The death of a main character...

[kitsukikun.livejournal.com]

So anime is notorious for killing off at least one of its main characters.

Cut for random spoilers:



Trigun=Wolfwood
Cowboy Bebop=Julia (I guess she counts) and Spike (maybe)
Evangelion=well... everyone on the entire planet.
Dragon Ball Z=hm... does anyone not die at least once
Yu Yu Hakisho=Genkai

Alright, so the characters don't always stay dead, but it's there for the emotional impact, right? I definitely balled my eyes out when Genkai died, and then when Yusuke was having his little denial thing. *cries* And there were a couple of pretty emotional times in DBZ when we didn't know if someone would come back or not. Even Shoujo kills off it's main characters. FY killed about half of them, right? That's part of what makes anime so good. It isn't ashamed to wrench your heart out.

So who, if anyone, do you think it's going to be?

Sadly, I vote for Sasuke. I might not actually have a good reason to do so, but he seems like the most likely to go. It would be an excellent way for him to repent, so to speak, for almost killing his teammate. You know... giving his life for him? I can see a "you'd better be Hokage, dobe" comment, or a flashback to the Haku incident "my body moved of it's own volition." But he's achieved his life's goal, so he has nothing to regret this time. On the topic of dreams and death: Don't forget after Sandaime's death Iruka commented about giving your life for someone. He said something about how your dreams die with you. But those dreams die so someone elses can come to fruition. Sasuke (and his dream of restarting his clan) could die for Naruto's life and dream of becoming Hokage.

Honestly, I don't think he'll actually kill Itachi, simply overpower him, then send him on his way, saying that revenge is a lonely existence, and he doesn't live in the past anymore (thank you very much Sakura and Naruto) he might even quote them, or quote Itachi, telling him to continue with his own miserable existence, and tell him if he wants to die, he should overcome his own cowardice and kill himself.

Then there's the problem of having a Sharingan heir... it looks like we want one, right?
Wrong, in my opinion. I think Itachi probably had a really good damn reason for killing his entire clan, (he has to... I hope. Well, Kishimoto-san's plot seems too well developed for him to just be a homicidal maniac) and I certain it has to do with the Sharingan/ the evolution of the Sharingan. Feel free to comment on this line, also. ??? The death of the last Sharingan wielder would ensure it's death also, though a different one could evolve from the Hyuuga... though I'm also sure the Sharingan has an ugly past that might not be repeatable. Besides, Kishimoto-san has give Sakura more than one viable option for a partner.

I don't foresee Naruto dying. He's got too many big dreams, and Sakura, well, there are too few women in it to begin with. I could definitely see Kakashi dying so that his comrades won't.

As for the other characters, it is possible that one or more of the secondary main characters could die instead or additionally, though I doubt their deaths would have the same kind of emotional impact as the death of Sasuke. I mean I love them all, and I don't want any of them to go, but, take FY for example Noriko's death, as one of the main 4 was a lot more painful than like, that little kid, or the doctor. It seems like to really go for a heart wrenching end, someone closer to us would have to die. Not to say that the secondary main characters are a hell of a lot more developed in this story. They would still suck... *cries at the implications*

I haven't really thought out who of the secondary characters would be most likely. Maybe Neji dying for Hinata? Anime likes repentance and irony. Hmm, though if one of them dies, probably more than one will. *cries again*

OK, so I'm done being depressed.

What are your thoughts?

Comments

[kidouche.livejournal.com]

Heh.

I want it to be Sasuke, but not simply because I don't like him. I think this series would become a major cop-out if Sasuke doesn't die. I'd be sick if I had to see yet another "Oh! Love fest extraordinare, in which the main quasi-good guy becomes a villain and is miraculously re-accepted into his society once he 'repents' without any repercussions! *cue Barney the Dinosaur theme song*!!!"

Oh PUH-LEEZE.

