Shojo is a popular anime demographic targeted at a younger female audience. Some of the most iconic anime series of all time come from the genre, and many titles still influence anime today. However, even the greatest shojo series have their flaws, from poorly written storylines to unlikable love interests. But the worst is when an otherwise amazing series falls short due to a disappointing ending.
Whether it's because the heroine didn't get what she deserved in the end or the story simply never reached a strong conclusion, many beloved shojo series have been ruined by a less-than-stellar ending. While many of these series are still adored by fans regardless, they never met their full potential and remain only almost perfect.
10 My Love Story!! Never Finishes The Manga's Storyline
Out of all the shojo series over the years, My Love Story!! is undoubtedly one of the cutest. It's a wholesome feel-good story, focusing on the budding relationship between odd pair Takeo Gouda and Rinko Yamato. Though the two couldn't be any more different, they make the sweetest couple of all time, and their love story is one of the best in shojo.
Unfortunately, despite the series' incredible popularity during its run, it never got renewed for a second season, so the story cuts off long before the manga's actual conclusion. Though the ending of the anime adaptation is a happy one, it leaves a lot to be desired and feels unfinished.
9 Shugo Chara Continues On With A Spin-off No One Asked For
During the late 2000s, Shugo Chara was one of the hottest magical girl series around. Between the manga and the anime series, it saw incredible popularity among fans of the genre. Aside from some filler arcs, the anime adaptation stuck pretty closely to the source material. However, once the manga finally ended, the anime kept going.
Instead of finishing strong with the proper conclusion, the series continued with a spin-off called Shugo Chara! Party! and introduced a new cast of characters, set to take over as the next generation. It was a failure of a continuation that disappointed many fans and tainted an otherwise great series.
8 Snow White With The Red Hair Has A Lackluster Ending For The Main Couple
Snow White with the Red Hair is a beloved shojo series, following everyone's favorite titular redhead as she starts over and makes a life for herself. She even finds love along the way, after meeting the handsome prince, Zen Wistaria.
The two form a close bond throughout the series that quickly becomes a budding romance, and fans watch with anticipation, waiting for the moment they finally can be together. Unfortunately, the anime ends before viewers can see their love truly blossom. With no word of a third season, this open-ended conclusion leaves many disappointed and longing for more.
7 The '90s Sailor Moon Series Strays Too Far From The Manga For Some Fans' Liking
There's no denying that the original '90s Sailor Moon anime is one of the most influential series of all time and is still adored by anime fans to this day. However, even the biggest '90s fans can admit that there are some issues with this first adaptation of the iconic series.
From the start, it often strays far from the original source material, and the series' conclusion is no different. The '90s Sailor Moon makes some major changes to the story's ending, and while it's enjoyable in its own right, many fans are disappointed that it didn't stick closer to the manga's plot.
6 Into The Forest Of Fireflies' Light Has A Needlessly Sad Ending
Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light is a beautiful anime film, featuring the story of young Hotaru Takegawa, who meets a mysterious spirit of the forest named Gin. The two develop a close bond over the years and slowly fall in love. However, because Gin can never touch a human, they can never truly be together.
The film ends with Gin accidentally grabbing onto a young boy to save him, triggering his curse and causing him to disappear. It's a sudden and shocking moment, and while it's filled with emotion as Hotaru finally takes this moment to hold Gin in her arms, it's a needless tragic ending that almost feels forced.
5 Revolutionary Girl Utena's Ending Is Not What Fans Would Expect
Revolutionary Girl Utena is an iconic shojo series from the '90s, following the spunky and heroic Utena Tenjou, who dreams of becoming a valiant prince. After enrolling in Ohtori Academy, she finds herself locked in a series of duels, fighting for the ownership of the Rose Bride, a softspoken girl named Anthy. After winning Anthy for herself, the girls join forces, and Utena fights for her new friend's freedom.
However, as the series progresses, it becomes more and more complicated, and it only gets worse by the end. Though Utena manages to free Anthy, it's hard to make out what happens to her. After prying open the Rose Gate, she ultimately disappears, and everyone but Anthy seems to have forgotten her. It's a disappointing end for such an incredible series, and it still confuses fans today.
4 Glass Mask Ends With Neither Of The Girls Obtaining The Role Of The Crimson Goddess
Throughout Glass Mask, viewers watch as two talented young actresses go head-to-head and work to obtain the legendary role of the Crimson Goddess, a role no one has played since the original showing of the play. Both Maya Kitajima and Ayumi Himekawa push themselves to their very limits to prove they're worthy enough for such a coveted role.
By the end of the series, the girls are training to decide which of them has earned the title. Unfortunately, the series ends with an open-ended conclusion, and neither girl is named victorious. Instead, fans are left on a cliffhanger that will likely never see a follow-up.
3 NANA's Anime Never Finishes The Manga's Storyline
Fans of NANA are all well aware that the series, in general, has been on an indefinite hiatus, due to a decline in the creator's health. That being said, it's no shock that the anime adaptation fails to give fans a proper ending. However, it also never finished adapting the manga's storyline, cutting off at around Chapter 42.
For long-time fans of the series, it's disappointing that the anime suddenly cuts off like that, and while it remains a beloved shojo classic even today, many wish they could see the full story.
2 The 2001 Fruits Basket Leaves Out A Large Chunk Of The Story
Fruits Basket was still an ongoing manga series in 2001 when the first anime adaptation came out. Because of that, this first series left out a lot of the story, cutting off after Kyo's true form is revealed. The 2001 series concludes with the Sohma curse remaining intact and the characters simply accepting it as a part of life.
The manga later reveals a much happier ending, and fans were pretty disappointed as they weren't able to see it come to life on screen. Luckily, the 2019 adaptation of Fruits Basket gives fans the complete story they longed for after so many years.
1 Ouran High School Host Club's Ending Is A Big Let-Down
Though Ouran High School Host Club is one of the most popular shojo series of all time, it has one of the most disappointing endings of all time as well. Fans longed to see a romance blossom between Haruhi Fujioka and Tamaki Suoh, but instead, the series concludes with the two only going so far as sharing a hug in the last episode.
It's a huge let-down, especially knowing that the two do go on to develop a relationship over time in the manga and even get married in the end. Many have hoped that the series will continue with a second season, but after so many years, it's unlikely to happen.