Anime with a long runtime can be a challenging and even tedious experience for fans who hate long, drawn-out plotlines to sit through. To them, it seems as if the series "should have ended years ago," regardless of the creator's intentions for the story. However, a few long-running series stood the test of time and are still recommended to this day.
These anime have more than 50 episodes and span multiple seasons over the years. Their endings left viewers satisfied with their characters' journey and a sense of relief that they reached their ultimate goal. Every episode added to the characters' development while also adding to the story's ultimate conclusion.
9 Fullmetal Alchemist's Ending Is A Big Sigh Of Relief
Be it the 2003 version or 2009's Brotherhood, Fullmetal Alchemist is a must-see for all anime fans. For those who may not be familiar, Fullmetal Alchemist is a historical fantasy that focuses on two brothers: Edward and Alphonse Elric. After the tragic death of their mother, an unfortunate accident robs Edward of his arm and leg and Alphonse of his body. The boys hear of a "Philosopher's Stone," a mystical item that could grant their wish, and travel to the capital in search of it. The anime shows darker, more political themes throughout its runtime, testing Edward and Alphone's resilience up until its overall conclusion.
8 Cardcaptor Sakura Continues To Win People Over
Ever since the late 90s, Cardcaptor Sakura has charmed thousands of magical girl fans. Donning a variety of cute, handmade costumes, she runs around town collecting mysterious magical cards.
Sakura Kinomoto goes through life with a warm smile and boundless enthusiasm. Fans get to watch her grow as both a magical girl and a person as she learns more about growing up and her magical powers. She has the support of her friends and family, and the romance that gradually develops between her and Syaoran Li is nothing short of heartwarming. Their parting is bittersweet as they part in the last episode, leaving fans tearing up.
7 Naruto's Lengthy Story Makes The Ending All More Worthwhile
Putting aside the filler episodes, Naruto still has a substantial amount of story to cover. Fans get to watch as the titular protagonist, Naruto Uzumaki, develops from an immature prankster to the selfless hero he's grown up to be.
Not only that, but his journey to becoming the Hokage has a profound impact on anyone he meets. Naruto has an unconscious habit of inspiring peers, citizens, and even other ninja to adopt his tenacious and overly-positive way of thinking. He debuted as an annoying brat with a smart mouth, but his gradual character development makes anyone want to cheer for him.
6 Ojamajo Doremi Is An Underrated Gem Worth Watching
Spanning over 200 episodes, Ojamajo Doremi is a 1990s anime known to only the most well-versed of magical girl fans. The anime has four seasons, three films, two OVA series, and one spin-off film, so there's a lot of ground to cover.
It centers around five elementary schoolers who study to become witch apprentices. They learn more about the magical world beyond the human realm while also struggling with their personal lives. Ojamajo Doremi is different from most magical girl anime of that era, not afraid to touch on heavier topics of suicide, racial prejudice, divorce, and even loss. The girls grow closer as their magical abilities strengthen, and fans will find themselves growing attached as the story progresses. The ending to such a long anime is a punch to the gut but reflects the sad reality of moving on.
5 Yu Yu Hakusho Is A Must For Any New Shonen Fan
Yoshihiro Togashi's Yu Yu Hakusho ended just three years before the Big Three made their way to the big screen. It showcases more than enough gut-wrenching action for any battle-oriented shonen fan in its four-year runtime.
The anime's final arc completely deviated from its manga counterpart, but Yusuke Urameshi's career as a Spirit Detective brings him to a well-deserved conclusion. He learns a lot about himself and the world around him, establishing many meaningful relationships along the way. He's realized what's most important to him and is willing to move forward after leaving his street-fighting past behind him.
4 Even After 10+ Years, Nana Still Has A Loyal Following
In recent months, Nana has had a resurgence in popularity, primarily on TikTok. And it has earned every shred of its fame. Its colorful characters are lovable and unique, while the storyline has the right amount of drama to keep fans on their toes.
Nana centers around two women with the same name who coincidentally become roommates. The story progresses and explores each Nana's past and inner struggles as they interact with the world around them. The Nana manga, unfortunately, is still on hiatus due to Ai Yazawa's undisclosed illness. But the anime's cliffhanger-like ending leaves fans wanting more.
3 Inuyasha's Large Episode Count Will Keep Anyone Entertained
Any isekai fan who isn't familiar with the classic Inuyasha must add it to their watch list. It also has the perfect blend of historical and fantasy elements to keep non-isekai fans interested.
Rumiko Takahashi keeps her fans interested as Kagome Higurashi finds herself transported to Sengoku-era Japan. She meets Inuyasha, a half-dog demon, half-human, who's searching for a mysterious jewel. Kagome finds herself accompanying Inuyasha on his journey after accidentally shattering the gem. They then embark on a desperate mission to collect all the shards, lest they fall into the wrong hands. Kagome and Inuyasha's journey is dangerous but hilariously unpredictable as the two befriend an array of other characters on their travels.
2 Sailor Moon Does A Lot Of Growing Up Throughout The Series
Like Ojamajo Doremi, Sailor Moon lasts about 200 episodes with three movies, plays and musicals, a spin-off series, and multiple OVAs. However, it's been a worldwide classic since the 1990s, inspiring many girls and young women to this day.
Even with all that content, Usagi Tsukino and the Sailor Scouts are too entertaining to ignore. They grow into their roles as planetary guardians, fighting an array of baddies threatening to destroy Earth and the Moon Kingdom. As the protagonist, Usagi has the most character development as she accepts her role as the ultimate protector and position as Queen of the Moon Kingdom. She faces many heartbreaking losses along the way, but the ending makes the anime all the more worth it.
1 Monster Will Keep Fans On Their Toes Until The End
This 2004 horror-thriller anime is a classic that older anime fans would recommend in a heartbeat. Monster has fewer episodes than Cardcaptor Sakura but more than enough twists and turns to flesh out its intense 70-episode storyline.
Dr. Kenzo Tenma is a well-respected neurosurgeon who's frustrated with the hospital's shady political biases. He's called to perform a life-changing operation on the town's mayor but refuses in order to save a young man named Johan instead. The mayor's death results in Kenzo losing his social standing amongst the hospital staff. What's worse is that the man he did save is not as innocent as he seemed to be.