Complete Satisfaction: Great Endings.

[Suwako Moriya]

At some point we're going to need a "Great endings" thread to counter the negativity of this thread.

Now that you know exactly who to blame for this this thread being made, let's get started. As you can guess form the subject, this thread is to discuss anime that you feel had a great or at least a very good ending.

Granted it's obviously going to be quite subjective. Especially given that many endings can be quite polarizing. In part due to the fact Joe may want X out of an ending, but Sam wants Y instead. So expect potential disagreements.

In any case, to keep the root post from being too cluttered, I'll mention my own in a reply. As soon as I can decide what series I want to mention and of course I need to be able to get my thoughts together. Which could take minutes. Or hours. Or days...

[The Great Bear]

While Shiki-chan gathers his thoughts, I think I'll throw in one that might be debated by many, but which I think has an excellent ending: Princess Tutu. I was very satisfied how the main story is wrapped up, even as there is the possibility of a part of the story moving forward beyond the tale told in the show.

[Fencedude]

Princess Nine, sure, the story isn't really over, and yeah they lost in the end, but the emotional resonance and culmination of everything to that point was pulled off absolutely perfectly. I WANT to know the rest of the story, but as it stands, its still perfect.

(and Ryo/Izumi FOREVER)

[populuxe]

While Shiki-chan gathers his thoughts, I think I'll throw in one that might be debated by many, but which I think has an excellent ending: Princess Tutu. I was very satisfied how the main story is wrapped up, even as there is the possibility of a part of the story moving forward beyond the tale told in the show.

I agree with you. In fact, that show has two since each cour had a great ending. Intelligently written and directed shows usually end up having emotionally satisfying endings.

Princess Nine, sure, the story isn't really over, and yeah they lost in the end, but the emotional resonance and culmination of everything to that point was pulled off absolutely perfectly. I WANT to know the rest of the story, but as it stands, its still perfect.

(and Ryo/Izumi FOREVER)

I was going to suggest this one myself. The ending was right. It made sense, and while they didn't win it all, you're not left unsatisfied.

[stfram]

My list (incomplete):

Cowboy Bebop
Onegai Teacher
Haibane Renmei

[bluesilo]

Cowboy Bebop had one of the best endings. Its complete in many ways. It leaves you very satisfied at the events that took place.

Simoun's ending was amazing. I guess it sort of falls under the fairy tale type of ending but its one that's not easy to forget.

Gurren Lagann
Kanon
and I agree with Princess Tutu

[Suwako Moriya]

I'm too tired to give reasons and I want to avoid spoilers anyway, but here is a basic list of at least some endings I enjoyed. I will admit some like Sugar as based on vague memory. While some like Kannagi are closer to cut-off points. However a good cut-off point is better than a bad ending. Also, some are closer to good.

Kanon
Clannad ~After Story~
Sugar: A Little Snow Fairy
Lucky Star
Kannagi
Princess Tutu.
Aria the Origination
Azumanga Daioh
Cardcaptor Sakura
When They Cry 2
ETC (Undecided on what else to mention, but I'm sure reading posts by others may give me an idea)

[The Great Bear]

While Shiki-chan gathers his thoughts, I think I'll throw in one that might be debated by many, but which I think has an excellent ending: Princess Tutu. I was very satisfied how the main story is wrapped up, even as there is the possibility of a part of the story moving forward beyond the tale told in the show.

I agree with you. In fact, that show has two since each cour had a great ending.

Yes, both cours have great endings. Rare to have a show that has an awesome midway stopping point, and then an ending that does everything that you want an ending to do, with crowning moments of awesome in-between.

Intelligently written and directed shows usually end up having emotionally satisfying endings.

A basic truth that's hard to argue with.

…
Princess Nine

Definitely has a satisfying ending. The journey is the thing, not winning or losing in the very end.

Ryo/Izumi FOREVER

But, but, but, they're sisters!

Just kidding. What do you think this is, some sort of cheap television drama?

:P

[Dack Ralter]

I was really satisfied with the first season of Kaleido Star, even if...uh, well.

I liked Welcome to the NHK's ending too. It was the best of the endings between the novel, the manga, and the anime.

[Mateo_home]

While I did like endings to titles such as Kanon, Kannazuki no Miko and Kamichu. I'm going go with one based on a manga that was running at the time. Karin. It swayed away from the manga at one point and had it's original ending. While one could argue that there are some lose ends to tie up, it doesn't leave you hanging for another season. The only negative I have is that I won't get to see Tachibana in anime form. But aside from that it was still a great ending.:P

[Fencedude]

Ryo/Izumi FOREVER

But, but, but, they're sisters!


That only makes it hotter!

[BonifaceVIII]

Cowboy Bebop and FLCL come to mind immediately.

