Top 10 Greatest Final Episodes in Anime

“Death Note” (2006-07)

Light’s plans having finally come to fruition. He’s erased all the other pieces on the board and is but one move away from eliminating those who could ever hope to stop his plans to rule as God of the New World. And then it all goes pear shaped. Outwitted by Near, Light is exposed as Kira, his ploys are left in ruin, and in the sweetest of ironies, is killed off courtesy of Ryuk writing his name in his own Death Note. While many would have liked to see Light win in the end, it’s still cathartic to see the man who viewed himself as a deity come crashing down in such a spectacular fashion.

“Puella Magi Madoka Magica” (2011)

In typical Urobutcher fashion, this particular project comes to a close laced in despair and darkness, with just the slightest tinge of hope. Despite her best efforts, Homura is once again on the precipice of failing in her mission to defeat the ultimate Witch and prevent Madoka from turning into a Magical Girl. And yet, thanks to a wish that acts as a loophole in Kyubey’s contract, Madoka is able to save all the Magical Girls of the past, present and future…by re-writing the entire universe to accommodate for her newfound godhood. Sadly this resulted in Homura being the only one in the world that remembers her. Honestly, this was the happiest Urobutchi ending to date!

“Mobile Suit Gundam” (1979-80)

While this mecha juggernaut would inevitably go on to spawn countless other series, this ending so brilliantly caters to Tomino’s vision and philosophy on war, that we’d be content if this was the last Gundam episode period. Haunted by the death of Lalah, Amuro and Char’s battle comes to a climactic close, complete with both Mobile Suits blowing the crap out of each other before both pilots move on to a full-on sword fight. Throw in A Boa Qu exploding and Char no-scoping Kycillia’s head off with a laser rifle, and you’ve got a damn good conclusion, one that other Gundam shows haven’t quite been able to reach yet.

“Berserk” (1997-98)

It’s painful to watch. It’s horrifically upsetting. It ends on a cliffhanger. Normally all these combined would make for a loathsome finale, and yet the Eclipse served as the tipping point that took Berserk to the pinnacle of the dark fantasy genre. After the God Hand are summoned, they offer Griffith the chance to join their ranks …in exchange for the lives of the Band of the Hawk. He accepts, and it turns into a massacre, topped off with Guts forced to watch as his beloved Casca is violated by his once closest friend. It’s unrelentingly brutal, with its only real flaw being that fans had to go and read the manga to see what happened next.

“Hunter x Hunter” (2011-14)

It doesn’t have the explosive action nor the tragic loss we had seen in the Chimera Ant arc, but this conclusion hit all the right notes, since we got the long-awaited meeting between Gon and Ging. Atop the World Tree, father and son finally get to have a heart to heart, slowly coming to an understanding while also recounting their previous adventures, as well as what it means to be a Hunter. While we’re all waiting on that highly anticipated continuation, at least this remake sent us off in a fulfilling manner. Though seriously guys, where is part two?

“Dragon Ball Super” (2015-18)

And so, the Tournament of Power comes to an end, but not before giving us one of the most hype experiences in Dragon Ball history. With Ultra Instinct failing him, Goku is left to team up with long-time nemesis Frieza to ensure Universe 7’s survival, by beating the crap out of the devastatingly strong Jiren the Grey. The battle is frantic and thrilling, with the animation, music and legacy of each character delivering on all fronts to create a finale that reminded us of the good ol’ days of Z. Admit it, you lost your shit the moment you saw Goku charge in at the last second with his wavering Super Saiyan form.

“Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2” (2008)

Starting off as an idealistic revolutionary who rallied the oppressed masses under the banner of his alter ego, it wasn’t long for the losses, betrayals and scheming to slowly push Lelouch towards the dark side, muddying the waters until he was only a stone’s throw from becoming like the very people he despised. At least until his glorious redemption. After uniting the world against his persona of a ruthless emperor, Lelouch arranges to have Suzaku, posing as Zero, cut him down in front of everyone, and as a result free them of their greatest tyrant. It’s the ultimate sacrifice, one that forever painted the Geass user as the definitive anti-hero.

“Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood” (2009-10)

How to do close out a sixty-four-episode epic in the most seamless way imaginable? Well, if you’re the Elric brothers, you give us a final confrontation with the ultimate evil, provide every major character with a meaningful send-off, and have the titular short stack achieve his goal while still adhering to the series’ inherent themes of equivalent exchange. Aka – the ultimate feel good ending. Al gets his body back, Scar is free from his chains of hatred, Ed and Winry finally confess their feelings, and Mustang doesn’t have to worry about that whole blind thing. Pitch perfect.

“Gurren Lagann” (2007)

This is bonkers. Just when you thought there was no way for this crazy sci-fi to push the boundaries of ludicrous action any further, along comes the final standoff with the Anti-Spiral. After reuniting with Nia and freeing themselves from the malevolent entity’s dreamscape, Team Dai-Gurren merge their Spiral Power together, and as a result create a mecha that is the size of entire galaxies, leading to a cosmic showdown that puts all other giant robot confrontations to shame. They literally used the universe as a boxing ring!

“Cowboy Bebop” (1998-99)

Only the Space Cowboy could deliver on an ending that was just as slick as him. With the death of Julia and the Bebop crew all but disbanded, Spike takes on the might of the Red Dragon Syndicate single-handedly, shooting his way through until all that is left is his mortal enemy Vicious. While he manages to walk away the winner, the toil of such a battle proves too much for even Spike to handle, seemingly dying then and there…but not before he goes out on the singularly coolest line ever muttered by an anime character. Ever.