Death is usually a permanent outcome. However, that is not always the case in anime. There are numerous anime characters who have died, only to be resurrected either in the moment or much later in the show. Many protagonists and side characters alike have been the subject of this miraculous phenomenon.
While the stories and deaths vary, these characters all have resurrection in common. No matter who they are, their deaths are always tragic. Though some are beloved and others reviled, these characters come back with a purpose, and oftentimes, a vengeance.
10/10 Issei Hyoudou Had A Date To Die For
High School DxD
Issei Hyoudou is a lewd teenager attending Kuoh Academy in High School DxD. Unbeknownst to him, the academy is filled with students who are really angels, fallen angels, and devils. Therefore, in blissful ignorance, Issei agrees to go on a date with a fallen angel that proves to be fatal.
Fortunately, Issei is revived by a devil named Rias Gremory, who informs him that he is now her servant. Issei comes to accept his new role – thankful that his first date was not also his last.
9/10 Kurogiri Has A Secret Identity
My Hero Academia
When fans first meet Kurogiri in My Hero Academia, he seems like just another one of Tomura Shiguraki’s henchmen. His transportation Quirk comes in handy in helping the League of Villains to make quick escapes. However, the truth of Kurogiri’s existence is far more sinister.
Kurogiri is actually a sophisticated Nomu that was created by reanimating part of a deceased boy named Oboro Shirakumo. Shirakumo was an old friend of Shota Aizawa and Hizashi Yamada who perished in a villain attack while they were doing field training. Though he is not completely himself, fans cannot help but feel disgusted that such a heinous experiment was performed on a student.
8/10 Ash Ketchum Turned To Stone
Pokémon: The First Movie
Pokémon. Unfortunately, in Pokémon: The First Movie, Ash is turned to stone after taking a hit from Mewtwo. The Pokémon were heartbroken and began to cry.
Just when all hope was lost, Ash is revived by the Pokémons’ tears. His passionate sacrifice to save the creatures he came to love cemented Ash as a brave and compassionate character. Young fans were especially glad to see his resurrection after being hit by such a devastating blow.
7/10 Sakura Minamoto Realized Her Dream
Zombieland Saga
Zombieland Saga‘s Sakura Minamoto was an average high school girl who dreamed of being a pop idol, until she perished after getting hit by a truck. Yet, when she woke up, she found herself in an odd room surrounded by strange-looking young women.
Sakura quickly realized that she and the other girls were dead, and were brought back to life to form an unconventional idol group. They may not know how they were brought back to life, but the girls of Franchouchou are dedicated to revitalizing Saga Prefecture’s status as an entertainment hub. It appears that Sakura got her idol wish after all, just posthumously.
6/10 Subaru Natsuki Endlessly Respawns
Re: ZERO
When Subaru Natsuki left his home to go to the convenience store one day, he never imagined the horrifying adventure that awaited him. Much to his chagrin, Subaru is transported into a fantasy world that has a sinister underbelly in Re: ZERO.
As audiences quickly learn, every time Subaru dies in this new world, he is revived in the same spot in which he awoke the first time. Subaru dies so many times that the feeling almost becomes old hat. However, he continuously endures death and resurrection for the sake of his friends and this mysterious new world.
5/10 Sailor Moon Couldn’t Stand To Be Without Endymion
Sailor Moon
Usagi Tsukino grew up as a normal teen until she discovers that she is the reincarnation of Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom in Sailor Moon. Afterward, she discovers her powers, and her fellow Sailor Scouts, and gets to the awesome task of defending the universe from dark forces. With her crush, Mamoru Chiba (Tuxedo Mask) also by their side, the group seems unstoppable.
However, when Tuxedo Mask is killed during a battle with Queen Beryl, Sailor Moon is so overcome by grief, that she takes her own life. Thankfully, due to the power of the Silver Crystal, the two are revived, and continue to fight alongside one another.
4/10 Aang’s Death Signaled A Turning Point In The Fire Lord’s Plan
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Aang’s bubbly and childish personality is always in contrast to the despicable things happening to citizens at the Fire Nation’s hands in Avatar: The Last Airbender. However, the true gravity of the situation catches up with Aang at the end of the second season when he faces the Prince and Princess of the Fire Nation.
Zuko and Azula gang up on Aang before Azula electrocutes him while he is in the Avatar State. The blast kills Aang for a time, but, thanks to Katara, he is revived with the use of Spirit Water from the Northern Water Tribe oasis. This event was a turning point in the show, where Aang finally sees the true consequences of the Fire Lord’s continued reign.
3/10 Goku Dies More Than Once
Dragon Ball Z
Goku is the well-known main character in Dragon Ball Z. However, not even he is immune to the cruel fate of death. After subduing his brother, Raditz, Goku and Piccolo prepare to end Raditz’s reign of terror. Yet, because Goku is holding him in place, the blast hits him as well, killing him along with Raditz. He is later revived using the Dragon Balls.
However, that was not the only time Goku died and was resurrected. During a battle with Cell, Goku tried to use Instant Transmission to get Cell away from others before he self-destructs. In doing so, he puts himself in the blast radius and perishes. Thankfully, Goku is revived years later by Old Kai.
2/10 Gaara Protected His Village
Naruto
Though Gaara was once reviled in his village, he eventually changes his ways and becomes Kazekage of his village like his father before him in Naruto. Therefore, when members of the Akatsuki appear, it is Gaara’s responsibility to deal with them.
Unfortunately, though he tried his best, Gaara is captured and Shukaku is stripped from his body, killing him. However, he is saved by Chiyo who gives her life to save him.
1/10 Yuji Itadori Survived Against All Odds
Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen‘s Yuji Itadori is a mostly normal high schooler until he becomes the vessel for an incredibly powerful Cursed Spirit named Sukuna. Though he fends Sukuna off for a time, the evil entity eventually takes over Yuji’s body and fights Yuji’s new ally, Megumi Fushiguro. The fight ends when Sukuna rips Yuji’s heart out of his body as a test for the Sorcerer to revive him.
Thankfully, Yuji survives the ordeal to go on fighting once again. Yuji’s return to life shows his dedication to the promise he made his grandfather, as well as his commitment to his new friends at Jujutsu High.