And...I do not see Sasuke ever defeating Itachi. The kid has walked right into his brother's hands. Itachi wanted him to be angry. He wanted him to seek revenge. And what is Sasuke doing? Exactly as his brother told him to do. Yeah, he may think he's 'forging his own path,' but as long as he hates his brother, Itachi's got him bagged.

I personally like that Itachi hasn't really shown a reason for killing his clan. Not all 'villains' have reasons, particularly when they're sociopaths, yes?

Er....uh....topic? XD

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

i agree with you completely. people told me they thought i was crazy for thinking that sasuke is probably going to die. i'd even go as far as to say i'd like to see him die. i mean... it's be sad... but it just seems necessary. there is no way that he can ever be accepted back into konoha.

[kidouche.livejournal.com]

That's the sad part. There is a way...if Kishi is going to do what I think he might (you know...end the series with nobody dying and everything is happy, happy!). *le sigh* Guess I'll just have to keep the faith that he'll step up to the plate...

XD And you're not crazy. At least, I don't think so (obviously XD).

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

oh no that would be horrible. first of all that would be lame... and i don't want naruto to end like that (or rather... end at all... ever.) well i doubt kishimoto would make that move anyway. i hope not >_O

[kitsukikun.livejournal.com]

right sociopaths... how fun! but we've already got Orochimaru... too many sociopathic villians isn't good either. But I still love my little snakey bastard...

[kidouche.livejournal.com]

But...I really don't think Oro is a sociopath, though. And he definitely has reasons (maybe not necessarily revenge, but something along those lines). The guy's more complex than a lot of people give him credit for. XD

[illusion2agony.livejournal.com]

i kindof think that the whole purpose of letting sasuke live was so he could avenge the clans death. in a weird way, justifying what he did.



::shrug::

[kidouche.livejournal.com]

Yeah...true, but...

He's still following big brother's orders, so...

Kid just can't win. XD

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

I think this: 1) Sasuke will "Kill" Naruto and then gain mangekyou sharingan. However in true shonen fashion Naruto will revive (of course)! Next Sasuke using mangekyou will over power Itachi but most likely stop short of killing him. I bet Sasuke looses his eye sight as a sort of atonement.

As for secondary character deaths I think one of the Hyuugas is prime to go.

[teh-goat-girl.livejournal.com]

I doubt Sasuke'll die, unless his death is something HUGE. He's Kishimoto's favorite, afterall.

[kitsukikun.livejournal.com]

well the favorite character causes the most painful death, ne?

According to characters.OH the possiablities!

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

Hinata: 1. She releases Neji from the Bird-in-cage seal at the cost of her own life.

2. She dies protecting Naruto.

3. She uses an ultimate technique that is only taught to the true heir of Hyuuga and immediately expires.

Neji: 1. He dies protecting Hinata, or Naruto. (Although he obviously cares for his team mates, even if only a little, I think his fate is tied to those who have greatly affected his own life) Plus wouldn't it seem right that he dies to protect the girl he was meant to protect?

Damn I feel like posting like crazy!

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

I think Naruto and Sakura will live. Sasuke's fate is very much uncertain.

Orochimaru due to his own greed probably by the hands of Sasuke and Kabuto. Tsunada due to he age, her bad luck, because she needs to be gone to make way for Naruto to be Rokudaime, and because she has people waiting for her on the other side. Jiriya I am unsure if he will die.

Sai is most likely going to die, and even more likely to die after he realizes he can have feelings. (No pinnochio you are a real boy!)

Kishimoto is to much of a wimp to kill Gaara but I think either Temari or Kankuro will kick the bucket. (Mostly likely Kankuro)

Kiba, Shino and TenTen are to insignificant to really be killed off. I don't mean to offend its just that as far as the story goes these characters deaths carry no real impact.

Kakashi is most likely going to die. Death while fighting a battle suits a warrior like Kakashi. Also his death will in some way shape or form be influenced by Rin and Obito.

Most if not all of Akatsuki is going to die. The only ones I am unsure of is Itachi and maybe Kisame.

Re: Damn I feel like posting like crazy!

