History GoOutWithASmile / AnimeAndManga

* ''Manhwa/IWish'' has Jay. He's part of a race that dies when they become too happy... as K points out, this is good as they would die happy and with a smile on their face.

** The aforementioned Corazon died smiling knowing that Law would be free of Doflamingo.

** Kozuki Oden went out smiling after enduring an hour of boiling oil while carrying his 9 vassals, followed by Kaido putting him out of his misery with a bullet to the head, knowing full well that his dream of an open Wano will come to pass.

* ''Manga/OshiNoKo'': After getting stabbed in the abdomen, Ai Hoshino fondly remembers her time with her twin children, and tells them how much she loves them. The last we see of her is her lifeless body, smiling, but with the stars she usually has on her eyes absent.

* ''Anime/GrimmsFairyTaleClassics'': In this version of ''Literature/GodfatherDeath'', the protagonist is portrayed [[AdaptationalHeroism more sympathetically than the original tale]], as he wants to be a doctor to genuinely save lives. After he cheats Death by saving someone who was fated to die, he's warned that his life will be taken the next time he tries to pull that stunt. In the end, he decides to do so to save the life of the King's daughter, and before being taken he smiles, happy that he could be a doctor for the first time [[FacingDeathWithDignity and accepting his fate]], much to Death's shock and remorse.

* From ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'':
** [[TheHeroDies Jonathan Joestar]] from ''Manga/PhantomBlood'' goes out with triple sadness: his serene smile is intended for his wife, the audience, and ''the villain'', his adopted brother Dio Brando.
** [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Wamuu]] from ''Manga/BattleTendency'' dies with a smile knowing [[TheHero Joseph]] was a WorthyOpponent.
** [[TeamPet Iggy]] from ''Manga/StardustCrusaders'' gives a small smile after rescuing Polnareff, right before succumbing to his injuries.
** [[TheHeroDies Jolyne Cujoh]] from ''Manga/StoneOcean'' smiles at Emporio before she faces off against [[BigBad Pucci]] one last time so Emporio can escape. Then a page and a half later, [[CurbStompBattle you see her getting ripped apart like tissue paper by Pucci's]] [[FightingSpirit Stand]]. All that remains is her Stand's sunglasses, which quickly disintegrate under accelerated time.
* In ''Anime/{{K}}'', Totsuka smiles while dying [[DiedInYourArmsTonight in Misaki's arms]].

*** Kisame is also an exception, as he [[FakingTheDead appeared to die]] then he [[AlasPoorVillain really died]] sporting a psychopathic grin ''both'' times (especially the second).

* From ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'':

** Done with a different yet slightly more badass approach in the manga. After [[spoiler:sending Shinji off, two soldiers find Misato waiting with a smile and live grenade]].

%% ** GN Rei in ''End of Evangelion'' does this.

** Jaguar D. Saul tells a young, terrified Nico Robin to smile and laugh no matter how grim things get, just before Aokiji freezes him solid; the last thing we see before the ice statue of him is shattered is his still-beaming face.

* In ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic''... well, it's not so much touching, but Gauron did die with a ''very'' happy smile on his face. It was actually genuine, though, and [[SlasherSmile not very pretty]]. Apparently his happiness came from causing as much pain as he could to [[TheMasochismTango the one he loves]].

* Ryoko Asakura of ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'', who despite her evil intentions of slicing Kyon to bits with a knife maintains a smile throughout most of her battle with Yuki and keeps a smiling face as she is being dissolved by Yuki. That just makes her ''more'' frightening. She doesn't really see the importance of death. In her ImageSong, she even states that heartbeats are nothing more than trivial, wave-like patterns.

* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'':

** After [[spoiler:completing his HeelFaceTurn and dying in battle against the monsters attacking Hyrule Castle Town, King Bulbin is still smiling]].

* There are two examples in the [[Manga/TheLegendOfZeldaAkiraHimekawa manga adaptation]] of ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaTwilightPrincess'',

--->'''Greedling:''' That's Wrath! ...I see, so we finally got him...''[sigh]'' Bastard dies with that peaceful look on his face... pisses me off.

---->'''Pinako:''' Spotting him at Trisha's grave. "...Silly old fool. Well, at least you died with a smile on your face, my friend."
** Lust also [[DyingMomentOfAwesome goes out with this way]].

