12 Most Mourned and Controversial Anime Deaths in History

Anime has a unique way of making us deeply attached to characters, often more than we expect. Because series can span dozens or even hundreds of episodes, we grow up with these characters, laugh with them, and share their victories and struggles. So when death comes knocking, the impact is often devastating. But beyond grief, certain anime deaths have sparked fierce controversy among fans—debates over whether they were necessary, petitions demanding rewrites, or outrage directed at creators. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most mourned and hotly debated character deaths in anime history, from classics like Fullmetal Alchemist to recent shocks in Jujutsu Kaisen and Attack on Titan.

Why Anime Deaths Hit Harder

One of the reasons anime deaths feel so devastating is that unlike in some Western media, they rarely reverse or soften the blow. Resurrection is seldom used as a narrative device, meaning once a character dies, that’s it. This permanence makes every farewell sting. Moreover, anime often uses death to underline central themes—sacrifice, destiny, humanity’s fragility—so these losses feel symbolic as well as emotional. When a death both serves the story and rips out the viewer’s heart, it lingers for years. And when fans sense it was unnecessary, manipulative, or unjust, the outrage can be deafening.

Maes Hughes (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Maes Hughes of Fullmetal Alchemist is one of anime’s most universally mourned characters. He wasn’t a protagonist, but his warmth, humor, and love for his family made him unforgettable. His shocking murder, paired with the iconic funeral scene where his daughter cries for her father to stop going into the ground, broke viewers everywhere. Fans weren’t just sad—they were angry that such a good man was taken so abruptly. His death is still considered one of the most emotional gut-punches in anime.

Nina Tucker (Fullmetal Alchemist)

While not a death in the conventional sense, Nina Tucker’s fate remains one of anime’s most disturbing tragedies. When her father fused her with her beloved dog to create a chimera, viewers were horrified. The cruelty of her transformation, followed by her eventual death, left fans outraged at the narrative choice. Many still bring up Nina as an example of an anime moment that crossed a line. Her fate lingers as one of the most traumatic story beats in anime.

Jiraiya (Naruto)

As Naruto’s mentor, Jiraiya embodied both wisdom and comic relief. His training transformed Naruto not only as a ninja but as a person. When he went to face Pain, knowing it could be his last battle, fans clung to hope that he might survive. Instead, we watched his brutal defeat and lonely end, with his last thoughts entrusting his dreams to Naruto. Outcry followed, with many demanding he be spared. But Jiraiya’s death ultimately gave Naruto the drive to push forward, though the loss still haunts fans to this day.

Neji Hyuga (Naruto)

Another controversial death in the Naruto franchise was Neji Hyuga’s sacrifice during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Once a bitter rival, Neji grew into a symbol of overcoming fate. His decision to shield Naruto and Hinata was heroic, but many fans argued it felt forced—done mainly to push Naruto and Hinata’s romance rather than honor Neji’s arc. For longtime viewers, his death was bitterly disappointing and remains a sore point in discussions of the series.

Ace (One Piece)

Portgas D. Ace’s death at Marineford is still one of the biggest shocks in anime. Luffy’s older brother had charisma, power, and a fiercely loyal fanbase. After an entire rescue arc, fans believed he would finally be safe—only for him to be killed moments after his freedom. His death in Luffy’s arms, after sacrificing himself to protect his younger brother, devastated viewers worldwide. Message boards filled with grief and anger, with some refusing to continue the series. To this day, One Piece‘s Ace’s fall remains one of the most mourned deaths in shōnen history.

Kamina (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann)

Kamina was the fearless leader who symbolized the indomitable spirit of Gurren Lagann. His energy and speeches inspired not only Simon and the team but also the audience. That’s why his sudden death early in the series felt like a betrayal to many fans. How could the story continue without him? Yet his absence drove Simon to mature into his own leader, making Kamina’s legacy even more powerful. Still, heated debates endure: was his death necessary, or just cruel shock value?

