History Main / DeathEqualsRedemption

* [[spoiler: Zarkon and Lotor]] in the end of ''WesternAnimation/VoltronLegendaryDefender'', who both work with the Paladins against [[spoiler: Honerva]] from beyond the grave.

* In ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'', abusive ParentalSubstitute Shadow Weaver sacrifices herself to save Adora and Catra from a humongous creature in the series finale, while simultaneously finally giving Catra the [[WellDoneSonGuy "I'm Proud of you"]] she always wanted. It's notable that even in her final moments, Shadow Weaver manages to make her sacrifice a somewhat-selfish act, opting for a MutualKill rather than face the consequences of her years of cruelty.

In RedemptionEqualsDeath, a villain will make a HeelFaceTurn and then is killed off. In ''this'' trope, the order is flipped: the HeelFaceTurn happens ''because'' the villain knows that he is absolutely about to die. Usually, a character who undergoes Death Equals Redemption only lives long enough afterward to say something that shows he is no longer evil to the core, though some get to give a FinalSpeech, or even undergo a full-blown FreudianExcuse flashback.

* [[spoiler: Zarkon and Lotor]] in the end of ''WesternAnimation/VoltronLegendaryDefender''.

* Two examples in ''Manga/RosarioToVampire''. First, Lady Oyakata, who had been on a major vendetta against humans for destroying the environment and had wounded Ruby, her former disciple, in combat, is saved by Ruby when her most powerful spell ends up backfiring on her, and she uses the last of her strength to heal Ruby. Later on, when she's dying from wounds inflicted by Kokoa, Kahlua realizes that she had not been a good sister and apologizes to her for it.

* ''Literature/{{Nevermoor}}'': Played with by Professor Onstald, who spends most of the second book being a horribly bigoted SadistTeacher towards Morrigan. However, when she risks her life to save him and some other kidnapping victims, he seems to realize he was wrong about her, and sacrifices his life so she and the others can escape. Morrigan has ''very'' complicated feelings about this, since every other interaction she ever had with him involved him treating her like garbage. Jupiter says that, while what Onstald did was undoubtedly brave and heroic, it doesn't erase everything else he did. [[RealityEnsues One selfless act does not undo the damage he did to Morrigan]].

* ''Anime/FreshPrettyCure'' has [[spoiler: Soular and Westar.]] [[spoiler:[[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness After unknowingly being sent to their deaths]], they are revived and then they [[HeelFaceTurn join the Cures]].]]
* ''Anime/SuitePrettyCure'' has [[spoiler:Falsetto]]. Justifiable since [[spoiler:he was absorbed by Noise for being annoying. After he's revived, he returns good.]]

** ''Anime/SuitePrettyCure'' has [[spoiler:Falsetto]]. Justifiable since [[spoiler:he was absorbed by Noise for being annoying. After he's revived, he returns good.]]

* In ''ComicBook/DarkNightsDeathMetal'', ''ComicBook/SuperboyPrime''ends up battling the Batman Who Laughs and ultimately sacrifices himself to deal the beast a crushing blow that gives the heroes a fighting chance. The multiverse responds by resurrecting him on his Earth-Prime with his own Krypto and his villainous past erased, giving him a second chance.

* In ''ComicBook/DarkNightsDeathMetal'', Superboy-Prime ends up battling the Batman Who Laughs and ultimately sacrifices himself to deal the beast a crushing blow that gives the heroes a fighting chance. The multiverse responds by resurrecting him on his Earth-Prime with his own Krypto and his villainous past erased, giving him a second chance.

--> Klein: “Destroy the orbit control mechanism; Phobos will stop when you do so.”

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'': {{Defied|Trope}} in [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0464.html this comic]] by [[KnightTemplar Miko the (former) paladin]], who attempted to save her world by destroying an ancient gate. [[AlasPoorScrappy While she is lying on the floor]] [[HalfTheManHeUsedToBe in two very large pieces]], she is told by the founder of her order [[NiceJobBreakingItHero how badly she'd messed things up]]. He sadly informs her that though she carried out her duty, she cannot be readmitted to the paladins, because she never actually admitted that her original mistake was wrong or did anything to fix it.
-->'''Soon Kim:''' Perhaps, if you had more time...but then again, perhaps not. Redemption is a rare and special thing, after all. It is [[TitleDrop not for everyone]].

[[folder:Web Animation]]
* In the [[WebAnimation/SomethingAbout Something About]] VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror video, upon being killed by Kirbo, Kracko has the gates of heaven opened for him, and {{God}} says "Eye forgive you." [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments Kracko tears up.]]
[[/folder]]

* In the [[/WebAnimation/SomethingAbout Something About]] VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror video, upon being killed by Kirbo, Kracko has the gates of heaven opened for him, and {{God}} says "Eye forgive you." [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments Kracko tears up.]]

* In the [[/WebAnimation/SomethingAbout Something About]] VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror video, upon being killed by Kirbo, Kracko has the gates of heaven opened for him, and{ {God}} says "Eye forgive you." [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments Kracko tears up.]]

* In the Web/AnimationSomethingAbout VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror, upon being killed by Kirby, Kracko has the gates of heaven opened for him, and UsefulNotes/God says "Eye forgive you." [[HeartwarmningMoments Kracko tears up]]

** After being freed from Zemus' control in ''VideoGame/FinalFantayIV'', Golbez becomes this--though he doesn't say so directly, Rosa immediately recognizes that his intention is to die in atonement. Even though he was BrainwashedAndCrazy, Golbez still blames himself for having enough resentment for Zemus to seize on. Though he survives, he can die in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIVTheAfterYears'' if the player doesn't meet certain conditions.

** Kil'jaeden also expresses regret for his crimes in his final moments, admitting that one of the main causes of his joining was belief the Legion couldn't be stopped and wishing the heroes luck

* Can happen in the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' novels, although the redemption generally happens after death, when the deceased has a chat with [[TheGrimReaper Death]]. Despite Death's CatchPhrase "There's no justice. There's just me.", this redemption does tend to avoid an IronicHell. Contrast the fate of Mr. Pin and Mr. Tulip in ''Discworld/TheTruth''.

* From the ''Roleplay/GlobalGuardiansPBEMUniverse'', Hardcase was a career criminal with a stack of open warrants against him in four different states. When al-Queda attacked the World Trade Center, he didn't hesitate to go and help rescue people from the damaged buildings. He was killed when the North Tower collapsed, and earned a full presidential pardon for all his crimes.