10 anime characters who are immortal, but not invincible

Anime characters with immortality often face unique challenges, as eternal life doesn't necessarily equate to absolute power or immunity from harm or powerful attacks. Even though they live forever, their powers are limited, leaving them vulnerable to physical or magical attacks that could restrain, weaken, or even partially disable them.

Sometimes, immortality can be more of a burden than an advantage, as the prospect of invincibility does not provide support in complicated battles. Here are ten anime characters who are essentially immortal but far from invincible.

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

Ryomen Sukuna, Hidan, and 8 other anime characters who are immortal but not invincible

1) Subaru Natsuki (Re:Zero)

Subaru Natsuki from Re:Zero lives through a form of immortality through his Return by Death ability, which brings him back to life after each fatal encounter. However, this power, far from invincibility, means he still endures the full pain and trauma of each death.

He does not have the ability to control when or where he revives, subjecting him to the mental stress of repeated suffering, which wears down his strength. This makes him one of the immortal anime characters who is not invincible.

2) Ban (The Seven Deadly Sins)

Ban, the Fox's Sin of Greed, drinks from the Fountain of Youth, which grants him regenerative power and the possibility of living forever. However, this doesn't mean that Ban can get over almost every kind of injury; he isn't invincible and can take damage from heavy magical attacks. His body can be torn apart, and he feels pain, which sometimes limits his effects during battle.

Additionally, several powerful characters and magic spells can overpower him, exposing his weakness despite his unending life. This makes Ban one of the immortal but not invincible anime characters.

3) Hidan (Naruto Shippuden)

Hidan is one of the devoted followers of Jashin in Naruto Shippuden, with his brutal immortality given through his unholy rituals. He can survive lethal injuries and endure pain beyond human limits, making him a very tough opponent.

However, this immortality has a huge weakness, as he is not strong enough to be undefeated. His body can still be restrained or dismembered.

Shikamaru exploits this by trapping and burying him alive, effectively neutralizing him despite his inability to die. This makes Hidan one of the immortal anime characters who could be defeated.

4) Ryomen Sukuna (Jujutsu Kaisen)

As the King of Curses in Jujutsu Kaisen, Sukuna possesses an ancient and fearsome power. His Cursed Energy gives him resilience and regenerative abilities that border on immortality, making him extremely powerful. However, his strength is limited.

Sukuna's spirit is bound to a vessel, relying on Yuji Itadori's body. This connection leaves him vulnerable whenever Yuji regains consciousness. In addition, powerful techniques such as Gojo's Limitless and Domain Expansion are serious threats, making Sukuna one of the anime characters who are not invincible despite being immortal.

5) ⁠All For One (My Hero Academia)

All For One, the main antagonist of My Hero Academia, possesses exceptional regenerative abilities. He can recover from extreme injuries and live an extended life that is near infinity. His ability to steal the Quirks of others also allows him to use different abilities.

However, despite having the capability of regenerating himself, he is not entirely invincible. Powerful Heroes were able to critically wound All For One in the final battle, eventually killed by Bakugo in a surprising turn. This makes All For One one of the anime characters who is immortal but not undefeated.

6) Manji (Blade of the Immortal)

Manji, the protagonist of Blade of the Immortal, has the gift of eternal life. He is sustained by bloodworms that heal him rapidly. However, he is not invincible, he still feels the pain from every injury and can be incapacitated if severely damaged.

His immortality does not prevent him from feeling the weight of each fight, and he's still vulnerable to capture or being overwhelmed by multiple foes. Manji is definitely one of the immortal anime characters who are far from invincible.

7) Father (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)

In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Father manages to absorb an entire Philosopher's Stone and has several human souls. This gives him a significant amount of power and a prolonged life span. However, this does not make him invincible.

His power depletes quickly when he overuses them, especially in intense battles, and he becomes powerless if the Philosopher's Stone is weakened or he loses control over it. This places him among the anime characters who are immortal but not invincible.

8) Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)

Sosuke Aizen is a master manipulator and former captain in Bleach with incredible intelligence and spiritual power. He is also immortal because of his utilization of the Hogyoku, which lets him transcend death and regenerate.

However, Aizen's dependence on the Hogyoku can be his downfall, as it can be neutralized by those who know its mechanics. He can be outwitted and defeated, especially by strong-willed opponents with the right strategy.

9) Fushi (To Your Eternity)

Fushi's power allows him to revitalize and turn into anybody who dies around him and therefore live through eternity in a way. However, it has some limitations that he faces, as Fushi can be heavily injured to the point where he gets emotional pain.

This damages his growth and keeps him from having many connections in life. This makes him one of the anime characters who is not invincible despite being immortal.

10) Alucard (Hellsing)

Alucard is one of the most powerful vampires in Hellsing, possessing regeneration and immortality as some of his supernatural powers, allowing him to recover from virtually any form of injury. However, he is not without its limitations, as he can be temporarily disabled by specific means, like magical weapons, or even by destroying his true body.

His immortality is tied to his bloodlust, leading him to seek battles that test him, which risks his safety despite his extraordinary strength. This makes him one of the anime characters who could be defeated even while being immortal.

Final thoughts

Anime characters are often depicted as being immersed in a reality of immortality, bringing with it many problems that can overshadow the apparent benefits.

For instance, it is shown how Subaru Natsuki and Hidan suffer immensely despite their immortality, and how Ban and Alucard face vulnerability that can be used to their disadvantage by stronger opponents.

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Edited by Shubham Soni