10 off-screened anime deaths that never made any sense

Off-screened anime deaths are always a hit-or-miss among the masses based on the overall popularity of a character. Moreover, some off-screened anime deaths are also a big question if their death leads to a big plot shift in the future.

However, these deaths are a big part of the overall plot development of a series and, not so surprisingly, their creators never explain these off-screened deaths. Although there are abundant off-screened anime deaths, some of them become memorable as the biggest plotholes in a series.

In this article, 10 such anime deaths will be compiled that weren't comprehendible to the fans. Either these deaths were used as a plot device for the future or were the most 'out-of-nowhere' move by the series' author.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed in this article solely belong to the author.

Himmel, Geto Suguru, and 8 other off-screened anime deaths that never made any sense

1) Himmel - Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

Himmel as seen in the anime (Image via Madhouse)

Himmel (more commonly referred to as 'Himmel the Hero') is one of the central protagonists from Frieren: Beyond Journey's End. Moreover, Himmel's death is one of the most questionable off-screened anime deaths that never made any sense.

Aged to the autumn of his life, Himmel died a peaceful death which took a toll on Freiren, the female protagonist, and became the basis of the series' plot (Motivated Frieren to travel towards Aureole to meet Himmel again). This might be the sole reason why Himmel's off-screened death never made any sense.

His death deserved some closure, as to what were his last words or what appeared before his eyes in the last breaths he took. The fans might get these answers when Frieren reaches Aureole.

2) Geto Suguru - Jujutsu Kaisen

Geto as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

Arguably, the most famous off-screened anime death, Geto Suguru's death emerged as the plothole of the Kenjaku's entry into the series. After the events of Jujutsu Kaisen 0, in a final meeting, Gojo Satoru said some words to Geto that weren't unveiled.

After this incident, the character died and everything after that is a mystery. Did Kenjaku steal Geto's body while his corpse was kept in a mortuary or did the antagonist steal it by burying Geto's grave? This might be one of the many plotholes that the series closed on without any elaboration.

3) Ymir - Attack on Titan

Ymir as seen in the anime (Image via MAPPA)

The girl who had the powers of the Jaw Titan, Ymir is one of the supporting characters from Attack on Titan and one of the few characters whose off-screened anime deaths never made any sense. After being transformed into a pure titan at the border of Paradis, Ymir spent 60 years wandering until she ate Marcel (the owner of the Jaw Titan) and returned to her human state.

However, she was eventually caught by the Marley Government and was eaten by Porco. Her final appearance showcased her misery but her death wasn't showcased. Did she not rebel and forget that there was someone out there still in love with her (Historia)? Her mysterious death added to the ambiguity of her character.

4) Naomi Misora - Death Note

Naomi as seen in the anime (Image via Madhouse)

One of the most famous off-screened anime deaths that might have diversified the concept of Death Note, Naomi's death was a big question mark on her character as her death wasn't showcased on screen. As a former FBI agent, she alone investigated the death of her husband and crossed paths with Light (Kira).

As she had no idea about Light's true identity, she was manipulated into revealing her true name, and her name was eventually written in the death. Naomi then marched towards a rope, hinting that she hung herself. However, as an FBI agent, it was too amateurish for her to give away her name.

Moreover, given the crucial situation Kira (Light Yagami) was in at that time, he should have opted for an instant death. So, why didn't anyone notice Light's presence at that time? Too many questions arose from Naomi's death and made her passing peculiar.

5) Kite - Hunter x Hunter

Kite (in the lap) as seen in the anime (Image via Madhouse)

One of the fan-favorite characters and one of the most talented hunters in Hunter x Hunter, Kite was one of the supporting characters who might have added a lot of aspects to the protagonist God. However, he met his end through Neferpitou at the start of the Chimera Ant arc.

In his last conversation with Gon and Killua, Kite's death was foreshadowed given how his hand was chopped by Neferpitou very easily. However, how did he die after Gon and Killua left? As a professional hunter, did he not put up a competition against the Chimera Ant? Yes, the potential of a chimera ant was otherworldly but Kite's potential as a hunter wasn't one to be underestimated.

6) Tanjiro's family - Demon Slayer

Tanjiro's family as seen in the anime (Image via ufotable)

One of the less-talked-about off-screened anime deaths, the death of Tanjiro's family deserved more explanation. In the first episode of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro returned home to find all of his family members dead. His sister, Nezuko, was still alive but she was a flesh-hungry demon whom the protagonist couldn't control.

As reported by Urokodaki, Tanjiro's family was killed by Muzan. However, there was no further explanation regarding this. Was Muzan aware that a new user of the Sun Breathing might be born from this household or was the protagonist's house just a perfect target for some others to attack? Nothing can be said as the author didn't specify the details of this incident.

7) Absalom - One Piece

Absalom as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

A part of Geko Moria's Thriller Bark Pirates, Absalom is one of the supporting characters whose off-screened anime deaths never made any sense. His death took place during the Wano Country Arc when the Blackbeard Pirates lured Absalon to Hachinose Island and Shiryu killed him, followed by the latter stealing Absalom's devil fruit.

Being a loyal part of the Thriller Bark Pirates, Absalom should have hesitated over visiting Hachinose Island, given the ambiguous status of his captain. Moreover, he should have at least fought the Blackbeard Pirates who tried to fight him, given how Absalom was one of the strongest pirates from his crew.

8) Grandpa Gohan - Dragon Ball

Grandpa Gohan as seen in the anime (Image via Toei Animation)

The man who fostered the main protagonist whose death is still surrounded by mystery, Grandpa Gohan's death is still regarded as one of the off-screened anime deaths that never made any sense. After dying during the rampage of Great Ape Goku, Grandpa Gohan returned during a future tournament as Fortuneteller Baba reincarnated him.

He didn't prolong his stay and passed to the afterlife. However, his passing became one of the most controversial anime deaths. What were his last words when Great Ape Goku's rampage crushed him? Even though he did forgive the protagonist, did some memories of the protagonist stick with him?

9) Atsuko Okazaki - Clannad

Atsuko Okazaki as seen in the anime (Image vi KyoAni)

Atsuko Okazaki is the mother of Tomoya Okazaki, the male protagonist of Clannad. While she didn't receive any spotlight in the series, the series' first episode showcased her in a picture. She died in a car accident, as hinted by the series' events, and made her death one of the off-screened anime deaths that never made any sense.

The male protagonist despised his father for the entire series. This begs the question of whether Tomoya's mother never knew about his mother's place in his father's life (as the father was presumably negligent because of Atsuko's passing). Moreover, does the protagonist not have any memories of her mother's passing, as this was never mentioned in the series?

10) Kiriyama's family - March Comes in Like a Lion

Kiriyama's parents as seen in the anime (Image via Shaft)

One of the biggest mysteries of March Comes in Like a Lion, the Kiriyama family's death is one of the off-screened deaths that never made any sense. The only information the series revealed about Kiriyama's family was that they died in a car accident after which Rei, the protagonist, was adopted by Masachika Kouda.

Even though Rei mourned for his family, the series never showcased a flashback in which the protagonist remembered his family members. Moreover, the series never reveals why Rei was separated from his family when they got into an accident, creating somewhat of a plot hole to this entire thing.

Final thoughts

While some of these off-screened anime deaths might be due to the ambiguous personality of a character, some were because of the unexpected exit of a character/s that never gave any explanation for their link to the main storyline. All-in-all, these anime deaths were controversial, to say the least, and needed more explanation.

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Edited by Tiasha