While it's rare for anime fans to agree on certain topics, the community does occasionally come together to reach a consensus. One such case is the occurrence of anime original endings, which deviate greatly from the source material. These finales are generally considered subpar or downright bad on most occasions, with several fans claiming they can even ruin an entire series.
Although rare, there are examples of this practice that can lead to a finale as good as, or even better than, the manga series offers. The changes made by these endings work perfectly because of a variety of factors. Whether it's because they manage to expand the lore of an existing franchise effectively or because the anime lets the story correct its mistakes, these anime-only finales are both beloved and compelling.
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The relationship between the characters feels much more personal in a quiet voice
Known for being one of the most iconic and beloved anime films in existence, A quiet voice tells the story of Ishida, a teenage boy who harbors immense regret for bullying his deaf former classmate, Nishimiya. Years after their paths diverged, the two meet by chance, sparking a deeply moving and personal story of growth, forgiveness, and the struggle with social anxiety.
While Quiet voice the film stays fairly true to the overall plot of the manga, removing several scenes revolving around supporting characters to place a heavy emphasis on Ishida's life and his relationship with Shouko. The biggest plot change comes right at the end, as the film completely deletes the final scene of the couple reuniting with their old elementary school classmates. Instead, the final moments depict Ishida letting go of his regrets and opening up to the world again.
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The Summer Hikaru Died managed to blend cosmic horror and emotional storytelling
Adapted from one of the best psychological horror manga of recent years, The summer Hikaru died the story focuses on the aftermath of a tragic accident that took the life of the titular Hikaru. After his death, Hikaru's corpse is possessed by an enigmatic and ancestral being who wants to understand humanity better, with the only flaw in his plan being that Yoshiki, the dead boy's best friend, saw the accident happen.
Because of The summer Hikaru died released while the original manga is still published to this day, the team behind the anime was forced to create a new ending for the first season. They managed to end this chapter of the anime in a bittersweet yet satisfying way, depicting the struggle that the people who once loved Hikaru have to deal with, as well as the guilt that begins to consume the unit. It's not a perfect closure, but it's pretty well executed.
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K-on! Took a short comedy series and turned it into a full fledged slice of life
Yui's arrival at Sakuragaoka High School was akin to a miracle for the members of the Light Music Club, as their beloved band was about to disband due to not having the four required members. While most of the time is spent drinking tea, gossiping and eating treats, the four girls soon develop a close bond, which only grows with each hardship they go through together.
The original K-on! manga was a popular four-panel Japanese series that told unrelated and light-hearted short stories revolving around Yui and her friends. The anime improved on this concept by a wide margin, not only delving deeper into the main characters' lives and dreams, but also including a touching finale where the girls graduate and continue to search for their own paths.
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Third Aerial Girls Squad OVA is much more hopeful in anime
Set in Shirobako's fictional universe, Third Aerial Girls Squad is a fictional anime imagined by the main characters of the manga, who chase their dream of becoming popular anime creators. The story of this non-existent show follows a group of students tasked with piloting advanced warplanes to protect humanity from a race of dangerous monsters.
In 2015, to celebrate the success of Shirobako's anime adaptation, an OVA was released, depicting what the finale of the Third Aerial Girls Squad would look like in real life. The manga has an extremely bleak finale, where the protagonist's best friend dies in battle, causing her to give up her dreams of flying. The OVA fixed this hopeless situation by having the protagonist rediscover his passion for flying by traveling to his friend's hometown and meeting his little sister.
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Bunny Drop improved the story by ignoring the manga
Arguably one of the most heartwarming Slice-of-Life anime released in recent decades, Bunny Drop is a charming series about found family and the bonds that can exist even without sharing blood. After learning that his recently deceased grandfather left behind a six-year-old illegitimate daughter named Rin, Daikichi decides to raise her as his own with as much love and care as he can.
The original manga was widely praised during its time of publication for the realistic and healthy dynamic between the father and his adopted daughter. As such, when the final arc of the manga was released, and a teenage Rin started dating Daikichi, most fans couldn't believe their eyes. The anime completely ignored this part of the story and instead ended its run when Rin is still a young girl being spoiled by her father.
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Trigun's final respected Vash's pacifist ideals
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In the distant future of 25Th century, humanity has finally conquered the stars and created colonies on several distant planets. It is in one of these new destinations that Vash the Stampede resides, a cosmic being with the power to devastate entire planets if he so chooses. Yet, even with these amazing powers, the protagonist refuses to allow violence to rule his hand and hold fast to his pacifist ideals.
Trigun is by far one of the best classic stories of the 90s, as it preferred to follow its own path instead of adopting the typical Shonen tropes of the time, with a hero who preferred to talk before fighting. The 1998 anime film, which ended many years before the manga reached its epic conclusion, managed to stick to these ideals, with Vash besting his brother in a brutal battle without having to kill him, leaving fans with hope for the future of both.
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The ending of The Girl Who Leaped Through Time is much happier
Just before she dies in a tragic accident, Makoto is sent back in time thanks to a small marble-like device she found lying on the ground. Through various experiments, she discovers that she can now travel to the past as long as she can jump forward while holding the object. What appears to be a wonderful gift soon turns dangerous, as the girl realizes how much her adventures over time have changed the world for the worse.
A true classic in Japanese cinema, The girl who jumped through time has a simple but significant difference that made audiences prefer its ending much more than the manga's. In her final moments as a time traveler, Makoto is able to prevent herself from taking the device, allowing her friend and love interest, Chiaki, to return to her time in the future. Unlike the manga, where they are forced to say goodbye and forget each other, the film gives the audience hope for a possible reunion.
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Death Note's Finale added a subtle but important change
Objectively one of the most popular anime ever created, and with good reason, Death Note is a story that needs no introduction. Light's quest to become the god of the new world by eliminating anyone he deems a criminal or a threat to his rule is beyond iconic among anime fans. Although the series is incredibly complex and well-written, fans have often complained about its finale, both in the manga and anime versions.
Yet there is one distinct but crucial difference that makes the animated depiction of this ending superior. In the manga, Light finds himself trapped in the warehouse, surrounded by his former allies. In a panic, the protagonist asks Ryuk to kill them all, only to be shot and killed while crying and crawling away in a truly pitiful fashion. The anime gives Light a chance to find a small moment of peace before his death, during which he becomes remorseful and accepts his fate, a much more fitting ending.
