Crunchyroll Names 8 Anime Heroes Who Can't Die, From Zeref to Sukuna

Crunchyroll released a new feature focusing on eight anime protagonists cursed with eternal life, landing as the Winter 2026 anime cycle begins to ramp up. The piece, titled 8 Immortal Anime Protagonists Who Will Outlive Us All, serves as a reminder of how compelling endless lifespans can be for long-running narratives.

The feature leads with Zeref Dragneel from Fairy Tail. The dark wizard is cursed never to die, forcing him to watch everyone he cares about eventually turn to dust. Kaguya Otsutsuki from Naruto is also highlighted; even sealed away, the progenitor of chakra remains a godlike presence lingering across dimensions, never truly destroyed.

Sosuke Aizen from Bleach is included, having used the Hogyoku to shed mortality and become a force that even the strongest shinigami could not permanently erase. Over in Jujutsu Kaisen, Ryomen Sukuna maintains a form of immortality by splitting his soul across 20 cursed fingers, allowing him to reform after any defeat.

The list also features Dragon Ball Super’s Zeno, the eternal, childlike destroyer of the multiverse, who is omnipotent and untouchable. The article settled on eight characters, reportedly playing on the infinity symbolism of the number when viewed sideways.

Fans are already debating the narrative impact in the comments, specifically whether immortality heightens the drama or just makes the stakes feel lower. The timing is notable, hitting right as attention shifts toward 2026 premieres, including The Daily Life of the Immortal King Season 5, which features a main character who must actively seal away his god-tier power just to live normally.