The Most Epic Anime Deaths of All Time! -- THE VICE PIT
SPOILERS! Sam & Tom get morbid, yukking it up about what makes a good death in the likes of EVANGELION, DEATH NOTE and MACROSS PLUS, among others. Sam also reveals what anime song he's slow-danced to... ladies?
Be sure to submit questions and topics for a future Vice Pit session here. We will answer them!
Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk
Sam Weller is a writer and actor who's scribed for shows like FIRST EDITION, GEEK THERAPY, and most recently BATGIRL: SPOILED. He also really likes anime. To know what is going to happen next, follow@cravesam
In FMA Brotherhood I really enjoyed the death scene of Lust. If I am not mistaken, up until that point in the series the characters did not know whether they could kill the homunculus and had just thought of a way. When Mustang started snapping his fingers and burning envy it was a very epic scene. Then she started running towards him still being lit on fire and the scene only got better.
For Gurren Lagaan there is obviously the go to death of Kamina. Bleeding to death and still managing to deliver a finishing move...suddenly coming back alive and delivering a finishing finishing move. There is the Spiral Boss that Simon drilled through galaxies and planets to kill. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzpY6pLIMQs
sora_thekey
moderator
on Aug. 13, 2012 at 9:30 p.m.
For the exception of that awkward and extensive sex analogy... I agree with your depictions of a good death story.
Thanks a lot for selecting my question guys, great video as always.
SPOILERS FOR ONE PIECE
By the way I also want to mention the death scene of Whitebeard from One Piece, which, even though it was something that was expected by the One Piece fans and even though the character didn't achieve his final goal, it was epic, not only because of how it happened and his final speech, but also because it marked the beginning of a new era in the series. I know the animation isn't as good as in other series, but I still enjoyed this death scene.
sickVisionz
moderator
on Aug. 14, 2012 at 7:20 p.m.
My favorite deaths that weren't like awesome gore or bad ass fight scene related are the widow in Death Note and Rei's and Kaji's death in Evangelion.
I like the Death Note one because it seemed especially harsh as Light sent a widow off to commit suicide with a smile on his face. The look on her face when he reveals himself is classic. As for the Eva ones, I love Rei because she was just starting to open up with everyone and she killed herself in sacrifice for others. Kaji's death was touching to me due to the phone message. Both of them also had some really great music playing, especially in the Director's Cut of the Kaji episode. Those two are the only ones that really got to me and kinda bummed me out for the rest of the day and had me feeling bad for the rest of the cast members.
I totally agree with Sam about bringing back characters. That ruins a lot of shonen deaths.
I won't speak about the most epic death, but I will speak about the most impactful death. The difference here is that for most deaths, they come at the end, at the climax of a show. If its the protag, its the end of the story. If its a supporting character, it's to give the protag one final push. But as it comes at the end of the show, their ability to change the characters and the story in general is limited. We can all imagine just how Spike's death affected the crew of the Bebop, but we never see it play out. On the other hand, we have the likes of Gai Ichijo and Kamina. Their deaths have different levels of badassness, but both comes early in their respective shows Nadesico and Gurren Lagann, and it inherently changes just how the shows' protagonists view their respective situations and the responsibilities they have to the world they live in.
On the subject of poor deaths, you guys bring up the Elric brothers' mother, but here's one that defiled what should be a superior show (Brotherhood) into one that I almost dropped. Hughes. The original series built him up into such a character. It gave you multiple episodes to explore his relationship with Mustang, his relationship with his family, and the hopes and dreams he places on the shoulders of the Elric brothers. It was 20 episodes worth of buildup. And when the axe came down and his daughter begged for his coffin to not be buried as he had more work to do, water works man, water works. And then, we get Brotherhood. His death came in 10 episodes, and the relationship building wasn't there. The character investment wasn't there. And it left me pissed.
I'd have to say Transformers with it's character deaths has been often overlooked due to the robotic nature of those killed, but Optimus Prime in The Transformers The Movie has to be considered, no one would have expected that, the main hero of a franchise being killed off 20 minutes into a movie meant for kids.
Likewise the death of Starscream in that movie and his death in Armada as well
Dinobot in Beast Wars and (possibly) Bulkhead in Prime were shockers as well, we will know if Bulky is dead for sure on Saturday
Elric brothers' mother, but here's one that defiled what should be a superior show (Brotherhood) into one that I almost dropped. Hughes. The original series built him up into such a character. It gave you multiple episodes to explore his relationship with Mustang, his relationship with his family, and the hopes and dreams he places on the shoulders of the Elric brothers. It was 20 episodes worth of buildup. And when the axe came down and his daughter begged for his coffin to not be buried as he had more work to do, water works man, water works. And then, we get Brotherhood. His death came in 10 episodes, and the relationship building wasn't there. The character investment wasn't there. And it left me pissed.
