10 greatest anime sacrifices, ranked

While many anime series feature the trope of one character making some sort of grand sacrifice, there are some in the medium that stand out as the greatest anime sacrifices of all time. Unsurprisingly, many fan-favorite series, such as Naruto, One Piece, and Fullmetal Alchemist, feature some of the most memorable ones.

However, mainstream viability is far from a prerequisite for having one of the greatest anime sacrifices of all time, with many lesser-known series boasting some great examples. While it’s difficult to rank these sacrifices against each other in an objective manner, there is likely an appropriate ordering of some of the greatest sacrifices in the medium.

Disclaimer: The following list reflects the opinions of the author and their opinions only.

Mob Psycho 100, Dragon Ball Z, and more feature some of the greatest anime sacrifices ever

10) Dimple (Mob Psycho 100)

Dimple as seen in the Mob Psycho 100 anime series (Image via BONES)

In Mob Psycho 100 season 3, fans saw supporting character Dimple become something of an antagonist in the first half of the season. This culminated in a major battle between Dimple and Mob, which eventually turned into a battle between Dimple and the Divine Tree, which had developed a mind of its own.

In the process, Dimple sacrifices himself in order to ensure that Mob survives, saying he’ll meet up with his friend later while fully knowing he will die in the coming fight. Although Mob’s belief in him does bring the spirit back to life at the conclusion of the third season, its in-the-moment suspense and excitement nevertheless make it one of the greatest anime sacrifices ever.

9) Ichiro Inuyashiki (Inuyashiki Last Hero)

Ichiro Inuyashiki as seen in the anime series (Image via MAPPA Studios)

At the start of Inuyashiki Last Hero, the eponymous protagonist is introduced as an old, tired, unhealthy, and unappreciated family man who will soon die. While his accidental run-in with a UFO at the start of the series fixes all of these problems, Ichiro Inuyashiki does eventually bond with his family and begin to feel loved by them again.

However, a massive meteor threatening to destroy the earth would take this away from him and his family, with his sacrifice being necessary in order to save the planet. In a heartbreaking final scene for the series, Inuyashiki sacrifices himself happily due to the knowledge that the family will be saved by his actions. Without a doubt, it’s one of the greatest anime sacrifices ever.

8) Greed (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

Greed (right) and Ling (left) as seen in the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime series (Image via BONES)

Part of what makes this Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood character’s self-sacrifice so memorable and impactful is how antithetical it is to all of Greed’s prior characterization. As the living embodiment of avarice, Greed uses his host Ling Yao’s body for virtually whatever he wants, but they eventually develop a genuine friendship with each other.

Near the end of the series, Father (the leader of Greed and the other Homunculi) tries to forcibly reabsorb Greed into his body, intending to take Ling’s physical form with him. However, despite the fact that he may have been able to fight Father off if he kept all his energy, Greed chooses to definitively save Ling rather than try and save himself, making for one of the greatest anime sacrifices ever.

7) Neji Hyuga (Naruto)

Neji as seen in the Naruto anime series (Image via Pierrot)

One of the most memorable and well-known sacrifices in the anime medium is none other than Neji Hyuga’s at the midpoint of Naruto’s Fourth Shinobi World War arc. After eventually coming to care for each other following a rough start to their relationship, Neji puts himself in between Hinata Hyuga, his cousin from the Hyuga clan’s main family, and an incoming attack in order to save her. Hinata first put herself in the way of this attack in order to save the titular protagonist.

It’s an incredibly emotional and impactful moment, not only for their relationship but also for Neji’s identity as a branch clan member, with his life’s “purpose” being to protect the main family. His final words to Naruto are also part of what makes this one of the greatest anime sacrifices ever, proving beyond a doubt how heroic and voluntary his own sacrifice was.

6) Eren Yeager (Attack on Titan)

Eren as seen in the Attack on Titan anime series (Image via MAPPA Studios)

While Eren Yeager’s sacrifice is certainly one of the most memorable in anime, the controversy surrounding it makes it difficult to rank high up on the greatest anime sacrifices ever. That being said, it definitely deserves some form of entry in this list for what Eren himself gives up in life in order to save his friends and ensure they can live their lives fully without fear.

