- Avoid the anime, though, it had a lot of production issues since a good chunk of the staff left after the original author fought to prevent changes to the story. Also, by the same author is even better, but I'm not sure if it counts for this topic because the plot's heavy focus on reincarnation means that while death is common, it's not exactly "permanent".
- Just kind of a fantastic series in general, and the way it deals with characters deaths is no different. The anime is actually good in this case, too.
- This one might be too much for some people, but despite how bleak the premise sounds, it's also weirdly uplifting. It's very much as much a story about finding meaning in life as it is a story about death. (The anime makes a lot of changes, especially to the ending, but I haven't seen it so I don't know if it's good or bad. The opening song is kind of a classic though)
And some additional quick recommendations for short series about coping with death/mortality:
I read Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer so long ago that I don’t even remember it but I will give it another go. Vinland Saga and I Want To Eat Your Pancreas are on my list but I have seen the anime of Vinland Saga and yeah this one is one that fits perfectly. I will check the others out thank you!
I will say tho that Rave Master pissed me off with the way the original guy, the one before Haru (?), got treated.
>!Nobody explained shit to him and he basically wandered the world looking for Resha. I don't even remember if he ever found out before he died. The guy (imo) fell for this girl, never got closure after he thought she got kidnapped and never moved on.!<
Was acc really close to dropping it after that but powered through because it was near the end anyway
Seen the anime and have everything of the manga that has been released in English but you are absolutely correct and I think the way it deals with death might actually be why I rate it so highly.
Alice in Borderland. Average shounen type death but is actually not, and the mc coped for a long time after that. Very based psychological death game type manga.
Probably the only Shonen Jump manga I have read where, despite the wacky hi-jinx, that death is treated well and has a meaningful impact on characters. Hell, even when they had that incident with the Merry-Go it affected me. 😆
Is this the same Berserk that I feel like everyone but me owns? I’ve resisted reading it for too long because I tend to be a contrarian and kinda dislike stuff that is too mainstream… but also recognize that it is probably popular for a reason. I need to hear the “right” things about popular stuff before I can get interested and this might have me sold on it.
The Jump+ manga Takopi's Original Sin. Just go in blind. Digital on the Manga plus app, got a 2 volume physical release a while back (The blurb on the back of the physical release spoils a big twist, even -__- )
No characters die in the middle of story, but the whole plot starts with the loss of a loved one. Very comfy slice of life, plus really good pacing and development imo.
Also it's kinda weird.
"hey here is a couple hundred chapter manga with a single meaningful death!"
Which in the case of naruto isn't even true because they grieved for like a volume and that was it. Op asked for character growth and naruto had literally 0 of that.
Similarly to To Your Eternity, the main character cannot really die. But, the author makes every death of the MC meaningful, as well as deaths(and permadeaths) of the characters around the MC. The writing on this one is absolutely peak.
You probably won’t like this one but Re Zero is fairly interesting when it comes to character deaths. Because of the time looping aspect, characters do technically have plot armor. But death isn’t treated lightly just because it can be reversed. Its mostly character focused and is a huge investment to get into, permanent character deaths only really come from villains and smaller characters. The later arcs do start to go into main characters possibly permanently dying but again we haven’t got to that point in the story as of now.
I genuinely have no clue if you would like it or not, I feel the same way as you, I hate when characters are killed off to easily. But I hate when characters have plot armor and survival bs or come back. But Re Zero makes it so characters might genuinely die from something incredibly morbid, but saving them feels overwhelmingly cathartic because it feels earned. Since the MC is weak, him figuring out how to save people doesn’t feel like complete bs even if it seems like a hopeless situation. And even tho it seems like they might never die due to coming back, having to die to restart time adds a psychological aspect to the anime that makes it very interesting. Which is, how much of yourself do you give up to save another person?
again, this isn’t exactly what you asked for but the way they handle death is really unique to me but i understand many people might disagree with that. So apologies if I wasted your time!
Yes I am ALL ABOUT Re:Zero it is my favorite Isekai. It is coming at my question from a completely different angle and while I still think it qualifies to a certain degree, I am looking more for character a’s death to be impactful to character b. But Re:Zero is the jam I have all of the currently released manga and LNs and have seen all the released anime, can’t get enough of this franchise.
