10 Satisfying Anime Endings That Made The Journey Worth It (2024)

From the good number of anime released over the years, just a few of them are finished or able to stick to their landing satisfyingly, giving closure to the main plot and character arcs and conveying that feeling of completion to the audience. In this sense, in both classic and new anime series, some endings have stood out more than others, with some even considered masterful works.

Maintaining consistency throughout the story isn't enough for an anime to have a satisfying ending, but it must resolve its major conflicts while keeping the same tone and leaving a lasting impression on viewers. Yet some finales are not only deserving of praise for being relevant and connecting with people for their happy, sad, or ambiguous developments, but there are several anime endings so universally loved and well-crafted that they make the whole journey and experience of watching the series worthy.

10 Assassination Classroom

Based on the Manga by Yusei Matsui

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10/10

Assassination Classroom

TV-14

Animation

Comedy

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Fantasy

Assassination Classroom follows the story of a mysterious and powerful creature, known as Koro-sensei, who becomes the homeroom teacher for a class of misfit students tasked with assassinating him to prevent Earth’s destruction.

Cast

Jun Fukuyama , Mai Fuchigami , Nobuhiko Okamoto , Aya Suzaki , Ayaka Suwa , Chie Matsuura , Eiji Miyashita , Fuuko Saito

Character(s)

Koro-sensei , Nagisa Shiota , Karma Akabane , Kaede Kayano , Touka yada , Megu Kataoka , Sousuke Sugaya , Kirara Hazama

Release Date

January 10, 2015

Seasons

2

In Assassination Classroom's ending, it is painfully clear that Korosensei has no salvation. Still, at least his students are the ones to take his life in the way he wanted, with Nagisa being in charge of carrying out such a difficult task. Korosensei fulfilled his mission of helping Class E by being the greatest reference and mentor in their lives, and the reunion of the classmates many years later showed that his teacher's lessons helped everyone achieve their goals and become a better version of themselves.

However, the best part is that Nagisa follows Korosensei's footsteps and is now trying to inspire other students. Despite being a predictable ending since it was announced from the beginning, the touching scenes of Korosensei passing attendance one last time and the soundtrack of the students singing are moving enough to make even the hardest fans shed a few tears.

9 Pokémon the Series

Based on the Video Game Series by Satoshi Tajiri

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23

9.7/10

Pokémon

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Animation

Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old from Pallet Town, embarks on an adventure to become a Pokémon Master. With his first Pokémon, Pikachu, Ash sets out to capture and train Pokémon while battling other trainers in Pokémon Gyms to earn badges. Joined by his friends Brock and Misty, Ash consistently thwarts the plans of the nefarious Team Rocket, all while making new friends and encountering Pokémon across various regions.

Cast

Rica Matsumoto , Mayumi Iizuka , Yūji Ueda , Tomokazu Seki , Kaori Suzuki , Fushigi Yamada , Megumi Toyoguchi

Character(s)

Pikachu (voice) , Satoshi (voice) , Aipom (voice) , Pichu Younger Brother (voice) , Self , Pichu Older Brother (voice) , Kasumi (voice) , Gou (voice) , Narrator (voice) , Serena (voice) , Haruka (voice) , Shigeru Oak (voice) , Dent (voice) , Citron (voice) , Eureka (voice) , Iris (voice) , Hikari (voice) , Maamame (voice) , Mao (voice) , Suiren (voice) , Kaki (voice) , Wanpachi (voice)

Release Date

March 7, 1992

Seasons

25

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu , Netflix

Franchise(s)

Pokemon

While Ash won the Orange League in 1999 and his first official league in 2019 in Alola, it wouldn't be until 2022 that he would become the world champion, completing a dream after more than 25 years. After this event, Pokémon's final arc showcases several emotional reunions and tributes for Ash and Pikachu, as well as some of the first Pokémon on their return to Pallet Town, delivering more nostalgia to fans for that boy who was late one morning and is now the champion of champions.

Thus, Ash's last episodes reflect on what matters about being a Pokémon Master just as he and Pikachu head on to their next adventure, which makes the final episode just as bittersweet as fulfilling, since it ends the journey that many viewers followed since childhood but began a new Pokémon series and a new adventure.

8 Gurren Lagann

Based on the Manga By Hiroyuki Imaishi

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Gurren Lagann

TV-14

Animation

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Gurren Lagann is an anime series set in a future where humans live in underground villages. The story follows Simon and Kamina, who break free to the surface and pilot the titular mecha to fight against oppressive forces.

