When it comes to anime, some genres have become synonymous with high-stakes battles and brutal fights that often lead to the death of key characters. Shounen and seinen anime, in particular, are known for their gory scenes and large-scale wars that result in heavy casualties. These anime often have complex themes and deep philosophies that question the meaning of life, and viewers are often left feeling shocked and moved by each episode’s events. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 6 most brutal anime with high death tolls that have left their viewers speechless.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood tells the story of two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who use forbidden alchemy to bring their mother back to life, but it goes terribly wrong. In their quest for redemption, they search for the Philosopher’s Stone, a mystical artifact capable of granting alchemists unlimited power. The series’ main antagonist, Father, is responsible for the genocide of over a million people who he killed in order to gain power from God.
2. Akame ga Kill!
Akame ga Kill! features Night Raid, a group of assassins dedicated to overthrowing the corrupt government with the help of their powerful weapons and unique abilities. Their enemies, including the sadistic and powerful Esdeath, cause significant damage and death tolls as they try to protect the Empire. Esdeath alone kills about 400,000 people, making this anime particularly brutal and violent.
3. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is known for looking cute and whimsical, but the story takes a darker turn, exploring how magical girls are often doomed to a cruel fate. The show’s plot revolves around Madoka Kaname and her friends, who strike a deal with Kyubey, a magical creature that offers them the power to become magical girls. In reality, however, this power comes at a cost of immense pain and suffering, leading to the death of each of the main characters on multiple occasions.
4. Death Note
Death Note’s Shinigami, Ryuk, drops a Death Note, a notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written inside it, in the human realm. When the notebook falls into the hands of Light Yagami, an intelligent high school student, he decides to cleanse the world of criminals by using the Death Note to kill them. Light becomes a well-known mass murderer, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of individuals.
5. Code Geass
Code Geass is a series that explores the concepts of rebellion, terrorism, and tyranny. The protagonist, Lelouch vi Britannia, seeks to exact revenge against his father for the murder of his mother. He gains the ability to control anyone through his power of Geass, and he becomes the leader of the rebellion against Britannia. Lelouch, however, becomes ruthless as he gains more power, and the war takes a heavy toll on the lives of those involved.
6. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan is set in a world where society lives behind huge walls to protect themselves from Titans. After their city is breached, Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert join the Survey Corps to fight back. The Titans, who are giant humanoids with a taste for humans, kill millions of people, resulting in one of the highest death tolls in anime history.
In conclusion, these anime, among many others, show how creative mediums can be used to explore, question, and challenge the audience’s preconceptions about life and death. The high death tolls in anime can be brutal and raw, but they also provide insights into the human psyche and question the ultimate meaning of existence. These shows are not for everyone, but for those who enjoy them, they are a rollercoaster of emotions, an intense ride that tests the limits of the viewer’s understanding of human nature.
