Great anime are rare, and very few manageto find their way into the spotlight, the ones that do usually have a story that is planned out from the beginning. Unfortunately, even a great anime isn’t immune to bad storytelling. Once an anime’s popularity is established, some writers or studios don’t put as much effort into it, which leads to a drop in quality and sometimes a ruined ending that leaves a bad taste.
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The conclusion of an anime series often plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions. Despite the greatness of certain anime, the ending can sometimes ruin the image of the series due to various reasons, such as rushed conclusions or unresolved plotlines. Some of the worst offenders are on this list, and if it weren’t for the endings of these, they would be universally praised.
10Naruto Shippuden
What Happened To The Ninja Show We All Knew And Loved
Naruto: Shippuden
Why Watch Naruto Shippuden?
Naruto Shippuden, the sequel to Naruto, was celebrated during its release. It started slow, but it quickly picked up the pace with some great arcs like the Pain Arc. As the series reached its climax, particularly during the Fourth Great Ninja War arc, it started to devolve from a ninja anime to something out of Dragon Ball Z.
The series finale, which depicted Naruto finally becoming Hokage and the following flash-forward, left viewers wanting more closure for other characters or a more detailed exploration of the world post-war. This polarized the show’s fans, despite the series' overall popularity.
Release Date
Episode Count
Where To Watch
August 12, 2025
Crunchyroll
9Sword Art Online
Weak Character Development Led To It’s Downfall
Sword Art Online
Why Watch Sword Art Online?
Sword Art Online initially had such an innovative premiseof players trapped in a virtual reality game. However, as the series progressed through its various arcs, criticisms arose regarding its pacing and character development.
The rapid resolution of conflicts without sufficient buildup or exploration of the virtual worlds contributed to dissatisfaction among the fanbase. The characters become emotionless, and the villain is reduced to someone who has no solid reason for doing what he does, which is weak character development on the anime’s part. Overall, the show used to be great but towards the end, it just fell off.
8Dragon Ball GT
A Show That Was Bound To Fail From The Start
Dragon Ball GT
Why Watch Dragon Ball GT?
Dragon Ball GT faced challenges from the start, primarily because it was produced without direct involvement from the original creator, Akira Toriyama. This departure led to differences in storytelling and character portrayal compared to the Dragon Ball Z that came before.
The introduction of new transformations for Goku and the focus on a younger version of the character, along with the quest for the Dragon Balls in space, were much more distinct from the established Dragon Ball formula. The series' conclusion with the departure of Goku with Shenron was seen as an unsatisfactory and confusing ending by many fans, as it didn’t provide the same level of closure as the preceding Dragon Ball Z’s conclusion.
7Death Note
A Certified Classic That Went On A Bit Too Long
Death Note (2006)
Why Watch Death Note?
Death Note encountered mixed reactions regarding its second half and the ultimate conclusion, which led to a disappointing end for one of the greatest storylines ever.The demise of L, at the midpoint of the series, marked a turning point that some fans found challenging to reconcile with, because that was the initial dynamic that drew them into the show.
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After L’s departure, the introduction of Near and Mello as replacements for L led to divided opinions among viewers. Some felt that these successors lacked the depth and charisma of L, impacting the series' quality and overall ending. It was also disappointing to see Light be defeated simply because of a single mistake, but it’s perhaps the only show on this list that is still considered great.
August 11, 2025
6Soul Eater
Too Much Diverting From The Source Material
Soul Eater
Why Watch Soul Eater?
Soul Eater initially gained popularity for its distinctive art styleand fun concept. However, the anime’s divergence from its source material, particularly in the latter half of the series, led to disappointment among fans.
As the anime caught up to the ongoing manga, it took a different path, resulting in an original ending that did not align with the story in the manga. This decision led to unresolved plot points and a rushed conclusion that felt unsatisfactory. When Maka threw a random punch representing the cliché power of friendship, the anime went against its own principles and led to one of the least satisfying endings on this list.
August 01, 2025
Hilarious And Action Packed, With A Somewhat Disappointing End
Why Watch Gintama?
Gintama is a beloved anime for its blend of humor, action, and emotional depth, resonating with many audiences because of how universal it is. Some fans found fault with the anime’s ending though, particularly regarding the abrupt ending in its 367th episode.
There’s a running joke in the series where they constantly get canceled because the anime keeps catching up with the manga and in the final episode, there’s an intense action sequence that leads to a cut during the peak, explaining why they couldn’t finish animating the finale. Though it’s thematically appropriate for Gintama to break the fourth wall like this, it was still a bit of a letdown.
June 08, 2025
4Tokyo Ghoul
Another Diversion From The Source Material That Ruined The Story
Tokyo Ghoul
Why Watch Tokyo Ghoul?
Tokyo Ghoul’s anime adaptation, especially in its later seasons, diverged significantly from the manga source material, leading to dissatisfaction among fans of the story. The departure from the manga caused confusion and frustration among viewers as critical character developments and essential plotlines were altered.
This resulted in a disjointed and incomplete portrayal of the story, leaving anime-only viewers perplexed about certain character motivations and the overall direction of the narrative. Moreover, the rushed pacing in the anime’s final season resulted in a lack of proper buildup and emotional depth for significant events, reducing the impact of pivotal moments in the story and solidifying Tokyo Ghoul as a victim of bad endings.
June 28, 2025
3Neon Genesis Evangelion
Too Philosophical For Its Own Good
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Why Watch Neon Genesis Evangelion?
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a certified classicand one of the all-time greats in anime which every other anime lover always recommends. Everything about it was groundbreaking at the time and still is. But the ending kind of holds it back from reaching the peak status it could’ve reached.
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The abstract and symbolic nature of the ending left some fans feeling confused and dissatisfied. The exploration of existential themes and the psychological unraveling of the characters in the final episodes were seen as convoluted and unclear by a portion of the audience and, because of the open-ended plotlines, felt incomplete.
August 10, 2025
2The Promised Neverland
Biggest Letdown In Anime With Its Second Season
The Promised Neverland
Why Watch The Promised Neverland?
The first season of The Promised Neverlandwas widely acclaimed for its suspenseful plot and compelling characters. The anime’s second season is a completely different story though, which deviated significantly from the manga and drew criticism for its rushed pacing and lack of depth.
The divergence from the source material led to the omission of crucial story arcs and character developments, resulting in a narrative that felt incomplete. Anime-only viewers were left confused about the lack of proper context and explanations for certain plot points and character motivations and the finale was one of the most disappointing things to ever come out of an anime. This show went from a masterpiece to one of the worst follow-ups that was humanly possible, solidifying its place on this list.
June 22, 2025
1Attack On Titan
The Most Contradictory Finale In Modern Anime
Attack On Titan
Why Watch Attack On Titan?
Attack on Titanis the most recently ended anime on this list.It’s probably one of the most popular and highly-rated anime out right nowand is considered a favorite by many enthusiasts and rightfully so. It has a complex plot and a very deep storyline about the cycle of war, pain, hatred, and other heavy themes.
When Season Four began, it was hailed as one of the greatest animes of its time, particularly with itshighly-rated episodes like Declaration of War. But the final arc of the alliance was when things started to fall off. The final episode makes little sense, with Eren’s motives, which were shrouded in mystery, having no major reason behind them. As Eren himself said, he was just an idiot who gained power, but if Eren’s motivations were properly explored and didn’t have a lazy wrap-up, they could’ve elevated the show tenfold. Some other questionable decisions include the popularly unpopular phrase ‘Only Ymir Knows’ and the twist about Eren’s mom’s death. Overall, Attack on Titan’s ending is widely considered to be one of the greatest modern anime blunders in a while.