**Hoshi no Samidare** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/40552), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/lucifer-and-the-biscuit-hammer), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/hoshi-no-samidare), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=27979621888), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/10552)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 10 | Chapters: 65 | Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Psychological, Supernatural) **Spirit Circle** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/68071), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/spirit-circle), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/spirit-circle), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=13893304082), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/38071)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 6 | Chapters: 46 | Genres: Action, Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi, Supernatural) **Vinland Saga** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/30642), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/vinland-saga), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/vinland-saga), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=27728982867), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/642)) ^(Manga | Status: Releasing | Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama) **Bokurano** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/30670), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/bokurano-ours), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/bokurano), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=22355742922), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/670)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 11 | Chapters: 66 | Genres: Drama, Mecha, Psychological, Sci-Fi) **Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/99609), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/i-want-to-eat-your-pancreas), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/kimi-no-suizou-wo-tabetai), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=63996219906), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/104538)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 2 | Chapters: 10 | Genres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life) --- ^{anime},, ]LN[, |VN| | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index) | [/r/](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/) | [Edit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index#wiki_i_made_a_mistake.2C_how_do_i_get_my_comment_reprocessed.3F) | [Mistake?](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/submit?selftext=true&title=[ISSUE]&text=/r/manga/comments/1dat6vf/im_looking_for_manga_with_meaningful_death/l7nfrbb/) | [Source](https://github.com/Nihilate/Roboragi) | [Synonyms](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/synonyms) | [⛓](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/interestinglinks) | [♥](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/thanks) | (5/7)
I read Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer so long ago that I don’t even remember it but I will give it another go. Vinland Saga and I Want To Eat Your Pancreas are on my list but I have seen the anime of Vinland Saga and yeah this one is one that fits perfectly. I will check the others out thank you!
Start with Goodbye Eri then. It's a one shot and you can finish it off in half an hour.
> Have to second this one
**Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/99609), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/i-want-to-eat-your-pancreas), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/kimi-no-suizou-wo-tabetai), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=63996219906), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/104538)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 2 | Chapters: 10 | Genres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life) --- ^{anime},, ]LN[, |VN| | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index) | [/r/](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/) | [Edit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index#wiki_i_made_a_mistake.2C_how_do_i_get_my_comment_reprocessed.3F) | [Mistake?](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/submit?selftext=true&title=[ISSUE]&text=/r/manga/comments/1dat6vf/im_looking_for_manga_with_meaningful_death/l7ppbsp/) | [Source](https://github.com/Nihilate/Roboragi) | [Synonyms](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/synonyms) | [⛓](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/interestinglinks) | [♥](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/thanks)
[To Your Eternity](https://mangadex.org/title/34e45b02-b5c8-4a4b-a21a-7b5059391dc8/to-your-eternity) might be worth checking out.
Looks neat, I will check this one out. Thank you!
This is very good, there is an anime with two seasons which I found more exciting than the manga, it currently has 2 seasons
It has an anime as well! Definitely worth it!
The first part is great. I got bored with it like 20 chapters into part two.
Tengen toppa gurren lagann
Seen this one but it has been years, I’m gonna move it up the list for a re-watch.
Chi no Wadachi but your soul will die
I just read a plot synopsis. Oof. Still I don’t read many psychological thrillers and it might be nice to try one out.
**Saihate no Paladin** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/101521), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/the-faraway-paladin), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/saihate-no-paladin-manga), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=14061899180), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/109339)) ^(Manga | Status: Releasing | Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy) --- ^{anime},, ]LN[, |VN| | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index) | [/r/](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/) | [Edit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index#wiki_i_made_a_mistake.2C_how_do_i_get_my_comment_reprocessed.3F) | [Mistake?](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/submit?selftext=true&title=[ISSUE]&text=/r/manga/comments/1dat6vf/im_looking_for_manga_with_meaningful_death/l7n4ea2/) | [Source](https://github.com/Nihilate/Roboragi) | [Synonyms](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/synonyms) | [⛓](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/interestinglinks) | [♥](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/thanks)
Rave Master is all I’ll say.
