Best Anime Endings Of All Time

Summary

• Death Note offers a gripping narrative with a satisfying conclusion despite some unnecessary flaws that creep up a bit later in its story.
• Your Lie in April delivers a soul-crushing yet heartwarming tale with an excellent finale.
• Steins;Gate stands out with one of the best anime endings, tying time travel shenanigans in beautifully without it feeling cheap or uninspired.

There are undoubtedly many excellent anime out there, some still ongoing and some that have concluded long ago met with either universal praise, mixed feelings, or overwhelming negativity. Getting a satisfying end to your favorite anime series is much harder to come by than you may think.

But, the ones that have ended on a high note are often still talked about and praised as being the best of the best, making them a must-watch for fans of the medium or newcomers looking for their first show to start binging.

Updated March 6, 2025, by Seth Parmer: It has been a hot minute since we updated this list, enabling us to revisit it and add five more entries into the mix, giving you even more anime to watch the entire way through for a satisfying payoff that will either have you pumping your fist in triumph or sobbing uncontrollably. Sometimes both!

Death Note

Death Note is one of the best entry anime out there. It offers a gripping premise, fantastic characters, excellent animation, and an unforgettable narrative that can bring even non-anime watchers into the medium.

While some may argue its ending is fumbled a bit, we feel it is overall a satisfying conclusion to its narrative. Though, admittedly, some aspects could have been handled a bit better, it overall sticks the landing, providing a solid conclusion to its concise 37-episode run.

Your Lie In April

A story of a pianist prodigy may not sound all that appealing to many viewers, especially if you’re not one for music-themed shows. Still, Kousei Arima’s tale is unbelievably soul-crushing, heartwarming, and one that is a must-watch if you’re a sucker for romance and drama.

Experiencing his hardships with his mom, how he deals with trauma, and the budding relationship with Kaori is a rollercoaster of many emotions that will keep you on the edge of your seat with puffy eyes the entire way through to its excellent finale!

Steins;Gate

Steins;Gate undoubtedly has one of the best endings in anime, delivering a satisfying conclusion to one of the medium’s most influential and important shows.

When time-travel shenanigans are on the table from the jump, you sort of expect things to go off the rails in a not-so-good way, but Steins;Gate ends up putting all the pieces together to knock its ending out of the park, making it a must-watch!

Assassination Classroom

Koro-sensei, a yellow octopus-esque professor who just blew up the moon, has come to Earth with a threat to destroy it, becoming a teacher in the delinquent-filled classroom of Class 3-E. The class only has one mission: assassinate Koro-sensei, a task that will prove exceedingly difficult.

Assassination Classroom is a banger of an anime from start to finish, offering tremendously hilarious moments, excellent action, and surprising encounters that will have you grinning from ear to ear. If action comedies are your thing, then this is the show for you. It kicks things off with a bang and sticks the ending. What more could you ask for?

Naruto: Shippuden

After wrapping up the controversial ‘War Arc,’ Naruto: Shippuden wraps things up with a focus on catching you up with what all your favorite characters are up to with their newfound era of peace they’ve fought so long and hard to achieve.

While there are still small arcs that focus on stopping a few bad guys trying to take advantage of the new peaceful times, the last stretch of arcs in the series does an excellent job tying up all the loose ends and giving us a feel-good ending, that may or may not be dragged down by Boruto. But that’s a different discussion altogether.

Paranoia Agent

Perhaps not the best of its kind, Paranoia Agent still offers a remarkable psychological thriller experience with an engaging plot, fascinating characters, and a satisfactory ending that won’t leave you angry or wanting more.

Is Paranoia Agent the best ending out there? We’d be lying if we said it was, but if you find yourself immersed in its world and characters, then there is no denying you will be left satisfied with how the story of Lil’ Slugger and his victims unfolds.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Known for their excellent animation and ability to deliver exhilarating action sequences, studio Trigger delivered one of the best action anime of the decade with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The characters, setting, and overarching narrative are dang-near perfect, and they executed it all in only ten episodes.

While some moments go by a bit too quickly, the fact they were able to tell a compelling narrative and have you fall in love with the main crew in such a short period of time is incredible. You will gasp at the twists and will be weeping the entire way through the back half of the anime, especially the ending. If you haven’t already, watch Cyberpunk: Edgerunners!

Monster

Monster is likely one of the best, if not THE best, psychological horror anime of all time, which is only further revered by its tremendous conclusion and everything that builds toward it.

If you’ve yet to experience Monster, we cannot recommend it enough and dare not spoil anything about it here, as going into it as much in the dark as possible will only make the payoffs more rewarding and hard-hitting. Please don’t sleep on it!

Katanagatari

Adapted from a light novel, Katanagatari follows Yasuri, an unarmed swordsman, and Togame, a strategist, searching for the 12 Legendary Swords, resulting in some kickass encounters, deep bonds, and a fantastic story.

