While many viewers enjoy the overall experience of a TV series more than the ending itself, a strong finale is crucial for a show to be truly memorable. Some of the most beloved series, such as Code Geass and Cowboy Bebop, are considered classics primarily because of their fantastic final episodes.
It’s incredibly difficult to create an ending that satisfies all fans, even for well-crafted stories. The more popular a series becomes, the higher the expectations, and the more likely the finale will strongly divide viewers – some will love it, others will hate it.
Death Note’s Entire Second Half Is Considered Divisive
The popular early 2000s anime Death Note wasn’t without its critics. However, many fans felt the show declined in quality well before the ending, specifically after the character L died, believing the later parts weren’t as good.
Okay, so the ending is definitely a point of contention – a lot of people feel it was too fast, and that Light acted strangely, like he wasn’t himself. Plus, it left out some stuff from the original manga. But honestly, despite that, Death Note is still a total classic! It’s held up amazingly well over the years. Even the biggest fans will admit it sometimes relies a little too much on convenient plot devices, and the quality isn’t always consistent, but it’s still incredible.
Darling in the Franxx’s Finale Irreversibly Tarnished Its Reputation
When Darling in the Franxx first came out in 2018, it was incredibly popular. Today, though, it’s mainly talked about because of its ending, which many fans feel dramatically changed the show’s tone and didn’t provide a satisfying conclusion to the romance.
The last part of Darling in the Franxx took the story in a surprising, cosmic direction that many viewers felt didn’t work well. The main characters, Hiro and Zero Two, tragically sacrifice themselves, but the ending reveals they were reincarnated. This fate deeply divided fans – some saw it as a beautiful, romantic conclusion, while others criticized it as overly sad and a last-minute attempt to create a happy ending that felt unearned.
Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Ending Is Either Hated or Praised as a Masterpiece
The 1990s anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion is a hugely important and well-known show, but its last two episodes are famously strange. Instead of providing clear answers, the finale dives deep into the main character Shinji’s mind, becoming very abstract and emotionally intense. While now considered a groundbreaking work of art, the ending wasn’t popular with everyone when it first aired and still sparks debate today.
The original ending of Evangelion was quite divisive, and pretty much every subsequent version of the story has also sparked strong disagreement among fans. Whether it’s the even bleaker conclusion of The End of Evangelion, the definitive ending in the Rebuild of Evangelion films, or the alternate ending found in the manga, opinions are always sharply divided.
Erased’s Culmination Let Many Fans Down
Released in 2016, the 12-episode anime Erased quickly gained attention as a standout mystery thriller. It had a compelling premise boosted by a unique sci-fi element, a plot with real tension and good character growth, and characters that viewers easily connected with. Unfortunately, the ending proved controversial and disappointed many fans.
The anime Erased ends with the villain being caught, but the main character, Satoru, falls into a 15-year coma. Many viewers found the final confrontation underwhelming. The anime’s ending wasn’t as dramatic as some expected and differed from the unfinished manga storyline. However, a lot of fans still felt it provided a satisfying and sensible conclusion.
Not Everyone Was Satisfied With Gurren Lagann’s Bittersweet Ending
Gurren Lagann is famous for being a fast-paced, incredibly exciting mecha anime, but it’s also surprisingly meaningful and emotionally resonant. The story focuses on the strength of the human spirit and never giving up, leading many viewers to anticipate a completely cheerful conclusion. However, the show ultimately took a different path.
The final episode of Gurren Lagann features a bittersweet conclusion: Nia disappears during her wedding with Simon, and he decides to step back and let a new generation of pilots lead the way. While the ending might seem sad, it perfectly reflects the show’s central message about supporting those who come after us, and it brings the story to a thoughtful and ultimately rewarding close.
Some Fans See Trigun Stargaze as a Mocking of a Beloved Classic
Remakes of popular, classic anime always face a lot of criticism, especially compared to brand new shows. However, the first season of Studio Orange’s updated version of the well-known space Western Trigun, called Trigun Stampede, was surprisingly well-received, even though it differed from both the original ‘90s anime and the manga it was based on.
The second and final season, Trigun Stargaze, proved much more divisive than the first. Many felt it didn’t measure up in terms of animation and storytelling. A major point of contention was the shift in tone – Stargaze took the story in a surprisingly optimistic and lighthearted direction. While some appreciated a happy ending for Trigun where the characters survived, others believed Stargaze strayed from the core themes of the original series.
Platinum End Chooses to Conclude on a Jarringly Nihilistic Note
Not every great show needs a happy ending. Many anime series, like Devilman Crybaby and Wolf’s Rain, have dark, even devastating finales that viewers still appreciate. However, Platinum End attempts a similar shocking twist but doesn’t pull it off successfully.
Platinum End features an epic, supernatural battle royale with a complex story, but its ending is quite controversial. The new God, Shuji Nakaumi, unexpectedly takes his own life, which leads to the extinction of all life on Earth. While some viewers admired the boldness of this choice, many others were frustrated by the rushed and shocking finale, feeling it undermined the entire series.
School Days’ Finale Became Famous for All the Wrong Reasons
Honestly, School Days started out like a lot of other sweet, slow-burn romance anime. But then… wow. The ending completely blew me away – and not in a good way for everyone. It went from a typical high school love story to something shockingly violent, and it’s become super infamous for it! It’s weird because the series only really became popular because of that ending. Some people think it’s a terrible mess, while others actually appreciate how twisted and daring it was. It definitely left an impression, that’s for sure!
It’s rare to find a serious discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of School Days. The show is mostly known for its memes, though some people genuinely appreciate its ending. Still, when it comes to anime with endings that spark huge debates, School Days is arguably the most controversial of them all.
My Hero Academia’s Ending Didn’t Meet Some Fans’ Expectations
It’s incredibly difficult for a popular, long-running action series to satisfy all of its fans when it ends, and My Hero Academia was no different. After being a major series in the action genre for over ten years, its finale included a significant jump forward in time and didn’t confirm a romantic relationship many fans wanted – both of which sparked a lot of debate.
The ending of the My Hero Academia manga, when it finished in 2024, caused a lot of debate among fans online. However, the anime’s finale, which aired in 2026, was much better received, even though it still had some criticisms. The anime followed the manga’s story but expanded on it with more detail and a smoother flow.
Attack on Titan’s Long-Anticipated Finale Left Many Fans Displeased
The ending of the Attack on Titan manga sparked a lot of debate among fans, becoming one of the most controversial conclusions in manga history. Even the anime adaptation by Studio MAPPA, which made a few changes to the speed and some scenes, didn’t receive widespread praise.
After ten years, the hugely popular anime series Attack on Titan concluded with a shocking and somber ending. While many fans were disappointed with how the story resolved Eren Yeager’s character and explored its central ideas, the series remains one of the most celebrated anime ever made, and the controversial finale didn’t significantly damage its overall legacy.
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2026-05-29 17:46