** In the 40th Episode of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'', King Izumi Athha detonated his Country's Military Silo to preserve his country's neutrality in a genocidal race war and to buy his daughter, [[RebelliousPrincess Princess Cagalli]], time to escape to space. The trouble is, he has to be there to throw the switch himself. Even after he reveals to her that she is in fact adopted, he tells her with a warm and loving smile ''"I'm so glad to have been your father"'' before closing the airlock and spiriting her off to freedom. There was not one dry eye, man or woman, at that Anime Screening in 2003.
*** Immediately following him, Natarle Badgiruel smiles serenely as the Archangel destroys the Dominion, content in the knowledge that she's taking Azrael out with her.
*** [[BigBad Rau Le Creuset]] is a creepier version of this, dying with a smile after [[TheHero Kira]] impales him, due to his belief that [[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds the entire world]] will be following him. It's both chilling, and kind of sad at the same time, as you realize what a wreck the man's life truly was.
** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'' , [[{{Tykebomb}} Stellar]] smiles sweetly and tells Shinn she loves him right before she dies.
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamThe08thMSTeam'' did the same kind of thing with Ginias Sakhalin, who goes out with a particularly creepy and detached PsychoticSmirk.
** In ''Gundam SEED C.E 73 Stargazer'', after ignoring orders to return and exhausting all his Gundam's energy, Shams Couza smiles before he get shot to death by [[MechaMook DSSD Astrays]].
** In ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'', Schwarz Brudder and Domon's brother Kyouji, who he is robot replica of, smile as Domon destroys the core of the Devil Gundam.

%% * This is how Iason dies in ''LightNovel/AiNoKusabi'' after his feelings were finally reciprocated.

** Played with in [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist the 2003 anime version]] with Greed. After committing SuicideByCop, he smiles with a peaceful expression. However, his body then contorts in agony before dissolving.

* In ''Anime/CodeGeass'', both Euphemia li Britannia, Lelouch's loving, sweet half-sister, and Shirley Fenette, his head-over-heels in love primary romance interest die with smiles on their faces.
** Slightly subverted in the GrandFinale: Right before Lelouch is stabbed by the new Zero (Suzaku), he smiles. But when he's actually dying in Nunally's arms, he has no expression on his face at all (he probably didn't want to look like he planned anything).

* In ''Anime/LegendOfGalacticHeroes'', Walter von Schönkopf passed away with a smile after being fatally wounded during the boarding operation against the Imperial supreme flagship ''Brünhild'' in episode 108.

* ''Anime/ZombieLandSaga'': In [[ZombieLandSagaRevengeE09 Episode 9]] of ''Revenge'', both Itou and Yugiri when they each die respectively.

** Kaji went out much the same, but with an added [[FacingTheBulletsOneLiner "What took you so long?"]].

** The King of the Pirates himself, Gol D. Roger, constantly seen in the series wearing a wide grin, smiles for the last time in his life (moments before he is executed) when announcing to the world that his greatest treasure, the One Piece, is awarded to whoever finds it.
*** It is implied that he was smiling at the fact that he reignited the age of pirates because of his announcement and knowing his legacy will live on because of it. Plus the fact that the Marines' intentions for his public execution (which was to deter piratism across the world) wounded up backfiring in the worst way possible for them.

* ''Manga/TomorrowsJoe'' is one of the most famous examples in the anime genre: Joe makes a victory in a finale match against boxing champion Jose Mendoza... but it also ends up as his ''final'' match too, as he is last seen in the corner of the ring still and quiet, but with a contented smile on his face. WordofGod said he has unsure if he was dead or alive, and improvised that image.

* This happens in the anime version of ''VideoGame/TalesOfTheAbyss'' with [[spoiler:Arietta the Wild. Whereas in the game, she just dies miserably, saying "it hurts" and asking where Ion is, in the anime the spirits of her family and Ion appear to personally take her to the afterlife with them. She cries TearsOfJoy and reaches to take Ion's hand, and then dies with a content smile on her face.]]

** Carly, after her transformation to a Dark Signer, loses the Duel of Darkness against [[spoiler:Jack Atlas. She charges him to save the world, smiling as she tells him she'll be cheering for him, and confesses her love as she crumbles into dust. Fortunately, [[BackFromTheDead she gets better]] due to a DeusExMachina at the end of the season]].

** Later [[spoiler:the Red King [[DeathSeeker Mikoto]] holds out his arms and smiles as [[FoeRomanceSubtext Munakata]] is forced to run him through to prevent his powers from destroying everything around them]].
* In ''Manga/{{Kekkaishi}}'', [[spoiler:Gen]] dies like this after realizing [[spoiler:Kaguro's swords suppressed his regeneration]]. [[spoiler:It was the only time Yoshimori and Tokine saw him smile.]]

* ''Manga/MajinTanteiNougamiNeuro'''s [[spoiler:Sasazuka]], is fatally shot in the face by the series's latest BigBad. Before he goes, he catches sight of the heroine, Yako, and smiles peacefully to her before the gun goes off.