And even though no one will agree with me, I thought the post-credits end of the Alien Nine OVA was fantastic. No, I haven't read the manga, but that was seriously the best way the series could have ended.

[Fencedude]

Cowboy Bebop and FLCL come to mind immediately.

And even though no one will agree with me, I thought the post-credits end of the Alien Nine OVA was fantastic. No, I haven't read the manga, but that was seriously the best way the series could have ended.

Oh absolutely.

(and I did read the manga, and it was fantastic. Though I'm still not sure just what the hell happened in Emmulators...)

[populuxe]

Alien Nine OVA was fantastic. No, I haven't read the manga, but that was seriously the best way the series could have ended.

Oh absolutely.

(and I did read the manga, and it was fantastic. Though I'm still not sure just what the hell happened in Emmulators...)

I don't think the artist who wrote it knows what happened in Emulators.

[Talyn]

Here are my two cents:

RahXephon - This is probably my favorite ending, period! I felt like it was perfect for resolution and wrapping up all the arcs. The movie provided an alternate one which I think is even better, but I wouldn't say the tv ending was bad.

R.O.D the tv - I thought this ended very well, I walked away very happy with the overall series because of it.

Shuffle! - I am not a harem fan mostly because the guy never makes a choice. This time he did, and with whom I would choose to!

Berserk - Yeah, you saw this in the bad one... It was so cold and brutal with it's ending, I have to give it respect for pulling emotion out of me beyond sadness or happiness. I love and loathe cliffhangers.... rare ones hit both at the same time.

there are more but those are the tops of my list...

[Sly05]

Aria the Origination

I'll second Aria. What a fantastically satisfying pay off that was. Mind you, most series don't have a completed manga to go off of nor the necessary amount of episodes to do it justice but Aria is a good example of why this should more often be the case.

[railohio]

Gunslinger Girl. Absolutely beautiful!

[EmperorBrandon]

Here's some endings that leave me very satisfied:

Cardcaptor Sakura (Movie 2) - There is not much of an epilogue here, but it never really needed it. Just thinking about those ending moments makes me unspeakably happy. It's very memorable and ends a great series on a good note.

Princess Tutu - I'm always one for a perfectly happy ending, but even though there's a bittersweet note to it, I've always felt really satisfied with it. There's theories on whether it's possible Ahiru will become a girl again, but it doesn't matter too much to me even there. Rue finally finding happiness after all she had been through was satisfying too.

Clannad (After Story) - I actually like where the first series ended too (it was really sweet in my mind), though I'm definitely VERY happy there ended up more. Even though I was worried a little immediately before the end, it ended up pulling it off in a very satisfying manner, even if it wasn't straightforward (given its galge roots, there's nothing really iffy about it to me)

Magical Project S - This had things wrapped up very well in ep. 21 (after the two most amazing eps. of the series), but then it pulls off a rather epic finale at the end, that was also very satisfying.

Petite Princess Yucie - The twists near the end had me a little worried, but it ended up being misplaced worry here too. It ended in a manner that was very satisfying and it didn't feel cheap, either.

[EmperorBrandon]

I agree with you. In fact, that show has two since each cour had a great ending.

Yes, both cours have great endings. Rare to have a show that has an awesome midway stopping point, and then an ending that does everything that you want an ending to do, with crowning moments of awesome in-between.

Ah, this is something I forgot to mention in my own blurb (was mainly focused on the final ending), but I really agree here. I love that Princess Tutu had an absolutely amazing ending after the first story arc. It's nice that it was able to pull off TWO great endings. :)

[Suwako Moriya]

I'll second Aria. What a fantastically satisfying pay off that was.

It's definitely a good example of a wonderful journey leading to a grand destination.

Mind you, most series don't have a completed manga to go off of nor the necessary amount of episodes to do it justice but Aria is a good example of why this should more often be the case.

Hence forth why we can expect stuff like Aria to continue to be the exception rather than the rule. Which is definitely rather sad, but there's not much else we can do. Other than hope a good ending or cut-off point can be created based on the existing material that a given adaptation plans to work off of.

[The Great Bear]

Aria the Origination
I'll second Aria. What a fantastically satisfying pay off that was. Mind you, most series don't have a completed manga to go off of nor the necessary amount of episodes to do it justice but Aria is a good example of why this should more often be the case.

Yes, ARIA benefited from having a completed manga to work of off. Regardless, a beautiful ending. Can't wait for it to be released here.

Petite Princess Yucie - The twists near the end had me a little worried, but it ended up being misplaced worry here too. It ended in a manner that was very satisfying and it didn't feel cheap, either.

I liked the end to that one a lot as well. I think what some people don't quite get is that it's a Gainax show that actually has a happy ending! If you don't know why it's a happy ending, then you didn't watch the end very carefully.