Cast

Takako Honda , Tetsuya Kakihara , Katsuyuki Konishi , Nobuyuki Hiyama , Mitsuki Saiga , Yukari Fukui , Marina Inoue , Kiyoyuki Yanada , Michiko Neya , Takashi Kondô , Takaya Kamikawa , Shizuka Itoh , Kishô Taniyama , Kana Ueda , Kana Asumi , Daiki Nakamura , Haruhi Nanao , Masaya Onosaka , Takahiro Mizushima , Rina Satō , Gô Shinomiya , Daisuke Kirii , Kiyoshi Kawakubo , Takafumi Kawakami , Akio Suyama

Character(s)

Leite Jokin , Simon , Kamina , Viral , Rossiu Adai , Nia Teppelin , Yoko Littner , Thymilph , Adiane , Kidd Coega , Anti-Spiral , Darry Adai , Kittan Bachika , Kinon Bachika , Kiyal Bachika , Dayakka Littner , Cybela Coutaud , Leeron Littner , Guinble Kite , Kiyoh Bachika , Jorgun Bakusa , Iraak Coega , Guame , Zorthy Kanai , Cytomander

Release Date

April 1, 2007

Gurren Lagann ends in a space opera that is not only exceptional but also vindicates and elevates willpower as an essential part of being human. In an epic battle that overwhelms with the enormity of the universe, the anti-spiral leader is so extremely powerful and omnipotent, but it’s human determination that allows Simon to defeat them.

Thanks to this, just like Kamina was, Simon's figure is now that of an unparalleled heroic icon. While sad and heartbreaking, the ending is what makes TTGL the perfect coming-of-age anime, as Simon matures enough to not delve into his loss like he did with Kamina but rather accept Nia's sacrifice and move forward. Simon also moves away from the prestige of his position as a spiral warrior and leaves the next generation to take over leadership, showing how much he grows in that he is content with his choice not to use his power anymore.

7 Hunter X Hunter

Based on the Manga by Yoshihiro Togashi

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9.3/10

Hunter x Hunter

TV-14

Animation

Action & Adventure

Comedy

Fantasy

Science-Fiction

In Hunter x Hunter, young Gon Freecss discovers his long-lost father is a legendary Hunter, an elite class of adventurer with the license to go anywhere or do almost anything. Determined to find him, Gon sets out to pass the Hunter Examination, a life-threatening challenge that draws hundreds of hopefuls seeking fortune, fame, and adventure. Along the way, Gon becomes friends with other candidates, including the vengeful Kurapika, the ambitious Leorio, and the enigmatic Killua. Together, they face a world filled with bizarre creatures, sinister criminals, and unpredictable adventures.

Cast

Issei Futamata , Megumi Han , Cristina Valenzuela , Mariya Ise , Michael McConnohie , Erica Mendez , Erika Harlacher , Miyuki Sawashiro

Release Date

October 2, 2011

Streaming Service(s)

Netflix , Crunchyroll , Hulu

Franchise(s)

Hunter X Hunter

Creator(s)

Yoshihiro Togashi

Even though Hunter x Hunter’s manga is far from finished, the anime ended at the perfect moment when Gon finally fulfilled his goal of meeting his father. However, this ending also sets off another adventure, as the world is an endless unknown place waiting to be explored, expressing that the pleasure of being a hunter is finding and pursuing one goal after another and enjoying the challenges and experiences along the way.

While Gon losing his nen and parting ways with Killua is bittersweet, the ending gives them the closure they need to find themselves and grow, and their promise teases that they will reunite again once they find another goal. So, even if the upcoming arc isn’t adapted into anime, it is still a satisfying open ending to Hunter x Hunter.

6 Dragon Ball Z

Based on the Manga By Akira Toriyama

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26

9.2/10

Dragon Ball Z

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Sci-Fi

Comedy

Super Power

Fantasy

Martial Arts

Shounen

Dragon Ball Z is the sequel series to Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball and continues the adventures of Goku. Along with his companions, Goku defends the Earth against various villains ranging from intergalactic space fighters and conquerors to powerful androids and nearly indestructible creatures.

See Also

10 Most Satisfying Punches in Anime

Cast

Masako Nozawa , Ryou Horikawa , Hiromi Tsuru , Hiroko Emori , Shigeru Chiba , Naoko Watanabe , Mayumi Tanaka , Naoki Tatsuta , Yukimasa Kishino

Release Date

April 26, 1989

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Creator(s)

Akira Toriyama

After celebrating the defeat of Kid Buu, the anime advances ten years into the future to show the drastic changes in the lives of Goku and the Z warriors, who meet again in the World Martial Arts Tournament. Goku faces Uub, the reincarnation of Kid Buu, and decides that he will go with him to train him and help his village, showing not only Goku's kind heart but also how he always continues to move towards a new challenge and adventure.