** [[spoiler:Kaji]] went out much the same, but with an added [[spoiler:[[FacingTheBulletsOneLiner "What took you so long?"]]]].

** [[spoiler:Rei 2]] in the series. Just as [[spoiler:her Eva]] is about to detonate, she hallucinates a smiling Gendo and tearfully smiles back before the kaboom.
** [[spoiler:[[WomanScorned Ritsuko]]]], whose plan to commit a murder-suicide with Gendo goes up in smoke when [[AIIsACrapshoot Casper disobeys her]]. Gendo pulls a gun on her and tells her [[TheUnreveal something we don't get to hear]]. Her response is a bitter smile and calling him a liar before he pulls the trigger.

* [[spoiler:Kagero]] of ''Anime/NinjaScroll'' smiled with warm happiness as [[spoiler:Jubei let her experience True Love at last... before expiring from the treacherous wounds inflicted by Genma]].

** [[spoiler:Ace fit in naturally during his ''actual'' death, when he dies from his injuries from TakingTheBullet to protect Luffy, and after his FinalSpeech to those around him, he collapses with a smile knowing that despite having the blood of a "demon" in his veins, despite being a "good-for-nothing," he was truly loved.]]
** [[spoiler:The newly revealed addition to the 'Will of D', Trafalgar D. Water Law,]] gets a non-fatal one when Doflamingo, rather than killing him outright, [[SarcasmMode graciously offers to make his death worth something]] and offers to fulfill one last wish in exchange for [[spoiler:having the ultimate ability of Law's Op-Op Fruit performed on him: immortality]]. He agrees, but only if Doflamingo brings Corazon back to life and licks the ass of every Dressrosan citizen he's wronged. He flips him off with a huge grin on his face, taunting him even ''further'', before finally being shot.

** Until the very end, the smile doesn't burn off the face of the Going Merry. [[spoiler:Her last words are thanking the crew for taking care of her, and that no matter what, she was happy during her time with them.]]
** The aforementioned Corazon died smiling [[spoiler:knowing that Law would be free of Doflamingo]].
** All the G5 Marines who are trapped inside a hallway filled with deadly gas are seen by their comrades striking various thumbs-up poses, content that they managed to save [[SubordinateExcuse Tashigi]]. [[spoiler:Though it's ultimately subverted since they're all saved at the end of the arc.]]

** Yasu dies with a smile on his face, content that his sacrifice will protect the rebellion. An interesting example, since [[spoiler: he can't ''not'' smile and laugh after having been fed failed SMILE Fruits, yet it's clear that he would have done so anyway.]]
%% * [[spoiler:Ambertwo]]'s death in ''Radio/PokemonTheBirthOfMewtwo''.
* In ''Anime/PrincessTutu'''s first season finale, a ghostly form of [[spoiler:Edel]] smiles and requests a couple to dance together for her one last time, [[spoiler:even as ''her body is burning as a fire to warm someone back to life'']]. Ouch.

* ''Manga/SailorMoon'': At the end of Season 1 of the anime, [[spoiler:Sailor Jupiter gives Moon a comforting smile as she dies]], telling her not to be sad.
* ''Manga/{{Saiyuki}}'': Kanan smiles as she kills herself in front of Gonou (Hakkai), she was trying to smile for his benefit presumably. Yaone would have done exactly the same thing if she'd gone through with it. Hakkai himself when he thinks he's going to be killed smiles, very creepily, as he [[EyeScream pulls out his own eye]]
* [[spoiler:Mamiina]] in ''Anime/{{Simoun}}''.

** Near the end of the anime, [[spoiler:Crona]], after TakingTheBullet for Maka, dies smiling in her arms, glad that they were finally able to help her. [[spoiler:They came back later, but it's the thought that counts.]]
** At the end of the manga, [[spoiler:Crona seals away Asura on the moon, but Asura keeps a tremendous SlasherSmile the whole time, as he remained confident he'll get out again]].
** Subverted/played with in the very next scene: [[spoiler:[[BumblingDad Spirit]], who seems doomed to be killed by the sealing because he was also on the moon, just looks up at Maka and grins while giving her a thumbs-up.]] He was actually saved at the last second and, more to the point, it's made clear that once [[spoiler:Maka couldn't see him]] but he still thought he was going to die, he ''stopped smiling'' and started recoiling in fear and regret.
* ''LightNovel/SwordArtOnline'',

* [[spoiler:Nia]]'s death in ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann''.
** Same for [[spoiler:Kamina]], though true to his values and personality, his dying smile is manly and powerful rather than sweet and cute. And hence, the phrase 'Manly tears were shed.'

