10 Almost Perfect Anime That Were Ruined By Bad Endings

Over the years, anime fans have seen dozens of amazing and entertaining shows that have gained popularity thanks to their intricate plots and cute casts. While not all can reach these levels, there are more than a handful of performances that can be considered masterpieces; perfect in every way from start to finish.

Still, it's far more common for a good anime to drop in quality near the end, resulting in finales that leave most fans disappointed. Despite their strong first episodes, lovable characters, or even their interesting plots, these shows took what could have been a memorable climax and turned it into episodes fans would love to forget.

Samurai Champloo

These near-perfect anime from the 2000s were ruined by one bad episode

Find out how these iconic anime series from the 2000s almost lost their way with a single bad episode.

10

Akame Ga Kill Killed Off Way Too Many Characters

Akame Ga Kill Set in a world where a cruel and corrupt elite do whatever they want under the protection of the Empire, a young warrior named Tatsumi is recruited into a rebellion to overthrow the system.

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Akame Ga Kill is a fantastic anime that has been enjoyed by many fans, but it has distinct differences that only those who have read the manga will notice.

Akame Ga Kill is a thrilling yet terrifying depiction of what it's like to fight for freedom, with danger and death looming around every corner. Fans loved the story for its unique approach to the Shonen genre. However, the ending fell short of the audience's expectations as it was not only rushed but ignored several unaddressed plot points to instead focus on a lackluster final battle where too many characters died, making the entire anime feel pointlessly bleak.

9

Deadman Wonderland's Ending left anime dead in the water

Survival Game anime have gained fame as some of the most brutal series ever created. Deadman Wonderland is an anime that definitely falls into that category, and it's one of the reasons why the series quickly grew in popularity during its run. Ganta, a boy accused of the death of his classmates, is forced to become one of the best blood power users in anime just to survive his time in prison.

Shiro in Deadman Wonderland

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Deadman Wonderland it has a really enjoyable story, full of mystery and memorable characters, as well as a world that feels both fantastical and brutal. Unfortunately, the anime was canceled after only 12 episodes, forcing the team behind the series to change the ending they had planned. Instead of a fully fleshed out finale, fans were treated to a short and nonsensical recap of the manga's events, with most of the important details removed.

8

The Wonder Egg priority threw away all character development for nothing

A girl named Ai Ooto, devastated by the death of her dear friend, stumbles upon a strange shop with Gachapon machines that deliver eggs. These items lead her to a new world where a voice tells her that she might have a chance to resurrect her friend if she protects enough people from strange monsters. Wonder Egg priority offers a dark take on the Magical Girl genre and became a massive hit with fans a few years ago.

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Aia's journey is both tragic and inspiring, becoming a living representation of the lengths people will go to for the ones they love. It has also been praised for being one of the few anime with amazing trans representation. When it was time for the adventure to end, Wonder Egg priority took a drastic turn, disregarded all the growth its characters went through, practically devalued the entire story, and left fans with a bitter sense of unfulfillment.

7

Science fell in love, so I tried to prove that it ruined its reputation by changing genres

Ayame and Shinya are both brilliant scientists who love the truth and science more than anything else. Their curiosity drives them to try to find the origin of love, which ends up with them conducting questionable but fun experiments to prove that this primal feeling has a scientific explanation. A once-beloved romance praised for not indulging in a love triangle, Science fell in love, so I tried to prove it was a breath of fresh air for thousands of fans.

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That was until the end of season 2, during which the anime took a major departure from romantic comedy to become a suspenseful thriller. The sudden shift, plus the addition of a love rival for the main couple, caused the vast majority of fans to groan in frustration. It was tragic to see such a wholesome romance turn into another one of many harem romance shows in the blink of an eye.