Hughes was in Brotherhood longer than he was in the manga since he's introduced in the first episode. He's only in the manga for a span of about 10 chapters, not counting the flashbacks. Pretty much all of his scenes from the manga are in Brotherhood. Acting like Brotherhood is bad because it didn't make up a bunch of filler about a minor character is fucking stupid.
Plus the end of the 4th Brotherhood OVA has the best Hughes scene in the entire series, even though it was adapted from just a short chapter from one of the artbooks.
Elric brothers' mother, but here's one that defiled what should be a superior show (Brotherhood) into one that I almost dropped. Hughes. The original series built him up into such a character. It gave you multiple episodes to explore his relationship with Mustang, his relationship with his family, and the hopes and dreams he places on the shoulders of the Elric brothers. It was 20 episodes worth of buildup. And when the axe came down and his daughter begged for his coffin to not be buried as he had more work to do, water works man, water works. And then, we get Brotherhood. His death came in 10 episodes, and the relationship building wasn't there. The character investment wasn't there. And it left me pissed.
Hughes was in Brotherhood longer than he was in the manga since he's introduced in the first episode. He's only in the manga for a span of about 10 chapters, not counting the flashbacks. Pretty much all of his scenes from the manga are in Brotherhood. Acting like Brotherhood is bad because it didn't make up a bunch of filler about a minor character is fucking stupid.
Plus the end of the 4th Brotherhood OVA has the best Hughes scene in the entire series, even though it was adapted from just a short chapter from one of the artbooks.
As usual, my opinion on the "the manga was like this" defense is a mocking laughter. If you're purposefully hamstringing yourself so as to abide by the source material, that is stupid. Further, if enjoyment of something belonging to one medium is somehow predicated on the knowledge of another, that is a failure on the part of the creators.
Also, do figure out when someone's criticism is meant to be of a personal nature and preference, and which ones are meant to be broad assessments of quality as a whole. It's not a hard task.
Spoilers for those who haven't watch Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
I finally thought of a good scene after everyone took some of the good ones like Hughes and Lust's death.
I would never watch Death Note because of its popularity and fandom, I already heard about all the surprises. I probably never enjoy it like a new fan.
Buccaneer runs through Fu to strike at Bradley
Most deaths I could think of are more emotional than action packed.
@Turambar: Funny, I don't think you would say the same if you watched Brotherhood first.
Saying that "if your formative experience with a franchise was different, your reactions to the characters would be different" is hardly as profound a thing as you seem to think it is.
What's your solution to the point you presented? Invent a time machine to change my past, causing me to watch Brotherhood first?
Fullmetal Alchemist is a tale of two brothers traveling the world seeking the cure to the physical afflictions they suffer as a result of their experimentation with alchemy.
He's been doing the same thing, over and over again, for over a decade. And he seems to constantly be re-learning lessons. But Ash deserves still deserves your respect!
To limit my answer to the shows mentioned:
SPOILERS FOR GURREN LAGANN AND FMA: BROTHERHOOD
In FMA Brotherhood I really enjoyed the death scene of Lust. If I am not mistaken, up until that point in the series the characters did not know whether they could kill the homunculus and had just thought of a way. When Mustang started snapping his fingers and burning envy it was a very epic scene. Then she started running towards him still being lit on fire and the scene only got better.
For Gurren Lagaan there is obviously the go to death of Kamina. Bleeding to death and still managing to deliver a finishing move...suddenly coming back alive and delivering a finishing finishing move. There is the Spiral Boss that Simon drilled through galaxies and planets to kill. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzpY6pLIMQs
For the exception of that awkward and extensive sex analogy... I agree with your depictions of a good death story.
Thanks a lot for selecting my question guys, great video as always.
SPOILERS FOR ONE PIECE
By the way I also want to mention the death scene of Whitebeard from One Piece, which, even though it was something that was expected by the One Piece fans and even though the character didn't achieve his final goal, it was epic, not only because of how it happened and his final speech, but also because it marked the beginning of a new era in the series. I know the animation isn't as good as in other series, but I still enjoyed this death scene.
My favorite deaths that weren't like awesome gore or bad ass fight scene related are the widow in Death Note and Rei's and Kaji's death in Evangelion.