* ''Manga/TomorrowsJoe'' is one of the most famous examples in the anime genre: [[spoiler: Joe makes a victory in a finale match against boxing champion Jose Mendoza... but it also ends up as his ''final'' match too, as he is last seen in the corner of the ring still and quiet, but with a contented smile on his face. WordofGod said he has unsure if he was dead or alive, and improvised that image.]]
* In ''Manga/TowardTheTerra'', [[spoiler:Jonah Matsuka]] initially seems to have died with a look of numb, [[DiesWideOpen wide-eyed]] surprise, but actually manages to cling to life long enough to [[spoiler:telepathically draw Keith, who he was protecting, back from the brink of death]] before finally expiring with a {{Tender Tear|s}} and a peaceful smile.

** [[spoiler:Legato Bluesummers]] is seen smiling when he dies, both because he caused [[spoiler:Vash]] (his killer) to experience "eternal pain and suffering" by [[spoiler:making him break his [[TechnicalPacifist code of pacifism]], and because he died for the sake of his master, Knives (Vash's brother)]].
** Both versions of [[spoiler:Wolfwood]] apparently do this, although he has the variation of taking battle damage and then expiring slowly. The anime version goes out kneeling in a church and thinking about his friends. The manga version is sitting on a sofa in a trashed orphanage while the kids he grew up with throw confetti out of an airship to show that they care, and he and Vash share a final drink. The smile doesn't help much with the frustration about his death, since in both cases it could have been avoided.

** [[spoiler:Carly, after her transformation to a Dark Signer]], loses the Duel of Darkness against [[spoiler:Jack Atlas. She charges him to save the world, smiling as she tells him she'll be cheering for him, and confesses her love as she crumbles into dust. Fortunately, [[BackFromTheDead she gets better]] due to a DeusExMachina at the end of the season]].
** [[spoiler:Bruno isn't so lucky. Having declared that the loser of his duel against Yusei will disappear, he pushes his Delta Eagle to its limits just to get Yusei out the Black Hole they're in and back to the Arc Cradle. While Yusei calls out to him and reaches out, Bruno just smiles in the last shot we get of him.]]
* In ''Anime/YuGiOhArcV'', [[spoiler:the last thing Yusho does before he is carded by Yuri is to smile to Yuya, hoping he'll be able to smile in the face of adversity. This is deconstructed; Yusho's carding results in Yuya going into a [[UnstoppableRage blinding rage]], breaking free from the Swords of Binding Impact, and angrily confront Yuri in a Duel]].
* [[spoiler:Lulu]] dies like this in ''Anime/YuriKumaArashi'', smiling happily in [[DiedInYourArmsTonight Ginko's arms]] after [[TakingTheBullet taking the bullet]] for her.
* [[spoiler:Yusuke's second death]] in ''Manga/YuYuHakusho''. It was more than touching...
* ''Anime/ZombieLandSaga:'' [[spoiler:In [[ZombieLandSagaRevengeE09 episode 9 of ''Revenge'']], both Itou and Yugiri when they each die respectively.]]

** In the Team Winter flashback, it turns out that Fuyuhi died while last smiling at Aramaki. [[spoiler:The Fuyuhi that had been following Aramaki since Mitsuru's death was a grieving delusion of his, where he projected his lost friend onto a dog that he had rescued earlier. Nonetheless, the dog-Fuyuhi-illusion smiles before Aramaki realizes what was going on.]]
** During the ''Hail of Corn'' arc, [[spoiler:Mayu and Hyo]] manage to have a dying-with-a-smile moment. Despite being trapped under rocks from a cave-in and slowly dying from their sustained injuries, they both smile when realizing that, while they aren't going to make it to the future, Koruri will make it just as they hoped she would.

* In ''Manga/BananaFish'', [[spoiler:Ash Lynx]] was apparently smiling as he lay dying in the library, reading a letter from his soulmate and best friend Eiji.

** [[spoiler:Unohana]] smiles as she dies, having fought the greatest battle in her life and pleased that [[spoiler:Kenpachi is finally worthy of his title]].
%% ** In the Bount filler arc of the anime, both [[spoiler:Yoshino and Kariya]] smile before they die.
%% * In ''Anime/CowboyBebop'' [[spoiler:Julia and Spike, although Spike's may be a dubious example as he [[DyingAlone dies alone]]]].
%% -->Bang. [[spoiler:Then again, given that Vicious, the man who'd been tormenting his past, is now dead, that last word implies he's going without regrets and could well be smiling.]]
%% ** [[spoiler:And because he may or may not be dead. Word Of God is even he's not sure.]]

