10 Best Bittersweet Anime Endings, Ranked

More often than not, fans expect their favorite shows to end in a fulfilling and memorable way, bringing the story to a satisfying close and giving the main characters the happy ending they deserved. While some series can get away with depicting tragedies or even villains defeating the heroes, this isn’t typically the case.

Still, there have been several occasions in which popular shows have managed to close their stories in ways that do not completely fulfill the audience’s expectations while still being considered iconic. These finales perfectly blend tragedy, drama, and compelling character arcs that can enchant viewers even when they do not grant the heroes a happily ever after.

10

Princess Tutu’s Main Heroine Is Forgotten by Her Friends

Drosselmeyer was once a popular author who held the power to bring his stories to life in the real world. After dying with his last work unfinished, the remnants of his consciousness search for someone who could help him achieve his goals of making his characters, a lonely prince without emotions and an evil raven looking to conquer the world, battle forever. He enlists the help of Duck, a small animal turned human girl who falls in love with the prince.

This cult classic anime features an incredible story about finding one’s purpose and defying destiny, with a charming and adorable main character found in Duck. Lamentably, her story does not end in the way most fans expected. While she is able to help the prince defeat the raven and stop Drosselmeyer’s plans, she does so at the cost of giving up her human form and being forgotten by her friends, who go on to have a happy life without her.

9

The Heroes of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean Are Virtually Erased From Existence

Framed for the murder of an innocent civilian, Jolyne Cujoh, daughter of one of the franchise’s best main characters, Jotaro, finds herself involved in a decades-long conflict. Her father tries to break her out of jail, explaining that she is being targeted by followers of the vampire Dio, who hates her family. After Jotaro is put in a coma by these mysterious villains, the girl must find a way to save her father and stop their plans.

Stone Ocean is one of the most complex entries in the JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure franchise, mostly due to the villain Pucci and his desire to remake the universe to his whims. After effectively erasing the heroes from existence and achieving his goals, Pucci is ultimately defeated by Emporio, who completely erases him from reality and restarts the universe yet again. This indirectly causes the heroes that fans followed throughout the anime to no longer exist, making the victory taste that much more bitter.

8

Clannad: After Story’s Joyful Montage Does Not Erase the Pain

Following the events of the original Clannad anime, Nagisa and Tomoya prepare to live their new life together as adults, facing the challenges that this new era will bring. It’s a story filled with tragedy, loss, and unexpected lessons that has caused more than one fan to cry inconsolably. Throughout the series, fans can see Tomoya collecting small light orbs every time he helps someone achieve their goals, something pivotal to the ending.

After Nagisa died during childbirth, the protagonist spent years resenting and pushing away his daughter, Ushio. They reconcile shortly before the ending, when Tomoya learns that the girl shares the same sickness as her mother and is destined to die soon. Before Ushio can pass away, she uses the magic of the light orbs to give her father a second chance at life, this time with both her and Nagisa surviving. While the finale shows the family enjoying their lives together, the pain of seeing their deaths never goes away.

7

Plastic Memories Is a Beautiful and Tragic Lesson on Letting Go

In the future, humans in need of help or companionship are given advanced robots with the capability to develop emotions, known as Giftia. These androids have a set expiration date, approximately nine years after their creation. Tsukasa is hired by the company that produces these machines and is tasked with retrieving the Giftia near the end of their time to prevent issues.

He is paired with Isla, a clumsy but experienced Android with whom he develops a deep bond, with the pair eventually falling in love. Lamentably, due to Isla’s nature as a Gifitia, her time with Tsukasa is limited, a fact that both characters are sorely aware of. The series ends with the android being sent back to the factory to have her memories erased, as Tsukasa accepts the loss and moves on with his life, cherishing the moments spent by her side.

6

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion’s Protagonist Pays the Ultimate Price for Peace

Banished by his father, the Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire, to Japan, Lelouch joins the fight against the tyrannical forces that keep the world under constant threat of violence. By utilizing the power of his ocular ability known as Geass, a power allowing him to control the minds of anyone who stares into his eyes, he plots the downfall of his father’s empire, adopting the persona of the terrorist Zero.

