The mastery of ending an anime brings the narrative a sense of closure and draws to an end its extensive emotional journey. Some stories build up their narratives over decades to culminate in a massively anticipated finale, while others prevail as standalone, self-contained series completed over one season.
But fans get equally invested in any format if the story is executed well and anticipate the climax of their favorite series with fearful eagerness. Not every anime series receives a worthy ending. Many long-running shows get canceled midway or fail to create a satisfying original ending when the source material is still unfinished. However, those shows that nail their finale stick with fans forever, proving that an incredible conclusion to their beloved story was always worth the wait.
10 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Gave The Story A Proper Conclusion Missing In The Series’ Previous Adaptation
Fullmetal Alchemist rightfully sits at the top of every existent anime rating and upholds its cult-classic status amongst fans and critics alike. The story of Fullmetal Alchemist’s anime adaptations started with the 2003 version, which infamously changed the series’ ending due to the manga being still unfinished.
In 2009, the massively popular story received a more faithful remake, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which brought the series’ legendary finale over to the anime-only audience and secured the show’s standing as a timeless shonen classic. Brotherhood’s intense and thrilling run culminated in one of the most satisfying endings in anime history, and every fan of the medium has to experience it at least once in their lifetime.
9 Assassination Classroom’s Ending Made The Fans Rightfully Emotional
Assassination Classroom became a hit show at the time of its release, captivating the fans with its unique premise and vibrant, unconventional characters. The endearing, overpowered monster Koro-sensei and his class of murderous delinquents won the hearts of myriads of viewers. Nevertheless, the series’ soul-stirring conclusion made many fans’ hearts sink.
Over the years of the show’s run, everyone got immensely attached to Assassination Classroom’s lovable cast, so seeing the students of 3-E finally fulfill their mission and put their teacher to rest was shockingly heartbreaking.
8 Hunter X Hunter Anime Ending Pays Homage To Its Hero’s Original Goal
Despite the Hunter x Hunter manga still serializing, the 2011 anime adaptation of the beloved series concluded its section of the story in a fulfilling manner. Unlike many shows that aim to adapt an ongoing series, Hunter x Hunter made sure to give anime-only fans an end that’s worth the three-year-long wait.
The series goes back to the roots of Gon’s long journey and ends on the long-awaited meeting between the hero and his missing father, Ging. And while Hunter x Hunter has much more in stock saved for the future, this ending was a satisfying finale to this chapter of the narrative’s story.
7 Clannad: After Story Made Every Fan Cry Their Eyes Out
The 2007 slice-of-life series Clannad presents the audience with a simple yet authentic story of an apathetic delinquent Tomoya Okazaki growing into a better person by helping his female classmates with their internal struggles. However, the show’s second season Clannad: After Story transformed the narrative’s unsophisticated premise into something way more emotive and brilliantly soul-crushing.
After Story goes into way heavier themes, covering the concepts of trauma, death, and the influence people can have on each other’s lives. Even if the first season of the show might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s definitely worth the watch for the brilliance of Clannad’s conclusion.
6 Legend Of The Galactic Heroes Delivers A Conclusive Ending To Its Complex Narrative
The space opera genre is famous for its expansive, tense narratives that clash countless characters and factions in a never-ending complicated conflict. However, the anime industry has one example of a space opera epic receiving a gratifying finale that leaves the audience satisfyingly heartbroken and content.
Legend of the Galactic Heroes is infamous for its excessive cast of characters, complex political plotline, and frightening length. Nevertheless, the series’ compound plotline builds up over a hundred episodes to deliver a brilliant conclusion to the long-running political saga.
5 Kuroko’s Basketball Is A Blast To Watch Till The Very End
During the rise of sports anime in the early 2010s, Kuroko’s Basketball was one of the most popular shows in the shonen genre. Despite its overpowered protagonists and over-the-top basketball matches, the series became a beloved exemplar of the genre, managing to engage the viewers with its brilliant character writing and compelling showdowns.
Unlike many other sports series, Kuroko’s Basketball had a satisfying and conclusive ending that culminates Seirin’s difficult journey of school basketball stardom. The series’ intense finale combined everything the fans loved about the anime and gave its all to offering Kuroko’s Basketball a well-realized conclusion.
4 Monster’s Finale Clashes Its Ideological Opponents In A Long-Awaited Final Collision
Monster is often regarded as one of the most suspenseful and realistic psychological horrors in the anime industry, uncovering the terrifying capacities of human cruelty. The thrilling series follows the journey of a brilliant Japanese surgeon Kenzou Tenma, from the moment he saves a seemingly innocent boy Johan, revealing himself as a psychotic serial killer, to the final confrontation between the hero and his opponent.
Monster doesn’t break its extensive story into multiple seasons. The show’s complicated yet endlessly engaging narrative flows as a single tale that concludes with one of the most anticipated clashes in the medium’s history.
3 Evangelion Fans Have Been Waiting Twenty Six Years For The Story’s Refined Finale
Neon Genesis Evangelion was a revolutionary reconstruction of the mecha genre at the time of its release in the late ’90s. Unfortunately, multiple production issues led to unexpected changes to the original anime’s ending.
Over the decades, Evangelion’s creator Hideaki Anno has been trying to give the franchise a proper conclusion by reimagining the show through a series of feature films. Finally, after 26 years since the anime’s release, Shinji Ikari’s monumental saga came to an end in Evangelion 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, a soul-crushing conclusion worthy of the legendary franchise.
2 Code Geass Has One Of The Most Memorable Final Episodes In Anime History
The ending of the epic mecha anime Code Geass had an astounding effect on the industry landscape. The thrilling story of Lelouch Lamperouge, the genius teenage strategist possessing a mysterious “Power of Kings,” and his rebellion against the military nation of Britannia captivated myriads of anime fans with its intense plot and vibrant characters.
Despite the mixed opinions on the show’s overall narrative qualities, Code Geass’ ending earned the series the legendary status. Lelouch’s sacrificial death in the last episode of the anime’s second season shocked the viewers and became iconic for its symbolic significance and narrative effectiveness.
1 Gintama Ended Its Fifteen-Year-Long Run With A Sentimental Movie
Long-running shonen series rarely get a satisfying conclusion, usually struggling to maintain their quality over the years. An unusual example of a Shonen Jump classic receiving a brilliant canonical finale is Gintama, which culminated in 2021 with a long-awaited final movie.
The iconic comedy Goliath of the genre had an extensive run and a rich history, persisting through multiple cancellations, studio changes, and fake endings. The final act of Gintama’s magnificent story recieved a brilliant theatrical treatment, which was a fitting end to the legendary franchise.
About The Author