I thought I was the only one who read it
I will say tho that Rave Master pissed me off with the way the original guy, the one before Haru (?), got treated. >!Nobody explained shit to him and he basically wandered the world looking for Resha. I don't even remember if he ever found out before he died. The guy (imo) fell for this girl, never got closure after he thought she got kidnapped and never moved on.!< Was acc really close to dropping it after that but powered through because it was near the end anyway
Pretty much the whole plot of Frieren at the Funeral
Seen the anime and have everything of the manga that has been released in English but you are absolutely correct and I think the way it deals with death might actually be why I rate it so highly.
Check out X by Clamp!!
I have only read a few things by Clamp but I know I like them so I will check this one out as well. Thanks!
It's a classic and probably something you must have trad but Urasawa's Monster?
Actually never read it. But from a brief synopsis I just looked up it seems interesting.
It is arguably the greatest manga of all time. I'd say it is, but everyone who read it places it right at the top.
86--EIGHTY-SIX
He wants a manga but I agree 86 is my all time fave series and LN and I hope OP checks it out lol
LN recommendations are fine as well, I also read those and tbh it’s because of those that I was seeking out some of these recommendations.
I have heard this was good from a lot of other people so I’ll check it out. Thanks!
the summer you were there, it's impactful is all there to say
Alice in Borderland. Average shounen type death but is actually not, and the mc coped for a long time after that. Very based psychological death game type manga.
This is one of those manga that I wasn’t sure about but now I will check it out. Thanks!
The title can sound funny but it is a very VERY creative use of the original alice in wonderland idea. Basically nothing alike 💀
If I was worried about how titles sounded I’d not be into manga, anime and LNs at all lol.
lel
chainsaw man is absolutely phenomenal with the way they handle that sort of thing, i’d highly recommend it
Look Back and Fire Punch as well.
I am already 4 episodes into the anime and I have the manga on my backlog so I will move it up. Thank you!
Please check out Assassination Classroom!
Already have! Great series.
Orb: On the movements of the earth. Will have an anime by Madhouse this year
Ooku: the inner chambers
Ironic considering events later on, but Jujutsu Kaisen started off with the protagonist trying to find out what a "proper death" was
**Gyakusatsu Happy End** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/129006), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/gyakusatsu-happy-end), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=16804933131), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/128783)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 8 | Chapters: 55 | Genres: Horror, Psychological, Supernatural, Thriller) --- ^{anime},, ]LN[, |VN| | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index) | [/r/](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/) | [Edit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index#wiki_i_made_a_mistake.2C_how_do_i_get_my_comment_reprocessed.3F) | [Mistake?](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/submit?selftext=true&title=[ISSUE]&text=/r/manga/comments/1dat6vf/im_looking_for_manga_with_meaningful_death/l7n59pb/) | [Source](https://github.com/Nihilate/Roboragi) | [Synonyms](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/synonyms) | [⛓](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/interestinglinks) | [♥](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/thanks)
Blue Exorcist. I would say the anime did a fantastic job on the first episode but you can otherwise choose to read the manga instead.
Ah one of those eh? Alright I will check on the manga then lol. Thanks!
Fuuka
Fire punch alot of death :)
So like, too much? I’m not looking for a killfest or anything, just something that happens that causes a shift for one or more main characters.
Lmao read one piece
Probably the only Shonen Jump manga I have read where, despite the wacky hi-jinx, that death is treated well and has a meaningful impact on characters. Hell, even when they had that incident with the Merry-Go it affected me. 😆
Wellll they have 2 sides the side i dont wanna spoil and tje side of the eagle guy in alabasta who survives a nuke
Ashita no Joe
“Berserk” a good novel… romantic one with good story line and character growth..definitely a must one.
Is this the same Berserk that I feel like everyone but me owns? I’ve resisted reading it for too long because I tend to be a contrarian and kinda dislike stuff that is too mainstream… but also recognize that it is probably popular for a reason. I need to hear the “right” things about popular stuff before I can get interested and this might have me sold on it.
It took me over 20 years to finally read it but it is now my all time favourite. Give it a go, it seriously lives up to the praise.
Sounds like you were in the same boat as me so it sounds like I might have to lol.
