Summary
Anime has run the gamut when it comes to characters, from themost overpoweredto those who haveno moral compassat all. However, when it comes to characters considered immortal, they are either virtually unkillable or have a naturally unending lifespan.
A minor few sustain their lives through criminal means, while others can regenerate at astonishing speeds. These long-lived characters have ambitions as long as their lifespan, whether it be worldwide destruction or the advancement of society. Vampires, death gods and demons, here are some of the best immortal characters anime has to offer.
10Sebastian Michaelis
Black Butler
A demon contracted by Ciel Phantomhive, Sebastian Michaelis poses as Ciel’s butler and helps to manage his household. As a demon, Sebastian is already immortal and has unimaginable strength and dexterity, while also being able to wield and manipulate fire.
As per his contract, Sebastian serves and obeys Ciel’s orders to a tee. However, Sebastian is cruel and vicious - as is his nature as a demon - assisting Ciel in his crusade for vengeance on the chance to consume his soul.
9Frieren
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End is one of the best anime of 2024, a highlight of the fantasy adventure genre. Its main character, Frieren, is a long-lived, near-immortal elf mage who is hailed as a hero for defeating the Demon King alongside her companions.
However, although Frieren has an extensive lifespan, her companions do not. She is forced to see them age and wither, while she remains as youthful as ever. She sets out to fulfil her dying friend’s wish while gaining an apprentice and new friends and companions along the way.
8Hidan
Naruto
One of the antagonists of the series, Hidan is a fanatical cultist who serves the god Jashin. A missing-nin, Hidan allowed fellow cultists to experiment on him, which resulted in his immortality. However, he believes it is a gift from his god.
Hidan has the ability to regenerate as well as maintain consciousness even when beheaded. Wielding a triple-bladed scythe, he causes chaos wherever he goes, aligning with the malevolent nature and goal of his chosen god. Shikamaru was able to find a way around Hidan’s immortality, blowing him up and burying Hidan alive, condemning him to a slow death from malnutrition.
7Muzan Kibutsuji
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Muzan Kibutsuji is the main villain of the show and, as the first demon ever created, is the strongest of his kind. He has lived for a thousand years but aims to seek true immortality by finding a cure for a demon’s weakness towards sunlight.
Callous, cruel and manipulative, Muzan leads the Twelve Kizuki with an iron fist. He doesn’t hesitate to brutally punish those who fail to meet his expectations, and carelessly throws away human lives as he deems them inferior. He would likely have continued living - maybe even finding the cure - if he hadn’t been defeated by the Demon Slayers.
6Sato
Ajin: Demi-Human
One of the coolest antagonists ever depicted, Sato is the leader of a terrorist group fighting for Ajin (or demi-human) rights. Although Ajin is a species that’s effectively immortal, Sato rises above them all due to his unparalleled combat skills and cunning, tactical mind.
Ruthless and indifferent to the suffering of others, Sato is a one-man army, able to take out entire squads all by himself. He does not hesitate to put a gun to his head in order to resurrect himself at a later time if it serves a purpose. A former American soldier, he has learned how to work efficiently alongside his Ajin to the point where you see yourself rooting for him.
5Yato
Noragami
Yato is one of the many Japanese gods in the Noragami series and as such, is an immortal. Despite being a god, Yato is considered to be a minor, low-ranking deity among the hierarchy of gods. As such, it was why he is so determined to have his own shrine, with dreams of being as popular and lauded as war goddess Bishamonten.
Although he seems playful and carefree, in truth, Yato has a dark past paved in blood. He was once a god of calamity and was reared to sow chaos and death wherever he went. Yato attempts to reform himself throughout the series with the help of his Regalia Yukine and half-phantom half-mortal Iki Hiyori.
4Alucard
Castlevania
The son of Dracula and a human woman, Alucard serves as one of the main characters in Netflix’s Castlevania series. Also known as Adrian Tepes, Alucard inherited his immortality from his father. However, the murder of his mother and Dracula’s subsequent need for revenge sees Alucard take a stand against him.
3Dio Brando
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure
Dio Brando takes centre stage in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure as its lead villain. Immortal due to his status as a vampire, Dio is also extremely powerful, being the only character in the series to possess two Stands. His personal Stand, known as The World, is already powerful in its own right, andable to manipulate time.
Due to his traumatic childhood, Dio has grander-than-grand ambitions, wanting to be the most powerful person in the world. As with any villain in this list, Dio is arrogant, ruthless and charismatic, willing to do anything to achieve his dreams, no matter the cost.
2Sukuna
Jujutsu Kaisen
As the King of Curses and themost powerful cursein jujutsu history, Sukuna achieved immortality and near-unkillable status beyond any other curse. Originally human, Sukuna was a powerful curse user dating back to the Heian era and was considered one of the worst sorcerers to ever live.
Sukuna enters into a contract with Kenjaku, dividing his soul into 20 fingers in order to prolong his life indefinitely. This came to be after Sukuna agreed to take part in the Culling Game, with the intention to return to life through an appropriate vessel (aka Itadori Yuji). However, the latter didn’texactlypan out the way Sukuna and Kenjaku intended to, instead spelling their doom.
1Ryuk
Death Note
A death god (or Shinigami), Death Note’s Ryuk is a naturally immortal being and an iconic character of the series. He gives away his Death Note due to boredom and is thoroughly entertained by the chaos Light Yagami inflicts using the notebook.
Ryuk would occasionally provide information regarding the Death Note and the Shinigami. However, he is blunt and tells Light that he’s only here as long as it amuses him. The moment Light was exposed and defeated by Near, Ryuk did as he promised, killing Light and taking back his Death Note.