** In the manga [[spoiler:Rosette gives Chrono a smile as she tries to reattach his horns with her last breath. But later she [[NotQuiteDead comes back to life]] through sheer force of will.]] The scene is particularly haunting because [[spoiler:Mary Magdalene smiled at the same character before her death, as well]].
** Although it's not shown, [[spoiler:Rosette's later death]] is implied to have happened with a smile: one of the characters say she looked "peaceful" when they found her.

* In ''Anime/CodeGeass'', both [[spoiler:Euphemia li Britannia, Lelouch's loving, sweet half-sister]], and [[spoiler:Shirley Fenette, his head-over-heels in love primary romance interest]] die with smiles on their faces.
** Slightly subverted in the GrandFinale: [[spoiler:Right before Lelouch is stabbed by the new Zero (Suzaku), he smiles. But when he's actually dying in Nunally's arms, he has no expression on his face at all (he probably didn't want to look like he planned anything)]].
** Also mentioned (but not actually performed) [[spoiler:when C.C. tells Lelouch that her wish is to die. Charles is about to steal her "code", making her mortal again, but when Lelouch sees the worried look on her face he yells at her that she should at least die with a smile if this was really what she wanted]]. In the end, it wasn't.

* In ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'', [[spoiler:Wizardmon may always have his mouth covered, but while he's dying after taking a fatal attack for Gatomon, it's very obvious he's smiling up at her behind his cloak as he thanks her for her friendship]].

* In ''Manga/FairyTail'', [[spoiler:Future Lucy Heartfillia]] gets shot by [[spoiler:Future Rouge after taking the hit for Present Lucy.]] She asks [[spoiler:Lucy to show her Fairy Tail mark (as Future Lucy had lost hers [[AnArmAndALeg along with the hand it belonged to]]) as she comforts her past friends, telling them that their adventure is still going and to save the future before smiling at them and passing away.]]

** This happens near the end with [[spoiler:Buccaneer]].
** [[spoiler:King Bradley/Wrath]] plays this trope very well in [[Manga/FullmetalAlchemist the manga]], admitting aloud that he's lead a long, pleasant life as he is dying. This is almost ironic, as this man is singlehandedly responsible for the genocide of a race of people, as well as the death of 3 main characters, the slaughter of a slew of supporting characters, and the horrific crippling of another. With all this blood on his hands, and without sounding the slightest bit evil or sadistic, he goes out genuinely happy for the fulfilling life he's had.
--->'''Greedling:''' That's [[spoiler:Wrath!]] ...I see, so we finally got him...''[sigh]'' Bastard dies with that peaceful look on his face... pisses me off.
*** Later played again by [[spoiler:the second Greed when Father destroys him]]. As he dissolves into air and sees [[spoiler:that all of his comrades truly were his friends, he realizes his desires are finally complete]]. His last expression before dying is a small, content smile.
** Then we have [[spoiler:shadow Kimblee]], who fades into nothingness after [[spoiler:helping Edward, laying the verbal smackdown on Pride, smiling, and doffing his cap one final time]].
** Also, [[spoiler:Hohenheim returns to Resembool after the final battle with Father and dies kneeling in front of Trisha's grave]].

---->'''Pinako:''' Spotting him at [[spoiler:Trisha]]'s grave. [[spoiler:"...Silly old fool. Well, at least you died with a smile on your face, my friend."]]

** Played with in [[Anime/FullmetalAlchemist the 2003 anime version]] with [[spoiler:Greed]]. After committing SuicideByCop, he smiles with a peaceful expression. However, [[spoiler:his body then contorts in agony before dissolving]].
* In ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic''... well, it's not so much touching, but [[spoiler:Gauron]] did die with a ''very'' happy smile on his face. It was actually genuine, though, and [[SlasherSmile not very pretty]]. Apparently his happiness came from causing as much pain as he could to [[TheMasochismTango the one he loves]].
* In flashbacks, Shoyou-sensei in ''Manga/{{Gintama}}'' smiles his calm, warm smile at Gintoki right before [[spoiler:Gintoki is forced to behead his beloved teacher in exchange for his friends' lives]].
** [[spoiler:She did technically smile before, but that was because she covered her face in glue, fixing the expression in place.]]

