10 Jaw-Dropping Anime Finales That Defied Expectations
Discover 6 anime that took matters into their own hands, revamping their endings for a more satisfying conclusion From epic battles to existential journeys, these retcons aimed to rectify the previous endings that fell short
Highlights
Some anime shows have had unsatisfying endings that leave viewers disappointed, such as Erased and The Promised Neverland.
However, there is always the chance of a new adaptation, additional film, or OVA to reiterate the narrative and address any shortcomings with the conclusion.
Anime series such as Fist of the North Star, Space Battleship Yamato, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Gatchaman Crowds, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Neon Genesis Evangelion serve as prime examples of works that effectively retconned their endings.
Every story eventually reaches its conclusion, but the manner in which it concludes can leave a negative impression. The way Erased ended wasn't as satisfying as its manga counterpart. Inuyasha lacked a proper conclusion until its Final Act series was released. The second season of The Promised Neverland had its fair share of issues, including a questionable ending.
Nevertheless, there is always the possibility of change. There is hope that these stories may receive a fresh adaptation to retell their narratives, or perhaps an additional movie or OVA to address any unresolved plot points. It is also possible that they may choose to rewrite the problematic endings to improve the overall experience. These anime shows have attempted to retcon their conclusions, achieving varying degrees of success.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
6 Fist Of The North Star
The first arc of Fist of the North Star was significantly expanded upon in the anime, with a reorganized storyline and the addition of new scenes. These additions provided more insight into the character Shin, the primary antagonist, and his captive Yuria. Shin relentlessly pursued Yuria's affection, while she continuously attempted to escape his clutches. Eventually, driven to despair, she chose to end her life by leaping from the tallest building. This portrayal demonstrated that despite his twisted nature, Shin genuinely harbored feelings of love for Yuria. It illustrated that the series' protagonist, Kenshiro, could not simply resolve all conflicts through physical strength alone.
Fast-forward a few years to its final series, where Kenshiro and his evil half-brother Raoh embarked on a quest to uncover the true identity of the enigmatic Nanto General. Surprisingly, they discovered that the General was none other than Yuria! Unbeknownst to her, the men destined to protect her arrived just in the nick of time, saving her from a perilous fall that left her unconscious. To ensure her safety from Raoh, they decided to whisk her away. This turn of events eventually led to a joyous reunion between Kenshiro and Yuria, bringing the series to a satisfying conclusion. However, it also diminished one of the most poignant moments in the story.
5 Space Battleship Yamato
Space Battleship Yamato may not be widely known outside of Japan, but its influence cannot be underestimated. This iconic series paved the way for other beloved mecha and space-based anime such as Mobile Suit Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion. With its gripping storyline, humanity's desperate quest to save Earth from the destructive Gamilas aliens captivated audiences. In fact, the first feature-length adaptation of this epic saga surpassed even the legendary Star Wars at the box office in 1977.
4 Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Directors Leiji Matsumoto, Toshio Masuda, and Tomoharu Katsumata collaborated to create a sequel for the renowned Space Battleship Yamato. Titled Farewell to Space Battleship Yamato, this gripping installment portrayed a devastating suicide mission undertaken by the crew in order to safeguard the cosmos, resulting in the destruction of the ship and the heartbreaking demise of nearly all its occupants. Unfortunately, this sequel was met with severe criticism, prompting a reimagining of the story. Consequently, Space Battleship Yamato II was born, offering a revised ending that diverged from the tragic events depicted in Farewell and replaced them with a more uplifting conclusion. This alteration effectively dismissed Farewell from the series' continuity, leading to the creation of an entirely new cinematic experience known as Be Forever Yamato.
The Gundam franchise is a convoluted collection of alternate timelines, scenarios, and series. It encompasses various iterations such as the original 1970s show, Gundam SEED, Gundam Wing, and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. The latter serves as a sequel to the 1970s show within the "Universe Century" timeline. Unfortunately, it also concludes on a melancholic note, with most of its main characters meeting their demise and Kamille, in particular, experiencing severe psychological trauma.
3 Gatchaman Crowds
: A New Translation of MS Zeta Gundam was created to bring more joy into the storyline, featuring a less gloomy conclusion. Surprisingly, this cinematic adaptation was released two decades later than the original Japanese broadcast. An additional series called Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ was also developed, evolving from Zeta's somber ending. Furthermore, the film Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack emerged as a result. Essentially, the cheery conclusion of Zeta Gundam introduced a new narrative continuity, prompting fans to engage in lively discussions.
Having received multiple adaptations, Science Ninja Team Gatchaman is an enduring classic. Originally released in the 1970s, the series went through various transformations over three decades before finally receiving a direct localization in 2005. To inject fresh energy into the franchise, Tatsunoko created Gatchaman Crowds, introducing a new team of science ninjas tasked with defending Earth against alien monsters known as MESS, all while contending with the enigmatic antagonist Berg Katze.
2 Fullmetal Alchemist
The final broadcast episode, however, ended on an unusual note. Instead of presenting a cohesive storyline, a significant portion of the episode served as a recap of the penultimate episode. Additionally, the newly created scenes didn't seamlessly integrate with each other. The reason behind this discrepancy was that the animators couldn't complete the episode in time to meet the deadline, forcing the editors to work with whatever material they had available. Fortunately, the episode was eventually completed and released on the Blu-ray version, where it made much more sense.
While both the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist series and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood have their own merits, the latter tends to attract a larger fan base. This is mainly because it stays more true to Hiromu Arakawa's manga. In contrast, the 2003 writer Shō Aikawa, known for works like Urotsukidoji: Legend of the Overfiend and Angel Cop, took the series in a different direction towards a Teutonic-inspired setting.
1 Neon Genesis Evangelion
: In a daring act of bravery, Edward puts his life on the line to rescue his brother Alphonse, only to find himself transported to 1920s Germany, a world devoid of alchemy. Determined to return to his own realm, he becomes immersed in the field of rocket technology. However, his journey takes an unexpected turn when he becomes entangled in a mission to prevent the Thule Society, a sinister Nazi occultist group of that era, from obtaining the means to access his world. Despite the moderate success of the original series and its subsequent movie, "Conqueror of Shamballa," fans overwhelmingly express their gratitude that "Brotherhood" remained situated in the captivating realm of Amestris.
The conclusion of the Neon Genesis Evangelion series sparks differing opinions regarding whether it was retconned or not. In a straightforward response, one could argue that it was indeed retconned, considering that the End of Evangelion movie essentially reconstructed episodes 25 and 26 with modified storylines. However, a more intricate perspective suggests otherwise. The original ending can be viewed as a more symbolic portrayal of the events depicted in End of Evangelion.
With one storyline showcasing Shinji being praised for overcoming his anxieties while humanity undergoes a transformative change, and another depicting him in solitude, mourning the same fate, the integration of these narratives may seem perplexing. However, the Rebuild of Evangelion movies reimagined the series, concluding on a more uplifting tone with humanity's revival and Shinji's personal growth and progression. As a result, determining the canonical version becomes subjective and dependent on the viewer's preference.
