Top 10 Anime Revenge Kills

“Afro Samurai” (2007)

It’s a classic tale of vengeance. Boy watches his father get cut his head cut off by a creepy gunslinger in search of a legendary headband, boy grows up to become Samuel L. Jackson, gets himself a sword, and starts killing his way to his hated enemy. The simplicity in this anime is by far its greatest strength, with the final showdown not disappointing when it comes to the crazy factor. Despite getting stabbed through the head with a spike, Afro manages to brush it off…somehow…and finally avenges his pappy by butchering the anorexic Justice until he’s nothing more than bloody chunks.

“Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash” (2016)

Note to all future adventurers; get yourself some good gear, grind the hell out of those stats, and treat all goblins like they’re the final boss, because otherwise someone is guaranteed to get axed off by those little green bastards. In this instance, everyone’s favourite priest Manato was the one who paid the price when a Goblin sniped him with a crossbow. So much for divine protection. No matter, since after gaining a much lovelier replacement in the form of Mary, the group managed to grow stronger as a unit, and end up wiping out the entire Goblin squad with a fierce counterattack.

“Akame ga Kill!” (2014)

Now that’s what you call baptism by fire. Despite presenting themselves as good Samaritans, Aria and her wealthy family turned out to be nothing more than sadists, who made the fatal mistake of torturing Tatsumi’s friends to death. After having his eyes opened to the cruelty of the Empire and closing off his heart, the future member of Night Raid pays back the pyscho-child for her hospitality by bisecting her with a single swing of his sword. Given what she put Sayo through, it’s the very least she deserved.

“Bungo Stray Dogs” (2016)

What does it take for a man who has sworn off killing to change his philosophy? Well, blowing up his adopted kids will certainly do the trick. After Gide and his unit of deathwish soldiers push the Port Mafia grunt too far, Odasaku finally gives them what they’ve been longing for via a series of headshots. Things finally come to a head when he and Gide engage in one hell of an shootout, both using their ability to predict the future in order to try and outwit the other. Despite getting revenge for his kids by gunning Gide down, Odasaku still loses his life in the process. R.I.P to the O.G.

“Mobile Suit Gundam” (1979-80)

For all the vast wealth and resources that came with being the rulers of the Principality of Zeon, the Zabi Family were pretty much doomed from the start. Why? Because they made the mistake of killing Char Aznable’s father and thinking he’d get over it. While he did pick off Garma Zabi earlier in the ultimate betrayal, it just can’t compare to the ridiculousness of his assassination of Kycilia Zabi. There aren’t many pilots who could pull off a headshot in zero-gravity while their target is inside a moving space-shuttle.

“Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World” (2016)

Turns out that the infamous flying monster known as the White Whale made a big mistake when it killed Theresia van Astrea, because her hubby knows how to hold a grudge. With Rem and Subaru’s help, the old geezer Wilhelm managed to pull off a Captain Ahab by bringing down the whale after slicing the ever-loving shit out of it. It’s a hard-fought battle, but it turns out Wilhelm’s drive and skill with a blade is more than the Demon Beast can handle. That is not a pretty way to go…

“Mobile Suit Gundam 00” (2007-09)

While Lyle Dylandy might have shared his twin brother’s smouldering good looks and inherited his place as a Gundam Meister, his Mobile Suit as well as the moniker of Lockon Stratos, there’s one thing this younger sibling has that his beloved bro didn’t - a burning desire to utterly destroy Ali-Al Saachez. Responsible for the death of the original Lockon, the rather infamous agent of the Innovators may be a top-notch mercenary, but his bravado doesn’t do him any favours when he finds himself getting pumped full of lead.

“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14)

And just like that, the Spider lost one of its legs. While Gon may have brutally exact revenge upon Pitou later down the line, it just can’t compare to Kurapika, who had been gunning for the members of the Phantom Troupe ever since they slaughtered his clan just to get their thieving hands on their Scarlet Eyes. Luckily for him, he just happened to have Nen attributing to both a Conjurer and Specialist. With his signature chains by his side, the lone Kurta survivor turned himself into the ultimate Spider killer, to the point where not even a titan like Uvogin stood much of a chance.

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” (2019)

They never said the selection exam would be easy, but who knew it would be this deadly? Faced with the most terrifying demon we’ve seen, Tanjirou selflessly throws himself into battle to save a fellow examinee. It soon becomes apparent that this gluttonous demon is actually the one who did in a whole lineage of Urokodaki’s pupils – including the two who trained Tanjirou to wield the blade, Makomo and Sabito. Despite the seemingly impossible odds, and the demon’s hardened neck, Tanjirou is able to dig deep, decapitate the beast, and allow his ghostly-tutors to rest with the knowledge that the future is in good hands.

“Cowboy Bebop” (1998-99)

Not only is this what many consider to be a pitch perfect ending to the Space Cowboy’s journey, but also an excellent personification of the futility of revenge. Following Julia’s murder, Spike sets out on one last run in order to end his future comrade Vicious once and for all. While watching him finally gun down the man who caused him so much misery might seem cathartic on the surface, the fact it also results in the coolest guy in the galaxy dying moments after makes this outcome the epitome of bittersweet. Served cold indeed.