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

Did I leave anyone out?

Re: Damn I feel like posting like crazy!

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

iw as ondering if someone would mention sai. i too, think he will probably die. i thought that as soon as i read the end of the latest chapter in the manga where he said he didn't have feelings. there's probably some long sad story behind his drawings and his brother, and then after he opens up to naruto (because everyone opens up to naruto because we all love him XD) he'll probably die for naruto *cough or naruto's penis*

who knows though. im just babbling on about stuff i have no clue about.

Re: Damn I feel like posting like crazy!

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

Honey aren't we all. (Babbling with out a clue that is).

Re: Damn I feel like posting like crazy!

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

lmao. i guess so.

*babble babble*

Re: Damn I feel like posting like crazy!

[kidouche.livejournal.com]

Sai, eh? XD

See, I think he was lying when he said he had no emotions. He's there to stir things up, to say what the main characters don't want to hear (i.e. SASUKE IS A TRAITOR, KTHANX), to remind them that there is a lot at stake up ahead, and I simply adore him for it. Yeah, he may die in the end, but until then, ROCK OUT, SAI, ROCK OUT. XD

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

Oh and if anyone has a life altering story to tell or they start to tell their side of a story then you know they are on the way to certain death (Itachi I'm looking in your directon). Anime has a history of making characters die after they learn important information.

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

lmao. poor itachi. i hope he goes blind.

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

i replied to a comment earlier. i personally think that sasuke will be the one biting the dust XD. i'd say it seems almost necessary. there's almost no other option for him anyway. he's evil... konoha would never accept him. maybe naruto' hasn't let go of the past... but i think that even sakura understands that sasuke cannot come back. it's a touchy subject for her... but i predict that sakura might even go as far as trying to kill sasuke. if sasuke doesn't die anytime soon... he's going to become a main villiam probably. but i could be wrong ^_^ hooray for cracktastic theories!

as for the other characters... i seriously don't think naruto will die. there's almost no doubt in my mind that he can't die. he has such ambition and determination. he said in one of the chapters "I refuse to die untill I become Hokage." proof enough for me anyway. *cough i don't want him to die anyway >_<* sakura probably won't die... but it's a possibility.

if a minor character is killed off, it probably won't be gaara (because he kinda already died?) and the other nins that helped out on the gaara rescue mission... atleast not anytime soon.

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

I personally think Sakura believes that Sasuke can come back. I know she wants him to. She defends his honor just as much if not more than Naruto does. Plus she wasn't at the valley of the end so I think she in some way is still too blinded by love for Sasuke to really see and except what he has done. Naruto also feels that Sasuke can come back but his feelings are peppered by anger and bitterness while Sakura's feelings are filled with more devestation and loss.

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

You've got a good point. I have no clue what's going to happen. I should go reread the last... oh lets say... 50 chapters? Lol. then maybe I'll know what I'm talking about. reading one chapter a week is torturous, and then i forget everything.

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

Yeah everything is too up in the air. Kishimoto needs to start hurrying his ass up! I'd almost hate tha man if he weren't hot!

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

kishimoto's hot?! i've never seen a picture of him before. now that think about it... i don't know anything about kishimoto. how old is he?

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

Here's a link with a picture and bio. Yay Wikipedia!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masashi_Kishimoto

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

wow. he's soooo much younger than i thought. i'm amazed. why didn't i ever look him up before this?

you can find anything on wikipedia. it's amazing.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I have to laugh at the EVEN shoujo kills its main characters line. Shoujo kills more main characters than any shonen series ever. Because shoujo thrives on angst and death equals prime angst.

And seeing the shonen series I've seen as of late, I don't think anyone major will stay dead if killed. Case in point, Shaman King. Then again, more and more shonen is leaning toward the less violent path and more toward the being the best at something. In shonen instances of be the best, death is not always a result. With your list, I would caution you to append with some recent series. Otherwise people could accuse your statistics of being no longer pertinent.

