It's often the case that an anime series end without a particularly conclusive ending. Sometimes it's for a simple reason, such as setting up for a new season or simply waiting for more of the source material to adapt. There are also times when this happens because of unplanned and unexpected reasons, such as studio issues. The worst, however, has to be when an anime ends on an unresolved cliffhanger.
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In a best-case scenario, the anime was partly meant as promotional material for the series' source material – typically a manga, light novel, or visual novel – which will answer whatever questions fans are left with. In the worst case, the audience is just left to question and guess what could possibly happen next.
05. Land of The Lustrous
Land of the Lustrous stands out not only visually but also conceptually due to its premise, which is not only interesting but also seemingly inspired by Buddhism. The show is set in a world where Gems – sentient crystalline organisms – are fighting against an alien race called Lunarians, who seek to shatter them.
To this end, they are assigned a role each, but a deep mystery looms behind the situation. Unfortunately, the show seems to end arbitrarily, just as Phos was starting their quest for the truth. Thankfully, curious fans can follow the story in the manga, but that's no consolation for those who want to see more of the beautifully animated CGI Gems.
04. Deadman Wonderland
Deadman Wonderland follows Ganta Igarashi, a seemingly normal teenager who ends up at the eponymous prison after being framed for the slaughter of his entire classroom. Things only become more twisted when he learns that he somehow gained the ability to control his own blood, which he has to use as he is forced to participate in brutal death games.
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However, the show raises more questions than it answers, leaving various mysteries unresolved, such as the identity of the Red Man and Shiro. Furthermore, its ending is intentionally left open, which caused many cautiously optimistic fans to anticipate a sequel that simply never came.
03. Bloom into you
Bloom Into You is a romance anime that truly stands out among its peers, beautifully exploring LGBTQ+ relationships, especially less visible identities, such as aromance. However, as enjoyable as it is to witness protagonists Yuu and Touko learn about each other and the concept of love, their journey simply ends too soon, leaving fans disappointed in the end.
Moreover, the final episode doesn't seem to be a particularly good stopping point either, as it ends before the much-anticipated school play. Unfortunately, with the manga beng completed as of 2019, it also seems unlikely that fans will ever get a second season at this point.
02. High School of The Dead
High School of the Dead is emblematic of the era during which it was released, encompassing many of the trends at the time, both in western and eastern entertainment: action, zombies, and ecchi. The show revolves around an odd group of high schoolers and school staff fighting against a sudden zombie outbreak desperately trying to survive.
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Unfortunately, High School of the Dead's writer fell ill soon after the first season aired, which caused the manga to go on hiatus. Eventually the writer passed away, after which the illustrator decided to discontinue the manga to respect his dear friend and colleague.
1. Gansta
The story behind Gangsta.'s hiatus is one of misfortune. Many fans were captivated by the intriguing city of Ergastalum, as well as the adventures of the Handymen. However, their tales were never finished. The studio behind Gangsta., as well as classics such as Samurai Champloo, filed for bankruptcy right after the show finished airing, leaving the adaptation with no owner.
Furthermore, the manga itself has not been updated since 2019 either, as the author has been fighting against serious health issues, including multiple autoimmune diseases. As unfortunate as this is, fans have to be understanding and the author needs to
prioritize her own health.
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Conclusion
A show's finale is unequivocally important. It can either ruin the experience or ensure it ends on a good note, leaving no question unanswered and no issue unresolved. People often talk about great anime with bad endings, endings that simply left them feeling unfulfilled, wanting more. When something ends abruptly for seemingly no reason, whilst giving the impression that there is more to come, it creates expectations and anticipation. The more anticipation is built up, the more disappointed fans are once they realize that their favorite anime's cliffhangers will never be resolved.