** In the 40th Episode of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEED'', [[spoiler:King Izumi Athha detonated his Country's Military Silo to preserve his country's neutrality in a genocidal race war and to buy his daughter, [[RebelliousPrincess Princess Cagalli]], time to escape to space. The trouble is, he has to be there to throw the switch himself. Even after he reveals to her that she is in fact adopted, he tells her with a warm and loving smile ''"I'm so glad to have been your father"'' before closing the airlock and spiriting her off to freedom]]. There was not one dry eye, man or woman, at that Anime Screening in 2003.
*** Immediately following him, [[spoiler:Natarle Badgiruel]] smiles serenely as [[spoiler:the Archangel destroys the Dominion, content in the knowledge that she's taking Azrael out with her]].
*** [[spoiler:[[BigBad Rau Le Creuset]]]] is the creepier version of this, dying with a smile after [[TheHero Kira]] impales him, due to his belief that [[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds the entire world]] will be following him. It's both chilling, and kind of sad at the same time, as you realize what a wreck the man's life truly was.
** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamSEEDDestiny'' ,[[spoiler:[[{{Tykebomb}} Stellar]] smiling sweetly and telling Shinn she loves him right before she dies...]]
** ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamThe08thMSTeam'' did the same kind of thing with [[spoiler:Ginias Sakhalin, who goes out with a particularly creepy and detached PsychoticSmirk]].
** In ''Gundam SEED C.E 73 Stargazer'', [[spoiler:after ignoring orders to return and exhausting all his Gundam's energy, Shams Couza smiles before he get shot to death by [[MechaMook DSSD Astrays]]]].
** In ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'', Schwarz Brudder and [[spoiler:Domon's brother Kyouji, who he is robot replica of,]] smile as Domon destroys the core of the Devil Gundam.
** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamUnicorn'', [[spoiler:Daguza Mackle enacts a plan that traps the Sinanju and gives Banagher an opportunity to activate the [=NT-D=]. After successfully trapping it in with Banagher (if only for a short while) and damaging its Search Eye, Full Frontal retaliates with a his shield-mounted beam saber, and Daguza uses what time he has left to turn to Banagher with a salute and a smile]].
** In ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamAge'', [[spoiler:Yurin]] bears a heartbreaking smile as she died.
%% ** [[spoiler:Woolf]] in the Second Generation and [[spoiler:Lu]] in the Third Generation did this as well.
* In the ''VideoGame/{{Gungrave}}'' anime [[spoiler:Brandon/Grave and Harry [=McDowell=] both die with a smile. Mika doesn't get to Grave in time to see him die, but she realizes that although Grave is gone from her life, her memory of him and the thought that they'll always be "family" no matter what allows her to smile because she realized that Grave finally found his peace]].
-->[[spoiler:'''Grave:''' ''[to Harry]'']] Let's go home.\\
[[spoiler:'''Mika:''']] ''[smiling through [[spoiler:her]] tears]'' I know now...that we're a family...and always will be, forever, and ever.
* A chilling version in ''Manga/GunslingerGirl''. Brainwashed cyborg [[spoiler:Henrietta]] has a smile on her face as she's lying dead after carrying out her SuicidePact with her beloved handler [[spoiler:Jose]].
* [[spoiler:Ryoko Asakura]] of ''LightNovel/HaruhiSuzumiya'', who despite her [[spoiler:evil intentions of slicing Kyon to bits with a knife]] maintains a smile throughout most of her battle with Yuki and keeps a smiling face as she is being dissolved by Yuki. That just makes her ''more'' frightening. She doesn't really see the importance of death. In her ImageSong, she even states that ''heartbeats are nothing more than trivial, wave-like patterns''.
* At the end of ''Manga/HeavensLostProperty'' [[spoiler:Ikaros dies due to a self-destruct sequence. Moments before her body completely disintegrates, she realises that she loves Tomoki and shows him her true smile for the first time in the series]].

** [[spoiler:Alucard]] gives his sanest, most sincere smile in the entire series [[spoiler:as he fades away after absorbing Schrodinger]].
** [[spoiler:The Major]] dies this way as well, [[spoiler:believing that, even though he ultimately lost in the end, [[BloodKnight he had made his dream of the ultimate war a reality]]]].
** [[spoiler:Human Pip Bernadotte]], who is teasing Seras as he's [[DiedInYourArmsTonight dying in her arms]]. Which promptly turns into a moment of awesome, as [[spoiler:Pip freely offers his blood and soul, thus enabling Seras to TakeALevelInBadass. Also, he gets to live on as Seras' familiar.]]

** [[spoiler:Shion]] smiles (a sad one albeit) in ''Meakashi-hen'' when she is falling to her death and mentally promising to not repeat her mistakes; however, it quickly turned into shock when she neared the ground.
** Played straight with [[spoiler:Rena]] in ''Onikakushi-hen''. She tries to give a delusional and paranoid [[spoiler:Keiichi]] a [[CooldownHug hug]], but is beaten to death.