[EmperorBrandon]

It's definitely a good example of a wonderful journey leading to a grand destination.


I haven't seen Origination yet, but you guys are definitely getting me really hyped up for when I will be able to (hopefully with Nozomi's release). It really sounds like it's going to be great stuff. The first series DVD set was ordered and just shipped recently for me. :)

[Buckeye]

Here are all the great endings that I like:

Gankutusou
Vandread
Gungrave
Chrono Crusade
Kanon
12 Kingdoms (If you consider episode 39 to be the end)
Ceres
Scrapped Princess

And more I cannot think about at the moment.

[EmperorBrandon]

Petite Princess Yucie - The twists near the end had me a little worried, but it ended up being misplaced worry here too. It ended in a manner that was very satisfying and it didn't feel cheap, either.

I liked the end to that one a lot as well. I think what some people don't quite get is that it's a Gainax show that actually has a happy ending! If you don't know why it's a happy ending, then you didn't watch the end very carefully.

Well, I really thought it was happy enough that the all of the main girls were back and Yucie didn't forget about them. I loved the interaction between them all, so that was going to be a killer... Of course, I know what you're talking about too, which was also good. :)

[Suwako Moriya]

I liked the end to that one a lot as well. I think what some people don't quite get is that it's a Gainax show that actually has a happy ending! If you don't know why it's a happy ending, then you didn't watch the end very carefully.

Petite Princess Yucie is definitely another good one. For reasons mentioned by both you and EmperorBrandon. Heck it seems there are multiple ones I forgot to mention.

[Mr. Nail Bat]

The Irresponsible Captain Tylor TV. When I originally watched the series, I never, ever thought that anything could exceed the brilliance of episode 23 "The Longest Day in Space," featuring the greatest space battle I've ever seen in anime.

Until I saw the final episode. If you can watch the final moments of the final episode without wanting to cheer, then you are more strong-willed than I.

[Suwako Moriya]

I haven't seen Origination yet, but you guys are definitely getting me really hyped up for when I will be able to (hopefully with Nozomi's release).

Aria has the type of ending that figuratively thanks one for investing time in the series. In other words, the more you enjoy Animation and Natural the enjoyment you'll get of Origination. Right now, I'm waiting for my copy of Aria the Natural Part 2 to ship. Then I'm going to wait for a solicitation of Aria the Origination.

[EmperorBrandon]

Kannagi

Ahh... now this is a good example of how to end a short series on a very satisfying note while also leaving the possibility of a sequel well open (given its success, it seems inevitable, but even if not, I still like it).

[The Great Bear]

I haven't seen Origination yet, but you guys are definitely getting me really hyped up for when I will be able to (hopefully with Nozomi's release).Aria has the type of ending that figuratively thanks one for investing time in the series. In other words, the more you enjoy Animation and Natural the enjoyment you'll get of Origination. Right now, I'm waiting for my copy of Aria the Natural Part 2 to ship. Then I'm going to wait for a solicitation of Aria the Origination.

That it definitely does. I have a wallpaper made from parts of the final episode. It reminds me of how awesome the end is.

[Sly05]

Aria has the type of ending that figuratively thanks one for investing time in the series. In other words, the more you enjoy Animation and Natural the enjoyment you'll get of Origination.
That's a great way to put it. Origination as a whole was really the accumulation of the journey we had with the Akari and the other characters. Though all three seasons were great, because of this accumulation Origination is Aria at its best.

[Suwako Moriya]

KannagiAhh... now this is a good example of how to end a short series on a very satisfying note while also leaving the possibility of a sequel well open (given its success, it seems inevitable, but even if not, I still like it).

If we're lucky, we'll eventually be blessed by another season of Kannagi. It's one of my favorite of the Autumn 2008 series. Speaking of Autumn 2008 series. Unless they screw up in episode 25, Toradora will easily be added to my list.

[populuxe]

I'll second everyone else who is nominating Petite Princess Yucie as one the greatest endings ever. The ending was intelligent, easy to understand, emotionally satisfying and made me glad I invested my time, money and emotions into the show. I have no idea how a show with an ending that good ever made it out of Gainax.

One thing that made the show so good was that I cared about all the characters. Every one. That made the ending even more important, because I really cared about all of them. And it pulled it off. It gave me an ending that was more than just satisfactory, it was one that genuinely made me happy. That's so rare.

