Sticking the landing is anime’s hardest challenge. Many great series fumble the conclusion. These 10 delivered endings as good as their journeys.
10. Demon Slayer
The final battle earned every emotional beat. The timeskip epilogue wrapped character arcs satisfyingly. Everyone got appropriate closure without overstaying.
9. Mob Psycho 100
Mob’s growth concluded with perfect catharsis. The final arc’s animation and emotion matched the series’ best. He became the person he wanted to be. No sequel-baiting, just completion.
8. Vinland Saga (manga)
Thorfinn’s journey ended where it should—reaching his dream while accepting its limitations. The cyclical nature of violence acknowledged while hope remained.
7. Assassination Classroom
The ending was spoiled from episode one (the title), yet still hit emotionally. The students’ growth and Koro-sensei’s sacrifice earned every tear.
6. Cowboy Bebop
“You’re gonna carry that weight.” Spike’s ending is perfect because it’s inevitable. The show was always about people running from their pasts. He stopped running.
5. Steins;Gate
Time travel usually creates plot holes; Steins;Gate closed every loop. Okabe’s journey through despair to saving Kurisu concluded brilliantly. The mechanics held up.
4. Gurren Lagann
The scale escalated to galaxy-throwing, then resolved with earned sacrifice and hope. Simon’s retirement to anonymous life was thematically perfect. Drill past the impossible.
3. Code Geass
Lelouch’s Zero Requiem remains one of anime’s most elegant conclusions. His death united the world against him, ending the cycle of hatred. Perfect villain-hero flip.
2. A Place Further Than the Universe
Four girls reach Antarctica and emotional catharsis. The climax—Shirase’s breakdown finding her mother’s laptop—is devastating and earned. It’s about closure, and it delivers.
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Every character arc resolved. The final battle earned its scale. Edward’s sacrifice—giving up alchemy for Alphonse—was perfect thematic conclusion. The gold standard for anime endings.