Flawed characters often make them more interesting, especially when they are heroes that the audience is meant to root for and follow. Their errors help to humanize them, making them relatable and, by extension, likable. Most protagonists have some form of shortcoming, though it is fortunately seldom fatal.
However, some anime heroes made such profound mistakes that they ultimately led to their undoing. Some characters actions caused their own downfall, but if they can overcome them and learn from their mistakes, they become better heroes for it.
10 Hanayama Gave Spec Too Many Chances (Baki)
During Hanayama's fight against Spec, he was exceedingly merciful. After every punch, he asked the escaped convict if he had had enough. Eventually, Spec decided to prey on his opponent's sense of honor and pled for mercy in order to take a cheap shot.
By stuffing his mouth full of stolen, high-caliber explosive rounds, Spec permanently disfigured his opponent and swung the battle back in his favor. Although Hanayama was ultimately victorious, the wounds he sustained were severe and grotesque.
9 Sasuke Threw Away Everything His Village Gave Him For Nothing (Naruto)
Sasuke failed to realize that everything in life had been given to him. Itachi honed his Sharingan through his actions, Kakashi taught him the Chidori, and Naruto stood by his side against deadly enemy shinobi.
His obsession with revenge became so severe that he cut ties with Konoha in order to pursue it. The actions he took rendered him a national fugitive, and he was almost hunted down by the same people he grew up alongside. Ultimately, Sasuke's downfall was on account of his pride and inability to let go of the past.
8 Escanor Refused To Back Down Against The Demon King & Paid With His Life (Seven Deadly Sins)
During the final battle against the Demon King, Escanor felt as if he was useless. Since Mael reclaimed his grace and the sun was blocked out, he was barely any stronger than a typical knight.
After regaining his legendary power, he compensated for his insecurity by overexerting himself in his ultimate form. Although he mustered the strength to temporarily gain the upper hand against the Demon King, he failed to defeat him alone and inevitably destroyed his own body.
7 Zoro Keeps Picking Fights He Knows He Can't Win (One Piece)
Zoro is constantly a victim of his own pride and stubbornness. This was demonstrated as early as the Baratie, where he encountered and challenged Warlord Mihawk. The swordsman cut him down in a matter of seconds and left a permanent scar across his chest.
Unfortunately, his opponent failed to learn his lesson. From that moment forward, Zoro vowed that he would never lose again. Such a promise was completely untenable and put him in even greater danger. It meant that he couldn't retreat from Eneru in spite of the man's godlike power and inability to be harmed through conventional means.
6 Gon Hospitalized Himself To Defeat Neferpitou (Hunter X Hunter)
After learning of Kite's death and what happened to his body, Gon became enraged. He overcharged himself with so much Nen that it prematurely aged him into adulthood.
Although Gon gained the strength necessary to defeat Neferpitou and avenge his friend, he was hospitalized in the attempt. The young hunter's actions were especially unnecessary since his opponent did not want to fight — he acted solely to satisfy a personal grudge.
5 Caesar's Enthusiasm Got Him Killed (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Eager to put an end to the Pillar Men once and for all, Caesar stormed their base by himself. Initially, his Hamon bubbles proved a formidable match for Wamuu, and he even gained the upper hand.
However, the villain took advantage when his opponent's body obscured the sunlight and lashed out. Caesar was killed almost immediately, though he left Wamuu's lip ring and what remained of his Hamon as a final parting gift. If he had been a little more patient and waited for backup, his death could have been avoided.
4 Levi Underestimated What Zeke Could Do (Attack On Titan)
After their third battle, Levi had enough of Zeke's antics. Still intent to steal the Beast Titan for Paradis, he lodged a thunder spear in his chest so that he could not transform again.
Unfortunately, the captain underestimated his adversary's resolve. Zeke relied on his titan healing factor to endure his transformation and make his way back to Paradis. While Levi survived the thunder spear's detonation, his body was permanently mutilated by shrapnel. It affected his performance in the final battle against Eren Yeager.
3 Tatsumi Willingly Sacrificed His Life To Save Others (Akame Ga Kill!)
It took everything Tatsumi had to defeat the Emperor. His armor and body were both badly broken even with Wave's help. However, there was still a major problem — the Emperor's broken shell came hurdling toward hundreds of innocent people.
Tatsumi summoned the last of his strength in order to buy time for the civilians to escape. However, he overexerted himself so substantially that his already serious wounds became fatal. In the end, Tatsumi joined a countless number of Night Raid rebels as martyrs for the cause.
2 Todoroki's Decision To Handicap Himself Made Him Lose The Sports Festival (My Hero Academia)
Still at odds with his father, Todoroki refused to use his flames in the U.A Sports Festival. His icy half suffered for his decision since it meant his body grew cold and stiff much faster.
Bakugo became furious at Todoroki's restraint since he felt he wasn't beating him fairly. Regardless, the icy hero put up such a good fight that he would have been the reigning champion if he applied himself as much as he did against Deku. Bakugo was so dissatisfied with his victory that he needed to be physically restrained for the award ceremony.
1 Spike Knew He Would Get Killed When Attacking Vicious (Cowboy Bebop)
After Julia's death, Spike grew determined to settle the score with Vicious. He took a handful of weapons and made for the Syndicate's compound, where he engaged in a massive shootout.
By the time Spike found Vicious' chamber, he was already critically injured and exhausted. Driven to see his mission to the end, he took his vengeance at the end of a climactic showdown. Surrounded on all sides as he stumbled off, Spike finally found peace with himself and dropped dead before another shot fired.