8. Mufasa - The Lion King
Who Is He?: Simba's father and the King of the Pride Lands, a forthright and honourable lion who is beloved by his son, and envied tenaciously by his brother, Scar, who feels himself the rightful recipient of the throne.
How Does He Die?: Scar arranges for Mufasa to be caught in a violent stampede, causing him to be trampled to death in the effort of saving Simba's life. This results in one of the most wrenching moments in animated film (or really, in any film), as Simba realises what has happened and who was behind it.
Why He Should Have Lived: I guess he shouldn't have, really; Mufasa's death propels the story forward while cementing the "circle of life" theme that cuts through the entire movie. It conveys this to children in an arresting and unforgettable manner, though his admirable qualities certainly make his death a tough one to swallow.