Although it is not very typical for a protagonist in anime to pass away, there are a number of anime series where the protagonist’s demise plays a major role in the plot. The most significant event in the program is nearly usually the death of the main character, whether it’s through dealing a severe emotional blow or advancing the plot by giving the reins to a new character.
Even though some of them might live again in the future, their deaths had a profound effect on everyone in their immediate vicinity. The protagonist’s death doesn’t always mean the series is going to end. It just hands over the reign to someone who is either related to the character or becomes more significant to the series.
There are 5 anime series that have made a big name for themselves despite killing off their main character. Their main character’s death has essentially stopped the story from moving forward but it in no way stopped the series from gaining popularity in the anime world.
1. Attack on Titan – Eren Jaeger
There were many tragic and horrible deaths in Attack on Titan, but none is as devastating as the protagonist’s passing. Throughout the series, there are a number of events and story points that make Eren’s death unavoidably occurring essential, and predictable. The most significant was when he chose to destroy that world in order to shield the residents of Paradis Island from the outside world.
Eren came to the conclusion that destroying 80% of the planet and making the ultimate sacrifice would be the only way to protect Eldians from the outside world. Thus, his companions agreed to kill him because they had no other option if they wanted to save everyone else. And Mikasa Ackerman, the person who loved him the most, delivered the last blow that killed him.
2. Death Note – Light Yagami
Light, the main character of Death Note, is among the most cunning heroes who later become villains in anime. Light is a brilliant but god-complex person who wants to change the world so that everyone can live in harmony and there is no more crime. To accomplish this, he makes use of an afterlife notebook. He can kill anyone whose name he writes in the Death Note.
As a result, Light turns into a villain whose major objective changes from enforcing justice to preserving his control over the world as Kira. But in actuality, Light’s passing marks the conclusion of the tale and its ultimate resolve. In the last episode of the show, Light’s prior transgressions finally catch up with him, leading to his demise.
3. Akame Ga Kill – Tatsumi
The main character of Akame Ga Kill is Tatsumi, a young peasant who visits the Capital to gather money for his house only to find that there is a lot of corruption there. The young man is recruited by Night Raid, an assassin gang, to aid them in their struggle against the dishonest Empire.
In the midst of fighting alongside his allies, he ultimately gives his life to avert the Emperor’s planned massive destruction. Tatsumi, the lead character, met his demise in Akame Ga Kill, an anime where many other key and supporting characters also perished, thus his death didn’t come as a shock to fans.
4. Code Geass – Lelouch Lamperouge
The story of Code Geass centers on the banished prince Lelouch Lamperouge, who gains the “power of absolute obedience” from an enigmatic C.C. woman. By using this superhuman ability, called Geass, he commands a string of mecha fights and spearheads an uprising against the Holy Britannian Empire. The controversial series finale features Lelouch making a risky choice that alters the path of history.
In the end, Suzaku, a friend who has transformed into an executioner by taking on the identity of Zero, kills Lelouch in a twist that symbolizes his planned demise. Without a doubt, the tragedy had a significant impact and the fans of the show were left with a lasting impression.
5. Cowboy Bebop – Spike Spiegel
The story of Cowboy Bebop, which takes place in 2071, centers on the lives of a spacecraft crew who wander around bounty-hunting, called the Bebop. At the conclusion of the series, in a dramatic last battle, Spike Spiegel, the main character of Cowboy Bebop, passes away. Spike, a bounty hunter and former member of a criminal organization appears throughout the series.
Spike Spiegel’s death has become a source of disagreement for many fans, with others believing he should never have died at all. He is troubled by his history and uses actions, which frequently put him in danger, to try and find atonement.