* In ''Manga/InuYasha'', a fatally wounded [[spoiler:Kagura]] smiles at Sesshomaru as she dissolves into wind. Same goes to [[spoiler:Kikyou]], dying in [[spoiler:Inuyasha's]] arms as he kisses her for the last time.
* The head of an orphanage in ''Manga/{{Itsuwaribito}}'' dies smiling after hearing all the orphans had survived the attack by bandits.[[spoiler:This is sadly a LetThemDieHappy invoked by the main character, who couldn't stand telling the man all the orphans had in fact been killed in the attack, because doing so would have made the head die experiencing soul-crushing regret.]]

** [[spoiler:[[TheHeroDies Jonathan Joestar]]]] from ''Manga/PhantomBlood'' goes out with triple sadness: [[spoiler:his serene smile is intended for his wife, the audience, and ''the villain'', his adopted brother Dio Brando]].
** [[spoiler:[[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Wamuu]]]] from ''Manga/BattleTendency'' dies with a smile [[spoiler:knowing [[TheHero Joseph]] was a WorthyOpponent]].
** [[spoiler:[[TeamPet Iggy]]]] from ''Manga/StardustCrusaders'' gives a small smile after [[spoiler:rescuing Polnareff, right before succumbing to his injuries]].
** [[spoiler:[[TheHeroDies Jolyne Cujoh]]]] from ''Manga/StoneOcean'' smiles at Emporio before she faces off against [[BigBad Pucci]] one last time so Emporio can escape. [[spoiler:Then a page and a half later, [[CurbStompBattle you see her getting ripped apart like tissue paper by Pucci's]] [[FightingSpirit Stand]]. All that remains is her Stand's sunglasses, which quickly disintegrate under accelerated time]].

** [[spoiler:Misuzu Kamio]] of ''VisualNovel/{{AIR}}''. Her final smile [[spoiler:for her true mother Haruko]] is so full of love and so darned ''adorable''.
** [[spoiler:Nagisa]]'s farewell to [[spoiler:Tomoya]] in the ''VisualNovel/{{Clannad}}'' movie and the Bad Ending route of the original visual novel, dying after giving birth, was a heartwarming smile of how glad she was to meet her daughter and to have met the love of her life.

%% ** [[spoiler:Makoto]] in ''VisualNovel/{{Kanon}}'', as well as [[spoiler:Ayu]], although the latter was NotQuiteDead after all. [[spoiler:Neither is Makoto]], though only in the 2006 anime.

* In the final episode of ''Anime/LastExile'', [[spoiler:Alex Rowe dies with a smile after finally carrying out his long-sought vengeance against Maestro Delphine]].
* In ''Anime/LegendOfGalacticHeroes'', [[spoiler:Walter von Schönkopf]] passed away with a smile after being fatally wounded during [[spoiler:the boarding operation against the Imperial supreme flagship ''Brünhild'' in episode 108]].

* ''Anime/LupinIIIIslandOfAssassins'': Done by both Bomber and [[spoiler:[[GirlOfTheWeek Ellen]]]]:
** After being [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice fatally wounded]] by Gordeau, Bomber manages to flash a grin at Jigen and gives him a thumbs up, before activating the bomb he had hidden under his vest in an attempt to [[TakingYouWithMe take Gordeau with him.]]
** [[spoiler:Ellen]]'s comes near the end, after [[TakingTheBullet taking a bullet]] to save Lupin, who cradles her during her LastWords. She thanks him for the brief moment they shared off the island and said she'd never forget it... then goes limp in his arms, with a faint smile.
* [[spoiler:Princess Emeraude]] in the finale of the first season of ''Manga/MagicKnightRayearth''. [[spoiler:She]] even gets to ''thank'' the Knights for killing [[spoiler:her]], which means [[spoiler:she's free from the curse that her life as the [[BarrierMaiden Pillar]] was]].
* [[spoiler:The first Reinforce]] in ''Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaAs'', who smiles at the crying [[spoiler:Hayate]] and tries to comfort her before finishing her HeroicSacrifice.
** [[spoiler:Zest also does this for Agito]] in ''[[Anime/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaStrikers StrikerS]]'', smiling and telling her that their time together was enjoyable before passing away.

* [[spoiler:Gai Daigouji]] from ''Anime/MartianSuccessorNadesico'' is shot just as he's about to put stickers from his favorite cartoon on his HumongousMecha to celebrate his victory from earlier in the episode... which in [[FridgeHorror hindsight]] is really, heartbreakingly sad.
* ''Manga/MedakaBox'': Though he doesn't actually die, [[spoiler:Zenkichi]] manages to meet each near death instance with a smile. Naturally, this ends up setting off Medaka.

