Best Send-Off of a Character in Anime?

[cxt217]

Otakon gave me a chance to actually watch The Super Dimension Fortress Macross - Flashback 2012 for the first time. For what it was intended to do, it was entertaining enough, though I am sure my viewpoint is a minority one. However, it gave seed to, among other things, an interesting thought of what are the best send-offs of a character, without their deaths, in anime?

The list is definitely smaller compared to simply killing-off the character, and I suppose Shoji Kawamura could have simply done that since he apparently does not ever want to deal with telling what happened to the main characters of the original Macross after the series and/or the DYRL movie. But it is always a nice touch when the anime production decides to let a character, especially main characters, 'ride off into the sunset,' as it were. It does not necessarily has to be a 'happily ever after' send-off, but the character has left the show for (canon) reasons other then being killed.

The only other send-off that comes immediately to mind is the Sakura Taisen's farewell to Sumire Kanzaki, which was entertaining too.

Any others?

C.T.

[Sensuifu]

Amawa Hibiki (IMMSE)
Haibane Renmei
Samurai Champloo
Ed (Cowboy Bebop)

[djanss]

And of all the graduation send-offs in Azumanga, somehow, Ms. Yukari walking off telling the girls "Like I care!" just seemed the most in-character. :)

[Lego]

I did like the Planetes ending, especially with it tying up serveral main characters

[Doom85]

Ed/Ein - Cowboy Bebop, it was very sad and I also think it was possibly referenced in Samurai Champloo, Watanabe's other major anime. When Ed/Ein leave, they leave the crew a paper windmill, which Spike puts on top of the ship. In Samurai Champloo, before Mugen enters Fuu's restaurant, he flicks a paper windmill. I always thought that was neat, how it was shown at the first seperation of the Bebop crew and then the first meeting of the Champloo trio.

Mamimi and Haruko - FLCL

the trio - Samurai Champloo

[BonifaceVIII]

The denouement of FLCL is second to none. It wraps up the story, the theme and (relevant to this thread) the characters flawlessly without a moment wasted.

[omo]

I enjoyed Simoun's... sort of.

[DJ_72]

The best I've seen was for Meilin Li in Cardcaptor Sakura. I'm not talking about episode 43, where she has to return to Hong Kong , but rather episode 60, when she returns for an overnight visit. Not only does she get to show off her fighting skills again, we have the chance to see that she does have a brain (figuring out how to beat the penguins) and a heart (putting aside her feelings and stepping out of the way so Sayoran can declare his love for Sakura). Also, the closer connection she makes with Tomoyo is one that was overdue and works very well. The letters she sends at the end, along with readers' reactions, are sweet and memorable. The audience ends up better aquainted with, and more appreciative of Meilin.

A great deal of the plot is told simply by using the characters' expressions Sakura's naiivete; Sayoran knowing he has to tell Meilin how he feels but not wanting to hurt her; Meilin slowly realizing what's going on but trying to stay positive in front of everyone; Tomoyo sensing everyone's feelings and moving to support Sayoran and Meilin. It's impressive for any show, but especially one that's aimed at children.

Of course, this isn't a complete send-off since we do hear her on the phone in the last episode and she returns in the second movie to finish the story up with all the others

[DiRF]

Ed/Ein - Cowboy Bebop
YES! Also, that interspersed with Faye finding her old home, or what was left of it with the song "Call Me, Call Me"... God, it's so moving. Possibly my favorite episode of the series for me.

Now I've got "Call Me, Call Me" stuck in my head... not that that's a bad thing.

[pi8you]

Alicia's retirement ceremony at the end of ARIA Origination was completely wonderful. Not that the girl's Prima promotions weren't great as well, but yeah, that completely outshined them all.

[Icarus451]

After finishing off Solty Rei, I can easily say that the part near the end where Solty is sent off to destroy Eirene was one of the most emotional 'send-offs' I have seen in an anime.

Right before she leaves into the ship, Roy attempts to talk her into staying and going for a drive somewhere, instead of facing the crashing vessel (and ignoring the fact everyone will die in the city if Solty doesn't fight). This was definitely a touching send-off, but really more of a tease until you get past the closing credits for that episode and we find Solty still alive and functioning years later.

[Njr Scrawl]

The Starlights in Sailor Moon Stars. Lovely scene & sentiments.

Shin Kimagure Orange Road (movie 2) Hikaru leaves Tokyo as happy as she can be and Kyosuke aged 19, being sent back to the past by his future-self, with important information

[djanss]

And although we'd seen it once or twice on the TV show, seeing the Conductor finally take off his jacket and retire at the end of "Adieu, GE999" was the perfect capper. :)

[zaldar]

I actually hated the ending of champlo I mean it was pretty much a non-ending..not so much as some others but still not my favorite.

[Njr Scrawl]

Having watched the movie & OVAs again, one of the great send offs is in Gunbuster when Kasumi is wished good luck by the then-elderly once-schoolmate of hers & her academy class, & in space Noriko is given the keys to Gunbuster by Jung Freud, & then Jung Freud is in tears as she knows she will never see Kasumi & Noriko again, but says she will always remember them. To me that is as moving as the end. The OVAs have more meaning as there is much more Jung Freud in their episodes than in the movie.

Even more moving is Shinji's send off by Misato in End of Evangelion, Misato is dying, gives Shinji a French kiss & gets him into the elevator having given him her cross, which her father had given to her as he was dying at Second Impact. Shinji has Misato's blood in his mouth, & after the elevator has gone Misato collapses & dies.

[Kouji Tamino]

I actually hated the ending of champlo I mean it was pretty much a non-ending..not so much as some others but still not my favorite.

...How was it a non-ending? All three of them faced the people from their pasts, Jin and Mugen settled their score, and then they went their separate ways. It was the perfect ending to such a series.

[Shirachi]

Layla's retirement at the end of the first season of Kaleido Star. Both heartbreaking and warming.

[Isuzu Inugami]

I actually hated the ending of champlo I mean it was pretty much a non-ending..not so much as some others but still not my favorite.

...How was it a non-ending? All three of them faced the people from their pasts, Jin and Mugen settled their score, and then they went their separate ways. It was the perfect ending to such a series.

Yeah, I thought Champloo's send off was terrific as well.

I'll add Nanoha sending off Fate at the end of the first season of Nanoha.

[Njr Scrawl]

Layla's retirement at the end of the first season of Kaleido Star. Both heartbreaking and warming.

That's a scene I enjoyed in both English & Japanese. Layla's English VA is one not used enough - good casting for KS.

I think Jinto's sending off at the end of Crest of the Stars was very good. Great ending & promising even better to come - which happened in Banner I!