Top 10 Saddest Anime Deaths

The Top Ten

Maes Hughes - Fullmetal Alchemist

Maes Hughes is a fictional character in the Fullmetal Alchemist manga and anime series, created by Hiromu Arakawa. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Amestrian military and works in the Investigations Division. Known for his deep devotion to his family and close friendship with Roy Mustang, Hughes plays... read more

This was the only character death that I've ever cried about. Sure, I've come close to crying, but the way the anime and the manga portray his death is heartbreaking. He is the only character that you want to come back to life and is such a supporting character with so much to him that you think he will always be there until his unexpected death.
He's a character that you don't realize how much he means to you until he dies. He is the kind of person we want to find in our lives - a kind, supporting, and lovable character. Above that, his character is one that you would never forget as when killed.
After that in Fullmetal Alchemist, the anime adds the icing on the cake as it goes through more scenes that if you hadn't cried when he died, you would most certainly cry about this part after. He is, undoubtedly, the saddest anime character death I've ever seen/watched/read.
L - Death Note

L Lawliet, known exclusively by the mononym L, is a fictional character in the manga series Death Note. He was created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata. L is a highly intelligent and eccentric detective who takes on the challenge of capturing the mysterious killer known as Kira.

It kills me that L died the way he did. He knew he was going to die and he knew that he would be killed by his best (only) friend. Every time I watch Death Note, I find myself just as sad as that first time, and for the rest of the series (whether anime, movie, or manga), I generally find myself with a lingering sadness.
Why? L was justice and, in the moment of his death, justice had failed.
I always hoped that L's opinions, his very code, would affect Light positively (because I do side with Light on a few matters), but to see that he died so uselessly and to see Light consider it a victory and nothing more... My tears can't satisfy the wish that L had been able to do more than just leave successors behind.
From the point of L's death and onwards, Death Note gained a darker note for me. In the end, L won through Near, but to get there, so much sacrifice was made, a lot of chances taken, and all for a game of pride, really.
Jiraiya - Naruto

Jiraiya is a fictional character in the Naruto anime and manga series created by Masashi Kishimoto. Introduced in the first part of the series, he was a student of Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. He is also one of the "Legendary Sannin" alongside Orochimaru and Lady Tsunade, who were his former teammates... read more

Naruto is probably one of the best animes I have ever been blessed with seeing, and growing up with. This emotional roller coaster of a show will have you happy and cheering for heroes, laughing at the ridiculous situations and gimmicks, and crying over the heartbreaking truths the show reveals.
With all of that being said, Jiraiya's death is one of the saddest ever. I have not cried harder watching his death than in any other anime, with the exception of Anohana.

He fought six guys at a time, lost his arm, got his throat destroyed, got stabbed in his only arm and in the back, managed to write a codified language, and then drowned. He says his death was full of mistakes, but he realizes he got a perfect student, and finally, when his book finishes, he starts his last book, "The Legend of Naruto Uzumaki."
Lelouch Lamperouge - Code Geass

Lelouch Lamperouge is the alias used by Lelouch vi Britannia, the protagonist of the anime series Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion created by Sunrise. He is a former prince of the Holy Britannian Empire who seeks to overthrow the oppressive regime using his alter ego, Zero. The series explores themes... read more

Talk about an epic death. Not to say that Lelouch was a good guy, but he wasn't exactly a bad guy. Or rather, the fact that he plays the part of the bad guy throughout the whole anime to purposely get people to hate him, only to plan his own death at the end so that the world doesn't know who to hate anymore, is pretty amazing.
I also find it extremely satisfying because, after all he's done, there's no way he could be forgiven, even if he had his reasons. He accepted the weight of his crimes and his punishment. I'm left wondering if he was being selfless or selfish. In the beginning, he only wanted to make his sister happy, and along the way, seemed to get tangled up in power.
Then, when he had the world in his hands, he gave it up. Was it because he still selfishly wanted his sister to be happy, or because he just wanted to fix the world? Who knows.
Korosensei - Assassination Classroom

I have pretty much watched all the top list, but I must say that I have never been such a baby as much as when I saw Korosensei die. I couldn't make out what was right at that time: the students who adored him so much killing him for real this time, or them not going through such a tragic state even though they were trained to do so in the first place.
I hated the sad world of anime for killing one of the most inspiring characters of all time. And hearing him say that goodbye was something I could never forget. Even before death, he was teaching Nagisa how to live. This I say about him: there never was a character more passionate in his profession than Korosensei.
Portgas D. Ace - One Piece

