7 comical anime deaths that never made anyone cry

Some comical anime deaths come across as comedic or, at the very least, are funny in hindsight. Heroes or villains alike, anime tends to drop the ball regarding emotional deaths – leaving audiences holding back laughter during otherwise tragic moments. Satisfying the demise of villains such as Fraudrin in The Seven Deadly Sins anime captivates audiences with its ability to evoke deep emotions.

However, anime also has a knack for injecting humor into otherwise somber situations. Despite its penchant for heightened drama across genres like action, fantasy, and sci-fi, death remains an inevitable plot device. Some deaths are handled with utmost seriousness, while comical anime deaths take unexpected turns into darkly comedic territory, illustrating anime's ability to blend gravitas with unexpected levity.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion.

Dandy, Fraudrin and others are among comical anime deaths that never made anyone cry

1) Dandy from Space Dandy

Dandy from Space Dandy (Image via Bones)

Dandy, the titular character of Space Dandy, is no stranger to dying in the most bizarre and humorous ways. In the first episode, Dandy and his crew are trapped on a hostile alien planet.

With no escape in sight, Dandy decides to blow everything up, leading to a spectacular and comedic explosion. This moment sets the tone for the rest of the series and highlights the show's disregard for continuity in favor of wild storytelling. Each episode sees Dandy and his friends miraculously return, ensuring his deaths are met with laughter rather than sorrowful comical anime deaths.

2) Potato from Magical Witch Punie-chan

Potato from Magical Witch Punie-chan (Image via Studio Barcelona)

Potato's death in Magical Witch Punie-chan is as absurd as it sounds. In the school festival episode, an antagonist transforms curry booth ingredients into sentient beings. The vegetables, now fearing their own demise, witness a heroic Potato who decides to brutally peel himself and jump into the curry to spare his fellow veggies.

This unnecessary self-sacrifice is both dark and comical, fitting perfectly with the anime's parody of magical girl tropes. Potato's end, a mix of hilarity and absurdity, ensures viewers laugh rather than cry at his dramatic and over-the-top demise, making it one of the comical anime deaths.

3) Fraudrin from The Seven Deadly Sins

Fraudrin from The Seven Deadly Sins (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Fraudrin's death in The Seven Deadly Sins is unexpectedly comical. Despite causing immense chaos by controlling the Holy Knights and resurrecting the Ten Commandments, his final encounter with Meliodas is more farce than tragedy.

Meliodas toys with Fraudrin, who, in desperation, attempts to self-destruct but relents after a plea from the boy he considers his son. Asking for death, Fraudrin is promptly dispatched by Meliodas without hesitation. The sheer abruptness and lack of gravity at this moment turn it into a dark comedy, showcasing Meliodas's power while ensuring Fraudrin's demise is met with laughter rather than sorrow, making it one of the comical anime deaths.

4) Kazuma Sato from KonoSubo

Kazuma Sato from KonoSubo (Image via Studio Deen)

In the hilariously subversive isekai series KonoSuba, Kazuma Sato's death is a prime example of the show's comedic take on the genre. Kazuma, a shut-in NEET, dies trying to save a girl from an oncoming "truck," only to die from the shock of thinking he was hit, making it one of the comical anime deaths.

In reality, it was a slow-moving tractor, and the girl was never in danger. This embarrassing demise catches the attention of Aqua, a goddess who reincarnates him in a parallel world. Kazuma's absurd death sets the tone for his adventures, filled with misadventures and laughs as he reluctantly works towards defeating the Devil King.

5) Dolph from Nichijou

Dolph from Nichijou (Image via Kyoto Animation)

In Nichijou, Dolph's death exemplifies the series' unique blend of dark humor and absurdity. A traitorous madman, Dolph aims to rule an elven kingdom and boldly declares his victory to the captured rulers. However, in a bizarre twist fitting the show's comedic style, Dolph takes a step, trips, and dies instantly comical anime deaths.

This sudden and ridiculous end, coupled with the show's surreal tone, ensures that Dolph's demise is met with laughter rather than sorrow. Nichijou's ability to turn even the most unexpected moments into comedy gold is perfectly illustrated in Dolph's comically abrupt and undignified death.

6) Brain and Brawn from One Punch Man

Brain and Brawn from One Punch Man (Image via Madhouse)

Brain and Brawn are formidable siblings in One Punch Man, known for their deadly synergy. Brain, the mastermind, orchestrates their schemes while Brawn, possessing immense strength, executes them with devastating force. During a pivotal showdown against heroes, Brawn's uncontrollable excitement leads him to crush Brain to pieces accidentally, a darkly comedic twist in their villainous partnership.

Before anyone can process the irony, Saitama swiftly ends Brawn with his trademark punch, highlighting the series' penchant for subverting expectations with humor. This unexpected and abrupt conclusion showcases One Punch Man's ability to turn intense confrontations into laugh-out-loud moments of comic relief, making it one of the comical anime deaths.

7) Satoru Mikami from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

Satoru Mikami from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime (image via Eight Bit)

The narrative of comedic death can be seen in Satoru Mikami's death in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime. A typical 37-year-old office employee, Satoru, dies a boring death – murdered by an unknown knife-wielding man. However, instead of a dramatic falling out, his death turns into the punchline of the universe joke.

When he is on his deathbed, he cares more about clearing his browser history, which brings laughter and not sadness. His last scene includes both suffering and comedy, allowing for his rebirth as the slime hero Rimuru Tempest. This lays the comedic groundwork for the eccentric shenanigans that are to follow.

To conclude

Anime navigates comical deaths with a blend of versatility and dynamic storytelling. It spans from the heartfelt loss of protagonists like Satoru Mikami in That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime to the ironic demise of villains such as Fraudrin in The Seven Deadly Sins.

These comical anime deaths showcase anime's narrative agility across genres like action and fantasy, evoking both emotional depth and unexpected humor. By provoking empathy and laughter in equal measure, comical anime deaths underscore anime's unique ability to captivate audiences with its diverse and compelling storytelling techniques.

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Edited by Toshali Kritika