Satisfying single-season anime are a bit scarce. Since most anime is adapted from written material that extends far beyond what one season of anime can offer, it's rare that an anime can adequately capture its original narrative without leaving any narrative threads open at the end. Anime original series that don't adapt previously written material are frequently over-ambitious and try to cram too much into too little time.
But despite these hurdles, there are some notable single-season series out there that offer compelling and satisfying narratives that adequately wrap up the story by the end. Unfortunately, satisfying conclusions may not always be the conclusions audiences wanted.
Warning: Spoilers ahead!
10 Cowboy Bebop Nicely Wraps Up Its Main Characters' Arcs
While Cowboy Bebop's ending has been hotly debated, it's undeniable that the anime itself wrapped up all its main characters' arcs by the end of the series. Despite its episodic nature, Cowboy Bebop still managed to interweave the backstories and character growth needed for Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, and Ed. The anime uses other characters' dilemmas to explore each of its main characters and provide them with the development they need. By the last episode, all narrative threads have been tied up and there's little left to delve into.
9 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann Leaves Little To Be Explored By The End
Arguably speaking, all of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is devoted to fleshing out its main character, Simon. Starting off as a timid boy who's unsure of his own strength, audiences get to watch Simon endure several hardships and pull through all of them. By the end of the series, Simon has completed all the growth he can achieve within Gurren Lagann's narrative, and he's also ensured the safety of humans living on the surface, leaving little else to be desired and not much else to be explored.
8 Death Parade Succeeds In Highlighting The Frailty Of Human Life
Appearing as a guilty pleasure, edgy death games series, Death Parade hides its message about the human condition within its own shocking yet stylish aesthetics. Each death game played at the Quindecim bar attempts to analyze the lives and mental states of its players.
Audiences are treated to a narrative that portrays humans as incredibly vulnerable and pitiful creatures that are worthy of love and sympathy despite their missteps. Using the bartender Decim as its main vehicle of exploration, audiences watch Decim slowly understand the fleeting nature of human life.
7 Golden Time Settles Its Romance Plot By The End Of The Series
Many romance-themed anime either don't wrap up their romantic plots or they leave an open-ended interpretation that avoids riling up fans. But Golden Time boldly initiates its romance plot right from the beginning and uses its 24-episode runtime to flesh it out. Interestingly, Golden Time portrays the main antagonist as another part of its protagonist, Banri Tada. Suffering from amnesia, Banri can't remember his past life or his past loves. The series explores his mental state as he struggles to choose who he truly loves.
6 Katanagatari's Ending Is Bittersweet But Appropriate & Fulfilled
Made by the same author that brought fans the Monogatari series, Katanagatari is an excellent yet unconventional anime. Containing 12 episodes lasting around 50 minutes each, Katanagatari follows Shichika Yasuri as he hunts down Kiki Shikizaki's 12 Deviant Blades with Togame as his guide. Katanagatari is mostly about Shichika's growth into an ordinary person and his metaphorical transformation into the most deadly Deviant Blade. While the ending is bittersweet, it's also the ending that the anime needed to stay true to its own themes and message.
5 Death Note Serves Justice To Its Protagonist-Turned-Antagonist
Although he starts off with good intentions and yearns for a more just world, Light Yagami is eventually corrupted by the power of the Death Note. Death Note's narrative is a tense intellectual battle between Light and the rest of the world trying to unmask him as Kira. He defeats many adversaries along the way, but the anime isn't content with letting Light get away with his transgressions. Instead, audiences see Light get his just desserts at the same time Ryuk's promise that Light's lifespan would be shortened is fulfilled.
4 Yuri On Ice Delivers On Its Portrayal Of Yuri & Victor's Relationship
Many anime that feature same-sex relationships frequently fail to deliver on the romantic tension between the characters. Yuri on Ice, however, breaks the mold by setting up the romantic tension and giving a satisfying conclusion.
Victor Nikiforov sees the hidden potential in Yuri Katsuki and decides to coach him, hoping to bring out Yuri's best ice-skating form. Yuri clearly has a crush on Victor, and by the end of the series, he's brave enough to be open about his feelings and Victor accepts him as a partner.
3 Puella Magi Madoka Magica Properly Wraps Up Its Narrative
Regardless of personal opinions over whether Puella Magi Madoka Magica offered a "good" ending, the series nevertheless satisfied its narrative's primary goal. Not only does Madoka Kaname make her wish and become a magical girl by the end of the series, but Homura Akemi is also delivered from a world where Madoka dies. The new world without Madoka might not be to Homura's liking, but it definitely shows the audience a peaceful ending for both characters. Madoka produces a world where magical girls don't have to suffer, exactly as she intended.
2 Toradora! Provides A Compelling & Sweet High School Romance
Starting out somewhat unconventionally, Toradora! follows Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka as they try to help each other win the affections of their respective crushes. But they begin to develop feelings for each other along the way, complicating their original agreement. Instead of a lackluster, open ending, Toradora! allows Taiga and Ryuji to fulfill their relationship while also wrapping up the narrative threads for its other main characters. While it's a bit on the dramatic side, Toradora! nevertheless delivers a satisfying story of young love and self-discovery.
1 Anohana Gives Both Its Characters & Its Audiences Proper Closure
After an unfortunate accident in their youth that took the life of Meiko Honma (or Menma), the Super Peace Busters drifted apart until the fateful summer that Menma returned. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day attempts to tackle themes of friendship, love, loss, and mourning. Surprisingly, it manages to tell an adequate story touching on all those themes. Although Jintan and Menma take the spotlight and other characters could have been explored more, the story still gives each of its characters the closure they needed to properly mourn Menma's death and move on.