After fulfilling his dreams and liberating the world from his father’s reign, Lelouch is left with only one more step to create the perfect world for his sister: unite all nations. He achieves this by becoming a fake tyrannical new ruler, becoming the world’s number-one enemy. Lelouch tasks one of his men to dress up as Zero and publicly execute him, bringing a new era of peace at the cost of his own life.

5

Tengen Toppa Guren Lagann’s World Slowly Forgets Its Greatest Hero

The ruthless Spiral King has forced humanity to live in isolated underground villages where they can do nothing but drill. Simon, a boy who has spent his entire life working for the ruler, comes across Kamina, a rebellious teenager who wants to oppose the tyrant. After the duo finds one of the coolest mechas in all anime, they join forces to save humanity from those who stole their freedom.

Although the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann series began as an over-the-top battle for freedom, it evolved into a cosmic war against forces looking to destroy the universe itself. Simon and Nia, a former agent of the main villain, the Anti-Spiral, utilize the titular robot to protect the galaxy, creating a free and happier world for everyone. Nonetheless, this did come at a high cost, as Simon had to say goodbye to the love of his life, who faded away after her creator disappeared, and he was forgotten by humanity decades later.

4

Not All Erased Characters Could Enjoy Their Lives

Satoru is a man whose life has always been marked by tragedy, due to an unusual ability that allows his consciousness to travel back in time to prevent any tragedy he witnesses from happening. After his mother is killed by an old serial killer, he is sent back to his 11-year-old body, tasked with capturing the culprit and preventing the deaths of his friends and classmates.

Erased is by far one of the most intriguing mystery anime of the last couple of decades, combining complex mental puzzles with fantastical abilities that challenge the viewer’s perception of reality. By the end of the series, Satoru is able to catch the killer, who turns out to be one of his former teachers. He can stop his killing spree at the cost of falling into a 15-year coma during which his friends and family move on without him.

3

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a Beautiful and Exciting Depiction of Tragedy

David Martinez’s life drastically changed when his mother died, leaving him alone to traverse the dangerous streets of the treacherous Night City. One day, he comes across Lucy, a skilled Netrunner trying to steal a piece of high-grade technology from him. This encounter leads David down a path of crime and rebellion against the oppressive corporations that rule over their home.

Throughout the series, David and Lucy develop a unique connection, not born from the woman’s greed or the man’s need for approval, but from pure affection. As such, it was not shocking for fans to see David risk it all to send Lucy to the Moon. What shocked audiences was the entire crew being killed brutally by Adam Smasher, ending the story with Lucy alone on the Moon, remembering the love of her life.

2

Cowboy Bebop Leaves Fans With a Hard-Hitting Lesson

Considered by many as one of the true masterpieces of anime history, Cowboy Bebop follows the charming space bounty hunter Spike and his crew of misfits. The team travels across the solar system, catching wanted criminals and going on memorable adventures that help them face the trauma of their past. Towards the beginning of the series, it’s revealed that Spike used to be a member of the Red Dragon Syndicate, a notable and violent criminal organization.

When his former comrade and rival Vicious kills the love of his life, the protagonist launches a direct attack against his ex-teammates, all to kill the man who took everything from him. Spike is able to eliminate Vicious after a grueling battle, only to supposedly die due to his heavy injuries. The series ends by stating that Spike’s friends will have to carry the weight of his death and the consequences of their choices.

1

Your Lie in April is Infamously Beautiful and Haunting

Years before the start of the series, Kousei was known as a child prodigy in Japan, capable of playing the piano better than most adults. Now, he is a former gifted kid whose trauma prevents him from even hearing the notes he is playing. During a walk, he meets Kaori, a cheerful violin player, whom he falls in love with almost immediately, setting up a love story for the ages.

After spending weeks with Kaori and learning to love music all over again, Kousei learns that the girl has a terminal illness that will soon cause her to die. Tragedy strikes during the protagonist’s recital, during which he imagines himself playing one last time with the girl he loved. The series ends with Kousei slowly accepting Kaori’s death, learning to move on with the lessons and memories she left behind.