By making himself the world’s enemy and not Paradis, he effectively lays the groundwork for ensuring the freedom of Eldians everywhere, efforts that his friends continue after his death. However, an area where Eren’s entry into the greatest anime sacrifices tends to be criticized stems from how circular it was in terms of cause and effect, as well as the idea that there was surely another way to achieve what he wanted.

5) Lelouch Lamperouge/vi Britannia (Code Geass)

Lelouch as seen in the Code Geass anime series (Image via Sunrise Studios)

While Lelouch is established as a strategic genius throughout the entirety of Code Geass, how shocking his sacrificial death at the series’ end is speaks to it being one of the greatest anime sacrifices ever. Although one point of critique stems from Lelouch’s train of thought in choosing to make the sacrifice, the choice in and of itself is nevertheless impactful and shocking.

The sacrifice is also impactful in a canonical sense, with Lelouch’s plan of having the hatred of both Britannia and Japan die with him being confirmed successful in the series’ world. Much like Eren, Lelouch was also primarily motivated to protect those he loved and successfully did so in the end, despite some troubles along the way.

4) Vegeta (Dragon Ball Z)

Vegeta as seen in the Dragon Ball Z anime series (Image via Toei Animation)

Appropriately beginning the top half of the list of the greatest anime sacrifices ever is also one of the most iconic, Vegeta’s during the Buu Saga of Dragon Ball Z. An undoubtedly large part of why this sacrifice is so great stems from the legacy it left behind, with this being for many the definitive sacrifice in anime.

A major aspect of why it’s so beloved stems from the dialogue that accompanies this sacrifice, essentially seeing Vegeta accept himself as a human and an Earthling for the first time ever. In the process, he acknowledges the love he has for his wife Bulma, his son Trunks, his rival Son Goku, and everyone else on Earth he’s met on his journey up to this point.

3) Erwin Smith (Attack on Titan)

Erwin as seen in the Attack on Titan anime series (Image via Wit Studios)

Whereas Eren had the foresight to know his sacrifice would prove successful, Attack on Titan’s Erwin Smith chose to die without ever knowing if his sacrifice would have any meaningful impact. Although fans know it did, the fact that Erwin chose to die and make a bet on it being helpful is undoubtedly what gets it a higher ranking than Eren’s in the greatest anime sacrifices ever.

There’s also the fact that Erwin’s sacrifice involved him giving up his dream of knowing the truth of the world, whereas Eren’s directly allowed him to achieve his own dreams and goals. In addition to the full, harrowing context of this choice, Erwin’s is undoubtedly cemented as one of the greatest anime sacrifices of all time.

2) Portgas D. Ace (One Piece)

Ace as seen in the One Piece anime (Image via Toei Animation)

Whereas Erwin’s sacrifice is so impactful because it means he’ll never achieve his dream, Ace’s in One Piece is so significant because he dies knowing his greatest wish was fulfilled. This is further cemented by his final words before dying with a smile on his face, which saw him thank everyone for loving him and going as far as to fight the world itself in order to save him.

Ace’s sacrifice is also impactful and memorable for how sudden and unforeseen it was, with his rescue from the World Government being all but cemented at that time. Considering the full scope of Ace’s character, his origins, and the context of his capture and rescue, there’s little to no doubt that it’s one of the greatest anime sacrifices of all time.

1) Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)

Naruto's Itachi Uchiha undoubtedly deserves top rank in the greatest anime sacrifices ever (Image via Pierrot)

That being said, the top spot likely goes to Naruto’s Itachi Uchiha, who became one of his world’s most hated enemies, all for the sake of saving his little brother, Sasuke. He even willingly became hated by Sasuke in order to keep the act up and play the role he needed to in order to ensure Sasuke’s safety and survival.

The sacrifice becomes even more heartbreaking upon learning that Itachi was forced to choose between his family and clan and the Hidden Leaf Village. Combined with the core morals and themes of the Naruto story, Itachi’s sacrifice in full context is definitively one of the greatest anime sacrifices of all time, if not the greatest overall.

In summation

While there are many sacrifices in the anime medium, those deserving of being called the greatest anime sacrifices of all time tend to share some common themes. Many center on unifying a character’s journey with the morals and themes of the story, as well as giving oneself up for the benefit of beloved others or the world at large. While there are some who break these molds, it’s clear that these aspects are key to a memorable and effective anime sacrifice.