Toss in some FMA while you're at it. That had major deaths and was also most likely a shonen/shoujo hybrid. Get Backers has yet to kill any significantly major charas to my knowledge. I am not far enough on Bleach to comment. You could technically bring the recent Gundam series into this, but everyone knows they all really just shoujo masquerading as shonen. But yeah, recent series examples would be good.

Not going to toss out the whose gonna die theories since I don't believe it will be any major (probably nonen of the ninja brats); older characters are always fair game. Please let it be Kakashi. But I also stand by my belief that any deaths of major characters will only be temporary. Now were this shoujo, Sasuke would already have "DEAD" stamped across his forehead. Naruto as well. Yay for shonen!

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

You forget Naruto is a series that deals with death as a fact of their chosen profession. The other series that you mentioned, with the exception of Bleach, were never meant to deal with character deaths. Naruto has already dealt with the passing of people and while so far it has been secondary characters it is only a matter of time before more important people start dying.

List of Deceased
Zbuza
Haku
Sandime
Dan (Tsunada's love)
Tsunada's Brother
Yondime
Obito
Uchiha Family

Naruto is a death oriented series. For a story about assassins basically, no major death's would be unrealistic and disappointing.

[kitsukikun.livejournal.com]

I could use more recent statistics but Ihaventwatchedthatmuchanime
I don't want any of the ninja brats to die, I certainly hope they don't. We shall see. I hope I'm wrong. =) yaoi fangirl attack: Plus, if Sasuke doesn't die, he and Naruto can do little dirty ninja things togeather... /yaoi fangirl attack.

[darksideofstorm.livejournal.com]

I agree with all of your characters, and I am really afraid for Kakashi, Kishimoto does really like to kick him around. To be honest though if any of those four (Gai, Kakashi, Iruka, Naruto) die I will definately need some tissues.

Oh my, I can so easily see a really touching goodbye scene between Gai and Lee... ;_;

[epicureal.livejournal.com]

Tsunade doesn't necessarily ahve to kick the bucket for Naruto to become Rokudaime, after all, Sandaime and Yondaime were Hokages at the same time, and the same for the First and Second. It seems more likely that Hokages in Konoha serve in pairs, to moi.

Kakashi and Iruka are well up there as far as scary deaths go, though. Waaaah!

[seki-yumizu.livejournal.com]

My opinion is that Kishimoto-sensei really wants to put in the death impact thinga, but maybe he thinks it isn't right to do so with the main characters? He did it with Haku and Zabuza, who were villians, but damn was it a touching scene. He made Sasuke and Gaara almost die. Almost. Maybe he doesn't want to kill off the main, but he certainly is making the death of villians more painful x_X; E.G We had a glimpse of Sasori's past and Chiyo-baa's grandmotherly feelings for him before he died. Makes it abit of a pity.

[domlandbubbles.livejournal.com]

I still say Sasuke kills Kakashi (like Orochimaru killed Sandaime) with an upgrade to the one original move Kakashi personally taught him. In doing that, it means he can take out someone with the mangekyou (since Kishimoto has generously endowed Kakashi with it), which means he's ready for Big Bro. Then Naruto and Sakura have to decide whether or not to take that mask off. Out of respect, they don't.

If this actually, happens, I will cry big crybaby tears of crybaby sadness.

[ninja-demongirl.livejournal.com]

The whole death in seris just makes it a great and more memorable. Goin off topic some, nintendo wants the new zelda game to be the best zelda if not game ever. Whats the rumor? link will die at end.... :(

BUT ANWAY Like all else before, money is on sasuke who dies to prtect naruto with the death im hoping for is a slow motion throwing self in front of naruto yelling nooooo and gets hit with a big ass surinken...yea...

[kureno-rooster.livejournal.com]

I always felt that Sasuke in the end-if he doesn't kick the bucket will become the blind Kage of Sound. I doubt he will spend a happily ever after in Konoha.

[splintered-soul.livejournal.com]

Well there's a couple.