[njchobitsfan]

My list (incomplete):

Cowboy Bebop
Onegai Teacher
Haibane Renmei

Have to agree on the first two, (I've never seen Haibane Renmei). Plus, I'd like to add:

Noir, (took awhile to get too, but...)
Shuffle!
Midori Days
Emma Season 2, (one of my all time favorites)

____________
Currently watching - Ghost Talker’s Daydream
Finished watching - Negima!? Spring and Summer Specials
In the queue - Solty Rei

[BonifaceVIII]

Bottle Fairy and Ramen Fighter Miki have open endings due to the episodic nature of the shows, but the last episodes of both were immensely satisfying.

[Suwako Moriya]

I have no idea how a show with an ending that good ever made it out of Gainax.

Well every rule needs an exception right? Petite Princess Yucie just got to be that exception. Maybe the normal Gainax staff was busy and a lesser used staff got to work on it instead.

[Jeremy J.]

Baccano! left me very fufilled and satisfied. The way everything came together was just perfect. Definitely one of the most satisfying anime I've ever seen.

[Glorian]

I have to nominate the ending for Gunbuster.

[BonifaceVIII]

I have to nominate the ending for Gunbuster.
Ah, I knew this thread was missing something.

And it's GAINAX too!

[daymare]

There are lots of great endings, but to me one rule that almost always succeeds is giving me an epilogue episode after the climax...or at least dedicate half of the last episode as an epilogue

On top of my head, there are

The crying + somewhat happy side:
Saber Marionette J
Saber Marionette JtoX
Fantastic Children
Chrono Crusade

The happy happy side:
Dual
Hand Maid May

Tsukuyomi (Moon Phase) is an interesting exception. It has a whopping TWO epilogue episodes. However, while regular epilogues show the aftermath and leave the future open, somehow the two Tsukuyomi episodes feel like regular ones...or regular fillers. They are still pretty interesting.

[rowen]

In general, I'm of the opinion that most anime does not end well for a variety of reasons:

- the reset/resurrect everyone ending
- sudden end boss appearance after demise of previous end boss
- main character picks too predictable/too unpredictable guy/girl
- main character picks no one
- everyone dies
- no one dies (see reset/resurrect everyone)

Having said that, here are some that I thought ended well in light of these potential pitfalls. Again, let me stress the word "opinion" so that I don't get blasted here :) Don't know if the titles count as spoilers; if anyone thinks so I can spoiler tag them.

Great Endings Due to Good Plot Exposition and Subsequent Resolution:

Aria the Origination
Code Geass (for its highs and lows, I really think it ended well)
Figure 17
Hikaru no Go
Kaleido Star
Manabi Straight!
Princess Nine

Great Endings Due to Good Epilogue:

Full Moon wo Sagashite
Macross
Rurouni Kenshin Reflections OVA (I kinda consider this all epilogue though...)
Saber Marionette (ending was good, but the show... not so much)

Potential from Latest Shows:

Toradora!

I suggest also creating a thread for endings that had potential to be good, but for whatever reason, did not.

[Betenoire]

Took too long and got beat on Gunbuster.

Agree on Yucie and a number of others. I'll start with ones that I didn't see when I started writing.

Battle Athletes Akari the orphan ends with "close friends" sub text implied Itchan and Chris and both parents. Goal indeed. (great ending shot btw)
Gunbuster Welcome Back. (can't reverse the k) Causes me to near tear up. EVERYTIME.
Escaflowne Bittersweet but still.
Fancy Lala same as above.
Sailor Moon 1st season-loved it. Had elements at the end that I decry in other series. I realize it's hypocritical but don't care.
Saint Tail -The fact they actually had an end. The lack of continuity of story lines made me wonder for a while if they'd have a proper end.
Fushigi Yugi Horrible things happen to my favorite characters well and pretty much everyone else as well. Ep 33 Nuriko, The Final Farewell :cry::cry:
Almost forgot Utena. Loved Anthony and Chu showing initiative and chasing Utena
The World of Naru-Loved the note it went out on but there needs to be moe damn it.
Tenchi Universe The pay off in ep 26 with how 24 ended. Loved it.
Black Heaven-Hard Rock Saves The Space (love that line too)
Orphan- season 1 So wanted more after seeing the end. Then saw season 2. I think I'm good now :depressed:.
Slayers Try Lina no longer pretending the Sword of Light was the only reason to hang with Gourry. Character growth. Who saw that comming :devil:
Cowboy BeBop "Blue" causes me to feel emotional. Loved the song, and the visuals that match are perfect

Who thinks they can guess my favorite genre? :devil:That's what I came up with when I first saw the thread and upon a cursory trip through my collection. May find more later.
Bonus: more love here than hate on the other thread.

[Glamrgrl104]

FMA + movie- Very well put together and completed.

Nanaka 6/17


I can't really think of anymore at the moment.

[Suwako Moriya]

main character picks too predictable/too unpredictable guy/girl

I really don't care how predictable or unpredictable the choice is. All I ask is that the choice makes sense in the context of the story. Also on another note, I find the thing to remember in general is.

