The ending of an anime can often make or break the viewer’s experience. Numerous anime series are known for their unexpected, shocking, and sometimes polarizing conclusions. While these controversial endings often spark intense debates among fans, they also contribute significantly to the overall narrative and often leave a lasting impression.
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Sometimes, they deliberately subvert expectations, challenging storytelling conventions such as Light Yagami’s unexpected death inDeath Note. Despite the controversy, these endings remain memorable and have been etched into anime history. Let’s delve into ten of the most controversial anime endings, exploring what made them so divisive and impactful.
Updated by Dev Tugnait on August 23, 2025:We have updated this list by adding five new entries. Each brings a unique blend of storytelling and unexpected twists, further enriching our diverse collection. Dive into these latest additions to explore more of the most debated and controversial anime endings.
15Future Diary
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.41
Future Diary
Future Diary Controversy
Future Diary concludes with a controversial ending that left many viewers divided. The anime centers around a survival game involving diaries that predict the future, with participants battling to become the new God of Time and Space. The main characters, Yukiteru Amano and Yuno Gasai are the last survivors.
The controversy arises in the end, where it’s revealed that Yuno is actually from a parallel world, having won the previous game and become a god. She aims to repeat the cycle by killing Yukiteru and restarting the game in another world. However, in the climax, Yuno kills herself to save Yukiteru. This ending and twist, especially Yuno’s drastic decision, sparked debates among fans.
Release Date
Episode Count
Where To Watch
July 16, 2025
Crunchyroll
14Wonder Egg Priority
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.61
Wonder Egg Priority
Wonder Egg Priority Controversy
Wonder Egg Priority, an original anime series acclaimed for its artistic direction and exploration of heavy themes, faced controversy with its ending, particularly in the special episode intended to conclude the story. The anime follows Ai Ohto, a girl who battles surreal creatures to save girls from their traumas.
The controversy stems from the final episode’s rushed nature and unresolved plot points. Key questions about the nature of the dream world, the fates of the girls Ai tries to save, and the purpose of their battles remain unclear. This abrupt and seemingly incomplete ending left many fans unhappy, feeling it didn’t live up to the story established in earlier episodes.
June 26, 2025
13Claymore
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.74
Claymore Controversy
Claymore, adapted from Norihiro Yagi’s manga, faced controversy over its ending due to significant deviations from the source material. In the anime, Clare confronts the powerful antagonist, Priscilla, in a climactic battle. However, this confrontation was not present in the manga when the anime was produced.
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The anime concludes with Clare sparing Priscilla’s life, which seemed out of character given Clare’s deep-seated desire for revenge over the death of her mentor, Teresa. This ending was controversial as it not only deviated from the ongoing manga but also left many story arcs unresolved. For instance, The anime touches upon the mysterious group that created the Claymores, but many of their secrets and motivations remain unexplored.
June 03, 2025
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 8.30
Erased Controversy
The ending of Erased is controversial because it deviated from the manga and rushed its conclusion. In the anime, the protagonist, Satoru Fujinuma, possesses the ability to prevent tragic events by being sent back in time. The main plot revolves around him trying to prevent the kidnapping and murder of his classmate, Kayo Hinazuki, and others.
The controversy arises in the anime’s climax, where the kidnapper is revealed to be Satoru’s teacher, Yashiro Gaku. This reveal and the subsequent resolution feel rushed compared to the manga. Additionally, in the anime, Satoru falls into a coma and wakes up years later, missing out on significant life events, which is handled differently in the manga.
August 22, 2025
11Soul Eater
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.84
Soul Eater
Soul Eater Controversy
Soul Eater ended controversially because the anime diverged from Atsushi Okubo’s still-ongoing manga. In the final episodes, Maka Albarn confronts the main antagonist, Kishin Asura. The controversy lies in the climax, where Maka defeats Asura with a punch powered by courage, a resolution many fans found overly simplistic and inconsistent with the series' otherwise complex narrative and well-developed combat system.
