Anime characters favor an exciting grand entrance, most of them like to show up just in the nick of time, with a meaningful display that amazes everyone around them. However, showing up late can often backfire and result in some serious consequences.
Being at the wrong place at the wrong time is bad enough, but it's even worse for characters that show up at the right place at the wrong time. They can miss out on all the fun or even worse, lose someone important to them because they weren't there when their loved one needed them most.
10 Tanjiro Wasn't There For His Family (Demon Slayer)
Before Tanjiro's life falls apart in Demon Slayer he is the oldest brother of a happy family in the mountains. They may not be rich, but they get by just fine and enjoy a humble lifestyle.
Unfortunately, Tanjiro regularly has to leave his home to sell supplies in the city, which means he wasn't home when his family is attacked by a demon. It's unlikely Tanjiro would have made much of a difference if he hadn't stayed the night at an acquaintance's house instead of heading home, but that doesn't stop the guilt from eating him up inside.
9 Hitsugaya Couldn't Save His Childhood Friend (Bleach)
As Captain of squad 10, Hitsugaya often comes across as cold and reserved. However, there is one person who knows the real him and that's his childhood friend Momo Hinamori. The two of them grew up together so it's understandable that Hitsugaya would want to protect her.
Unfortunately, when Aizen reveals his treacherous ways by stabbing Hinamori through the chest, Hitsugaya arrives a few moments too late. Luckily they both survive the encounter, but Hinamori's mental health still suffers because of how Aizen betrayed her.
8 There Was Nothing Left For Naruto To Save (Naruto)
Naruto loves attention, he likes to stand out by making a grand entrance. Considering his friends are capable shinobi who can take care of themselves it isn't necessarily a bad thing when Naruto shows up late to a fight.
However, Naruto's entrance is a little less effective during the Pain Arc when he arrives just after the Akatsuki have completely leveled the village. Not only are most of his comrades dead, but there isn't even anything left of the village for him to save. Luckily, Pain has a change of heart so the damages caused by Naruto's late arrival aren't as severe as they could have been.
7 Luffy Couldn't Save Ace (One Piece)
Ace is Luffy's brother in One Piece so it's a big deal when he's arrested by the navy and sentenced to execution. Luffy sets out right away to save Ace, and he manages to fight through Impel Down, a government-controlled stronghold.
Unfortunately, for Luffy and his friends, Ace is taken away from Impel Down moments before he arrives at the final floor. Maybe if Luffy had arrived a few minutes earlier he could have prevented the war and saved Ace from his fate.
6 All Might Was Late Because Of His Time Limit (My Hero Academia)
As the number one Pro Hero, All Might from My Hero Academia saves everyone with a smile, but even he isn't immune to showing up at the right place at the wrong time. During the USJ Training arc, All Might uses up his time limit and can't get to the USJ in time for class, which means he isn't there when villains attack.
Both Thirteen and Aizawa are seriously injured in the fight and Aizawa even suffers permanent side effects. All Might may be a great hero, but if he hadn't wasted his time limit, he would have been at the USJ in time to save everyone.
5 Lelouch Cared More About His Plans Then His Friends (Code Geass)
Lelouch doesn't seem like the type of person who cares for others. He claims his actions are for his sister's sake but even that seems like more of an excuse for his terrible actions. However, when Shirley is killed by Rolo, Lelouch is hit the hardest, especially since he arrived moments after she was attacked.
Had Lelouch arrived on time, it's likely he could have talked Rolo out of killing Shirley, especially since Rolo's main goal is to help Lelouch achieve his goals. Unfortunately, Lelouch was too focused on other things, so he wasn't there when Shirley needed him.
4 Yusuke Didn't See Genaki's Death Coming (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Considering there are almost no rules to the Dark Tournament in Yu Yu Hakusho, Yusuke should have realized he and his friends were in just as much danger outside the ring as they were inside it.
Then again, Genkai's personal beef with Toguro is too complex for someone like Yusuke to understand so it makes sense he didn't realize they were going to fight until after it was too late. Yusuke manages to arrive just in time to hear Genkai's final words, but he certainly wasn't there soon enough to save her, which is just what Genaki and Toguro wanted.
3 Kaguya Nearly Missed Her Chance At Love (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War?)
Not every missed opportunity in anime is a matter of life and death, but that doesn't make it any less depressing when a character misses out on a good time with their friends.
Kaguya from Kaguya-sama: Love Is War? wants to see fireworks with her clubmates but at the last minute, her father refuses to let her leave. She sneaks out in order to attend the festival, but she arrives moments after the fireworks end. Luckily, her crush Shirogane is able to find another fireworks event so the night isn't a complete loss.
2 Saitou Forced Kenshin's Hand (Rurouni Kenshin)
It's hard to believe Saitou from Rurouni Kenshin becomes Kenshin's ally with how he's introduced. Not only does he attack Kenshin and nearly force him to revert to the Battousai, but he nearly kills Sanosuke when Kenshin and Karou aren't home.
Finding Sanosuke half dead in the middle of the Dojo is why Kenshin goes into his fight with Saitou without thinking. Saitou would have forced Kenshin to fight him eventually but if Kenshin WAS been home instead of Sanosuke, the fight wouldn't have ended so badly for everyone involved.
1 Levi Shouldn't Have Trusted His Squad (Attack On Titan)
Being a member of the Levi squad in Attack on Titan is a huge honor, especially since Levi hand picks the best soldiers. He builds a team of Scouts that trust each other, but that trust backfires when Levi leaves his squad to fend for themselves.
Even with their skill, none of them stood a chance against the Female Titan. Levi's rage over the death of his comrades helps him beat the Female Titan and save Eren, but it's unfortunate he couldn't be there to save his friends as well.