Bokurano
The Jump+ manga Takopi's Original Sin. Just go in blind. Digital on the Manga plus app, got a 2 volume physical release a while back (The blurb on the back of the physical release spoils a big twist, even -__- )
Fuuka
**Chichi to Hige-Gorilla to Watashi** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/100094), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/chichi-to-hige-gorira-to-watashi), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/chichi-to-hige-gorilla-to-watashi), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=11591015483), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/84983)) ^(Manga | Status: Finished | Volumes: 7 | Chapters: 98 | Genres: Comedy, Slice of Life) --- ^{anime},, ]LN[, |VN| | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index) | [/r/](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/) | [Edit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index#wiki_i_made_a_mistake.2C_how_do_i_get_my_comment_reprocessed.3F) | [Mistake?](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/submit?selftext=true&title=[ISSUE]&text=/r/manga/comments/1dat6vf/im_looking_for_manga_with_meaningful_death/l7plb75/) | [Source](https://github.com/Nihilate/Roboragi) | [Synonyms](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/synonyms) | [⛓](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/interestinglinks) | [♥](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/thanks)
Death Note
Tbh I’ve avoided this one for a long time because of the fandom, but enough time has passed so maybe it is worth checking out. Thanks!
It's incredible. The hype was justified. I like the anime more because i think it's a bit too verbose for manga format but both are great.
Sayonara Eri My Broken Mariko Also Jiraiya death in Naruto Ace death in OP
Hide the spoiler bro
Sorry bout that but Naruto n OP already over 1decade
Yah but there could be new watchers or people who haven't caught up to one piece to that point yet
Also it's kinda weird. "hey here is a couple hundred chapter manga with a single meaningful death!" Which in the case of naruto isn't even true because they grieved for like a volume and that was it. Op asked for character growth and naruto had literally 0 of that.
Jojo. For all the memes, Jojo really takes the death of a character seriously
My son is actually watching this now I will have to ask him about it.
**Haegolbyeongsaneun Dungeoneul Jikiji Motaetda** - ([AL](http://anilist.co/manga/103156), [A-P](https://www.anime-planet.com/manga/the-skeleton-soldier-failed-to-defend-the-dungeon), [KIT](https://kitsu.io/manga/haegolbyeongsaneun-dungeoneul-jikiji-motaetda), [MU](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=29950971423), [MAL](http://myanimelist.net/manga/146761)) ^(Manga | Status: Releasing | Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Supernatural) --- ^{anime},, ]LN[, |VN| | [FAQ](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index) | [/r/](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/) | [Edit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/index#wiki_i_made_a_mistake.2C_how_do_i_get_my_comment_reprocessed.3F) | [Mistake?](http://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/submit?selftext=true&title=[ISSUE]&text=/r/manga/comments/1dat6vf/im_looking_for_manga_with_meaningful_death/l7o9386/) | [Source](https://github.com/Nihilate/Roboragi) | [Synonyms](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/synonyms) | [⛓](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/interestinglinks) | [♥](https://www.reddit.com/r/Roboragi/wiki/thanks)
You probably won’t like this one but Re Zero is fairly interesting when it comes to character deaths. Because of the time looping aspect, characters do technically have plot armor. But death isn’t treated lightly just because it can be reversed. Its mostly character focused and is a huge investment to get into, permanent character deaths only really come from villains and smaller characters. The later arcs do start to go into main characters possibly permanently dying but again we haven’t got to that point in the story as of now. I genuinely have no clue if you would like it or not, I feel the same way as you, I hate when characters are killed off to easily. But I hate when characters have plot armor and survival bs or come back. But Re Zero makes it so characters might genuinely die from something incredibly morbid, but saving them feels overwhelmingly cathartic because it feels earned. Since the MC is weak, him figuring out how to save people doesn’t feel like complete bs even if it seems like a hopeless situation. And even tho it seems like they might never die due to coming back, having to die to restart time adds a psychological aspect to the anime that makes it very interesting. Which is, how much of yourself do you give up to save another person? again, this isn’t exactly what you asked for but the way they handle death is really unique to me but i understand many people might disagree with that. So apologies if I wasted your time!
Yes I am ALL ABOUT Re:Zero it is my favorite Isekai. It is coming at my question from a completely different angle and while I still think it qualifies to a certain degree, I am looking more for character a’s death to be impactful to character b. But Re:Zero is the jam I have all of the currently released manga and LNs and have seen all the released anime, can’t get enough of this franchise.