The adventures of Ed and Al Elric, two of the most popular anime characters ever, need no introduction. All Metal Alchemist is a deep and complex political thriller hidden behind epic Shonen battles that has enthralled anime fans for decades. Unfortunately, this was not always the case FMAThe first adaptation is widely considered worse than wildly popular Brotherhood.

original All Metal Alchemist the anime was several times darker and grittier, leaning more towards the dark fantasy aspects of the manga than its inspirational messages and cheerful scenes. Since the original story was still being developed by Hiromu Arkawa, one of the best female mangaka ever, the anime was forced to create an original ending. The result was a devastating and frankly bizarre conclusion that felt nothing like the manga, causing this anime version to live in infamy.

5

Shaman King (2001) Spit on manga themes

Among the people, walk through those whose connection with nature and the spirit world allows them to see and communicate with spirits. These people are known as shamans Shaman King's protagonist Yoh, and they are more than a bridge between life and death; they are the protectors of the world. Shaman King is a 2000 Shonen classic that many fans grew up with.

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Shaman King is a charming and truly joyful series that not only teaches the importance of friendship, but also the need for humans to connect with the world around them. The end of the anime adaptation came long before the original manga ended, culminating in an original finale that not only ignored the themes of the series, but made it nearly impossible to continue, Flowersto take place because it completely changed the story.

4

Kumamiko: Girl Meets Bear's End Destroys Natsu's Arc

Sometimes fans aren't looking for multi-faceted stories that challenge their perception of the world. Often, viewers just want to enjoy a show that warms their hearts, and Kumamiko was the best choice for many. Kumamiko: Girl Meets Bear follows Machi, who works as a priestess in a remote temple, and her talking bear friend Natsu.

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The girl suffers from severe social anxiety but still dreams of one day moving to the city and going to high school. Bear helps her and creates fun and weird tests for her to overcome her problems. When Kumamiko was adapted into an anime, the idea was ignored during the finale, in which Natsu prays for Micha to leave her dream, causing the girl to develop even worse anxiety and shut herself in her temple.

3

The ending of Violet Evergarden goes against everything the anime stood for

Considered one of the most beautiful animated shows of the last decade, Violet Evergarden is the story of the protagonist, a former child soldier who works as an Auto Memory Doll. Her job consists of writing the memories and thoughts of others into letters, a job she chose to try to find the meaning of love.

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Violet Evergarden is more than just a series; it is a personal experience that will forever change the lives of everyone who indulges in it. This is why many fans advise newcomers to never watch the final movie, as its finale completely destroys the anime's message. It goes completely against what Violet learned during her time as a ghostwriter, and dampens the impact of what many consider to be the epitome of shows with female protagonists.

2

The Promised Neverland Dropped The Ball in Season 2 & Never Recovered

Getting a satisfying ending to a Psychological Horror anime is a complicated task, as these series tend to rely on making the audience deal with the dark and uncomfortable aspects of humanity. The Promised Land of No Landconsidered one of the best Dark Fantasy shows ever, came close to achieving this monumental feat.

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Emma's quest to save her friends and destroy the demonic elite that tried to consume them was well received by the audience. It wasn't until Season 2 that opinions changed as the anime had to create a whole new story as the manga was still in development. This decision made the story shallow and repetitive, with no sense of the deep psychological questions that have made the manga one of the best dark mysteries of recent decades.

1

No game No life has an end

The Isekai genre has recently become one of the most popular among anime fans, largely due to its tendency to involve overpowered protagonists who dominate regardless of the world they are transported to. Sora and Shiro, the siblings on Earth known as the greatest gamers of all time, follow this path in a unique and compelling way. No game, no life it doesn't rely on overwhelming battles or magic systems to be enjoyable.

Instead, No game, no life tells the story of two incredibly intelligent people, arguably among the most brilliant in anime, who can overcome any challenge thanks to their superior minds and impressive strategies. Fans were hoping to one day witness a mental battle between the Blanks and Tet, the God of the world they reach, but they end up with a stunning ending that promises more epic adventures that will seemingly never materialize as Season 2 shows no signs of ever being greenlit.

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