Tsunade has to die. If she used Genesis Rebirth and doesn't die at the end then it's going to feel as if the Gensis Rebirth's faults mean nothing.

If Tsunade dies, I think Orochimaru will die. He is a main villian after all. And if both Tsunade and Orochimaru die, I don't see what the point is for keeping Jiraiya alive.

I have a strong belief that Kakashi will die, if Jiraiya doesn't then it's more believable that Kakashi will. It just feels right.

As far as Naruto-Sasuke-Sakura... I think Sasuke is the least likely to die. Simply because there's too much wrong in his character. Naruto forshadowed his death in the beggining chapters when he told everyone he was going to have his named carved in the Hero Memorial without knowing what it was. Sakura's death was foreshadowed when she came running in between Sasuke's chidori and Naruto's rasengan- I totally see her dying because of Naruto and Sasuke's clash.

Secondary characters...

I think the best reactions (from the fandom) would come from either Shikamaru or Hinata dying. But that's just me.

[froggieogreen.livejournal.com]

If this were real life *snort* Sasuke would so die. The situations that boy puts himself in... he'd be dead a dozen times over by now. But, since this is anime/manga and Kishimoto can do whatever he wants, Sasuke will live for sure. Kishimoto's big on the themes of redemption and love/friendship surmounting all. He's also big on parallels, which is obvious through the Team Yondaime/Team Kakashi/Sannin references (especially the Sannin). Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru split up and never reconciled. Even Jiraiya and Tsunade are still "apart" in the sense that things are not the same with them as they were when they were younger, ie: Jiraiya never worked up the courage to tell Tsunade how he feels. Jiraiya chased after Orochimaru for a bit when he betrayed the Leaf, but never fought him and gave up following him soon after. Naruto DID follow Sasuke, DID fight him to show him how serious he was and DIDN'T give up on him. It's all about establishing the parallels and then showing how the younger generation is "learning" from the older by breaking the cycle. Naruto will meet up again with Sasuke who will, after a long time, and probably not until THE fight at the end of the series come back to Konoha of his own free will, though I bet he'll be mangled in some way - loosing the Sharingan/his eyes, or just plain old loosing the will to fight anymore, etc... something like that. Sasuke will live as an example of the redemption of friendship and that forgiveness can be earned if one is sincere in seeking it.

I think Itachi's gonna die, but that's pretty obvious, eh? ^^; He'll make a decision to betray the Akatsuki and die for it in the end. I don't know if he's really all that keen on hunting Naruto. He's know about Naruto being the kyuubi for a while, but didn't really do anythign about it. I mean, Deidara learns that Gaara's got Shukaku in him and he flies right off to Sand to battle with the freaken' Kazekage... he's not too concerned with keeping a low profile. While Itachi's got tonnes of great oportunities to just snatch Naruto and run, he never does. When he was younger, Naruto was afraid of Itachi... it would have been easy to grab him then. But... I'm rambling. In short: Sasuke lives, Itachi dies. But, like I said, I think that's pretty obvious anyway. :)

[shiny-glor-chan.livejournal.com]

*sniff* Reading all this is really depressing but trying to be the optimist... I don't think anyone in Team 7 will die. (I'm not including Kakashi when I say Team 7, though, but I don't want to get into that)

History repeats itself; Team Yondaime and the Legendary Sennin all break apart completely because of death or just because their team wasn't strong enough.

It'd be very predictable to have Team 7 fall to the same fate. I definitely think Team 7 will break the cycle because Naruto's will is too strong to have it any other way.

Someone did mention the foreshadowing in the beginning of the manga with Naruto saying one day he'll be on that memorial stone. Well, he is mortal so eventually, yes, he'll be on that stone but I don't they're going to kill him off until he's Hokage or really old or something...

But this all depends what route Kishimoto-sensei takes, ya know? There's WAY too many possibilities and it all depends what kind of person Kishimoto-sensei is. When he started this manga/anime, he probably already had the ending in mind because most writers do...

We all just have to wait and see...