Portgas D. Ace, born as Gol D. Ace and nicknamed "Fire Fist" Ace, is a fictional character in the One Piece franchise. He was created by Japanese manga artist Eiichiro Oda. Ace is the adopted older brother of the series' protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, and possesses the ability to control fire using the... read more

Ace was one of, if not the most, lovable supporting protagonists in One Piece, which is saying a lot considering how many there are. He was also one of the coolest. He was some of the only family Luffy had, or at least knew he had.
He was Luffy's big brother, and how he died reflected this. He did what any good brother should and took a smoldering hot fist through the chest for his little brother. As a person who had been the subject of a manhunt at birth, you'd expect him to be a heartless monster who's committed horrible crimes, but he's incredibly noble.
He was born the son of the most notorious criminal, but that's not his fault, yet he ends up paying for it all the same. Also, the reactions to his death, specifically Luffy's, are absolutely heartbreaking. Watch the video on YouTube, and you'll know what I mean.
Nina Tucker - Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Nina Tucker is a fictional character from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga series and its adaptations, created by Hiromu Arakawa. She is the young daughter of Shou Tucker, the infamous State Alchemist known for unethical experiments. Nina's tragic fate is one of the most memorable and emotional moments... read more

Although the Elric brothers didn't really spend much time with Nina, the writers of this series brilliantly developed an emotional connection between her and the viewers. This connection strengthened every time the little girl appeared on the screen, only to have it shatter into a million pieces in the most gruesome and horrible way. The "Big Brother" line hit hard.

I saw this part twice, in the original one and Brotherhood, but they're both sort of different. In the 2003 version, the chimera was killed in an alleyway, whereas in the new one, it was killed inside the house by Scar. Also, in the 2003 version, Shou Tucker himself turned into a chimera while in the fifth laboratory (sorry for spoilers).
Itachi Uchiha - Naruto

Itachi Uchiha is a fictional character from the manga and anime series Naruto, which was created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is a member of the Uchiha clan and plays a key role in the series' storyline. Itachi is widely recognized for his complex character and significant influence on the plot.

To understand why his death was so tragic, first, you must look at his life. He was forced to do the unthinkable and endure things that most would not have been able to bear. He wanted to die as the hated, the despised, the villain... to make another the hero.
He was willing to sacrifice so much, to live and die... all for another. But still, there wasn't a single trace of bitterness, anger, or hatred toward the world that forced him to do so. Instead, he sacrificed himself to protect it. His selflessness is almost beyond compare, and because of it, he will always be remembered.
The world lost a true hero the day of his death. Rest in Peace, Itachi Uchiha.
Kaori Miyazono - Your Lie in April

When I started watching this anime, the moment Kaori was introduced, I fell in love. No kidding. Over the course of the first ten episodes, I became mesmerized by Kaori's sweet yet tough nature. I kept wondering why a person who doesn't even exist had me captivated. I still don't know the answer.
When she first collapsed on stage, I literally froze, but later I was relieved to find out she was fine. But after the first ten episodes, I started picking up hints just like Arima did, and I had a feeling this wasn't going to end well. I made my way to the last episode and I truly believed that the surgery would work and that the anime would have a Disney-style happily-ever-after ending.
But halfway through the final episode, the moment Arima whispered Sayonara, realization hit me like a truck, and tears poured out. I kept watching through tears. Kaori's letter only added to them. The tears didn't end even after the episode did. I don't care if this sounds dumb, but I'll never forget this anime and I'll never forget her.
Nicholas D. Wolfwood - Trigun

Wolfwood did everything he could to keep the children from suffering like he had as a child. He even killed for their sake. In the end, he finally realized that there was a way for everyone to live, that Vash was right.
He died as a man with many regrets. With the injuries he sustained and the added weight of his sins finally weighing down on his life, he collapsed in a church with his Punisher being the only thing holding him up. After he reflects on his regrets and sins, his final words are, "I did not want to die this way!" His hand falls to the ground, and he slowly closes his eyes.
He was many things: a priest, an assassin, but overall, he was a good man with a big heart. To see him die with the regrets he had makes me sob uncontrollably every single time.

The Newcomers

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The Nameless Boy - To Your Eternity

He was only there for one episode, but I really hated it when he died.
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Marina - The Little Mermaid

The Contenders

Marco Bodt - Attack on Titan

The thing that really shook me was the suddenness of Marco's death. Marco had so much potential. He had great leadership skills, and he held back in training because of his realistic view of the future.
Later, after they burn the bodies, you can tell how much impact Marco made on everyone in the trainee division, and the worst part is that no one saw him die. He died alone, because nobody can confirm how he died.
That's just a real shock and so realistic, as with many deaths in AOT, that it really got to me. It made more of an impact because Jean, who Marco changed dramatically, was the one to recognize his almost unrecognizable body.
Kamina - Gurren Lagann

Kamina is a fictional character from the anime series Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, which is known in English as Gurren Lagann. The series was animated by Gainax and co-produced by Aniplex and Konami. It was directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi and written by playwright Kazuki Nakashima.

