Immortality is not just a "power" in anime; it is often a lens through which to observe human fragility. Some series even feature an immortal protagonist, which might initially seem counterproductive since there is little danger for them. However, titles like To Your Eternity prove that being unable to die is no obstacle to telling a great story. Fittingly, I have selected exactly eight anime characters for this list — a number that, if you tip it over just a little, becomes the infinity symbol. Coincidence? Not really. I saw an opportunity and took it. Shall we take a look at these anime protagonists whose stories, much like their lives, defy the end? Fushi Series: To Your Eternity In To Your Eternity , Fushi is an entity sent to Earth to "preserve everything." His immortality is adaptive: he can take the form of any being that has died after leaving a mark on him. The closest thing to death he can experience is the loss of the identities of those who have shaped him; in the worst-case scenario, he could end up as an inert orb once again. In the narrative, Fushi acts as a blank canvas. His eternal life serves to explore the concepts of memory and pain, demonstrating that, even if his body is indestructible, his psyche is forged through constant loss. Frieren Series: Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End Despite her youthful appearance, as an elf, Frieren has lived for more than 1,000 years. Her immortality is biological in Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End . From a practical standpoint, Frieren can live forever, although she is not invulnerable to physical damage. That is to say, she can be killed, but she essentially has infinite time, much like Tolkien's elves. For Frieren, a decade passes in the blink of an eye. Her longevity is at the heart of the work's message: overcoming emotional disconnection. The story uses her eternal perspective to reflect on regret and the importance of valuing life's fleeting moments, turning a fantasy journey into a meditation on time and how we use it. Alucard Series: Hellsing / Hellsing Ultimate Alucard is the ultimate vampire, an undead whose immortality stems from having consumed millions of lives that act as "reserves" for his existence. Every time someone "kills" him, he only loses one of the countless souls he has consumed. In Hellsing (and Hellsing Ultimate ), his immortality represents the monotony of absolute power. Alucard craves a human opponent who can kill him, raising the theme that true strength resides in the will to die, while eternal life is a bloody prison. Rimuru Tempest Series: That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Originally an ordinary human being, Rimuru is reincarnated as a slime — the weakest type of monster — though they are a mutant variant with almost infinite potential. They possess ultra-fast regeneration, but their true immortality lies in their soul and their ability to exist as a "Spiritual Being" that does not depend on a physical body to survive. Rimuru evolves from a simple monster into an immortal deity capable of reconstructing themself at a molecular level. Their immortality influences That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime by allowing for long-term world-building. Rimuru does not seek to survive, but to build a legacy; their immortality allows them to act as an immovable pillar of peace in a world of volatile conflict. Ainz Ooal Gown Series: Overlord As a Lich (undead), Momonga lacks biological functions and aging. His immortality is structural: he is a constant in Overlord ’s world of finite beings. Furthermore, even if an attack were powerful enough to kill him, he has multiple ways to return to "un-life," making him functionally immortal. In his case, the central theme is the loss of humanity. Ainz’s eternal state suppresses his most intense emotions, turning him into a cold being who must play the role of a god for his subordinates, even though, deep down, he remains a simple human gamer. Kei Nagai Series: Ajin: Demi-Human Image from Netflix Kei is an Ajin, a being that "resets" its body every time it dies. His immortality is the complete opposite of beings like Frieren, whose immortality is reflected in an endless life even though they can be murdered. In the case of an Ajin, their lifespan is equal to that of an average human, but while they are alive, they are impossible to kill. In Ajin: Demi-Human , immortality is an engine for action and horror. Despite his status as a conditional immortal and his pragmatic, seemingly cold nature, Kei actually has a kind side and cares for others. That is why he uses his deaths as a tactical tool, which raises ethical dilemmas about the value of life when you cannot lose it. Killy Series: BLAME! Image from Netflix In BLAME! , Killy is a traveler in an infinite megastructure. Originally a human endowed with cybernetic enhancements, he has become functionally immortal. With thousands of years behind him and incredible regenerative capabilities, his memories are blurred, only his mission is clear: to find a human with Net Terminal Genes to regain control of the City that is growing out of control. Practically devoid of emotion, Killy only shows it when he is wiping out synthetic life forms that he considers mortal enemies of humanity — something ironic considering he himself is a synthetic human. C.C. Series: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion C.C. is the only character on this list who is not strictly the protagonist, but her role is so relevant in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion that it feels like she is. This "young woman" of hundreds of years has two abilities: one is precisely her immortality — capable even of surviving being decapitated — and the second is the ability to grant a Geass to others. Her relationship with Lelouch began precisely when she granted him that power. Initially, her intention was to pass her immortality to someone else so she could die, but in Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection , her plans changed after a peculiar "marriage" proposal. For most of the story, C.C. sees her immortality as a curse, an exhausting routine for someone who only wishes for her end. And our list is complete. Yes, there's many other immortal characters in anime, but how could I miss the chance to limit the selection to just 8?