I like the Death Note one because it seemed especially harsh as Light sent a widow off to commit suicide with a smile on his face. The look on her face when he reveals himself is classic. As for the Eva ones, I love Rei because she was just starting to open up with everyone and she killed herself in sacrifice for others. Kaji's death was touching to me due to the phone message. Both of them also had some really great music playing, especially in the Director's Cut of the Kaji episode. Those two are the only ones that really got to me and kinda bummed me out for the rest of the day and had me feeling bad for the rest of the cast members.
I totally agree with Sam about bringing back characters. That ruins a lot of shonen deaths.
I won't speak about the most epic death, but I will speak about the most impactful death. The difference here is that for most deaths, they come at the end, at the climax of a show. If its the protag, its the end of the story. If its a supporting character, it's to give the protag one final push. But as it comes at the end of the show, their ability to change the characters and the story in general is limited. We can all imagine just how Spike's death affected the crew of the Bebop, but we never see it play out. On the other hand, we have the likes of Gai Ichijo and Kamina. Their deaths have different levels of badassness, but both comes early in their respective shows Nadesico and Gurren Lagann, and it inherently changes just how the shows' protagonists view their respective situations and the responsibilities they have to the world they live in.
On the subject of poor deaths, you guys bring up the Elric brothers' mother, but here's one that defiled what should be a superior show (Brotherhood) into one that I almost dropped. Hughes. The original series built him up into such a character. It gave you multiple episodes to explore his relationship with Mustang, his relationship with his family, and the hopes and dreams he places on the shoulders of the Elric brothers. It was 20 episodes worth of buildup. And when the axe came down and his daughter begged for his coffin to not be buried as he had more work to do, water works man, water works. And then, we get Brotherhood. His death came in 10 episodes, and the relationship building wasn't there. The character investment wasn't there. And it left me pissed.
Hmmm....
I'd have to say Transformers with it's character deaths has been often overlooked due to the robotic nature of those killed, but Optimus Prime in The Transformers The Movie has to be considered, no one would have expected that, the main hero of a franchise being killed off 20 minutes into a movie meant for kids.
Likewise the death of Starscream in that movie and his death in Armada as well
Dinobot in Beast Wars and (possibly) Bulkhead in Prime were shockers as well, we will know if Bulky is dead for sure on Saturday
Beyond those I would add:
Spike Spiegel in Cowboy Bebop's final episode (The Real Folk Blues Part 2)
Sven/Shirogane in Beast King GoLion episode 6... Technically just Shirogane, as the Sven version lived in Voltron
@Turambar said:
Hughes was in Brotherhood longer than he was in the manga since he's introduced in the first episode. He's only in the manga for a span of about 10 chapters, not counting the flashbacks. Pretty much all of his scenes from the manga are in Brotherhood. Acting like Brotherhood is bad because it didn't make up a bunch of filler about a minor character is fucking stupid.
Plus the end of the 4th Brotherhood OVA has the best Hughes scene in the entire series, even though it was adapted from just a short chapter from one of the artbooks.
I think the final episode of Code Geass should probably have a place on this list.
As usual, my opinion on the "the manga was like this" defense is a mocking laughter. If you're purposefully hamstringing yourself so as to abide by the source material, that is stupid. Further, if enjoyment of something belonging to one medium is somehow predicated on the knowledge of another, that is a failure on the part of the creators.
Also, do figure out when someone's criticism is meant to be of a personal nature and preference, and which ones are meant to be broad assessments of quality as a whole. It's not a hard task.
Spoilers for those who haven't watch Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood
I finally thought of a good scene after everyone took some of the good ones like Hughes and Lust's death.
I would never watch Death Note because of its popularity and fandom, I already heard about all the surprises. I probably never enjoy it like a new fan.
Most deaths I could think of are more emotional than action packed.
I've seen a nice variety of emotional and epic deaths.
Some examples are the final episode of School Days, the first episode of Elfen Lied, some of those mentioned above, just about any from Hellsing Ultimate, some from Basilisk, some from Code Geass, and those from *SPOILER*Steins;Gate.
Also, no love for Vegeta blowing himself up to try kill Buu?
@Turambar: Funny, I don't think you would say the same if you watched Brotherhood first.
@Ace20A said:
Saying that "if your formative experience with a franchise was different, your reactions to the characters would be different" is hardly as profound a thing as you seem to think it is.
What's your solution to the point you presented? Invent a time machine to change my past, causing me to watch Brotherhood first?
@Turambar: My solution: Get over it. Whining about the death of a fictional character is pointless.
Your inability to apply proper scales of emotions the subject is astounding.
@Turambar: Big deal!