One of the reasons that anime remains such a versatile and popular storytelling medium is that there are so many different genres, like shonen, to explore. Shonen anime are series that are geared towards a younger male demographic, typically with an emphasis on action and combat. Accordingly, shonen series are full of conflict and grandiose clashes between the forces of good and evil.

RELATED: The 10 Most Selfish Anime Hero Deaths

In order for these shonen anime to have palpable stakes, there need to be casualties that are experienced by the heroes. Loss is a natural part of life and something that shonen characters need to accept. These casualties are always difficult to endure, but they’re much worse when it’s one of the series’ best and most beloved characters who are on the chopping block.

Spoilers ahead!

10 Jonathan Joestar’s Death Shows That No One Is Safe

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure

Jonathan Joestar dies cradling Dio Brando's head in Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Phantom Blood.

Hirohiko Araki's JoJo's Bizarre Adventure has consistently proven itself to be a fearlessly innovative shonen series. Each major story saga shifts to a completely new cast of characters in a different corner of the world. Audiences have grown accustomed to these pivots, but it comes as a total surprise when JoJo's introductory arc, Phantom Blood, ends after only nine episodes.

This quick finish hits even harder because its protagonist, Jonathan Joestar, actually perishes while his rival, Dio Brando, gets the last laugh. Some major deaths have happened throughout the course of JoJo's, but Jonathan is the series' first and most shocking.

9 L’s Superior Sleuthing Skills Aren’t Enough To Best Light

Death Note

L dies in Death Note.

Death Note is a haunting power fantasy that’s told through the lens of gritty detective storytelling. The anime's strength lies in the engaging cat-and-mouse game of wits that plays out between Light Yagami and L, one of whom must lose this war. There are two distinct arcs throughout Death Note, the second of which attempts to pick up the pieces following L's passing.

It's admirable that Death Note attempts to continue and further flesh out its rich universe after L's death. However, the second part is widely considered to be inferior to the first and Near fails to reach the same heights as L, despite still being an interesting character in his own right.

8 Kamina Is A Constant Source Of Joy & Life Who Dies For His Cause

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Kamina passes on in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a masterclass in visual storytelling that reinvents the mecha genre. Humanity is forced into a subterranean refuge, and it's two plucky yet heroic teens, Simon and Kamina, who rise to the occasion when it comes to piloting a powerful mecha.

RELATED: 10 Most Painful Anime Deaths, Ranked

Kamina and Simon balance each other out, and Kamina is the louder and more extroverted of the duo. Kamina pays the ultimate price in order to secure a victory, which definitively solidifies his status as a hero. Simon has never been prouder of his fallen friend, but it's hard for him to celebrate their victory after such a major loss.

7 Hot Ice Hilda’s Noble Courage Informs The Rest Of This Space Pirate Journey

Outlaw Star

Hot Ice Hilda prepares to detonate in Outlaw Star

Outlaw Star is a thrilling space opera action anime from the 1990s that follows Gene Starwind and his team of intrepid space pirates as they search for the legendary Galactic Leyline, which has the power to grant any wish. This goal initially belongs to Hilda, a character who sacrifices herself early on in Outlaw Star in order to save Gene.

Everything that Hilda does carries significant weight, and it's a genuine surprise when she perishes. What's worse is that her death seems like it could have been avoided. Hilda's death hangs over the rest of the series since Gene's ongoing journey becomes a tribute to Hilda.

6 Koro-Sensei Succeeds As The Ultimate Teacher & Threat

Assassination Classroom

Nagisa stabs Koro-Sensei in Assassination Classroom finale

Assassination Classroom is a unique series that announces its ending right from the start. Even so, it's still hard to believe that the juvenile delinquents of Class 3-E will actually be able to execute the alien-turned-mentor that's been by their side for the entire series. If these students can't take out their teacher in time, then the planet as a whole will suffer the consequences.

Assassination Classroom carefully doesn't stretch out its narrative, and it has the courage to follow through with its mission statement. It's devastating when Nagisa delivers the finishing blow to Koro-sensei, especially since his death is juxtaposed against all of the class' happy memories together.

5 Maes Hughes Is A Gentle Soul Who Leaves Behind Confused Companions

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Maes Hughes gets executed in a phone booth in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood features epic battles between magical alchemy and militaristic threats, but at the series' core, it's really all about the power of family. The connection between the Elric brothers remains Fullmetal Alchemist's guiding force, and it's a principle that's also sacred to Maes Hughes.

RELATED: The 10 Coolest Anime Deaths, Ranked

Maes Hughes is a lovable source of levity from the minute that he appears, but he's also more than capable of defending himself. Hughes doesn't do anyone wrong, which makes his premature execution so tragic. His own love is used against him, and all of this concludes in a devastating funeral scene that's made worse by his daughter's utter confusion over the finality of death.

4 Rengoku’s Flame Shines Brightest Before It’s Prematurely Extinguished

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba

Rengoku fights to the bitter end in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba hardly reinvents the wheel when it comes to battle shonen storytelling. Nevertheless, Tanjiro's journey to cure his cursed sister and prove himself as a Demon Slayer is routinely thrilling due to stunning animation and meticulous battle choreography.

Tanjiro gains help from several other prominent Demon Slayers and Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, emerges as a major ally during the series' Mugen Train crisis. Rengoku is the MVP during demon Enmu’s assault on this locomotive, but he also unexpectedly passes before the end of the film. It feels like Rengoku's story is just getting started before it's ultimately cut short.

3 Piccolo Is Brought Into The World As A Villain & Goes Out As A True Hero

Dragon Ball Z

Piccolo sacrifices himself to protect Gohan in Dragon Ball Z

Deaths are a common occurrence in Dragon Ball and aren't quite as intimidating since resurrection is just as prevalent. Most of Dragon Ball's strongest characters have met their ends, including Goku and Vegeta. Piccolo quickly transitions from a vengeful villain into a heroic ally and surrogate father figure to Gohan following Goku's passing.

Piccolo gains tremendous depth over Dragon Ball Z's earliest episodes, which culminates in the character's unexpected sacrifice to protect Gohan. Piccolo later gets revived, but when he first gets eliminated, he's easily the series' best character.

2 Erwin Smith Expires But His Cause Lives On

Attack On Titan

Erwin Smith leads the Scouts as they ride to their deaths in Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan’s characters have experienced gutting casualties right from the first episode. The anime depicts an ongoing war where gargantuan monsters become tools for conquest. Man and Titan both rack up a devastating body count, but certain deaths leave a greater impact.

Erwin Smith didn't receive the same attention as Levi or Mikasa, but it’s clear that his peers respect him and look to him for inspiration. Erwin Smith goes out in a gruesome barrage of boulders as he valiantly leads his troops to take out the Titan threat. It's a dark death that hangs over the heads of many characters long after Erwin's exit.

1 Jiraiya Proves Himself A Noteworthy Ninja Right Up To His Bitter End

Naruto Shippuden

Jiraiya dies in battle in Naruto Shippuden

Naruto is one of the biggest anime of all time, and its characters experience some serious losses over the years. There are many brutal deaths that Naruto Uzumaki learns to accept, but the loss of Jiraiya is one of Naruto’s saddest.

Jiraiya is a formidable shinobi in his own right and one of the most powerful characters in the series, but he's also the closest thing that Naruto has to a father figure. Jiraiya's death becomes a cautionary tale and a transformative experience for Naruto as he learns how to live without this important person from his life.

NEXT: 10 Anime Characters Who Are Fated To Die