L (Death Note)

The mind game between Light Yagami and L defined Death Note. For many, L was the soul of the story—eccentric, brilliant, and strangely endearing. His defeat and death midway through the series shocked fans, who argued the anime lost its magic afterward. While his demise highlighted Light’s rise and eventual downfall, viewers mourned bitterly, and some still maintain that Death Note should have ended with L’s victory. His final quiet moments, dying in the arms of someone he trusted, are seared into anime history.

Gojo Satoru (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Not anime but manga, Gojo’s is one of a few recent deaths that have stirred much uproar. As the strongest sorcerer and fan-favorite character, Gojo was seen as nearly untouchable. His charisma and playful arrogance made him an icon. When he was shockingly killed in his battle against Sukuna, fans erupted in grief and anger. Social media trended worldwide with protests and disbelief, with many arguing the series had cut off its brightest star. Others defended the boldness of the choice, noting it raised the stakes to a new level. Either way, Gojo’s death instantly became one of the most controversial in anime.

Erwin Smith (Attack on Titan)

Among all Attack on Titan deaths, Erwin Smith’s stands out as the most controversial. As the brilliant commander of the Survey Corps, he carried the hopes of humanity on his shoulders. During the Battle of Shiganshina, Levi was forced to choose between saving Erwin or Armin. Choosing Armin meant Erwin never lived to see the basement and the truth he had chased all his life. Fans fiercely debated this decision, with many arguing Erwin should have lived, given his unmatched leadership and legacy. The “Erwin vs Armin” debate remains one of anime’s most famous what-ifs.

Sasha Blouse (Attack on Titan)

Sasha’s death was another emotional blow. Known for her humor, optimism, and love of food, Sasha brought light to a series defined by brutality. When Gabi shot and killed her, fans were enraged, directing much of their anger toward Gabi as a character. The outcry was so intense it sparked online harassment campaigns. Many felt Sasha’s loss robbed the story of one of its few rays of sunshine, making her one of the most mourned side characters in modern anime.

Hange Zoë (Attack on Titan)

Hange’s sacrifice in the final arc was bittersweet. True to the Survey Corps’ ethos, she gave her life to buy time for her friends. While some fans celebrated the nobility of her end, others lamented that such a beloved and quirky character had to be taken at all. Debates about whether her sacrifice was necessary still pop up in fandom discussions, cementing Hange’s death as another divisive moment.

Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)

Finally, there is Eren Yeager himself. As the protagonist turned antagonist, Eren’s path was always headed toward tragedy. Still, his death at the hands of Mikasa divided fans. Some saw it as a fitting end to a man consumed by his mission, while others argued it failed to honor his complex journey. The final chapters of Attack on Titan left the fandom polarized, with Eren’s death symbolizing not just the end of a character, but the end of years of speculation, theory, and emotional investment.

Why Fans Protest Anime Deaths

What unites all these examples is the deep emotional investment of fans. We don’t just watch these characters—we live with them. When a death feels meaningful, it may be mourned but accepted. But when it feels unfair, rushed, or manipulative, fans rebel. Anime communities online amplify these emotions, creating memorial art, writing fanfiction to “fix” the story, and sometimes even petitioning authors. While creators rarely reverse their decisions, the intensity of fan reactions shows just how powerful anime storytelling can be.

The Legacy of Mourning

Grief over fictional characters might sound strange to outsiders, but it’s a testament to anime’s emotional power. Characters like Jiraiya, Ace, Hughes, Gojo, and Erwin live on in fan memory, shaping how we see sacrifice, destiny, and love. Mourning them keeps their legacy alive, turning personal loss into collective remembrance.

Anime deaths remind us that even in fictional worlds, mortality matters. They challenge us, anger us, and sometimes inspire us. And while we may continue to protest and debate, one truth is certain: the measure of a great story isn’t only in the smiles it brings, but in the tears we can’t hold back when the final goodbye arrives.

Closing Thoughts

From Erwin Smith’s impossible choice to Gojo’s shocking downfall, anime deaths remain defining cultural moments. They fracture fandoms, inspire petitions, and fuel discussions that last for years. And even when they leave us angry, they also remind us why we fell in love with these stories in the first place. Anime doesn’t just tell us tales—it makes us feel them, deeply. And in every fan’s grief and protest, we see proof of just how powerful that connection can be.