What works for one series can fail for another. A lot of it depends on various factors. Ie ending type X may work for series 1, but series 2 is better off with ending type Y. In either case, a good series often establishes or rather prepares the type of ending it should have early on.

[Betenoire]

Duh! Forgot The first season of City Hunter. A 2 ep arc showing off the characters and their relationships. One of the greatest intimidation lines ever too. "I'm a bit on the agitated side today. I'm not going to do anything fancy like missing vital organs." Plus one of the greatest closing songs EVER (Get Wild performed by TM Network). And the throw back to Kaori's brother 'Hunter 2's was not bad either"I thought I got permission to do mokkori" . Hope the live action series does well enough for this to get re-released. It's wonderfully fun. (Though I mostly want to be able to get Angel Heart :P)
Mokkori forever!

[ryverstar]

Groan . . . so many titles to remember and sift through. In any case here are some that do come to mind that may not have been mentioned yet:

Speed Grapher - Saiga's power costs him his sight. I love when a storyteller (regardless of genre) will physically/mentally scar up or maim their characters. The concept that some wounds never heal is one that does not get used nearly enough. Yes that may sound sick, but it is a break from the patterns of having characters live (and only need a change of clothes)/die (and not come back)/or get resurected somehow and then only need a change of clothes). I hope that made some sort of sense.

Outlaw Star - Melfina really seemed to have changed for the better in the epiloge now that she was no longer the key.

Flag - Bittersweet but satiesfying. This is one show I tell non-fans to put in their Netflix queues when they wonder what I see in anime. Sorry if that sounds more like a recommendation than a commentary on the ending.

Samurai 7 - I found this to be incredibly faithful to the spirit of the original story no matter how far it may have drifted in sidestories.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two that have been mentioned before:

Full Metal Alchemist - I actually prefered how the series ended without the addition of the movie. I did like the movie, but would not have been hurt if had never seen it.

Shuffle - Rin actually made a choice . . . What a concept. Yes this series had fewer fans than detractors, but I enjoyed it.

. . . so many titles to remember and sift through . . .

[stfram]

Have to agree on the first two, (I've never seen Haibane Renmei).


You should try to rectify that, but it might be difficult due to the scarcity of the volumes.

A complete box was released by Geneon (regular chipboard box housing the four regular singles), but you'll have to scour stores that still have older stock.

TRSI had all four volumes in the bargain bin; now they're down to two. Might be worth a shot to buy those, and see how you like the series, since the cost is cheap: $12 for the first two volumes.

It's a very slow, and gentle show to watch for the most part...with the exception of the ending. Very tense, but also very satisfying.

[Splitter]

A good lot of mine (Manabi, Gurren Lagann, Full Moon) have already been mentioned, so I'll just name some that haven't been yet.

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha - For season finales, this takes the cake. The ribbon exchange and the promise to meet again, solidifying their friendship wraps the whole season up with the hope of a sequel, but at the same time tying up all the loose ends of this first season. Just fantastic.

Eureka Seven - Some people will say otherwise, but as a series that chronicled the budding romance between a human and an alien, this is the ultimate culmination of their love... at least, judging by the rainbow orgasm they spooged all over the planet it is. Seriously though, even though the minor details aren't all clear, the love story is completed with all the respect and gusto it deserves.

Death Note - I'll get shit for this I'm sure, but oh god HE DIED. I'm sorry, but that is the epitome of satisfaction. At the hands of his own god-like hubris, he dies crying and screaming like any other man faced with his own mortality. The ultimate pride meets the ultimate downfall. You could hardly ask for more.

Ah, forgot one...

Diebuster - Brings it all together, with the same godly ending of the first from the opposite perspective.

[Arnold]

At some point we're going to need a "Great endings" thread to counter the negativity of this thread.

Now that you know exactly who to blame for this this thread being made, let's get started. As you can guess form the subject, this thread is to discuss anime that you feel had a great or at least a very good ending.

Granted it's obviously going to be quite subjective. Especially given that many endings can be quite polarizing. In part due to the fact Joe may want X out of an ending, but Sam wants Y instead. So expect potential disagreements.

In any case, to keep the root post from being too cluttered, I'll mention my own in a reply. As soon as I can decide what series I want to mention and of course I need to be able to get my thoughts together. Which could take minutes. Or hours. Or days...

Maison Ikkoku. Goes above and beyond to create the PERFECT ending for the series. Not only do Godai and Kyoko get together and get married, but so many others get such a nice and heartfelt sendoff. ALL loose ends are tied up after 96 episodes, and the final scene when Godai and Kyoko come back home with their new baby- with the music and the dialog there, I just lose it. An absolute knockout of an ending.

Everyone needs to watch this show.