Additionally, the anime does not explore many character arcs present in the manga. For example, the manga delves deeper into the backgrounds and development of characters like Death the Kid, Black☆Star, and Crona, whereas the anime leaves these relatively unexplored. This abrupt and simplified conclusion led to disappointment and controversy among many fans.
August 07, 2025
10School Days
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 5.52
School Days Controversy
School Days revolves around a high school love triangle between the main characters, Makoto Itou, Kotonoha Katsura, and Sekai Saionji. Makoto’s indecisiveness and infidelity lead to a complex web of relationships and emotional turmoil. The controversy peaks in the final episode, known as Nice Boat.
Makoto’s actions culminate in a tragic end when Sekai, driven by jealousy and betrayal, murders him. Following this, Kotonoha confronts Sekai, leading to a gruesome scene where Kotonoha kills Sekai. The series concludes with a shocking and graphic image of Kotonoha cradling Makoto’s severed head on a boat. This brutal conclusion was unexpected and highly controversial for aromance anime, which has led to low ratings.
June 04, 2025
9Tokyo Ghoul √A
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.02
Tokyo Ghoul √A Controversy
Tokyo Ghoul√A, the second season of the Tokyo Ghoul series, faced controversy primarily due to its significant deviation from the source material, Sui Ishida’s manga. The anime follows Ken Kaneki, a young man who becomes a half-ghoul and struggles to find his place in the human and ghoul worlds.
The controversy arises in how the anime diverges from the manga’s plot, particularly in Kaneki’s decisions and alliances. In the anime, Kaneki joins Aogiri Tree, a radical ghoul group, a move that is not present in the manga and contradicts his established character. This change led to a different storyline and conclusion, leaving many important manga plotlines and character developments unexplored.
July 28, 2025
8Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.73
Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt
Panty & Stocking With Garterbelt Controversy
Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, known for its irreverent humor and unique animation style, ended on a highly controversial and unexpected note. The series, centered on two fallen angels, Panty and Stocking, who battle ghosts to earn their way back to Heaven, takes a shocking turn in the final moments of the last episode.
After seemingly completing their quest, the series throws a twist: Stocking suddenly cuts Panty into pieces and reveals she is apowerful demon. This abrupt betrayal was completely unforeseen and left without explanation. The episode ends with a promise of the next season. This cliffhanger ending, with its major unresolved plot twist and the promised continuation that never materialized, made the end controversial.
July 25, 2025
7Devilman Crybaby
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.75
Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby Controversy
Devilman Crybaby, known for its intense and graphic narrative, concludes with a deeply controversial ending. The series, a modern adaptation of Go Nagai’s manga, follows Akira Fudo, who becomes a Devilman and battles against demons.
The controversy arises in the final episodes as the plot escalates to an apocalyptic war between demons and humans. Akira confronts his best friend, Ryo Asuka, who reveals himself as Satan and the orchestrator of the apocalypse. The series concludes with a catastrophic battle that leads to the destruction of life on Earth, including the deaths of all main characters. The final scenes depict a reset world, starting the cycle anew, with Ryo alone and mourning Akira.
July 11, 2025
6Akame Ga Kill!
My Anime List (MAL) Score - 7.47
Akame ga Kill!
Akame Ga Kill! Controversy
Akame ga Kill! faced controversy with its ending, mainly due to significant deviations from the ongoing manga. The anime follows a group of assassins called Night Raid, part of a larger rebellion against a corrupt empire, with the story focusing on the young warrior Tatsumi and the titular character Akame.
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The controversy stems from the anime’s final episodes, where several characters, including beloved main characters like Tatsumi and Leone, face unexpected deaths. These deaths, especially Tatsumi’s, deviated from the manga and shocked viewers, as his survival and development were central to the story. However, in the manga, Tatsumi survives but is transformed into a dragon due to the overuse of his Teigu, Incursio.