Kamina is easily my favorite fictional character of all time. He was just so entertaining to watch, so over the top, and so inspiringly stubborn and rash that it's impossible not to love him.
So when he died, completely out of nowhere, I was left in total shock. It was bad enough to begin with, but then they made it look like he was going to survive, only to have him die again. Not to mention how they keep referring to him throughout the rest of the show, talking about him almost as if he were a god.
He may not have actually been the main character after all, but he did end up being arguably the most important. He was the heart and soul of the show, even more so after his death, and that's what makes it number one for me: Kamina pulled an Obi-Wan, and he pulled it off better.
Spike Spiegel - Cowboy Bebop

Spike Spiegel is the central protagonist of the 1998 anime series Cowboy Bebop. He is a bounty hunter and former member of the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate. The series, known for its blend of science fiction, western, and noir genres, remains critically acclaimed and influential.

Very few deaths inspire such emotion in you. He was the main protagonist you followed throughout the whole 26-episode series. His death was a striking moment as all the syndicate workers stood there as he limped down the stairs, and it ended with one word, "Bang." When he falls to the floor, you feel it in your stomach. See you, Space Cowboy.

I've never experienced the death of a close person in my life yet. Spike was my first experience with death. Even though he was a cartoon, I felt like I lost something when he died. I felt sad for him and angry at him for his decision at the same time. I'll remember the good times.
Light - Death Note

Light's death was indeed the saddest death in anime ever. The final minutes of the series were probably the most powerful. Many people say that Death Note had the worst ending ever, but I disagree. In fact, there was no better way to end it. Kira had to lose.
We all saw it coming, but I don't think anyone thought it would end the way it did. The way Light was running away, scared and hopeless, knowing that it was all over for him, and the way he was remembering his old self, realizing what he had become, really makes you feel sorry for the guy.
What really struck me the most was when Ryuk finished writing down his name because I don't think Light was expecting to die by the Death Note. This was the only anime death that ever made me shed a few tears. I cried.
Lord Death - Soul Eater

Crap, his death hit me in the feels hard. It's just so hard to picture Lord Death being dead. He was such an awesome character! He was hilarious, and then he died. Then came Kid's reaction. But of course, Excalibur just had to ruin it.
Pretty proud of my bae Kid though.

Well, he doesn't die in the anime but he does in the manga. When Kid becomes the new Grim Reaper, he is soon replaced and dies. He goes peacefully after fighting Asura. The last chapter of Soul Eater literally made me cry.

Kid's reaction when he learned that he died made me really unhappy. But then, Excalibur had to blow all the feels out the window.
Kanade (Angel) - Angel Beats

Kanade Tachibana is a student at the Afterlife school and serves as its Student Council President. She is also referred to as Angel by the Afterlife War Front, a nickname initially given by Hideki Hinata and later adopted by group leader Yuri Nakamura after observing Kanade's supernatural abilities.... read more

Although more of a disappearance than a death, still a heartbreaking scene.
Nagisa Furukawa - Clannad: After Story

Season 2, Episode 16 easily destroyed me. Spoilers: Nagisa is a very weak person in general, often suffering from illness. After she and Tomoya get married and decide to have a child together, Nagisa's body soon collapses after her daughter's home birth and she dies in her husband's arms.
This death killed me not just because of the 35+ episodes we got from Nagisa, allowing us to connect with her as a character. It was also the immense pain Tomoya felt after seeing the only thing keeping him intact lost in front of him.
Tomoya's monologue after seeing Nagisa pass away was heart-wrenching. He describes how he and Nagisa had promised to be together forever and to stay by each other's side. He has flashbacks of Nagisa and soon wishes he had never met her so he wouldn't have to go through the pain of losing the love of his life.
Hearing her own theme song play as Tomoya assures himself she's still there, talking about family for God's sake, pushed me to tears. I had to sob into my pillow to keep from waking up my parents.
Haku - Naruto

Haku is a fictional character from the anime and manga franchise Naruto, created by Masashi Kishimoto. He is a shinobi from the Hidden Mist Village and is closely associated with Zabuza Momochi. Haku appears prominently in the Land of Waves arc, where his skills and tragic backstory are revealed.

He was my favourite character and a really relatable one! Watching his death for the first time made me devastated. My heart was shattered to pieces, and every time I think of him, a part of me dies.
He was amazing, and he knew exactly what to say. If it wasn't for Haku, I don't think that Sasuke and Naruto would have gotten any closer, nor would Naruto understand the true meaning of being strong: protecting the ones that you love. Haku taught Naruto an important lesson.