[Gatts]

Berserk - Yeah, you saw this in the bad one... It was so cold and brutal with it's ending, I have to give it respect for pulling emotion out of me beyond sadness or happiness. I love and loathe cliffhangers.... rare ones hit both at the same time.

Best instance of "F* you read the manga" I can think of. :)

I'll toss out the original Gunbuster as one of my favorite endings.

[Nosredna]

School Days: I absolutely hated the show, but I knew what the ending was and even though I knew it was coming, I was completely satisfied with how it all went down.

[Setis]

Maison Ikkoku. Goes above and beyond to create the PERFECT ending for the series. Not only do Godai and Kyoko get together and get married, but so many others get such a nice and heartfelt sendoff. ALL loose ends are tied up after 96 episodes, and the final scene when Godai and Kyoko come back home with their new baby- with the music and the dialog there, I just lose it. An absolute knockout of an ending.

Everyone needs to watch this show.

Amen. The only major Takahashi anime to have a REAL ending, and it's a great one too. Whodathunkit?

[Yukino Miyazawa]

El Hazard: The Magnificent World OVA
The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya
Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water
Millennium Actress
Whisper of the Heart
Animation Runner Kuromi
Kimagure Orange Road Movie 2: Summer's Beginning
Lovely Complex
Tokyo Marble Chocolate
REC

[Betenoire]

Found more:
Lost Universe.-The whole last ep was so tense,Canal :cry: Kain you can't leave Millie like that!and that last scene was so great."If I'm dreaming, I don't ever want to wake up. This is what I really wished for from my heart."
Vampire Princess Miyu-The end is in keeping with the series and beautiful in it's sadness.
Popoton-Loved the how events impacted others later.
Strawberry Eggs-could have gone for an over the top ending, but went with something that felt real.
Now And Then-Satisfied the emotional investment in the story.
Cyber Formula GPX-Yeah, you could see it coming but it was pulled off well.
Daphne in the Brilliant Blue-Loved the end. Maybe if the series were about half it's length I'd like the series better as a whole.
Kurogane Communication-Gem of a show, great last seen.
Angel Links-One of my favorite last ep and last scenes. The music box playing is a great emotional tool when used right.
Generator Gawl-Series that wound up surprising me by being more than I thought it would be at the beginning and bringing a sat conclusion.
Steam Detectives- Narutaki makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Steam City. The sisters Ring-Ring and Ling-Ling on the hill commiserating together and then a shadow falls... ambiguity isn't always bad.
Full Metal Panic-Loved all three series ends.A quiet moment fishing and Sousuke being hunted by classmates are the two best though.
Go-LionThe team forgoing a ceremony to just relax on the hill

Gundam series
0079 (or First Gundam if you prefer)The last shot of the RX-79 is iconic. The scene of Amuro rejoining the White Base crew
War In The Pocket-Perfect end for as close to a perfect an ova series I can remember.
Zeta-Squeezed that final drop of pathos out at the end.
Endless Waltz (WING)From Heero's "I will never kill again" to the destruction of the Gundams. Also the idea that the warriors have learned how to grow beyond just being fighters and attain normal lives
G Gundam-Gloriously over the top end to a gloriously over the top series.

[EmperorBrandon]

Lovely Complex


Ahh... I remember a few eps. before the end I was really worried about how it would end, but it turned out rather satisfying.

[Arnold]

A couple more that I forgot to mention:

Macross Frontier. An insane, action and music packed rush of an ending. Now -that- is how you finish off a series like Macross Frontier! Perfect. I particularly liked the twist on how they used the "Do You Remember Love?" theme.

Gunbuster, which has already been mentioned in this thread.

Diebuster - I kinda saw the ending coming, but still a nice way of dovetailing the ending of Gunbuster into Diebuster, done from a different point of view.

El Hazard - the first series though the ending does create a major time paradox. How did Ifurita end up near Makoto's school in 20th century Japan? She was sent through time and space because the Eye of God, as a result of meeting and eventually falling in love with Makoto in El Hazard. How did Makoto end up in El Hazard? Ifurita sent him there after Makoto found her near his school in 20th century Japan.

[Zeether]

Azumanga's ending was satisfying, even though it left me wanting more it was still a great wrap up.

[Suwako Moriya]

Azumanga's ending was satisfying, even though it left me wanting more it was still a great wrap up.

I wouldn't mind seeing a series focused on the girls after their school lives have ended. The idea would be to see them either in college and/or working. Then again I'd probably say the same about multiple school focused anime. Be it Azumanga Daioh, Lucky Star, etc.

[Dizzon]

Now And Then-Satisfied the emotional investment in the story.

Good call! I was going to mention this series. Maybe not the happiest of endings(at least compared to what happened before-hand). But very satisfying none-the-less.