Although with the release of Dragon Ball Super, many fans may think that the ending of Z is not canon, since Super covers the time that elapsed between the battle against Buu and this final tournament only makes this ending of Akira Toriyama even more significant, since it is the culminating point where the story is heading.

5 Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters

Based on the Manga by Kazuki Takahashi

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Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters

TV-Y

Kids

Action

Anime

Fantasy

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters follows Yûgi Muto, a frail youth targeted by bullies, who discovers his alter ego, Yami Yûgi, after completing the ancient Millennium Puzzle. This new persona, embodying the "King of Games," emerges to challenge opponents through mystical "Shadow Games," when Yûgi faces injustice.

Cast

Hiroki Takahashi , Maki Saito , Hidehiro Kikuchi , Mika Sakenobe , Junko Takeuchi , Masami Iwasaki , Haruhi Nanao , Sumi Shimamoto , Ryou Naitou , Maiko Itou , Tadashi Miyazawa , Urara Takano , Daisuke Namikawa , Yuichi Nakamura , Chisa Yokoyama , Tetsuya Iwanaga , Shunsuke Kazama , Kenjiro Tsuda , Konta , Akiko Kimura , Rica Matsumoto , Sakura Nogawa , Tetsuo Komura , Chie Sato , Yuji Kishi

Release Date

April 18, 2000

Yu-Gi-Oh’s original anime ending brilliantly wraps up the story by presenting the duel between Yugi and Atem in the Rite of the Duel for the pharaon to pass on to the afterlife. This duel showed Yugi’s growth as a duelist, and since he emerged as a winner, it proved that he was ready to stand on his own and that Atem’s purpose had been fulfilled, making it a very emotional and tearjerking farewell for both the characters and the fans.

However, Kaiba’s final fate was revealed later in the 2016 film The Dark Side of Dimensions, which served as a direct sequel written by Kazuki Takahashi and highlighted Kaiba's amusing obsession with settling the score with Atem. The film featured his last duel with Yugi and how the latter is coping with Atem’s departure, and the characters are moving on in life, which only elevated the already great ending.

4 Cowboy Bebop

Original Anime Series Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe and Written by Keiko Nobumoto

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15

9.1/10

Cowboy Bebop

TV-14

Action

Animation

Sci-Fi

Western

Cowboy Bebop is a sci-fi/western action television series widely regarded as one of the best anime ever. The series follows a crew of four disconnected bounty hunters who all slowly come together aboard a ship known as the Bebop. The crew of the Bebop attempt to snag various bounties and embark on several misadventures to keep their pockets lined with coin and their stomachs full. The series also has a heavy musical motif, with each episode title named after various jazz "sessions."

Cast

Koichi Yamadera , Steve Blum , Megumi Hayashibara , Wendee Lee , Unshô Ishizuka , Beau Billingslea , Aoi Tada , Melissa Fahn

Release Date

April 3, 1998

Network

Adult Swim

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Directors

Shinichirô Watanabe

Spike Spiegel being ready to accept his ending is a moment just as thought-provoking as epic, becoming one of the best-constructed deaths in anime and the blueprint for other iconic works like Death Note and John Wick. However, the ending is ambiguous as Spike's fate is never confirmed, leading many viewers to question whether he was really dead or just passed out from exhaustion.

You're Gonna Carry That Weight

Many people believe that Spike's quote in the final episode refers to the weight of his decisions, to the past that haunts and torments him, or that it refers to the audience, who will move on carrying the weight of Spike's story. Nevertheless, the amount of symbolism in the series proves Cowboy Bebop' ending; it's a reflection of Spike's feelings as he faced his past and destiny during his emotionally charged final duel with Vicious, which left an indelible mark on fans.

3 Mob Psycho 100

Based on the Webcomic by One

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8.7/10

Mob Psycho 100

TV-14

Action

Animation

Comedy

Supernatural

Mob Psycho 100 is an animated fantasy action series based on a webcomic from author One. The story surrounds a powerful psychic boy named Shigeo, nicknamed Mob, who only seeks to gain the affection of his school crush. Striving to hone his craft, he seeks help from a self-proclaimed psychic named Arataka Reigen, a con artist. Exploiting Mob for his business, the two join together to exorcise demons - but Mob's power is slowly growing, and when it peaks, no one may be able to stop it.

