Significant deaths often play a major role in shaping an anime's narrative, so it isn't entirely unexpected to see at least one character meet their demise during a long-running series. It is surprising, however, to witness a death that has such a profound and lasting impact on the rest of the characters.

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Granted, there is nothing quite as devastating for an anime fan as watching their favorite character suffer an unfortunate demise. Although, it is the deaths that have a reverberating effect that extends beyond just mourning the deceased that often result in some of the most shocking, heartbreaking, and memorable moments in the entire series.

10 Ryouko's Death Incites A Showdown Between Touka And CCG (Tokyo Ghoul)

Ryouko ready to battle CCG.

Tokyo Ghoul's initial season is ripe with surprising twists, unexpected turns, and several incredibly tragic events. In one of the season's most harrowing moments, Ryouko sacrifices herself to save her daughter Hinami from the relentless CCG duo, who were responsible for the death of Hinami's father.

Ryouko's death means that Hinami becomes an orphan and must learn to live without her parents. Touka, who assumes responsibility for Hinami for a while, is particularly hurt by the ordeal and is almost killed when she seeks revenge on the men responsible.

9 Satoru Seeks To Erase A Tragic Past (Erased)

Kayo appears distressed.

Erased is among the most emotionally affecting anime of all time. Erased tells the story of Satoru Fujinuma as he is transported eighteen years into the past following his mother's murder in the present. Soon after, Satoru deduces that his mother's murder must somehow be connected to the kidnapping and killing of his classmate, Kayo.

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Despite having changed the past and saved Kayo from her tragic fate, Satoru does not end up with his childhood crush by Erased's conclusion, as she moves on in the future with someone else. This, however, doesn't change the fact that it is Kayo's death that sets Satoru's journey in motion.

8 Okabe Risks It All To Save Kurisu (Steins;Gate)

Kurisu sharing her knowledge.

Steins;Gate follows protagonist Rintaro Okabe as he seeks to save Makise Kurisu from a tragic fate and prevent World War III by going back in time to prevent Kurisu's murder. As a result, Okabe is forced to watch Kurisu die multiple times before he can find a way to save her.

Although Okabe eventually ensures Kurisu's survival, he endures unimaginable torment, mental anguish, and suffering along the way, including the death of his long-time friend Mayuri. Thankfully for Okabe, he manages to change the past and save everyone from a terrible future.

7 Tem's Murder Causes Unrest Among The Herbivores (Beastars)

A bloodied and frightened Tem.

Beastars is easily one of the best anthropomorphic series in all of anime. When the herbivore Tem is brutally murdered on campus by a carnivore, it threatens to cause an irreparable rift between the pupils of Cherryton Academy. The tension is high as the herbivore community is now concerned over their wellbeing and they're all less trusting of carnivores.

This story takes place across two seasons but ultimately, Beastar's protagonist Legoshi eventually discovers the identity of Tem's murderer. In the end, Legoshi defeats the bear responsible in battle, but not before the entire ordeal has drastically disrupted the harmony established between the two communities.

6 Shinichiro's Death Alters Toman Forever (Tokyo Revengers)

Shinichiro confronts Baji.

Tokyo Revengers is loaded with surprising events. In the episode Once Upon A Time, Kazutora convinces Baji to assist him in stealing the bike that Mikey wants for his birthday. They break into a bike shop but are caught by the shop's owner, who turns out to be Mikey's older brother, Shinichiro.

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Kazutora, unaware of this, strikes Shinichiro in the head with a wrench and kills him. The event causes dissension between the members of Toman. It also results in Kazutora being excommunicated from the group and precipitates a war between Toman and Kazutora's new gang, Valhalla.

5 Koito's Suicide Drastically Changes Ai's Life (Wonder Egg Priority)

Koito stands before the rest of her class.

For the Wonder Egg Priority protagonist Ai, it is the suicide of her best friend Koito that sends her on a scintillating journey into the unknown. Debuting in early 2021, Wonder Egg Priority emerged as a strong contender for the deepest and most thought-provoking anime of the year due to its exploration of pertinent and stirring themes.

Ai's journey entails meeting three other teenage girls who similarly seek answers to the suicide of someone they knew. Koito's death remains the center of attention throughout Wonder Egg Priority, as Ai explores the reasons behind her friend's decision to take her own life while frequenting a mysterious world in her sleep.

4 Erwin's Demise Heaps A Great Deal Of Responsibility On Armin (Attack On Titan)

Levi cradles a decease Erwin Smith.

Attack On Titan is crammed full of surprises and unexpected twists, many of which have an enduring impact on the rest of the story. In one such case, the Survey Corps are forced to choose between saving Commander Erwin Smith or serviceman Armin Arlelt after both suffered life-threatening injuries during an intense showdown with the Armored, Beast, and Colossal Titans.

In the end, with only one Titan serum vial at their disposal, Levi and his comrades choose to save Armin by having him eat Bertholdt while in his Titan form to inherit the Colossal Titan. This decision weighs heavily on Armin throughout the rest of Attack On Titan as he accepts that his survival came at the expense of humanity's best leader.

3 Conny's Death Reveals The Truth About Grace Field House (The Promised Neverland)

Emma finds the deceased Conny.

The Promised Neverland's first episode concludes with a shocking development that unveils the story's premise. After bidding farewell to Conny, the latest Grace Field child to be adopted, Emma stumbles upon Conny's beloved "Little Bunny." Concerned Conny will struggle without it, Emma enlists the help of Norman and they set off to return Conny's stuffed animal.

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Emma and Norman come across a garage of sorts where they find a lifeless Conny only moments before learning that the children of Grace Field are being raised as meat for a species of man-eating monsters. This horrifying discovery leads the pair and Ray to concoct a plan to escape Grace Field, and eventually sets in motion a war between humans and monsters.

2 Light Inadvertently Fashions His Own Downfall With L's Murder (Death Note)

L sitting with his knees raised to his chest.

Death Note is known, among other things, for being one of the very best anime at building suspense and subverting the audience's expectations. This is never more apparent than in the episode aptly titled Silence where, after a long and grueling investigation into the identity of Kira, L finally meets his end.

Light, having developed a serious God-complex, declares himself "God of the New World." He's confident that he no longer has anything to worry about after defeating his greatest adversary. This triumph doesn't last long, however, as L is succeeded by the incredibly capable Near. Near eventually outsmarts Light and becomes the man responsible for his downfall.

1 Thorfinn Will Stop At Nothing To Avenge His Father (Vinland Saga)

Thorfinn embraces his father, Thors in Vinland Saga

In one of Vinland Saga's most shocking scenes, young Thorfinn is forced to watch as his father, the great Viking warrior Thors, is murdered by the mercenary Askeladd. Not only does this event come as a complete surprise given how early it occurs in Vinland Saga, but is also instrumental in shaping the anime's narrative.

Infuriated by his father's murder, Thorfinn vows revenge on the man responsible. He follows Askeladd and his band of mercenaries on their venture, intending to one day defeat Askeladd in a duel. Thors' untimely death plays a major role in Thorfinn's maturing from a boy to a warrior, as the rest of Vinland Saga focuses on his desire to gain revenge.

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