10 dark anime endings where the hero loses

Fans often turn to anime to forget the stress and drama of their daily lives. Although not always, this medium is best known for being home to some of the most wholesome and inspiring stories ever. From young heroes fighting against impossible odds to achieve their dreams, to epic stories of friendship and collaboration that inspire viewers to be better.

However, viewers aren't always in the mood for a light-hearted Shonen anime or a rip-roaring Shojo series. Loved by millions of fans, these shows not only have plots that captivate the audience, but are perfect for those who want to be emotionally destroyed by their favorite series. While anime often acts as an escape for fans to enjoy a happy ending, sometimes the heroes don't get the finale they craved.

10

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

One of the most popular terrorist hero anime, Code Geass was an example of how to effectively create a grim and hopeless finale without compromising the quality of the show. The main character, Lelouch, has always been a controversial figure. His desire to unite the world and bring peace was admirable, but the means he used to do so were beyond questionable.

Still, no one can argue with his determination as he was truly willing to go to any lengths to make his dream come true. After effectively destroying his father's empire, Lelouch realized that one last step was needed before humanity would truly know peace. As such, he became a ruthless and sadistic dictator and became the world's greatest enemy. He was then publicly executed by one of his own men, disguised as his alter ego, X, leaving fans to wonder if he was a villain or just a misunderstood hero.

9

Death Note

Calling Light Yagami, a character who has committed many objectively evil acts during his tenure, is a divisive topic among fans. Although it is true that Death Note the anime introduced the man as someone seeking to create a better world, his methods and ego quickly made him a despicable and terrifying figure, more like a villain than a hero.

Still, he is the main character Death Note series and its sudden and tragic finale left many a fan feeling empathetic for the failed New World God. After being betrayed by Near and his task force, Light became desperate and confessed his crimes in front of his former comrades. A man with a strong sense of justice, Matsuda lost his temper and shot the protagonist several times, causing Light to slowly bleed out as Ryuk looked at his body.

8

Devilman Crybaby

Often praised for his persuasive and unapologetic approach to many important moral and philosophical topics, Devilman Crybaby is a series that will stay with those brave enough to enjoy it. After the once shy Akira became a demonic creature when he followed an old friend to a dark party, he decided to use his new powers to protect the world.

Unfortunately, all his efforts and sufferings he went through were ultimately fruitless as his entire adventure was manipulated by his former friend who revealed himself to be Satan. With nothing to lose, Akira embarks on a battle that ravages the planet. In the end, you can't even say that the villain won in the end, as Satan was left alone in a broken world after losing the only person he ever loved.

7

Berserk 1997

Objectively one of the best Dark Fantasy shows ever, CrazyThe hopeless yet interesting world has managed to captivate fans for more than three decades. Forced to survive in a world where mercy is unknown, Guts traveled far and wide to find a place to call home. His time with the Band of the Hawk, though violent, was the happiest he had ever known.

It wasn't until Griffith, convinced he deserved more than what he got, sacrificed their friends and became the devil that Guts realized how cruel the world could be. Although he survived this catastrophic event, the Black Swordsman took everything he had ever cared about. Guts' life is a tragedy through and through, with no happiness or love that lasts long enough for him to recover.

6

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Based on one of the best open world games ever made, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was a truly enjoyable and memorable experience that used the titular genre to explore the nature of humanity. Throughout the series, fans have come to love David and his group of friends as they struggle to survive on the lawless streets of Night City.

Just when everything was going their way and the audience believed that the heroes would reach a happy ending, the evil organization Arasaka caught up with them and forced David and the rest of the crew to sacrifice themselves and try to make Lucy's dream come true. While the series ends with a woman achieving her goal of being on the moon, it came at the cost of everyone she's ever loved, making this show one of the best dystopian love tragedies of all time.

5

Neon Genesis Evangelion

Hailed as a series that challenges the worldview of its audience, Evangelion is clearly one of the most beloved classics of the anime industry. Shinji's story is as fascinating as it is complex, leaning heavily on deep moral dilemmas and philosophical questions that affect not only the characters but the audience as well. As such, when the time came for his end, fans were prepared to be both confused and amazed, which is exactly what happened.

The finale of this amazing anime focuses on two distinct but closely related events, each related to Shinji's growth as a character. While the scenes that take place in his mind can be seen as a big win for the boy as he is able to overcome his trauma, it comes at a great cost. The Third Impact did happen and caused all of humanity to merge into a single consciousness, all because of the desires of one of the worst anime fathers ever.

4

Gundam Mobile Suit: Iron Orphans

Over the decades, the undisputed king of Mecha anime, The Gundam franchise, has released a plethora of amazing series for fans. Iron orphans is strange to many because it managed to combine epic giant robot battles with complex and morally dubious storylines. The show was a perfect blend of political messages, lovable characters and perfectly placed plot twists that keep fans on their toes.

One of the most shocking of these came during the series finale, when heroes Agus and Altland were forced to sacrifice themselves to protect the future of their newfound family. There is no daring rescue mission to ensure their safety, no armor plotting to keep them alive. The heroes do indeed die in one of the best yet most bittersweet battles in the entire series.

3

Fate/Zero

The Fate franchise is without a doubt one of the most complex to follow, with many fans needing the help of a guide to navigate its complex timelines. One of the most controversial series thanks to the villains who ultimately won, Fate/Zeroserved as a prequel to the widely popular Fate/Stay Night anime. Fate/Zero followed by participants in the Fourth Great Holy Grail War, which ended in brutal tragedy.

After going up against some of the most skilled fighters in anime history, Kiritsugu Emiya gets the chance to make a wish of the aforementioned treasure. His noble desire for world peace ends in disaster, as the Holy Grail was corrupted long before the war even began. This forces the hero to destroy the object, resulting in a massive explosion that kills thousands; an end that hurts all the more as his enemies watch safely from afar.

2

Uzumaki: Spiral into Horror

Considered by many to be one of the most disappointing anime of the last decade, Uzumaki is an adaptation of Junji Ito's most popular horror story. The series revolves around the town of Kurouzu-cho, which is haunted by a strange curse. Bizarre spiral-related events take place every day, claiming the lives and sanity of the main characters, Kirie and Shuichi.

The show slowly reveals that the curse afflicting the town is an ancient supernatural phenomenon that occurs every few centuries. After learning this terrifying truth, the heroes journey into the depths of the spiral in hopes of finding a way to save themselves. They soon discover that nothing will stop their destiny, so they decide to succumb to the madness of the curse and prove why Uzumaki is one of the best horror stories anime has to offer.

1

Higurashi: When They Cry

Thousands of fans will remember the massive trauma it caused Higurashi: When They Cry because it was one of the most popular online during the late 2000s. The city of Hinamizawa was once a peaceful and joyful place, at least until its citizens were trapped in a deadly time loop during which most, if not all, were murdered. As the series progresses and reveals many failed timelines in which the heroes die, the mystery begins to unravel. Higurashi Season 1 ends on a particularly grim note, with the protagonists seemingly breaking the cycle, only to be shown to have failed.

Worse, Rika, one of the main characters, is a supposed reincarnation of an ancient deity who has caught the attention of a cult who wants to sacrifice her. While Rika is eventually able to avoid her murder and live a happy life with her friends Higurashi Kaithe memories of all her pain and suffering will never go away. No matter how much she tries to enjoy life, she will always remember the sadistic and cruel death she was subjected to for 1000 years.