Written by Some anime moments make us cheer. Others leave us completely speechless. While exciting battles and power-ups are a big part of the experience, nothing hits harder than watching a hero lose the person who believed in them the most.
A great mentor does much more than teach new techniques. They help heroes become stronger, wiser, and kinder. Even after they are gone, their lessons continue to shape every decision their students make. So with that said, here are the anime mentor deaths that changed their heroes forever, ranked.
10. Nighteye’s Final Lesson Changed Deku Forever
Sir Nighteye from the anime series My Hero Academia. | Credit: Bones
Nighteye did not welcome Izuku Midoriya with open arms. During the Shie Hassaikai arc, he believed Mirio Togata should have inherited One For All instead. However, after watching Deku risk everything to save Eri and defeat Overhaul, he realized he had underestimated the young hero.
His death soon after the raid became one of the saddest moments in My Hero Academia. Before passing away, he admitted that Deku had changed the future he thought could never be rewritten. That final lesson gave Deku the confidence to keep believing in himself. Nighteye starts this ranking because, while his final words shaped Deku forever, his time as a mentor was much shorter than everyone else on this list.
9. Maes Hughes Left the Elric Brothers Heartbroken
The death of Maes Hughes from the Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood anime. | Credit: Bones
Maes Hughes was the Elric brothers’ emotional teacher, and always treated them like family. He opened his home to them, offered advice whenever they needed it, and constantly reminded them that they were never alone in their journey.
Hughes ranks above Nighteye because his guidance stayed with the Elric brothers throughout their adventure. His murder by Envy early in Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood exposed the dark truth behind Amestris and forced Edward and Alphonse to realize just how dangerous their mission had become. So in that sense, his death changed the story as much as it changed the brothers.
8. Genkai’s Sacrifice Pushed Yusuke to New Heights
Genkai from the anime series Yu Yu Hakusho. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
Yusuke Urameshi would never have become one of the strongest Spirit Detectives without Genkai. During the Dark Tournament arc, she trained him harder than anyone else and eventually entrusted him with her Spirit Wave Orb, believing he was ready to carry her legacy.
That is why Genkai ranks higher than Hughes. Unlike Hughes, she personally trained the hero, and her apparent death at the hands of Younger Toguro became the emotional fuel Yusuke needed to unlock his full potential. Even though later events brought her back before she later passed away peacefully of old age toward the end of the original manga, that sacrifice remains one of the defining moments of Yu Yu Hakusho.
7. Shiro Fujimoto’s Death Changed Rin’s Destiny
Shiro Fujimoto from the anime series Blue Exorcist: The Blue Night Saga. | Credit: Studio VOLN
The opening episodes of Blue Exorcist make it clear that Shiro Fujimoto was much more than Rin Okumura’s adoptive father. He was the person who raised him, guided him, and taught him to control the dangerous power inside him instead of fearing it.
When Satan possessed Shiro, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than hurt the son he loved. That heartbreaking decision completely changed Rin’s future, inspiring him to become an exorcist instead of following his demonic bloodline. Shiro earns a higher spot because his death didn’t simply motivate Rin – it created the hero’s entire journey.
6. Kite’s Death Broke Gon’s Innocence
Neferpitou sitting with the deceased Hunter Kite in Hunter x Hunter anime. | Credit: Madhouse
Long before the Chimera Ant arc, Kite was the Hunter who inspired Gon Freecss to search for his father. When the two finally reunited, Kite became Gon’s mentor once again, teaching him what it truly meant to be a professional Hunter. He wasn’t just showing Gon how to fight. He was teaching him how dangerous the world outside Whale Island could be.
Kite’s brutal defeat at the hands of Neferpitou completely shattered Gon’s cheerful personality. Instead of accepting the loss, Gon let his anger take over, leading to his terrifying transformation during the Chimera Ant arc, and it remains one of the highest-rated episodes of Hunter x Hunter anime. Kite ranks above Shiro because his death didn’t just change Gon’s path – it completely changed who Gon was as a person. Very few anime heroes have fallen into darkness the way Gon did after losing his mentor.
5. Koro-sensei’s Goodbye Changed Class 3-E Forever
The death of Koro-sensei from Assassination Classroom anime. | Credit: Lerche
From the very beginning of Assassination Classroom, everyone knew Koro-sensei would eventually die. Even so, nothing prepared fans for the emotional farewell in the final episodes. By then, he had turned a classroom full of students who lacked confidence into young people who believed in themselves.