Wow, I remember watching this scene. I cried. This was the first time I was exposed to a sad moment in anime, which is usually a lot sadder than normal television. It was timed just perfectly! The soundtrack was just on time, and Naruto's reaction to Haku's death was just sad. Although it was not just sad, it was actually a "happy" moment.
Future Gohan - Dragon Ball Z

Future Gohan is a fictional character from the anime series Dragon Ball Z, created by Akira Toriyama. He appears in an alternate timeline as the future version of Gohan. This version plays a significant role in the History of Trunks special and is known for his battle against the Androids.
Enma Ai - Hell Girl Two Mirrors

Ai Enma is the main protagonist of the series and is known as the "Jigoku Shoujo," which translates to "Hell Girl" in English. She appears regularly throughout the series, though her presence is smaller and less frequent in "Hell Girl: Three Vessels."... read more

She does not deserve to die after all she has been through, especially the thing about her cousin. Very sad.

Where's our favorite hell girl on this list?
Chiaotzu - Dragon Ball Z

The only death in Dragon Ball, DBZ, and DBGT I ever took seriously was Vegeta dying for the first time. He was CRYING! He was killed by a man who enslaved his race to be his killing machines, killed his father, destroyed his planet, and used him as a tool for many years.
Also, this entry isn't specific, seeing as how Chiaotzu died two times in DBZ (three times in total, four if you count Future Trunk's timeline). His words of farewell and sacrifice were touching, but didn't Yamcha die in the same episode or one episode before it? Goku also died 12 episodes prior, but he's not on the list either.
So, his death was in vain anyway, seeing as how Tien and Piccolo died right after. At least Nappa died by the hands of Goku. Wait, what's that? Vegeta killed him? So none of his friends killed him? So he died for no reason? I'm laughing.
Euphemia li Britannia - Code Geass

Euphemia li Britannia is a fictional character in the Sunrise anime series Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. She is the Third Princess of the Britannian Imperial Family and serves as Sub-Viceroy of Area 11. Euphemia is known for her kind-hearted nature and her tragic storyline.

Even the crazy, hell-bent-on-revenge Lelouch Vi Britannia had to bow down before Euphie's charm and goodwill. Right before he lost control of his power and ruined her, he had decided to accept her proposal for the betterment of all 11's. It was a pivotal turning point for his character, where he started to move past his pain and move forward as a character.
He even (half-jokingly) calls her his "most fearsome opponent" while genuinely laughing (and this is Lelouch we are talking about) while about to take her hand in peace. Except he accidentally drives her insane. Being forced to accept this outcome, he then snaps back into his dark path of destruction and uses it as propaganda to further his terrorist crusade to make Daddy suffer.
The tragedy of her death isn't so much that an innocent is slain in the process of doing humanitarian work (no good deed goes unpunished), but how much of a missed opportunity this was for Lelouch's character development.
Ushio Okazaki - Clannad After Story

Probably the most tragic death you will ever encounter in regards to children. When an innocent 5-year-old child who has yet to experience the joys of life dies from an illness, you can't help but feel terrible, especially because of her upbringing.
After 5 years of being turned away from her depressed and neglectful father, they finally reunite. They created memories and bonds with each other. She finally got to know what her mother was like before she died giving birth to her.
What's more heartbreaking is that this was highly unexpected and, if it was predicted, it happened way too fast. I believe it was 4-5 episodes after Nagisa, her mom, died, that Ushio too, died of the same illness.
So sudden, so young, and so many tears.
Yui - Angel Beats

Yui (Japanese: ユイ, Yui) is a secondary character in the anime series Angel Beats!. She is a big fan of the in-story band Girls Dead Monster and also acts as an assistant for publicity and related matters. After Masami Iwasawa disappeared, Yui became the lead vocalist and performed the song "Thousand... read more

Not really a death, but I cried so hard during that episode. The relationship between her and Hinata was so funny and very comedic, but the way she passed on was so emotional. Plus, I actually didn't really like her character to begin with, so it was really quite surprising for me.

Yui is already dead. It's that she got obliterated.
Going Merry - One Piece

The moment Merry started burning wasn't so sad until the ship started speaking. and then I burst into tears. It brought them into the Grand Line and went through so much. She wasn't supposed to be able to sail anymore, but she miraculously did once more to save the whole crew, then broke in half.

A truly touching moment. Maybe the reason it always makes me cry is that even though it was never alive in the first place, it was loved so much it came to life. Saddest and most beautiful moment in anime history.