[populuxe]

Azumanga's ending was satisfying, even though it left me wanting more it was still a great wrap up.

I wouldn't mind seeing a series focused on the girls after their school lives have ended. The idea would be to see them either in college and/or working. Then again I'd probably say the same about multiple school focused anime. Be it Azumanga Daioh, Lucky Star, etc.

I'd love to see Chiyo as an 18-year-old. Drawn by Kiyohiko Azuma, I mean. I've seen plenty of fanart. But yeah, seeing all the girls in college would be great. I wonder if Kaorin decided to go to Sakaki's college just to be near her?

[Suwako Moriya]

I wonder if Kaorin decided to go to Sakaki's college just to be near her?

I could easily see her planning to go to the same college as Sakaki. I could also easily see her plan failing.

[Zeether]

I wonder if Kaorin decided to go to Sakaki's college just to be near her?

I could easily see her planning to go to the same college as Sakaki. I could also easily see her plan failing.Kimura would probably end up as her professor. :P

[Suwako Moriya]

Kimura would probably end up as her professor. :P

Ah, but at that point Kaorin wouldn't be a high school girl, Then again maybe he'd make an exception for her. Not that she'd want it.

[Kouji Tamino]

Planetes - As cliche as it may have been, I like how all the surviving protagonists got something of a storybook ending where all of their dreams came true is some fashion. Even those who died got some posthumous closure. It was all executed beautifully and I actually felt myself getting choked up because I felt so... happy for everyone. Everything was wrapped up and there were few if any loose ends. It was a pleasant 'take that!' towards the belief that dreams rarely come true in real life. It probably helped that they all had to make some sacrifices to get where they got and suffered some for it.

Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water - Gasp! Another Gainax series with a good ending? Sure, the middle of the series hit a snag, but that couldn't be helped. The final 5 episodes brought everything back up the quality of the first two-thirds of the series. It was an intense, suspenseful and emotional finale, and we even got to see how the characters were doing a little later down the road.

Godannar - Over the top action, fluctuating emotions, and even a few final twists. Godannar ended very satisfactorily. I couldn't help but watch the final episode with a big grin on my face.

Several other shows were already mentioned, so I'll leave it at that. :)

[jcrharris]

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman - Fitting. Everything that they had building to to between ISO and Galactor finally plays out and we get the fitting nd to Joe's background story. The last 5 episodes have ridiculous body counts, even for Gatchaman.

GaoGaiGar FINAL - Can something be too epic? I mean GaoGaiGar is always about being over the top but the end of this OVA series is just The Epic of Epics (fitting since the last episode is titled "FINAL OF FINAL"). It has a slight bummer of an ending but also teases that someday, somehow there will be more GaoGaiGar!

Rurouni Kenshin (Manga) - The final story printed in Kaden really is the perfect ending for this story. Kenshin and everyone around him that was changed by the Bakumatsu period (and the following Meiji period) all seem to get a small measure of redemption.

Ashita No Joe - Like they used to say on Wide World of Sports... The Thrill of Victory, The Agony of Defeat!

Farewell Space Battleship Yamato, Soldiers Of Love - Seriously, do I need to explain why again?

James

[DJ_72]

Witchblade: This one really left an impression on me. We know Masane was going to die, but having her death turn out to be such a positive moment (especially for Riko) was a welcome surprise.

Sugar, A Little Snow Fairy (Summer Special)It was great getting to see everyone one last time. It's fun watching teenaged Saga and Greta continue their 'rivalry', with 'tween Kanon still tagging along. And what a wonderful way to reunite Saga and Sugar in the last scene (even if one couldn't be seen or heard).

Hell Girl (season one): At last, someone forgives! Even Ai is moved to tears.

And I'll second/third/etc Scrapped Princess and Figure 17

[Yotsuyasan]

Maison Ikkoku. Goes above and beyond to create the PERFECT ending for the series. Not only do Godai and Kyoko get together and get married, but so many others get such a nice and heartfelt sendoff. ALL loose ends are tied up after 96 episodes, and the final scene when Godai and Kyoko come back home with their new baby- with the music and the dialog there, I just lose it. An absolute knockout of an ending.

Everyone needs to watch this show.

Thank goodness someone finally said it! I was almost beside myself, scrolling down further and further into the thread, thinking, "How can you have a great endings thread and not mention Maison Ikkoku?"

It'd be one thing if it was the first day of the thread's existance, but I am a few days late in getting to it! If I'd gotten to the end and found nothing, I'd have had to question the meaning of existance, or something!

Others people have mentioned that I, too, like would include (in no particular order) Azumanga Diaoh, Emma season 2, SMJ, SMJ>X, Cowboy Beebop, Escaflowne, Haruhi, KOR, and Captain Tylor TV. (The Tylor OAV's ended on a nice emotional note, but are disqualified as satisfying plot-wise.)

