acts for the greater good, and in doing so became one of anime’s most complex and defining anti-heroes. To both atone and make his dream of unity a reality, Lelouch pulled the wool over the world’s eyes – presenting himself as the ultimate tyrant to unite everyone against him, before staging his own assassination.

2009: Jiraiya

“Naruto: Shippuden” (2007-17)

Sure, he was a bit on the pervy side, but overtime the legendary ninja and part-time smutty author became a wholly endearing character all his own. A father figure, regular source of comedy, and an underrated badass of a shinobi, he willingly put his life on the line when he departed to uncover the identity of the Akatsuki’s leader and defeat them. While he discovered the truth about Pain, not even his Sage Mode was enough to hold up against the power of the Rinnegan. He may have lived his life as a fool, but Jiraya’s unflinching determination right up until the end proved he possessed a gallant soul.

2010: Van Hohenheim

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10)

He may have passed away with a smile on his face, but that didn’t stop this moment from being utterly devastating. And that’s saying a lot as far as Brotherhood is concerned. In the wake of the battle against Father and the Homunculi, Hohenheim’s immortal life starts to come to an end. Content that he was finally able to make amends to Edward and Alphonse, the father of the Elrics chooses to die before the grave of his beloved wife Trisha, finally at peace after centuries of regret.

2011: Portgas D. Ace

“One Piece” (1999-)

Some One Piece deaths hit harder than others, but none of them can truly compare to the harrowing moment that Luffy’s beloved brother was snatched away. In spite of all his efforts taken to save him from execution at the hands of the marines, Luffy can do nothing but watch as Ace leaps in the way of an attack meant for him. To this day, the image of a magma-coated fist tearing through Ace’s torso is still (literally) burned into our minds.

2012: Rider

“Fate/Zero” (2011-12)

No one walked away from the Fourth Holy Grail without scars, and while Saber and Kiritsugu’s endings were truly mortifying, nothing compared to the pain we felt as he watched Rider fade away. In spite of his monumental Noble Phantasm, not even Iskander can overcome Gilgamesh and his treasury of divine weapons. Refusing to retreat, he rides into battle one last time, earning the respect of all even as he was sliced down by the Archer-class. He’s the only Heroic Spirit we’d happily follow into battle!

2013: Caesar Zeppeli

“JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure” (2012-13)

The Italian stallion was many things; a lover of ladies, a maker of bubbles, and the best bro a Joestar could ask for. While he and Joseph most certainly started off on the wrong foot, by the time they were battling against the Pillar Men, the grandson of Baron Zeppeli had become a steadfast friend. Alas, he was just too fabulous for this world, as his fight with Wamuu ended with him being crushed under a stolen cross. The only thing remaining being his bandanna, the last of his Hamon, and his will for Joseph to carry on the fight.

2014: Meruem

“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14)

As King of the Chimera Ants, Meruem was introduced to us as a living weapon whose only goals were the survival of his species, which happened to coincide with the destruction of the human race. That all changed when Komugi entered his life, slowly changing his perspective on life and instilling a sense of compassion inside him. After his body is corrupted by poison following his fight with Netero, Meruem chooses to spend his final moments playing Gungi with his friend, his life slowly slipping away before dying insides in Komugi’s arms. It’s so powerful it will make you forget this guy was the big bad for the longest time.

2015: Kaori Miyazono

“Your Lie in April” (2014-15)

While we had all hoped this symphony would conclude on a happy note, we were instead given one that, while fitting, was also bittersweet. All throughout the series, we had seen Kosei and Kaori’s relationship develop from childish spats to pure, unfiltered romance, the only step left to take being that pesky little confession. With Kaori undergoing surgery and Kosei set to perform, it seemed it was only a matter of time before the two would wind up together. That is, until we see a spectral image of Kaori performing alongside Kosei during the performance’s climax – indicating the operation has failed and that she has lost her life.

2016: Korosensei

“Assassination Classroom” (2015-16)

Well, they finally did it, Class E completed their mission to end the life of the monstrous creature they had come to know as their teacher. And it’s heart-breaking. Despite the frequent assassination attempts, Korosensei, with his various tentacles and life lessons, had become a vital figure in his student’s lives. Not only had he helped them grow as people, but stood up for them when no one else would. Naturally, having to stab such an important role model is more than Nagisa and the rest can take. But, as always, their teacher is there to help guide them through to the end.

2017: Mitty

“Made in Abyss” (2017)

After cruel experimentation transformed her into a blob of sentient, distorted flesh, ending Mitty’s life could be viewed as a kindness, one that would spare her the misery of an endless existence in such a horrific form. That didn’t make her departure any less brutal to watch though. With Reg’s incinerator the only thing capable of putting her to rest, all Nanachi can do is bid their friend a tearful farewell before watching her go up in flames before their eyes. Yeah, this one hurt. Damn you Bondrewd.

2018: Shizue

“That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” (2018-)

There have been a great many ladies in the life of Rimuru ever since he became an unstoppable slime, but none hold a more vital place in his heart than Shizue. Well, technically she has a place inside his void of a belly, but that’s beside the point! Much like Rimuru, Shizue was abruptly snatched from her own world, forced to become a vessel for a monster, and over time had her life force drastically drained. Instead of passing away into nothingness, Rimuru decides to grant her everlasting peace by sealing her away inside of him at the moment of death – granting her the chance to live out her stolen childhood.

2019: Erwin Smith

“Attack on Titan” (2013-)

All his life, this man kept those behind the walls safe by leading the Survey Corp to hell and back. His methods may have called for immense sacrifices, but no one could deny Commander Erwin always held the good of humanity above all else, and wouldn’t hesitate to throw himself into danger to see his plan through to the end. Unfortunately, his plan to eliminate the Beast Titan required him to do just that, leading to himself and the rest of the recruits being obliterated by Zeke’s throwing arm. Even when there was a chance to bring him back with Titan serum, Erwin’s dying words, for better or worse, sealed his fate.

2020: Sir Nighteye

“My Hero Academia” (2016-)

Despite such a late introduction, All Might’s former sidekick made one hell of an impact. Serving as the no-nonsense mentor tasked with bringing down the superpowered gangster Overhaul, Nighteye was a firm believer in the future being set in stone, that Deku to be unworthy of One for All, and had all but severed his ties to the world’s greatest hero. However, following the horrific wounds he suffered during the battle, Nighteye chose to make peace, using his final moments to express his joy that the future had been changed, and that his beloved student Mirio would go on to become a splendid hero.