** When [[spoiler:the upgraded Shigaraki]] attacks with [[spoiler:his decay wave]], Aizawa is being held in place by a Nomu and thus can't get away. Crust, [[RedBaron the Shield Hero]], stops and [[ThrowingYourShieldAlwaysWorks throws a shield]] to cut the Nomu's arm off to let Aizawa escape, but this delay means he gets caught in the [[spoiler:decay wave]] himself. Even in the midst of what's a presumably painful death, Crust gives a big smile and thumbs-up to Aizawa as he escapes.
* In ''Anime/MyHime'', [[spoiler:Takumi Tokiha, Haruka Suzushiro and Yuuichi Tate]] smile as they die as results of the [[ThereCanBeOnlyOne HiME Carnival]].
** [[spoiler: Shizuru is also smiling as she and Natsuki vanish together. Given that her most precious person had just kissed her and said she truly loved her, even if not romantically, it wasn't a bad way to go.]]

** Played straight then with [[spoiler:Itachi's actual]] death. As he smiles at Sasuke following their fight he says that there won't be a next time and collapses. When it happened, viewers didn't have the context to understand it, and had to join Sasuke in feeling that something, somewhere had GoneHorriblyWrong.
** [[spoiler:The Third Hokage dies with a smile on his face]], because he believes despite his death, Konoha will be fine as long as the villagers have the 'Will of Fire'.
** [[spoiler:Jiraiya and Nagato]] died smiling. Kishimoto likes to have the good guys deaths softened in the knowledge they died at peace, most bad guys don't get such a luxury.
*** [[spoiler:Kisame]] is also an exception, as he [[FakingTheDead appeared to die]] then he [[AlasPoorVillain really died]] sporting a psychopathic grin ''both'' times (especially the second).
** In [[AdaptationExpansion the anime]], Hinata, after being [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown beaten up and thrown around by Pain]], gives one last smile to Naruto before the fatal blow is dealt. [[spoiler:Sakura heals her after Pain and the [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge now-Kyuubified]] Naruto leave the village though. Naruto also gets better.]]
** The Fourth Hokage [[spoiler:Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, die smiling. It's more bittersweet than usual in that they know they've basically doomed their son to a life of pain and woe, but are comforted in the fact that they'll be able to help him when the time comes, and have given him the means to overcome the trials that lie ahead]].
** In Chapter 614, [[spoiler:Neji]] smiles as he [[TakingTheBullet takes a fatal attack meant for Naruto]], in order to save Naruto and [[spoiler:his cousin Hinata]] (who had the same idea as [[spoiler:Neji]]) and thinks that he finally understands why [[spoiler:his father]] willingly sacrificed himself in the past.
%% ** In Chapter 687, [[spoiler:Obito]] goes out with a smile.
* In Chapter 278 of ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', [[spoiler:[[SuccessThroughInsanity Jack Rakan]], after delivering a powerful blow to Fate, begins to dissolve into sakura petals just like everyone else hit by Fate's attacks, and he, of all people, combines this with [[ObiWanMoment a rather calm, relaxed attitude]] as he passes on his last words]].
-->[[spoiler:'''Rakan:''' ''[to Negi]'' So... yeah. I wanted to take responsibility for my generation and clean up these last bits of shit for you...but I guess you're gonna have to deal with it after all.]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Negi:''' Ra...kan...san?]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Rakan:''' Sorry. ''[a few panels later]'' Ah, well. I'm sure you'll be able to handle it.]]

--->[[spoiler:'''Rakan:''' ''[to Negi]'' Heh... See ya around, kid. Don't get consumed by the darkness.]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Negi:''' Rakan-san!]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Rakan:''' Don't look back. Keep on moving forward. When a guy keeps his gaze fixed right in front of him...]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Negi:''' RAKAN-SAN!]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Rakan:''' The world smiles on him...]]\\
[[spoiler:'''Negi:''' Raka...n...san...]]
** [[spoiler:Tosaka]] did it too, after taking a hit meant for Ako Izumi.
--->[[spoiler:'''Tosaka:''' ...Hah... Are you kidding me? Am I dying to protect some useless little former slave of a girl? I guess I really goddamn well am just... a side character... to the end...]]

** [[spoiler:Misato]] does this. Whilst she actually dies alone, bleeding out on the floor until someone blows up the level she's on, she sends off the last person to see her alive by pushing him into an elevator, with her giving him a genuinely loving smile before the doors shut between them and she collapses to the floor.