There’s nothing better than a great ending to a beloved anime series. A story’s conclusion is one of the most crucial aspects of all. It makes or breaks a series for a lot of fans, and many titles have become infamous thanks to their endings. However, just as many series have gone down in anime history as some of the greatest of all time because of their epic and memorable finales.

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The best anime endings satisfy fans in every way, tying together all the loose ends and bringing everything full circle. Sometimes, they have a happy ending, while other times, they break the audience’s hearts. Either way, the best stories end exactly how they’re supposed to and give fans everything they expect.

10 Cowboy Bebop's Shocking Final Scene Somehow Works

Spike Spiegel

Cowboy Bebop is an iconic '90s series, and its influence is still felt throughout anime today. One of the things that makes it so memorable, even decades later, is its shocking yet surprisingly satisfying ending. The series concludes with Spike finally taking on Vicious in an epic one-on-one battle.

Unfortunately, it looks like neither of them makes it out alive, and the final shot of the series shows a fatally injured Spike collapsing to the ground. Despite this moment's grim implications, it somehow feels like a very fitting end for the famed Space Cowboy. Not every ending has to be happy, after all, and it's never been Cowboy Bebop's style to follow the same clichés as the rest.

9 Steins;Gate Ends With Everything Going Back To The Way It Once Was

Steins;Gate Okabe and Kirisu

Steins;Gate is undoubtedly one of the greatest sci-fi anime series to come out in some time. Though it's a little confusing at first, once it gets its footing, it becomes a complex and emotional story that hits viewers in the feels every time. The series centers around Okabe Rintarou, who discovers a way to change the future by sending messages back to the past.

Unfortunately, these changes come with a price, and he loses his loved ones as a result. Despite this heartbreaking outcome, Okabe refuses to give up and uses his invention to correct his mistakes. Thanks to his perseverance, the series ends with a heartwarming reunion between him and Kurisu. Everything turns out alright in the end, and that's just how fans like it.

8 Assassination Classroom Has A Fittingly Heartbreaking Ending

Korosensei's final moment in Assassination Classroom.

Fans know exactly what they're getting into with Assassination Classroom from the start. In this series, a class of assassins-in-training is tasked with the duty of taking their teacher's life in a year's time, all in order to stop the end of the world. Given this premise, everyone knows Koro-sensei will die from the start.

Nevertheless, when the time comes, it's a heartbreaking and emotional scene that brings the story full circle. Though it's painful to say goodbye after getting to know and love Koro-sensei, there's something surprisingly satisfying about watching his final moments with his students.

7 Your Lie In April Is Satisfyingly Sad

Kaori passes away in Your Lie In April.

At the start of Your Lie in April, the series seems like any other cutesy rom-com anime. However, that couldn't be further from the truth, and as the story progresses, it becomes a deep and emotional story that breaks all fans' hearts. The series' tone completely shifts after the audience learns of Kaori's shocking illness.

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From here, the story becomes an emotional rollercoaster, and though viewers can't help but root for Kousei and Kaori's budding romance, everyone knows in their hearts that their love will never be. While happy endings are great, sometimes, the most satisfying conclusions are the ones that bring tears to the audience instead of smiles, and that's exactly what makes Your Lie in April so beloved.

6 Princess Tutu Gives Every Character Their Happy Ending

Princess Tutu Rue and Mytho kiss

Princess Tutu is the story of a girl named Ahiru who transforms into a magical ballerina and collects the heart shards of a storybook prince named Mytho so he can regain his shattered heart. Along the way, she encounters many others also connected to the prince's story, and she soon finds herself in a fearsome battle against the book's author himself, a sinister spirit named Drosselmeyer.

Though her adventure is harrowing and grim, Ahiru's story has a surprisingly satisfying end. Each character arc perfectly ties together with the final act, and though not every story goes as expected, everyone gets the happy ending they deserve, making it all worthwhile in the end.

5 Death Note Ends With Light Getting Exactly What He Deserves

Death Note Light Yagami's Death

To this day, Death Note remains one of the most popular anime series of all time. Its thrilling story and lovable characters make it memorable even years after its conclusion. However, what really makes this series iconic is its incredible ending. In the final arc of the series, protagonist Light Yagami is finally outed as the monster he truly is.

He admits to being Kira all along, as well as his involvement in many shocking killings, including the death of his own father. In what many feel is the greatest karmic moment in anime history, Light is finally taken down by Matsuda and the rest of the police force. After fleeing the scene, he dies all alone, a harsh reminder that despite his power, Light is still a mere mortal, just like everyone else.

4 Naruto's Epic Conclusion Ushered In The End Of An Era

naruto and sasuke friends again after their final battle

After two series and hundreds of episodes, it felt like Naruto would go on forever. So, when the iconic series came to an end, it was a big deal. After so many story arcs over the years, it was hard for many to picture how the series would wrap up. Nevertheless, it gave fans just about everything they could have hoped for and more.

There's nothing more satisfying than seeing beloved characters get everything they want and deserve at the end of the story, and that's exactly what happened in Naruto. This heartwarming finale gives fans a look into their favorites' futures, with everyone enjoying peace at last. It's the perfect end to a legendary series, and it puts a smile on all fans' faces.

3 Clannad: After Story's Emotional Ending Surprises Fans

The Okazaki family in Clannad.

Clannad: After Story is the second half of the Clannad series, and it's considered one of the saddest anime series of all time. The story takes an abrupt turn after tragedy hits, and it looks as though Tomoya is destined for nothing but heartache.

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However, if there's one thing Clannad teaches viewers, it's that the world is full of miracles. The series' ending is hardly expected, but it's a powerful reminder that family is the most important thing and should always be cherished.

2 Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Has The Conclusion Everyone Longed For

A still from FullMetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

Fullmetal Alchemist is one of the most beloved anime series of all time. However, its first anime adaptation left many disappointed, thanks to its lackluster ending. Thankfully, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood finally gave the iconic series the proper conclusion it deserved. Following the manga's storyline from start to finish, Brotherhood ends with the happy ending everyone wanted for Ed and Al.

After everything the two brothers went through, they finally get to live normal, happy lives, with Al's body finally returned to him and Ed settling down with kids. It's everything Fullmetal Alchemist fans could have asked for, and many consider it one of the most satisfying anime endings ever.

1 The Fruits Basket Reboot Gives Kyo & Tohru Their Happily Ever After

Fruits Basket Final ending scene with Tohru and Kyo walking side by side.

New and old fans alike adore the 2019 reboot of Fruits Basket, and many consider it the definitive anime adaptation. It finally tells the full story of the beloved manga series for the first time, allowing fans to see the series like never before. While the original 2001 anime had an open-ended conclusion, this new adaptation wraps everything up perfectly.

Every character gets their happy ending, and each story arc gets resolved by the very end. Best of all, Tohru and Kyo finally have their happily ever after together, and fans get a glimpse into their happy future.

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