A recurring theme of anime is that one character will make an (often fatal) sacrifice for the sake of another. It usually serves as among the series' most poignant moments, demonstrating one's personal values even if their words might indicate otherwise. Occasionally, a villain might even sacrifice themselves for the sake of their comrades.
As noble as these actions might be, many displays of selflessness are just as foolish as they are admirable. Just like how fans debate over the sacrifice in the movie the Titanic, these 10 anime characters didn't have to sacrifice themselves at allーor concoct plans only to have them be useless in the end.
10 Nono Yakushi's Ironic Death (Naruto)
Nono Yakushi was the orphan matron who had found and rehabilitated Kabuto. She served as his surrogate mother, providing refuge and kindness to the amnesia ridden boy.
When Danzo Shimura and his Foundation had visited the orphanage, they demanded tributes in order to justify their funding. Unwilling to part with any of her children, Nono volunteered in their stead. Unbeknownst to her, Kabuto had also volunteered under the condition that she would not be forced to fight. Tragically, this resulted in the young man killing the same woman who had adopted him, rendering her sacrifice for his sake meaningless.
9 Mirio's Act Of Service (My Hero Academia)
During the assault on the Yakuza base, Mirio had rescued Eri and was diligently defending her. Unable to strike him on account of his permeation quick, Overhaul's minions targeted the young girl instead, correctly anticipating that he would intercept the bullet with his own body.
However, it was not a traditional projectile; instead, it only destroyed the quirk of its subject. If Lemillion had permitted the bullet to hit Eri, it would have removed the quirk that she could not control, obliterating her value to Chisaki's organization and procuring her safety from herself.
8 Gin's Betrayal Of Aizen (Bleach)
Gin was the loyal servant of Aizen for many years, has remained steadfast at his side during the Gotei conflict with the Espada. Unbeknownst to anyone but himself, he intended to betray his master since the day he joined his organization.
By getting close to him, he hoped to obviate the compelling power of Aizen's Zanpakuto. Though he would land a debilitating strike against him after he had blown his cover, Aizen was able to defeat him while remaining just as deadly as he ever was. Despite Gin's intelligence, only Ichigo's concentrated physical force was enough to take out the rogue captain.
7 The Royal Guards' Offering (Hunter X Hunter)
After Meruem had defeated Isaac Netero, he suffered the full wrath of the bomb stored within the chairman. This nearly killed him and would have if the Royal Guards did not intervene. They offered him their lives to restore him, rendering their king stronger than ever before.
However, radiation poisoning still coursed throughout his entire body. It was effectively a death sentence that made the offerings of his comrades moot, regardless of the temporary might that had been given to him.
6 Asuna's Duel Intervention (Sword Art Online)
During Heathcliff's duel with Kirito, the game master was quickly getting the upper hand. Their fight had been arranged so that it was impossible for others to intervene. Despite this, Asuna threw herself in front of what should have been a fatal blow, dooming herself in the process.
As noble as this may have seemed, Kirito would be defeated anyway a few moments later. Even after his health had reached zero, he was able to land a lethal blow through Heathcliff's chest. Therefore, his beloved's sacrifice was as pointless as it heartbreaking.
5 Hawk's Sacrifice (Seven Deadly Sins)
During Meliodas's battle against Hendrickson, the possessed Grandmaster was on the verge of killing the captain. To prevent this, Hawk thrust his body in the way, intercepting the damage that was intended for his friend.
However, Meliodas's curse makes his actions fairly meaningless since he essentially cannot die. Though it would have made the Sin of Wrath somewhat more malevolent than before, he wouldn't have wanted his scrap munching companion to give his life for such a minor inhibition. Since Hawk was reborn shortly after, the entire scene was emotionally manipulating and hollow.
4 Greed's Selflessness (Fullmetal Alchemist)
During the final confrontation with Father, the villain had sought to consume Greed in order to restore his own strength. To do this, he assaulted Ling Yao, aggressively attempting to wrangle the homunculus from his body.
Though Greed was right to let go (since Yao would have been taken with him if he didn't), it does not explain why the other heroes merely sat back and watched as their opponent attacked their friend. As useful as Greed's final act of weakening Father may have been, it was unnecessary to defeat him; Edward Elric already had the upper hand in their duel.
3 Tatsumi's Death (Akame Ga Kill!)
Tatsumi had endured serious injuries during his battle against the Emperor. The tyrant's imperial arms were powerful enough to emulate a nuclear explosion with a single attack, and he had withstood many of his concentrated blows point-blank. When the despot was defeated and his construct finally came down, the Night Raid member used the last of his strength to prevent his shell from crushing innocent people.
However, considering Wave had accrued considerably less injuries and possessed equal to (if not greater) strength than Incursio, he could have either assisted him or assumed his responsibility outright.
2 Caesar's Gift (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
Vigilant and pugnacious, Caesar was the first to confront Wamuu in the Pillar Men's fortress. This resulted in a gruesome battle between them, one the Hamon user was nearly victorious in. Though he may have been defeated, he gave Joseph his opponent's lip ring to cure the poison in his body.
However, Joestar was not pressed for time in acquiring the antidote and would defeat Wamuu anyway later in the story. Therefore, Caesar's last gift to his unlikely friend was unfortunately meaningless.
1 Schrodinger's Ploy (Hellsing)
In a final bid to defeat the presumably indestructible Alucard, Schrodinger slit his own throat and allowed his corrosive blood to taint the massive lake that the vampire had been ingesting. This took Integra's greatest asset out of commission and forced her to confront the Major without him.
However, not only would Millennium fall to ruin, Alucard would return to his master's side thirty years later. Considering that no major conflicts had occurred during the time skip, Schrodinger's death was completely pointless.