Cast

Kyle McCarley , Jason Liebrecht , Chris Niosi , Michael Sorich , Max Mittelman , Erik Scott , Kimerer , Casey Mongillo , Cherami Leigh

Release Date

July 12, 2016

Seasons

3

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Creator(s)

ONE

In a sequence that managed to combine action and anguish perfectly, Mob Psycho 100 had a cathartic climax. But Mob's story wouldn't be complete until he learned to accept himself, something he couldn't do out of fear, which made him confine his powers and emotions, which finally exploded. In the ending, not only does Dimple come back, but Reigen finally comes clear about his lies and says that even though he despised himself for that, he was grateful because it helped him meet Mob.

This helps Mob make terms with himself and understand that people are full of flaws, and that's OK; likewise, his powers are part of him, but they don't define who he is. This way, the ending is a direct delivery of the series’ core message, 'Your life is yours to live and be yourself', especially in the final scene of Mob wholeheartedly laughing, becoming one of the most uplifting anime endings of all time.

Based on the Manga by Hiromu Arakawa

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7.8/10

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Sci-Fi

Shonen

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood follows brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric who use alchemy in a quest to restore their bodies after a failed transmutation. The series explores themes of sacrifice, the consequences of ambition, and the quest for truth in a richly developed world.

Cast

Maxey Whitehead , Vic Mignogna , Andrew Love , Brittney Karbowski , Caitlin Glass , Chris Cason , Chris Patton , Chris Rager , Christine Auten , Christopher R. Sabat , Colleen Clinkenbeard , Ed Blaylock , Eric Vale , George Manley , J. Michael Tatum , Jerry Russell

Character(s)

Alphonse Elric , Edward Elric , Jerso , Selim Bradley , Winry Rockbell , Gluttony , Greed , Zampano , Izumi Curtis , Alex Louis Armstrong , Riza Hawkeye , Führer King Bradley/Wrath , Solf J. Kimblee , Darius , Scar , Tim Marcoh

Release Date

April 5, 2009

Main Genre

Fantasy

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is considered a masterpiece, so it's no surprise that its ending is widely recognized as one of the most satisfying and emotional moments in anime history. Unlike other anime, FMAB wrapped every character up with a little bow, giving them a happy ending. Not only was Father defeated after everyone's cooperation, but Edward also managed to restore his brother Alphonse after sacrificing his door of truth and therefore his ability to use alchemy.

This shows that, more than the absolute power that Father longed for, there are more valuable things in life, like family and friends. Also, FMAB gifted fans one of the sweetest confessions in anime to this day when Ed proposed to Winry and even showed how they have kids in the future and how, even after the brothers went on separate ways, they live a fulfilling life.

1 Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

Original Anime Series Directed by Gorō Taniguchi and Written by Ichirō ŌKouchi

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Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion

TV-14

Action

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion is a Japanese anime series set in an alternate future where the Holy Britannian Empire has conquered Japan. The series follows Lelouch vi Britannia, an exiled prince who gains a mysterious power called Geass and uses it to lead a rebellion against the imperial power. Lelouch balances his dual life as a student and a masked revolutionary leader, driven by a desire to avenge his mother's death and create a better world.

Cast

Johnny Yong Bosch , Yuri Lowenthal , Kate Higgins , Karen Strassman , Rebecca Forstadt , Amy Kincaid , Kim Mai Guest , Julie Ann Taylor

Release Date

October 6, 2006

Seasons

2

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll

Writers

Ichirō Ōkouchi

Directors

Gorō Taniguchi

Creator(s)

Gorō Taniguchi , Ichirō Ōkouchi

The Zero Requiem is one of the most brilliant, significant, and best-crafted events in the history of anime. In the Code Geass ending, since Lelouch decides that he will be the one to end the chain of hatred, he becomes the worst of all, so that everyone assumes that he was behind everything, sacrificing himself for Zero to become a hero and Nunnally the leader of a peaceful world.

But what enhanced the finale was that Lelouch's final moments were not only symbolic but also shrouded in mystery due to their ambiguity, which led many viewers to debate whether Lelouch had truly sacrificed himself or faked his death. Even though this is still open for interpretation, as the 2019 film Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection follows another timeline, Code Geass' final episode remains unforgettable and continues to mark anime fans even after more than a decade, making it the perfect anime ending that made the journey worth it.