This anime also had an interesting development, receiving one episode a month, spanning twelve episodes before coming to its conclusion. Katanagatari may not be at the front of most people’s minds, but it’s worth a watch as it sticks its landing confidently and is an exceptional story from start to finish!

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Speaking of a hard-hitting ending, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day will demolish you in just 11 episodes, leaving you in a puddle of your own tears.

Whether it’s from the dubious way they use the music to pull your heartstrings or from the tremendous voice acting at the conclusion in the final episode, Anohana crushes its finale, leaving you a shell of your former self. And we oddly cannot recommend it enough!

Monogatari (Series)

The Monogatari series is among the most universally praised and profitable manga/anime series ever conceived. While that doesn’t automatically make anything good, we can assure you that Monogatari is worthy of all the love and attention it gets and then some.

Monogatari is a tremendously special and unique series with its fair share of bizarre and… questionable… moments, but it also has tons of heart throughout its many episodes and seasons. From its initial Bakemonogatari season to the final Owarimonogatari season, you will be left awestruck and satisfied with its conclusion!

On the topic of insurmountably popular and profitable, we have Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood next on the list, offering one of the best stories in the medium that’s all killer, no filler. Okay, maybe there’s one filler episode, but that’s not the point.

Nonetheless, the Brotherhood adaptation of the series is the second time the series has been adapted into an anime. The only difference is that this version of the anime stays faithful to the source material through the end. This is one of the best endings to an anime you could ask for!

Attack On Titan

Remaining on the topic of massively popular anime, Attack on Titan finally saw its ending adapted into an 85-minute special, ending one of the most talked about and universally praised shows in the medium.

Despite the rumblings (pun intended) from the manga community leading up to the anime’s finale, the ending for Attack on Titan was a homerun, offering one of the most satisfactory endings to an anime of its type in recent memory!

Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop is one of the most iconic and legendary anime of all time, following a classic cast of characters on a neo-noir space western adventure that offers banger after banger, carrying over to its ending, which is also another banger.

There’s nothing to dislike about Cowboy Bebop. It delivers everything it needs to and even goes above and beyond with a killer soundtrack, voice acting, animation, and some of the best characters and storylines you will ever experience in a breezy 26 episodes!

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is simply one of the best Mecha anime of all time, offering unforgettable characters placed in a dramatic plot and world that demands even more dramatic actions and sacrifices, leading to some of the best animation you could ask for in the early 2000s.

Even if Mecha anime isn’t your cup of tea, we strongly encourage you to make an exception for this one, as Gurren Lagann is much more than what the genre implies and will constantly floor you with its characters and battle sequences. From start to finish, this anime delivers something truly remarkable that is worth your time!

Madoka Magica

Perhaps one of the most unassuming anime at a glance is Madoka Magica, which some may assume is just your typical Magical Girl show that centers on cute girls using their magical powers to save the world and stop bad guys.

And, without spoiling too much, you would be dead wrong if you simply think that’s the primary focus of Madoka Magica. This show tackles many serious themes, bringing you to the true pits of despair along with its characters. The ending is also executed flawlessly, making it a must-watch if any of that piqued your interest!

Devilman Crybaby

Devilman Crybaby is one of those shows where you just watch in awe from start to finish of each episode and can’t comprehend how they can pack so much into so few episodes, saying everything it needs to in only ten episodes.

Following Akira Fudo and his struggle against society, the overarching themes and premise covered in Devilman Crybaby are that of anti-war and combating bigotry, which leads to one of the best endings in anime as a result. Do not sleep on this show!

Neon Genesis Evangelion

There is nearly a non-zero percent chance you haven’t heard of Neon Genesis Evangelion if you’re perusing lists such as this one, but in case you haven’t, strap in for a brief rundown of why you should watch a show about psychological horrors, deep-rooted trauma, and neverending despair.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Mecha anime that is firmly planted in psychological horror, having you follow Shinji Ikari through hell. Just when you think things are going to get better, it doesn’t, and you will be begging for it to stop but will continue watching it through to its strange yet somehow satisfying ending. If you’re ready to bawl and feel uneasy, then watch this immediately!

Fruits Basket (2019)

Like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, the 2019 adaptation of Fruits Basket is the second anime adaptation of the manga, is the more faithful of the two, and is much better for it as a result. And, similarly to Madoka Magica, at a glance, this show looks like you’re going to be diving headfirst into a romcom slice of life that’s all sunshine and rainbows.

But, again, without spoiling too much, that could not be more from the case, as the show does a tremendous job at tackling mental trauma, depression, and other serious topics, capping it off with one of the most picture-perfect endings you could ask for!

Code Geass

You cannot simply have a ‘Best Anime Endings Of All Time’ list and not mention Code Geass, making it the perfect way to close out this list even if it is likely the most expected and diverse show here.

Code Geass’ ending is legendary at this point and deserves all the praise and acclaim it gets tossed its way. And while its return may taint its legacy, it is undeniably one of the best endings you could ask for in an anime and one you should experience for yourself, spoiler-free!