Summary
- Anime explores immortality themes through varied stories, touching on solitude, morality, and interactions with mortals.
- Mirai Nikki delves into the consequences and challenges of immortality, showcasing emotional upheavals and unsettling outcomes.
- Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood warns against the desire for eternal life, portraying sacrifices and shedding human essence.
Anime often brings up the idea of immortality and explores the meaning of life, how solitude can affect a person, questions of morality, and questions about why life matters. Fantasy, science fiction, and tragedy are common themes in shows that look at living forever, dying, and everything in between. Most of these tales are not just about fights or exciting scenes; they also provide meaningful commentary on self-awareness, human life, and changes throughout history.
While immortality in anime sounds like an unrealistic story, it can reflect on important topics like life, love, loss, and getting older. These stories help the viewer understand how life can be altered or damaged in unexpected ways by eternity. By making us reflect, enduring hard times, or reacting in unexpected ways, these characters make us understand our own fleeting lives. Here is a list of great anime that tell the story of immortality with interesting characters, gripping stories, and unforgettable settings.
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1 Mirai Nikki (Future Diary)
When Death Becomes a Weapon of Survival
The Future Diary
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2011 - 2013-00-00
- Cast
- Misuzu Togashi, Tomosa Murata, Minoru Shiraishi, Akira Ishida, Masahiko Tanaka, Takaya Hashi, Mai Aizawa, Yuki Matsuoka
- Creator(s)
- Sakae Esuno
The story of Mirai Nikki centers on Yukiteru Amano, a teenager lost in an epic fight for survival arranged by the god of time and space, Deus Ex Machina. Each person gets a diary with the ability to foresee the future, but only the victor will become the new god. For Yukiteru, dealing with these killers means facing experiences in life, betrayal, and starting anew.
The idea of immortality comes to light most clearly in the unusual relationship that develops between Yukiteru and Yuno Gasai. When timelines change and death is avoided, immortality is not made out to be calm or peaceful. Instead, it feels unsettling, emotionally upsetting, and even sometimes evil. Mirai Nikki takes the idea of living forever and puts it in the context of a struggle in the mind.
2 Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
An Immortal Life Filled With Mortal Love
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- July 20, 2018
- Runtime
- 115 Minutes
- Director
- Mari Okada
- Cast
- Manaka Iwami, Miyu Irino, Yuuki Sakurai, Ai Kayano, Yuki Kaji, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Rina Sato, Yoko Hikasa, Miyuki Sawashiro, Tomokazu Sugita, Misaki Kuno, Hiroaki Hirata, Jo Bin, Yuki Kurimoto, Junnosuke Shishido, Taichi Iwakawa, Hiroshi Iwasaki, Keisuke Komoto
- Writers
- Mari Okada
- Streaming Service(s)
- Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Hoopla, Tubi TV, Kanopy, Pluto TV, Plex
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.39
Maquia follows the touching story of a young girl who belongs to the Iorph clan, which ages extremely slowly. Only a few members of this clan ever see death. After leaving her people, Maquia brings up a human child as her own, knowing that he will age and die much sooner than she will.
The idea of a never-ending life in this anime looks breathtaking, but also leaves the viewer in tears. Experiencing Maquia’s sorrow, witnessing how time passes, and watching the relationships she forms with people illustrate that endless life only brings more pain. It portrays the main feelings of one forever living, as well as their worst fear: the loss of loved ones.
3 Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World
Immortality Through Death and Despair
Re:Zero -Starting Life in Another World-
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2016 - 2025-00-00
- Cast
- Yûsuke Kobayashi, Rie Takahashi, Yumi Uchiyama, Chinatsu Akasaki, Yuichi Nakamura, Inori Minase, Rie Murakawa, Takehito Koyasu, Satomi Arai, Kōhei Amasaki, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Kaori Nazuka, Aimi Tanaka, Maaya Sakamoto, Marika Kouno, Mugihito, Kenta Miyake, Hibiku Yamamura, Koki Koyasu
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Studio
- White Fox
- Producers
- Yoshikazu Beniya, Sho Tanaka, Kazuo Onuki, Aya Iizuka, Eriko Aoki
- Creator
- Tappei Nagatsuki
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
When Subaru Natsuki is teleported to another world, he finds out that whenever he dies, he is taken back to a certain moment in time, remembering everything that happened. At first, this offers him the opportunity to fix things, but quickly brings more pain, losses, and damage to his mind.
Re:Zero does not portray immortality as something desirable. Rather, it shows the hardships of never getting relief from pain, holding on to memories that others don’t, and moving on regardless. Throughout his journey, Subaru learns that a never-ending life can often be a bad thing.
