7 Perfect Shonen Manga That Were Ruined By Terrible Endings

Although manga is a medium that spans a plethora of genres, it is an undeniable fact that Shonen tends to be the most popular among fans. It's easy to see why these types of stories capture the attention of audiences worldwide, as more often than not they are funny, light-hearted and teach important moral lessons. Most of the most popular manga ever written belong to Shonen, from the iconic Dragon Ball to the newer Jujutsu Kaisen.

Sadly, there's another trait that seems to come with the territory that has damaged the reputation of more than a handful of comics. Over the years, fans have become disillusioned with what would otherwise be considered perfect manga due to its lackluster finale. Whether the ending doesn't match the message of the manga or the final chapters deviate from the main plot, these series have become notorious for dividing their fandom right at the finish line.

Demon Slayer

Better known for its anime adaptation, which became widely popular due to having what many consider to be the best animation in modern anime, Demon Slayer series has been a huge success since its first release in 2016. The tale of Tanjiro seeking revenge on the evil Muzan isn't a ground-breaking premise, but its unique storytelling, stunning art style and lovable cast have shaped the lives of millions of fans.

It is because of the love readers had for the series that the ending felt like such a disappointment to many. Several fans felt that the final battles between the heroes and Muzan's forces felt a little too rushed to be fully enjoyed. This might have been forgivable if the manga didn't then skip several decades to a modern setting, where Tanjiro and his friends are long dead, and the audience is forced to follow their descendants, whom they've never met, taking away the impact of the final battle.

Yu Yu Hakusho

For many older fans, Yu Yu Hakusho is the title that introduced them to the world of manga, and there aren't many better titles to accomplish this goal. Yoshihiro Togashi's first masterpiece is one of the foundations that helped the Shonen genre become what it is today. It has exciting battles, memorable characters and powers that every reader wishes they could have. Also, it is thanks to this series that some of the best tournament arcs in history were written, thanks to the Dark Tournament saga.

As the end of this amazing series came to a close, the audience was very excited to know what Togashi had in store for them. Their expectations were shattered when the story took a drastic change in tone and pace. Yusuke's father was revealed to have been a demon all along, the heroes were forced to fight in a tournament to crown the new ruler of the underworld, and the fights were nowhere near as spectacular as before. Decades later, some fans refuse to accept these final chapters as the true end of the manga.

My Hero Academia

Kohei Horikoshi's My Hero Academia manga shocked the world by becoming one of the best-selling series worldwide almost overnight. Over the past decade, Deku's journey to become the world's greatest hero has dominated the medium, with millions of fans eagerly awaiting the release of the next entry in the series. The manga's fantastic yet realistic approach to society's issues, while providing fans with some of the best battles in modern Shonen.

While it's true that the Final War arc of the series had everything readers could have wanted, it wasn't until after the epilogue that things started to go downhill. Important plot points such as the need for a better hero society, the deep-rooted discrimination and, more importantly, Deku's heroic career, were abandoned without an explanation. Fans were more than disappointed when the manga revealed that Izuku had to leave his dream behind due to lack of support from the government he saved. If it weren't for the efforts of his friends, the end of the series would have been far too bleak.

Whiten

One can argue about Whiten is one of the most influential manga in history. Ichigo's adventures as a Shinigami not only came during a time when the world was desperately looking for a new Shonen phenomenon, but it also introduced a refreshing way to tell these stories. It's not for nothing that Bleach is considered one of the big three, along with two franchises that still dominate the market to this day.

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc is by no means a catastrophic event, but it is objectively the weakest of the entire series. The pacing and battles left a lot to be desired, the focus was taken away from the main cast and given to supporting characters, and the season's big bad, who was supposed to be one of the most broken characters in anime, was disappointingly defeated. The epilogue managed to bring back the core of the series, but by then it was far too late for most fans.

Jujutsu Kaisen: Modulo

When Gege Akutani is Jujutsu Kaisen manga ended back in 2024, fans wondered if there would be a sequel to this worldwide hit. They didn't have to wait long until Modulea direct continuation of Yuji's story set 68 years after the release of the Culling Games. Initially, the series managed to impress fans by introducing new and innovative ideas, such as an alien race that can use Cursed Energy and the return of some favorite characters.

As the end of the series approached, fans began to worry about the pacing, as there were still many story threads yet to be explored. Regrettably, the worst case scenario occurred, with the manga ending in a hasty and unfulfilling fashion. Battles ended off-screen, issues that were still relevant were resolved in seconds, and the final pages left a sour taste in readers' mouths. Discussion about how unsatisfying the ending felt is still fresh online.

The Seven Deadly Sins

The Seven Deadly Sins has always been a polarizing manga, as most readers either love it dearly or hate it with a passion. The idea behind this fantasy story was one that caught the attention of many fans, as it felt like something daring and fresh. The heroes were impressively strong but flawed, the world felt alive, and the magic system was unique enough to keep audiences entertained. Although it was most popular during its initial stages, many fans felt it was still an exciting and entertaining story.

That said, there was no one who could imagine how unappealing the end of the story would be, even for the most die-hard fans. Several plot twists were used on more than one occasion, the final battle felt like any other encounter, and the epilogue was as simple as it could get. It's hard to think of a finale that has caused as much controversy among a fandom as The Seven Deadly Sins and its intricate final act.

Naruto

Naruto Uzumaki is not only the face of one of the biggest anime series of all time, he is also one of the most popular characters ever written for a manga. Masashi Kishimoto's series of the same name left a legacy like no other in the history of the industry. It has a great and gripping plot, a series of characters that are hard to forget, and one of the best power systems in Shonen. For many fans, Naruto is the epitome of what a manga should be.

The only problems found among members of its fandom are the grief its final arc, The Fourth Great Ninja War, caused them at the end. What began as an epic confrontation against the coolest and most powerful villain in the series, Madara, was stretched considerably, making its impact felt less and less with each new chapter. The introduction of Kaguya and the Otsutsuki race as the true villains of the manga was an unexpected and unwelcome addition. Naruto is still worthy of all the adulation it has received, but its final arc will forever remain divisive.