Koro-sensei’s teaching went well beyond just academics or how to become an assassin. In fact, all his lessons were aimed at making his students better people. His final attendance roll before asking his students to end his life remains one of anime’s most emotional scenes. He breaks into the top five because his influence wasn’t limited to one hero. He changed the lives of an entire classroom, something very few mentors ever achieved.
4. Nanami’s Final Words Stayed With Yuji Forever
Kento Nanami from the anime series Jujutsu Kaisen. | Credit: MAPPA
Unlike Gojo, Kento Nanami never tried to hide how cruel the world of jujutsu sorcerers really was. He treated Yuji Itadori like a trusted junior, teaching him to stay calm even during impossible situations. That honest approach made Nanami one of Yuji’s most important mentors.
During the Shibuya Incident arc, Nanami fought until he could barely stand before finally crossing paths with Mahito. His final words to Yuji became one of the most heartbreaking moments in Jujutsu Kaisen anime. Instead of giving up, Yuji carried Nanami’s hopes into his battle against Mahito. Nanami ranks above Koro-sensei because the emotional scars of his death continue to shape Yuji’s choices long after the Shibuya Incident ends.
3. Rengoku Inspired Tanjiro Even After His Death
Kyojuro Rengoku from the Mugen Train movie. | Credit: Ufotable
Kyojuro Rengoku only traveled with Tanjiro for a short time during the Mugen Train arc, but he made every moment count. His courage, kindness, and never-give-up attitude showed Tanjiro what it truly meant to be a Hashira. Even in the middle of a life-or-death battle against Akaza, Rengoku refused to let fear control him.
After his death, Tanjiro continued carrying Rengoku’s words, “Set your heart ablaze,” into every major battle – a testament to Rengoku’s lasting impact in Demon Slayer. Those words became one of the biggest sources of strength for him throughout the Swordsmith Village and Hashira Training arcs. Rengoku reaches the top three because his ideals continued to inspire Tanjiro long after his death, proving that a true mentor never stops guiding their student.
2. Minato’s Sacrifice Shaped Naruto’s Entire Future
Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze from the anime Naruto Shippuden. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
Before he became known as Naruto’s father, Minato Namikaze was already one of the Hidden Leaf’s greatest mentors. As the leader of Team Minato, he trained Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara, helping shape one of the village’s most talented teams. His guidance continued to influence Kakashi long after Minato was gone.
Everything changed during the Nine-Tails’ attack on Konoha. Minato and Kushina sacrificed their lives to seal Kurama inside their newborn son, believing Naruto would one day protect the ninja world. That single decision shaped Naruto’s entire childhood, while also leaving Kakashi to carry on his mentor’s ideals. Minato narrowly misses the top spot because his sacrifice changed multiple heroes across different generations, not just Naruto alone.
1. Jiraiya’s Death Made Naruto Become a True Hero
There was never any doubt about who deserved the number one spot. Jiraiya wasn’t simply Naruto’s teacher. He became the father figure Naruto had always wished for, teaching him powerful techniques like the Rasengan, helping him control the Nine-Tails’ chakra, and, most importantly, believing in him when very few others did. Prior to Pain’s assault on Konoha (one of the best Naruto arcs, for sure), Jiraiya willingly risked his life to uncover the secret behind the Six Paths of Pain, knowing the information could save the Hidden Leaf.
When Naruto learned about his master’s death, he didn’t seek revenge. Instead, he chose to honor Jiraiya’s dream of ending the cycle of hatred. Mastering Sage Mode at Mount Myoboku and later defeating Pain became the greatest tribute he could have given his mentor. His legacy didn’t end with his life – it lived on through Naruto Uzumaki, who eventually fulfilled the dream Jiraiya had spent his entire life chasing.
Here is a quick overview of all the characters we have discussed above –
RankCharacterAnimeAnime Rating (IMDb)Where to Watch1JiraiyaNaruto Shippuden8.7/10Crunchyroll2Minato NamikazeNaruto Shippuden8.7/10Crunchyroll3Kyojuro RengokuDemon Slayer8.5/10Crunchyroll4Nanami KentoJujutsu Kaisen8.5/10Crunchyroll5Koro-senseiAssassination Classroom7.9/10Crunchyroll6KiteHunter × Hunter9.0/10Crunchyroll7Shiro FujimotoBlue Exorcist7.4/10Crunchyroll8GenkaiYu Yu Hakusho8.5/10Crunchyroll9Maes HughesFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood9.1/10Crunchyroll10Sir NighteyeMy Hero Academia8.2/10Crunchyroll
Now the big question: Which anime mentor’s death hit you the hardest, and is there another unforgettable mentor who deserved a spot on this list? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
