- "When the first living thing existed, I was there waiting. When the last living thing dies, my job will be finished. I'll put the chairs on the tables, turn out the lights and lock the universe behind me when I leave."
- ― Death of the Endless (The Sandman)
- "I was there to witness all of them. Each frivolous end. But you didn't even notice me, because Puss in Boots laughs in the face of death, right? But you're not laughing now."
- ― Death to Puss (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish)
- "You fight me as if I live, Lantern. I do not. I am Death."
- ― Nekron to Thaal Sinestro (DC Comics)
The archetype for the characters that embody or who are Death itself. Ultimate archetype of Grim Reaper Physiology. Not to be confused with just Death Derivation, Death Embodiment or Grim Reaper Physiology.
Also Called[]
- Angel of Death/ArchAngel of Death
- Collector of Souls
- Death Archetype
- Holy Death
- Netherworld Emissary
- Pale Death/Horsemen/Rider
- Rider of the Pale Horse
- Saint Death/Saint of Death
- The Grim Reaper
- The Reaper
Fiction-Specific Terms[]
- La Parca (The Robe)
Properties[]
As an archetype, Death is a powerful primordial cosmic entity that represents not only the act of death itself, but also the dead and those that are dying. It comes in many forms, but it mainly that of a skeletal figure. Its image appears in European culture and other religious sources. Depending on the system or universe, they may be considered to be the product of some other or the Anti-God.
Associated Powers[]
- Absolute Immortality
- Anti-God/Death Deity (varies)
- Dark/Undead Divinity
- Death Derivation
- Decay Embodiment (Varies)
- Grim Reaper Physiology
- Necro Power
- Nigh-Omnipotence/Omnipotence (varies)
- Nigh-Omnipresence/Omnipresence (varies)
- Nigh-Omniscience/Omniscience (varies)
- Primordial/Transcendent Cosmic Entity
- Relative Appearance Alteration
- Scythe Proficiency
- Skeleton Physiology (Varies; as the typical version of Death.)
- Transcendent Angel Physiology (varies)
Variations[]
Variant Physiologies[]
Associations[]
- Angel Physiology
- Cosmic Entity
- Death Derivation
- Death Embodiment
- Grim Reaper Physiology
- Psychopomp
- Transcendent Physiology
Flaws/Weaknesses[]
Known/Example Characters[]
See Also: The Grim Reaper
Anime/Manga/Manhwa
- Shinigami (Death Note)
- Gelus
- Rem
- Ryuk
- The Shinigami King
- MetalPhantomon (Digimon)
- Phantomon (Digimon)
- Shinigami (Naruto)
- Death (One Piece)
- Death (Soul Eater)
Cartoons/Comics
- Death (Adventure Time)
- Mr. Fox (Adventure Time)
- Black Flash (DC Comics)
- Black Racer (DC Comics)
- Death of the Endless (DC Comics)
- Necron (DC Comics)
- Death (Marvel Comics)
- Death (Regular Show)
Literature
- Azrael (Discworld)
- Death (Discworld)
- Death (Harry Potter series)
- Brothers Death (SCP Foundation)
Folklore/Mythology
- Azrael (Abrahamic Faiths)
- The Pale Horseman (Abrahamic Faiths)
- Death, the Grim Reaper (European Folklore)
- San La Muerte (Folk Catholicism)
- San Pascualito (Folk Catholicism)
- Santa Muerte (Folk Catholicism)
- Thanatos/Mors (Greco-Roman Mythology)
- Shinigami (Shintoism)
Television/Movies
- Death (Final Destination)
- Death (Meet Joe Black)
- Angel of Death (The Prince of Egypt)
- Death (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish)
- Death (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
- Death (Supernatural)
- Dean Winchester (Supernatural); temporally.
Video Games
- Death (Castlevania series)
- Death (Darksiders Series)
- The Pale Rider (Megami Tensei series)
- Kaiser Insight (Princess Connect! Re: Dive)
- Lasvoss (The Battle Cats)
- Yveltal (Pokemon)
- Eternatus (Pokemon)
Gallery[]
Azrael (Abrahamic Faiths) is the angel of death.
Death (Darksiders)
Death (Castevania series) loyally serves Dracula.
The Black Flash (DC Comics) is one of the aspects of death, specifically, it represents the death of speedsters.
The Black Racer (DC Comics) is one of the aspects of death, specifically, it represents the death as an inevitability.
.jpg "Death of the Endless (DC Vertigo).jpg (553 KB)")
Death of the Endless (DC Comics) doesn't just represent death. She is death itself. Though unlike what you'd expect she is compassionate and loving.
Nekron (DC Comics) is one of the aspects of death. Specifically, it represents the death as a cosmic certainty.
.png "Phantomon (Digimon).png (1.56 MB)")
Phantomon (Digimon)
Death/Bill Door (Discworld) unlike most versions of Death is an affable and friendly anthropomorphic personification.
Grim (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy).
Thantos/Mors (Greco-Roman Mythology) is the god and embodiment of death.
Death (Harry Potter) appears to the three brothers in The Tales of Beedle the Bard to give them three gifts known as the Deathly Hallows, while the brothers and Hallows are real, it's unkown if Death does too.
Death (Marvel Comics) is the object of Thanos's obsession, though she only loves Deadpool.
The Shinigami (Naruto) can be summoned by humans, such as Orochimaru.
Death (One Piece) who briefly appears to Zoro in Wano.
Death (Soul Eater) took a more comical appearance to avoid frightening children.
.png "Death (Puss in Boots - The Last Wish).png (521 KB)")
Death (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish)
.gif "Ryuk the Death God (Death Note).gif (2.89 MB)")
Ryuk (Death Note)
Videos[]
The Grim Reaper - The Personification of Death-2
Terry Pratchett's Hogfather - "Have you been naughty or nice ? " (VOSTFR)-2
Death - Wonders Speech-2
Death and the Secret of the Infinite (Terry Pratchett's Discworld)-2
Dave vs. Death
Red Dwarf Rimmer Death Vs Adagio In D-2
Death's Intro... Supernatural S5E21
Supernatural 6x11 "Appointment in Samarra" - Dean Talks with Death
DC Showcase "Death" part-1-2
DC Showcase "Death" part-2-2
DC Showcase "DEATH" part-3-2
DC Showcase "DEATH" part-4-2
Deadpool (Video Game) - Dance with Death in Deadpool's Apartment (Xbox 360 PS3 PC) HD-2
Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey (1991) - We're Dead Dude Scene (2-10) - Movieclips-2
Trevor Belmont vs. Death - Castlevania Season 4-2
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 1 (3-5) Movie CLIP - The Three Brothers (2010) HD-2