The Weirdest Endings in Anime: Exploring the Phenomenon of Gainax Endings

The Legacy of Gainax Endings

Studio Gainax is an anime studio known for its incredibly distinctive style, and a key part of that stems from how their anime often end.

Lilith opening the Doors of Guf

Befitting the bizarre nature of their anime, many Gainax series have endings that make little to no sense with how the story was going, and any anime that does the same, regardless of the studio, is referred to as having a 'Gainax ending'.

Gainax endings have become a major trademark of anime, whether it's a Studio Gainax anime or one produced by another studio, and some stand out far more than others.

More often than not, an anime will have a Gainax ending because the studio needs to find a way to end the show, no matter how weird it might be, and other times, it will be done on purpose to lean into the bizarre nature of its story.

Whatever the case, there are plenty of anime with endings that perfectly capture the bizarre nature of Studio Gainax.

The Most Noteworthy Gainax Endings

The world of anime is filled with endings that defy expectations and leave audiences scratching their heads. These 'Gainax endings' have become a hallmark of the medium, and there are several that stand out as particularly bizarre and memorable.

Berserk Ending's Griffith finally becomes Femto during the Eclipse.

One of the most infamous Gainax endings is from OLM, Inc.'s Berserk anime. The original Berserk anime only made it to the Eclipse, specifically, Griffith assaulting Casca in front of Guts. However, the anime cut away from the Eclipse without showing how Guts survived or what happened to everyone, leaving fans bewildered and forcing them to turn to the manga for answers.

Another noteworthy example is Studio Gainax's Medaka Box, which took a fairly normal progression through its adaptation only to end with a cliffhanger and a series finale that made no sense without reading the manga. This perfectly exemplifies the unpredictable nature of Gainax endings.

Kumagawa in episode 11

For a more recent anime with a Gainax ending, Studio MAPPA's Zombie Land Saga provided a bizarre twist in its season 2 finale, leaving fans wondering about the unexpected turn of events. This exemplifies how Gainax endings continue to captivate audiences even in modern anime.

The Loser Team and Plus Six

The Impact of Gainax Endings

The phenomenon of Gainax endings has left a lasting impact on the anime industry, shaping the way audiences perceive and interpret the conclusions of their favorite series.

Najimi Ajimu

From classic series like Neon Genesis Evangelion to more recent entries like Devilman Crybaby and Space Dandy, Gainax endings have become synonymous with unexpected twists and unconventional resolutions.

Kumagawa and Najimi

These endings have forced viewers to grapple with ambiguous narratives, prompting discussions and theories that continue to resonate long after the series has ended. Gainax endings are a testament to the creative and boundary-pushing nature of anime, solidifying their place in the annals of anime history.

Kumagawa kills Ezumachi with All Fiction