anime
Anime is full of sweeping battles and intense fights. Fans worldwide love rooting for their favorite heroes as they defeat the enemy and save the day. Unfortunately, not every win is a complete success.
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When it comes to anime, there are times when the stakes are so great that it is almost impossible for characters to come away with a clean victory. Oftentimes, immense sacrifices have to be made to serve the greater good. Whether it is a compromise of morals or a loss of life, there are some victories in anime that are too bittersweet.
Rengoku Fights 'Til The End (Demon Slayer)In Demon Slayer, Tanjiro Kamado and his allies desperately fight to defeat the demon Enmu who has taken over a train of innocent passengers. Though they finally defeat him, the demon Akaza was waiting for them when the train stops. As Tanjiro's injuries prevent him from fighting, the Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyojuro takes over.
Though Rengoku and Akaza fight tirelessly, Akaza gains an advantage by detaching his arms and leaving a gaping hole in Rengoku's torso. Akaza runs away and Rengoku succumbs to his injuries. Though Tanjiro and the other slayers saved the train passengers, they are unable to save their comrade — tainting their victory over one of the twelve Kizuki.
Edward Elric Finally Defeats Father (Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)When Father is on the brink of defeat in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, he lashes out and destroys Alphonse Elric's armor that served as his body. This sends Alphonse's soul into the void. However, Alphonse uses the opportunity to make a deal with the Truth to give his brother Edward a real arm again, so he can finish off Father.
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The trade is successful and Father perishes, yet Alphonse remains trapped. To rescue him, Edward once again performs human transmutation to enter the void. Edward meets with Truth, and the two compromise: Alphone's body for Edward's alchemy. Truth accepts, and both boys are returned to their world. With Father defeated, and the brothers whole and together once more, people who recognize Edward's talent for alchemy mourn its loss.
Light Yagami Is Betrayed By Ryuk (Death Note)Since Light Yagami first discovered the titular tome in Death Note, the shinigami Ryuk has been by his side. Ryuk let Light do whatever he wanted with the Death Note — preferring to be entertained by Light's calculated vigilante takedown of criminals. However, Ryuk's warning that he would someday write Light's name in the book hung ominously over the series.
In the final episode, Ryuk made good on his promise by writing Light's name in the Death Note and causing him to perish alone on a staircase. Though it was a victory in the sense that Kira was finally dead, the fact that so much human life had been lost due to Light's delusions and Ryuk's inactivity made Kira's defeat a hollow win.
Princess Yue Returns A Favor (Avatar: The Last Airbender)When Aang and his friends finally reach the Northern Water Tribe in Avatar: The Last Airbender, they are met with gracious hospitality — especially where the Nothern Tribe's Princess Yue is concerned. Yue's gracefulness and welcoming demeanor instantly charm fans and characters alike (especially Sokka).
Unfortunately, fans learn that Yue's white hair is the result of a blessing she received from the Moon Spirit. Therefore, when Admiral Zhao kills the Moon Spirit, Yue feels compelled to take its place. By sacrificing her life, she gives the waterbenders and Aang enough power to defeat the invading Fire Nation forces. Though balance is restored, and the tribe is once again safe, it was at the great cost of Yue's life.
Pyrrha Nikos Charges Ahead (RWBY)As a member of Team JNPR in the show RWBY, Pyrrha Nikos is a formidable ally. Her extensive training and impressive talent make her one of the rising stars of Beacon Academy. At least, that is the case until Cinder Fall gets ahold of the Fall Maiden's powers and begins to destroy the academy.
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Pyrrha goes to face Cinder alone, realizing that she can do more to save her friends. While she holds her own for a time, Pyrrha is eventually struck down by Cinder. Ruby Rose witnesses the monstrous act, which ignites her hidden powers. This eventually helps her allies win the day. Success notwithstanding, the weight of Pyrrha's loss is great.
Pain Destroys A Village (Naruto Shippuden)In Naruto Shippuden, the Akatsuki are a group of rogue ninjas on a quest to acquire all the Tailed Beast Spirits. This leads one Akatsuki — Pain — straight to Naruto Uzumaki who harbors the Nine-Tailed Fox. In his mission to capture Naruto, Pain attacks and destroys the entire Hidden powers. This eventually helps her allies win the day. Success notwithstanding, the weight of Pyrrha's loss is great.
Pain Destroys A Village (Naruto Shippuden)In Naruto Shippuden, the Akatsuki are a group of rogue ninjas on a quest to acquire all the Tailed Beast Spirits. This leads one Akatsuki — Pain — straight to Naruto Uzumaki who harbors the Nine-Tailed Fox. In his mission to capture Naruto, Pain attacks and destroys the entire Hidden Leaf Village.
The only things left of the village are a giant crater, rubble, and the Hokage rock. Though Naruto vanquishes Pain and convinces him to give his life to revive the lives lost, the utter desolation Pain caused will take immeasurable time to repair.
The Battle Of Trost Leaves A Wake Of Destruction (Attack On Titan)With the Shinganshina attack still in the minds of citizens, many Paradis military members prepare for another barrage in Attack On Titan. Despite this, no one seems ready when the Colossal Titan reappears, kicking a hole in the wall of the Trost District. Numerous Titans pour in, wreaking havoc upon citizens and military alike.
Though the military eventually controls the situation — even using Eren Yeager's new-found Titan abilities to plug the hole — the victory is not a happy one. So much life was lost, and most of the 104th Training Corps were taken by Titans as well. Though the humans succeeded in defeating the Titans, the amount of chaos in their wake was too staggering to call it a victory.
All Might Defeats An Old Enemy (My Hero Academia)In My Hero Academia, All Might is known as the Symbol of Peace. His incredible heroism has cemented him as the top Pro Hero for ages. However, when an old enemy reappears, an aging All Might faces his elusive rival yet again.
The battle is intense, with All Might and All For One using the fullest extents of their abilities to gain traction. Using all the strength he has left (plus a little extra) All Might defeats All for One. Yet, unbeknownst to the public, All Might's time as the top hero has come to an end. All For One may be conquered for now, but All Might will never again face him — or anyone else — in battle.
Kamina Grits His Teeth (Gurren Lagann)When Kamina and Simon broke through the underground to reach the surface, neither of them had any idea of the battles they would face in Gurren Lagann. Despite this, the two young men make an excellent team — jointly piloting Guren Lagann and successfully defeating many Beastmen. Dishearteningly, their streak does not last long.
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During an encounter with the Spiral General Thymilph, Kamina is mortally wounded. Even so, Kamina pushes through the pain, combining with Simon to destroy Thymilph. Though they are victorious, Kamina eventually succumbs to his injuries — inflicting a terrible blow on the Dai Gurren team. They eventually move on to defeat the Spiral King, but Kamina's death is still felt throughout the entirety of the series.
Korosensei Is Finally Defeated (Assassination Classroom)When the students of Class 3-E in Assassination Classroom are first tasked with destroying their teacher, they make attempts on his life in earnest. The students try everything from poisoned pudding to putting themselves in harm's way. After each failed attempt, the class learns a lot about Korosensei and themselves.
However, when the military becomes fed up with waiting, they threaten to use a laser from space to destroy the beloved teacher. Not wanting their mentor to be taken out by strangers, the students of Class 3-E band together to surround Korosensei as one of their own — Nagisa Shiota — lands the killing blow. Though they completed their mission, the students learned so much from their tentacled teacher that his passing was a moment for mourning.