Anime series vary greatly in their episode count, with some spanning hundreds or even thousands of episodes, while others manage to convey their narrative within a dozen installments.
What truly matters is not the length of an anime, but rather its ability to tie up loose ends and provide a satisfying conclusion to the story.Occasionally, an anime may experience a decline in ratings, leading to a premature wrapping up of the plot.
A rushed and abrupt ending can be detrimental to the legacy of an anime series. However, there are instances where impressive anime series manage to conclude strongly despite being canceled.
Here are some examples:
10 Flame of Recca
42 Episodes
Flame of Recca, a captivating '90s anime, features intense action and follows the story of Recca Hanabishi, a teenager with dreams of becoming a ninja. The anime focuses on tournament battles and wraps up its story in a concise 42 episodes, specifically concluding with the Urabutou Satsujin martial arts tournament. The action-packed finale delves into Recca and his family's lineage, offering a fitting ending.
9 Slam Dunk
101 Episodes
Slam Dunk, a highly regarded sports anime, depicts the journey of Hanamichi Sakuragi as he rises as a basketball player driven by his initial desire to impress a crush. The series concludes with the outcome of a crucial game between Shohoku and Shoyo-Ryonan, where Shohoku emerges as the victor thanks to Sakuragi's efforts. Although the original intention was for the protagonists to lose, the studio's disagreement with the creator led to the anime's cancellation. The manga version, however, follows the original vision.
8 Ranma 1/2
161 Episodes
Ranma 1/2, created by Rumiko Takahashi, is a beloved anime that achieved significant success with 161 episodes, a dozen OVA installments, and three movies. Despite its popularity, the anime adaptation ended prematurely due to the studio's belief that the source material had been exhausted. The anime provides an original ending that introduces Ranma's mother, Nodoka, and explores the bond between Ranma and Akane, capturing the essence of the comedy series.
7 Baccano!
16 Episodes
Baccano! offers a grandiose and fantastical narrative set in an alternate version of Prohibition-era New York City. With only 16 episodes, the anime manages to skillfully portray the intricate plotlines and multiple perspectives. The final three episodes, released exclusively on DVD, navigate different time periods, adding depth to the story. The unexpected twist involving the characters Isaac and Miria gaining immortality remains an intriguing open-ended conclusion.
6 Deadman Wonderland
12 Episodes
Deadman Wonderland, an intense action series, takes place in a radical prison disguised as an amusement park. The protagonist, Ganta Igarashi, seeks revenge on the "Red Man" who killed his friends while surviving the harsh conditions. The anime's conclusion, although lacking closure, brings Ganta closer to his goal and showcases a bold finish that leaves a lasting impact.
5 Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo
76 Episodes
Bobobo-Bo Bo-Bobo serves as both a parody and a shonen series. The titular character employs his unique nose hair powers to defeat bald anarchists attempting to ruin the world. In the final episode, the anime humorously acknowledges its impending end, with the characters rebelling against the notion, teasing greater obstacles. The self-awareness adds to the comedic nature of the series.
4 Prison School
12 Episodes
Unconventional schools that actually double as obtuse prisons are surprisingly common in anime, yet it's hard to compete with the heightened standard that's set by the straightforward Prison School. There's a deep backstory to the anime's characters, but the true joy of Prison School lies in the endless humiliation that follows the "fish out of water" protagonists.
Prison School's anime wasn't able to bolster manga sales to the extent that warranted a second season. Prison School had greater plans, but the series still ends on the best possible note with the potential expulsion of the school's chairman.
3 Bubblegum Crisis
8 Episodes
Bubblegum Crisis combines cyberpunk, crime, and mecha staples together as it follows the Knight Saber mercenaries serve and protect. This all-female group uses their mecha-like suits to battle robots and other futuristic crimes. Bubblegum Crisis has spawned a rich world of spin-offs, but the original series was unappreciated, and its initial 13-episode run was pared down to only eight installments.
The many Bubblegum Crisis spin-offs prove that the series still had more to say, but its finale is easily one of the strongest episodes. Bubblegum Crisis' final episode deconstructs the role and the morality of the Knight Sabers, as well as what people are willing to do for fame.
2 Yona Of The Dawn
27 Episodes
Yona of the Dawn is an exciting shojo fantasy adventure that creates a compelling heroine in Yona, a disgraced princess who yearns to hone her latent powers and reclaim her birthright. Admittedly, Yona of the Dawn leaves its audience wanting more and curious about what's to come regarding Yona's return to the Kouka Kingdom.
Yona of the Dawn's lack of closure shouldn't discount that this finale presents every character in their best light. This is especially true for Hak, who praises Yona for how far she's come and how much she's inspired him. It's not the ending of their story, but it's a conclusion that temporarily gives the audience what they want.
1 Bleach
366 Episodes
Ichigo Kurosaki's soul-reaping antics in Bleach lead to strong storytelling and unique battles. Bleach's immediate success became the anime's biggest hurdle thanks to extraneous filler material that takes it so far off course that it’s difficult for it to get back on track. Nevertheless, Bleach's final episode still concludes on an impactful note. Ichigo defeats Ginjo, but he's able to give him a respectful burial and end the series surrounded by his family and friends.
Bleach prematurely ends with many unanswered questions after 366 episodes. However, 2022's Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War finally adapts the remaining chapters of Tite Kubo's formative shonen series so that the full Bleach story gets told.