4 Ajin: Demi-Human
When Immortality Sparks Fear and Rebellion
Ajin: Demi-Human
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- January 16, 2016
- Seasons
- 2
- Studio
- Polygon Pictures
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Gamon Sakurai
- Number of Episodes
- 26
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- MyAnimeList Score
- 7.39 (Season 1)
Ajin is about people who are invincible. Whatever injury or destruction is inflicted, they manage to rejuvenate. After a terrible accident, Kei discovers that he belongs to this group, whih results in him being targeted by the government. While some Ajin try to hide, others want to fight and get back at humanity.
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The anime's story realistically deals with the theme of living forever. The Ajin become easy objects for scientists, terrorists, and ethical question-raisers because they are immortal. The narrative explores what society would do with such creatures, as well as the methods the eternal ones might take to stop being feared by the public.
5 Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
A Long Life After the Final Battle
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- September 29, 2023
- Cast
- Atsumi Tanezaki, Kana Ichinose, Chiaki Kobayashi, Nobuhiko Okamoto, Hiroki Touchi, Yoji Ueda, Kento Shiraishi, Sayumi Suzushiro, Cho, Keiichi Sonobe, Eiji Hanawa, Hiroki Yasumoto, Shunsuke Sakuya, Tarusuke Shingaki, Yuichi Nakamura, Ayana Taketatsu, Kanae Ito, Takuya Eguchi, Tomoyo Kurosawa, Azumi Waki, Tadashi Miyazawa, Haruka Terui, Hana Sato, Taito Ban, Takayuki Nakatsukasa, Satoru Ito, Seiyuu Fujiwara, Kaori Nakamura, Marie Ôi
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll
- MyAnimeList Score
- 9.31
- Creator(s)
- Tsukasa Abe, Kanehito Yamada
Frieren, a mage who has lived for centuries, leaves her home to get to know humans. However, her companions die, leaving her alone. This differs from most fantasies as it starts with the main character’s loneliness and regrets, when she keeps living even after others she cares for pass away.
Frieren’s eternal life is calm, thoughtful, and a little melancholic. Using the settings and events from her travels, the anime addresses the idea of moving ahead, remembering old emotions, and craving a bond, even though exactly the opposite will always happen in life. It provides a peaceful reflection on time and the things that never die.
6 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The True Cost of Chasing Eternal Life
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
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- 2009 - 2010
WHERE TO WATCH
- Cast
- Maxey Whitehead, Vic Mignogna, Andrew Love, Brittney Karbowski, Caitlin Glass, Chris Cason, Chris Patton, Chris Rager, Christine Auten, Christopher R. Sabat, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Ed Blaylock, Eric Vale, George Manley, J. Michael Tatum, Jerry Russell
- Main Genre
- Fantasy
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu
- MyAnimeList Score
- 9.10
The true theme of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is its clear message against the search for immortality. From Homunculi made by forbidden alchemy to the antagonist's wish to be a god, the theme of eternal life in the series consists of paying through suffering, giving things up, and shedding humanity.
In addition to characters trying to regain their own bodies, there is a larger message in the story about stopping humankind’s desire to be gods. This world’s understanding of immortality is that it is unjust and unnatural. One of the main questions in the anime is whether sacrificing everything to avoid dying is a wise choice to make.
7 Baccano!
Immortality Through Alchemy and Chaos
Baccano!
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- 2007 - 2008-00-00
- Cast
- Michael C. Pizzuto, J. Michael Tatum, Caitlin Glass, Akemi Kanda, Maxey Whitehead, Masaya Onosaka, Sayaka Aoki, Sanae Kobayashi
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Creator(s)
- Ryôgo Narita
Taking place in the United States in the 1930s, Baccano! Tells a story about gangsters, thieves, and immortals connected by a magical solution. The plot moves through different times and people, to demonstrate how gaining immortality can change people in different manners. Some need power, others seek peace, and many search for joy.
This series deals with the wacky and dangerous implications of living without death. Though it is wild and stylish, the anime is still thoughtful about the ways people’s values are affected by changes in time. Some characters see eternal life as a chance to do good, while others only use it to cause chaos.
8 Mnemosyne: Mnemosyne no Musume-tachi
Eternal Life Entwined With Death and Desire
|
Written by |
Hiroshi Ōnogi |
|---|---|
|
Studio |
Xebec |
|
Genre |
Action, Science Fiction, Supernatural |
|
Release Date |
February 3, 2008 |
Mnemosyne tells the story of Rin Asougi, a private investigator who is immortal. Since Rin lives in a world of hard violence, unfolding conspiracies, and immortals who need blood, she is frequently hunted, killed, and brought back to life. Because she does not age, she both endures suffering and uses her immortality as an advantage.
The anime looks into the idea of immortality with a dark and thoughtful theme. It explores our identity, what makes memories valuable, and what life is like after death is gone. Mnemosyne, with its tough approach and mature design, highlights the bleakness of what eternal life is really like.
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