Anime Deaths that Were Supposed to Be Sad But Were Just Funny

by

Anime directors frequently try to create deeply sad scenes that viewers will remember. However, these moments don’t always work as planned. Sometimes, poor animation or silly writing turns them into something funny instead. The contrast between the intended sadness and the actual, awkward way the scene plays out often leads to those moments becoming popular online jokes. Here’s a list of 12 anime deaths that were more laughable than tear-jerking.

Yamcha – ‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989)

Yamcha confidently begins his fight against the Saibaman, showcasing his strong martial arts abilities. He quickly defeats the creature, but doesn’t realize it’s still functioning. The Saibaman then attaches itself to Yamcha and explodes, instantly killing him and leaving a crater. The unexpectedly abrupt and comical nature of his death became a popular meme online.

Orga Itsuka – ‘Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans’ (2015)

During a city street ambush, Orga bravely tries to shield his teammates. Despite being hit multiple times, he continues to advance. The contrast between his grand, dramatic last words – complete with a theatrical finger point – and the brutal violence of the scene felt strangely disconnected. Combined with the song playing during the slow-motion sequence, the moment quickly became a popular internet meme.

Yukari Sakuragi – ‘Another’ (2012)

Yukari suddenly ran from class, terrified by a disturbing vision. In her haste, she tripped on the stairs, and the tip of her umbrella tragically pierced her neck when she fell. The bizarre and unexpected way this happened turned a horrible accident into something strangely absurd.

Neji Hyuga – ‘Naruto: Shippuden’ (2007)

Neji bravely gave his life to shield Naruto and Hinata from an attack by the Ten-Tails. He jumped in front of a volley of wooden spikes meant for them. Many viewers were surprised and even found it humorous that someone so skilled in defense was defeated by something as basic as wooden sticks. The stark difference between his incredible abilities and the way he died led to a lot of disbelief and mockery.

Kuina – ‘One Piece’ (1999)

Kuina was a remarkably skilled swordswoman who consistently beat Zoro during their childhood training. The day after their last match, Zoro learned she had unexpectedly passed away. The news of her death – a simple fall down the stairs – was surprisingly disappointing to many viewers. It felt anticlimactic for such a talented and promising fighter to meet such an unremarkable end.

Light Yagami – ‘Death Note’ (2006)

After his identity as Kira is revealed, Light flees the warehouse and quickly falls apart. He thrashes in the water, seeing visions of his old enemy, L. The usually calm and collected criminal mastermind breaks down, screaming and struggling as if swimming through the air, desperately trying to deny what’s happening. This dramatic collapse turns the serious climax of the story into something unintentionally funny.

Makoto Itou – ‘School Days’ (2007)

Makoto is caught in a passionate but dangerous love triangle, ultimately leading to a violent and tragic end. Driven by jealousy, he is fatally stabbed by Sekai in his own home. The television station famously censored the graphic scene, replacing it with a serene video of a boat. Ironically, the phrase “Nice Boat” became a lasting symbol of his death, overshadowing the actual tragedy.

Caesar Anthonio Zeppeli – ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure’ (2012)

Caesar fights Wamuu to get the ring that can save his friend, Joseph Joestar. He’s nearly defeated, using the very last of his energy to create a protective bubble just before a large, cross-shaped rock falls on him. The scene, complete with Joseph’s dramatic scream and striking visuals, feels more like an opera or stage performance than a fight. The over-the-top way the rock falls has inspired countless jokes and parodies online.

Chiaotzu – ‘Dragon Ball Z’ (1989)

Chiaotzu, knowing it would cost him his life, clung to the powerful Saiyan Nappa and exploded, hoping to hurt him. He briefly said goodbye to his close friend Tien through their mental connection. However, Nappa walked away without a scratch, laughing at the pointless effort. Chiaotzu’s sacrifice felt tragically ineffective because it didn’t harm Nappa at all.

Hidan – ‘Naruto: Shippuden’ (2007)

Okay, so Hidan, this Akatsuki member, was seriously creepy – he was immortal and got a kick out of painful rituals. But honestly, the way his fight ended with Shikamaru was…unexpectedly funny. Shikamaru basically tricked him into falling into a pit and then blew him to pieces with explosive tags. The really weird part? Even with his body destroyed, his head kept yelling insults from the bottom of the hole! It was less scary and more…just bizarrely comical to see a disembodied head still complaining while being buried. I definitely chuckled at that scene.

Noriaki Kakyoin – ‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders’ (2014)

As a huge anime fan, one scene that’s always stuck with me is when Kakyoin tries to figure out what Dio’s Stand, The World, can do. It’s brutal – Dio just stops time and delivers this unbelievably powerful punch straight through Kakyoin. The impact sends him flying backwards, hitting a water tower in this over-the-top, cartoonish way. It’s become a famous moment, and people jokingly call it the ‘Kakyoin Donut’ because of the… well, the shape of the injury. It’s shocking, but honestly, it’s become iconic.

Seryu Ubiquitous – ‘Akame ga Kill!’ (2014)

Seryu engages in a fierce battle with Mine, using her dangerous biological weapon, Koro. Recognizing she’s about to lose, she activates a self-destruct device implanted in her head. The resulting explosion is incredibly powerful, like a small nuclear blast, and devastates the entire valley. The sheer size of the explosion, coming from such a small source, is shocking and unsettling.

Tell us which anime death you found the most unintentionally hilarious in the comments.

Read More

2025-11-24 00:45