Some of the saddest anime deaths were caused by powerful personifications of death who don't shy away from taking human life. Anime fans could meet various versions of death while watching action and fantasy animes that were inspired by mythology tales from all around the world, including Japanese and Egyptian myths.
Many of the death bringers in anime are cruel and sadistic, and are truly deadly anime characters. But the world of anime also has personifications of death who are fun and are fighting the good fight. Thanks to these unforgettable characters, anime lovers can learn more about how humanity perceived death in the past, while also meeting new and more modern renditions of this infamous being.
7 Boogiepop – Boogiepop Phantom
Boogiepop Phantom is a spooky mystery anime based on urban legends that features a cruel and deadly personification of death. Boogiepop, AKA Death, is a serial killer who commits grisly murders that are all somehow connected to a group of high school students.
It's a dark and thought-provoking story that deals with social issues as well as loneliness, and how it can change human perception of the world. Boogiepop Phantom transports its viewers into a Japanese city and takes them on an unforgettable and twisted ride. It will make viewers make them think about death, the meaning of life, and their own mortality.
6 Korosensei – Assassination Classroom
Even though Korosensei was a seemingly fun teacher of the Class 3-E students, he was actually a deadly octopus-like alien who was formerly known as the God of Death. Before Korosensei came to Earth to destroy it and became a teacher, he was working as an assassin, and proudly wore his nickname: The Grim Reaper.
Shinigami, bringers of death from Japanese folklore, are often portrayed in anime. Assassination Classroom has multiple dark and exciting characters who were Shinigami, including Korosensei. Assassination Classroom is a fun action anime with positive messages about self-acceptance, and it follows the adventures of the Class 3-E students who are trying to assassinate their homeroom teacher before he destroys the Earth.
5 Beerus – Dragon Ball
Beerus is the fearsome god of destruction in the Dragon Ball universe. He is one of the most iconic personifications of death in anime and was inspired by the ancient Egyptian god of the dead, Anubis. His job is to keep the balance in the universe by destroying inhabited planets in Universe 7 and creating space for new life.
Beerus was one of Goku's strongest opponents who later became a reliable ally to Goku. Dragon Ball is one of the best Toei animation animes that takes its viewers on epic adventures. It is about Goku's incredible journey toward becoming the strongest martial artist of all time.
4 Death – Soul Eater
Death, AKA God, is the cheerful and deadly headmaster of Death Weapon Meister Academy in Soul Eater. For a long time, he worked alone and used his power to maintain order and balance in the world. But eventually, he decided to build an elite group of Scythe Meisters who would help him with his important tasks.
Anime fans could meet strong and fun Scythe Meisters, as well as some of the strongest demon weapons in Soul Eater. This colorful and action-filled anime was mainly set in Death Weapon Meister Academy, a special Shinigami school where Scythe Meisters could learn how to master their skills. It followed the students' dangerous and fun adventures.
3 Grell Sutcliff – Black Butler
Grell Sutcliff is the most flamboyant personification of death in anime, and doesn't like following rules. She's Black Butler's darkly entertaining Grim Reaper, who was also secretly the grisly serial murderer, Jack the Ripper, in the series. Thanks to her rule-breaking habits, Grell was often suspended, but she would always start working again as a reaper. Grell was also obsessed with the color red, and Sebastian, and would do anything to get closer to him.
Black Butler has a twisted and dark story and featured one of the most iconic anime butlers of all time. It follows the adventures of a young boy named Ciel after he forms a contract with a demon named Sebastian to avenge his family's murder.
2 Ichigo Kurosaki – Bleach
Ichigo Kurosaki is the best-known Grim Reaper in the world of anime. He was born to become the most powerful soul reaper who ever lived. He could easily switch between being a human or a soul reaper, and used his powerful abilities to defeat evil and protect innocents.
Ichigo spent most of his life training and trying to perfect his soul reaper powers. Thanks to Ichigo, anime fans could meet one of the most stubborn and hilarious grim reapers while getting immersed in an emotional story. Bleach's story follows Ichigo's hilarious, action-filled adventures after he obtains the powers of a Soul Reaper.
1 Ryuk – Death Note
Ryuk is Death Note's beloved Shinigami. He is a spooky and often hilarious character who appeared in the best Death Note episodes. Even though he wasn't the anime's main villain, he is the one who gives Light Yagami the death note after feeling bored, which then led to all the murders.
This iconic death god is a powerful being and was inspired by Japanese mythology. Death Note is a twisty mystery anime that followed the deadly adventures of Light as he started murdering criminals with the help of the death note, after becoming obsessed with cleansing the world of evil.