Anime with the most controversial endings

Key things

• Not all anime endings are bad; some are just controversial and spark heated discussions in the community.
• The endings in anime like Oreimo, Tokyo Ghoul, and Soul Eater have left viewers with mixed feelings and unfulfilled expectations.
• Controversial endings like the one in School Days can be brutal, but they ensure that the anime remains a hot topic of discussion.

One of the hardest things in storytelling is to “stick the landing.” A masterpiece of a story can be ruined by a bad ending. But sometimes the ending isn't really bad; it's just controversial.

Anime is no stranger to this, as the variety of stories the medium tells means there are some endings that people struggle to come to terms with. As mentioned earlier, these endings aren't necessarily bad, but they have created a lot of discussion in the community, some love them and others hate them.

Spoiler alert: This list contains spoilers for the endings of many of the anime discussed.

10 Oreimo

Disappointing ending

Many are simply thrown away Oreimo as incest it shows where brother and sister fell in love. This means that many have given Oreimo the chance was pulled in by a surprisingly good story, characters and a taboo subject that many were still interested in.

However, the ending really left viewers with mixed feelings. The protagonist, Kyousuke, rejects all the other girls who are in love with him, especially fan favorite Kuroneko, in favor of his sister Kirino. Even worse (or better, depending on your perspective) they don't actually end up together, but rather just for a short time. So Kyousuke ends up with no one, so she's pretty Controversial anime ending.

9 Darling in the Franxx

Master class How to destroy the ending

Darling in the Franxx was the most popular show of 2018 at one point, and even though the show's mecha piloting style was questionable, everyone managed to improve it to “it's anime”.

By the time episode 15 rolled around, people were sure Darling in the Franxx would rank among the classics of all time, but the rushed final act and exhibition dump that no one asked for really ruined it for many. The fact that it ended with Hiro and Zero 2 sacrificing themselves only to be 'reincarnated' made people feel less than pleased. It was so controversial because it could have been so much better.

8 Tokyo Ghoul: Root A

Divergent story done wrong

Tokyo Ghoul was all the rage in 2014. The story of the mild-mannered Kaneki Ken who was almost killed by a Ghoul while on a date and then became part of a Ghoul himself was very interesting. The season then ends with a harrowing torture scene and Kaneki comes to his senses.

Expectations for the second season were high and when Tokyo Ghoul: Root A was created, people were a little surprised at how different it was from the manga. The show itself wasn't great because it left people with more questions than answers, and the ending where Kaneki carried his best friend Hide's body through the snow while the credits rolled was just the height of everyone's frustration.

7 Claymore

An anime with no real ending

The Claymore are a half-human/half-demon race created specifically to destroy the demons known as Youma. Clare is a Claymore and meets a young boy named Raki, whom she allows to follow her on her journey as she searches for a particular Youma to take revenge on.

Claymore features a great story with a controversially rushed ending. As with most shows that don't stick to the manga's ending, Claymore ended with a tame finale that featured a death no one wanted. Also, the story never continued and fans have been waiting for almost two decades at this point. It just leaves a bitter taste in your mouth.

The bittersweet ending was not everyone's cup of tea

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is considered one of the greatest anime of all time, but its existence comes at the expense of its very well-executed predecessor — All Metal Alchemist (2003).

First FMA sometimes he only followed the manga to a point before turning on his own path. This also meant that it had a different ending than a more positive one Brotherhood final. However, the prospect of Edward getting his brother's body back, but resulting in their separation, hit some people hard. Brotherhoodhappier ending, many have even forgotten the original. It's a shame because, controversial or not, FMA (2003) was a great watch.

5 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

A melodramatic ending that left a sour taste

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a show about the struggle and determination it takes to rise above impossible odds. Simon is something of a tragic figure. After losing his home and all the things the war took from him, including his mentor Kamina, Simon must rise up and lead his allies to victory.

So, when Simon managed to achieve victory over the anti-spiral against all odds, it felt like a piece of cake for him not to end up with Nia, the love of his life. Her death so soon after they tied the knot was too much for many, and Simon was not left to lead the people he had fought so hard to save.

4 Death Note

It ended with the death of L

Death NoteThe ending wasn't so much controversial as it was disappointing. The series was mostly known for the fascinating game of cat and mouse played by the murderous Kira and the prodigy detective L. The twist in the middle of L falling into Kira's trap and dying was shocking, but there might have been hope for what came next.

However, Death Note ended with L's successors, Near and Mello, capturing Kira and his death. It was controversial because it deprived a lot of people of the satisfaction of either L catching Kira or seeing the two destroy each other.

3 Soul Eater

Soul Eater fondly remembered by many as one of those underrated shows that can stand side by side with some of the greats. It follows Maka and her weapon, Soul, as they attempt to make a soul into a death scythe suitable for use by Lord Death.

In 51 episodes Soul Eater was a good show until people realized that the manga lasted much longer. The manga ran until 2013, four years after the anime concluded. So for some, Soul Eater he never got the ending he deserved and with it Fire Force be attached to Soul Eater world and also finding their own conclusion, many still consider Soul Eater incomplete show and they are hoping for some sort of comeback.

2 Neon Genesis Evangelion

The ending was so controversial that they had to make another one

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a must-see for anyone who relates to anime on a deep level, with the series touted as one of the most essential viewing experiences.

However, the anime infamously ends in a very different direction as Shinji learns to accept himself and is congratulated by everyone important to him in an unforgettable scene inside his head. The ending was incredibly controversial, as fans felt it ignored the high stakes of the world and was something of a police intervention in what seemed like a bleak finale. The “real” ending was done in the movie, The end of Evangelionreleased in 1997.

1 School days

One of the most infamous anime endings of all time

Almost every anime fan has heard School daysand while they may not even know a single thing about the series, they've most likely heard about the ending. School days is about Makoto Itou, an ordinary high school student who gets involved with a girl he likes, Kotonoha Katsura, and follows how things unfold from there.

School days was adapted from an eroge visual novel game, and the anime decided to go the most diabolical route, ending with Makoto's “friend” and the girl he was having an affair with, Sekai, killing him in a rather brutal stabbing. scene. For some, it was the biggest thing to happen in anime, and frankly, it's the only reason the show is still talked about. Yet it undoubtedly was Controversial anime ending.