10 anime characters who got hit by a truck

Anime characters have often found themselves in the most bizarre, life-changing situations, but nothing is so infamous in anime as getting hit by a truck. This classic trope is called "Truck-kun," often leading to unexpected twists involving reincarnation in another world or significant turning points within a character's journey.

After running into the truck, it might send them to a fantasy realm, bring them back as superpowered, or make them experience a pretty strange accident. The event may be funny or dramatic, but regardless of what happens, all is changed for these truck-running-into characters once that truck hits them.

Disclaimer: This list is ranked in no particular order and contains the writer's opinion.

Rika Orimoto, Kisaki, and 8 other anime characters that got hit by a truck

1) Yusuke Urameshi (Yu Yu Hakusho)

The protagonist in Yu Yu Hakusho, Yusuke Urameshi, is killed under very unfortunate circumstances after he dies trying to save the child who was running after a ball and gets crushed by a truck.

This selfless act never had anything to do with the grand plan of events; even the afterlife was surprised by his noble sacrifice.

This is the incident that starts Yusuke's journey to the spirit world. In this world, he gets a second chance to live life and becomes a Spirit Detective, making Yusuke one of the anime characters hit by a truck.

2) Tobio Tenma (Astro Boy)

Tobio Tenma (Image via Tezuka Productions)

Tobio Tenma of Astro Boy gets into a tragic accident where he gets run over by a truck and dies. The whole series is based on this accident because his father, Dr. Tenma, who could not accept the loss, built Astro Boy as a robot in place of Tobio.

The accident becomes the emotional center of the story and drives Tenma to create the ultimate, human-like robot, Astro Boy. The tragedy of Tobio's death also brings out the other, darker, emotional themes of Astro Boy with respect to loss, humanity, and technology.

This makes him one of the anime characters who gets killed by a truck.

3) Kazuma Satou (Konosuba)

In a comedy of rather unfortunate end, Kazuma Sato of Konosuba believes to be saving the girl who might get knocked down by the truck when that "truck" turned out to be nothing but a tractor traveling slowly; Kazuma thus died in shock without ever sustaining the injury.

After his untimely death, he was given the chance to reincarnate in a fantasy world, which forms the rest of the series. This comically tragic moment is crucial for the adventure of Kazuma, and it underlines how absurd his character's journey becomes, making him one of the anime characters hit by a truck.

4) Rudeus Greyrat (Mushoku Tensei)

Rudeus Greyrat starts his journey in Mushoku Tensei after a tragic accident involving a truck. In his previous life, he was an unemployed nameless man, and he made an extremely rare act of courage by rescuing students who were about to be hit by a speeding truck. He unfortunately dies during this process.

This event is essentially what sets him off for this reincarnation into a world of fantasy, this time reborn as Rudeus Greyrat with prior memories.

This marks a new course in the life of the protagonist as he gets a new chance and a fresh opportunity to evolve in this whole new world, placing him among the anime characters who died due to a truck.

5) Gintoki and Hijikata (Gintama)

Gintoki and Hijikata (Image via Sunrise)

In Gintama, a weird truck incident happens in one of its many comical arcs, where Gintoki and Hijikata are run over by a truck. The truck incident takes the parodies from the show to another new level, with the addition of an over-the-top style of humor.

The incident leads to an absurdity and hilarity sequence because their souls end up within each other's bodies. This body-swap situation is filled with much confusion and misunderstanding, besides many comical moments.

The truck accident is perfect for setting up the type of humor Gintama is renowned for, effortlessly blending action with comedy, ranking among the anime characters who are Truck-kun.

6) Rika Orimoto (Jujutsu Kaisen)

Rika Orimoto of Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the anime characters who met a tragic end, having been hit by a truck. She was hit by a truck shortly after giving Yuta Okkotsu the ring, which marked them as being together forever.

However, instead of a peaceful passing, Rika's enormous love and attachment to Yuta transformed her into a powerful curse, known as the Queen of Curses. This turns out to be a major turn in Yuta's life, he has to deal with the tremendous power of the curse.

7) Takuo Shibuimaru (Death Note)

Takuo Shibuimaru from Death Note meets a tragic death when he is hit by a truck, and this really has a bearing on the plot. This occurs after he unknowingly becomes a target for Kira after being part of a scheme to influence other people through the use of the Death Note.

His death is immediate and brutal, showing a sense of the merciless nature with which Kira meted out his justice. However, Shibuimaru's death poses not only the danger of being caught by the Death Note user but also marks a salient point in the presentation of the series' morality and consequences.

8) Tetta Kisaki (Tokyo Revengers)

Tetta Kisaki from Tokyo Revengers is one of the anime characters who die due to the truck collision and how it tears down its victim. After performing a series of manipulative and selfish plots in order to rise in power, Kisaki finally dies in the story when hit by a truck.

This is the moment of turning in the story, where he brings himself to face the severe outcomes of his cruel behaviors and the cyclical motion in which he goes around the same struggles.

His death did not only mark an end but also a serious twist in the timeline affecting choices and paths for many of the characters in the series.

9) ⁠Celestial Ludenberg (Danganronpa)

In Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Celestial Ludenberg, has the misfortune of getting run over by a truck in the plot. She meets her own tragic end while seeking to find her path to winning in the killing game.

Even though she appeared to be cunning and intelligent, what happened was beyond her calculated mind, proving the very unpredictable nature of life at play.

Her character can be seen as the best example of the darker side that Danganronpa symbolizes, proving how smart people can become the best victims of misfortune on a whim. This places her on the list of anime characters hit by a truck.

10) Minky Momo (Magical Princess Minky Momo)

The main character of In Magical Princess Minky Momo, Momo, faces a life-changing experience when she gets hit by a running truck. This turns out the major event in her life as she becomes the magical princess who saves the world from evil.

After the incident, Momo is reborn as a human girl with a mission to bring happiness and joy to people. This rather strange beginning not only does away with the absurdity of the truck-kun trope but also sets the stage for her adventures as she copes with the challenges in her new life while using magical powers.

Final thoughts

Anime often connects truck accidents with dramatic life-changing moments for the anime characters. Yusuke Urameshi begins his journey into the spirit world after giving up himself to save others, while Tobio Tenma's tragic accident creates Astro Boy.

Kazuma Sato's comical misunderstanding regarding death and life and Rudeus Greyrat's noblesse oblige act of courage are both given a new chance in a magical world.

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Edited by Tiasha