El-Hazard OAV is a tough call for me. If the first OAV series was all that there was, it would be right towards the top for me. But then OAV 2 and The Alternitive World came along. If they could have somehow lead to Makoto finding his way back to Earth and thus looping back and tying into OAV1's ending I'd have been thrilled. (In fact, with that brief vision of Ifurita in Episode 1, the fact that she was in the freeking credits, and with Makoto finding an Eye of God-like device in The Alternitive World, for a good while, that's where I thought the show might be headed!) As it is, while I wish it wasn't the case, knowledge of the sequels does dilute things a bit for me. Still, even with that baggage, the ending of OAV1 is a great one.

[Classical]

Let's see, I was left quite satisfied with a few anime endings.

A Little Snow Fairy Sugar: Well, the ending was sad but I thought that the show still ended beautifully. It's nice to know that Sugar is still watching over Saga.

Shakugan no Shana (1st season): Yeah, I know there's a second season, but until that gets licensed I won't be able to watch it. Anyways, it was sweet seeing Shana admit her feelings to Yuuji and it was also nice to see she didn't die. It was nice seeing the rivalry between Shana and Kazumi continue. Even though there's a second season this first one ended on a great note for me.

Angelic Layer: The show ended quite nicely for me. It was nice to see that Misaki was able to win the tournament and get back together with her mom. It was a beautiful final episode.

[Suwako Moriya]

I recently finished watching Toradora, and I can confirm that the ending was worthy of me. Also the way Casshern Sins ended was well let's just say interesting.

[vanfanel]

* 3,000 Leagues in Search of Mother
* Rose of Versailles
* Anne of Green Gables (glad I stuck with this one despite the slow beginning)
* Future Boy Conan
* Space Battleship Yamato (first season)
* SDF Macross (even moreso if it had ended at ep 27, which had been the plan at one point)
* Zeta Gundam
* Touch (TV ending)
* Urusei Yatsura (viewing Movie #5 as the ending)
* Maison Ikkoku
* Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket
* Char's Counterattack (viewed as the ending of UC Gundam's main storyline)
* Kimagure Orange Road (IF the first movie is viewed as the ending. It was so good and so uncompromising that they had to try and "fix" it ten years later)
* Aim For the Top! Gunbuster
* Patlabor (viewing movie #2 or TV finale as the ending)
* Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (TV ending)
* Macross 7 (the series is too goofy for me as a Macross sequel, but taken on its own terms, the finale had me grinning from ear to ear)
* El-hazzard OVA 1 (a mediocre series in every way, but then out of nowhere...wow!)
* Fancy Lala
* Cowboy Bebop
* serial experiments lain
* Now and Then, Here and There
* Planetes
* Code Geass

[Arnold]

Thank goodness someone finally said it! I was almost beside myself, scrolling down further and further into the thread, thinking, "How can you have a great endings thread and not mention Maison Ikkoku?"

It'd be one thing if it was the first day of the thread's existance, but I am a few days late in getting to it! If I'd gotten to the end and found nothing, I'd have had to question the meaning of existance, or something!

It's because not enough people have -seen- Maison Ikkoku, which is a crime. Or at least that's what I hope is the reason, because the alternative is an even -worse- crime!

The ending really is amazing. It leaves such a good feeling in you that doesn't go away for a long time, and just leaves you thinking about how great it was.

El-Hazard OAV is a tough call for me. If the first OAV series was all that there was, it would be right towards the top for me. But then OAV 2 and The Alternitive World came along. If they could have somehow lead to Makoto finding his way back to Earth and thus looping back and tying into OAV1's ending I'd have been thrilled. (In fact, with that brief vision of Ifurita in Episode 1, the fact that she was in the freeking credits, and with Makoto finding an Eye of God-like device in The Alternitive World, for a good while, that's where I thought the show might be headed!) As it is, while I wish it wasn't the case, knowledge of the sequels does dilute things a bit for me. Still, even with that baggage, the ending of OAV1 is a great one.

I just pretend that OAV2 and The Alternative World didn't happen. :)

[Darkseid]

Wow... have times changed. This far in and no one's mentioned Giant Robo. No one I've ever spoken to predicted that ending. Remains in my top 3 anime to this day.

Others have been mentioned by others but my 9 other favorites are

Gunbuster
Ashita No Joe (1st and 2nd series)
Arrivedercci Yamato
Final Yamato
Cowboy Bebop
Mobile Suit Gundam
Wings of Honneamise: Royal Space Force
Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo
Rose of Versailles
Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory

Oh there's this 2-part episode of City Hunter. Not sure if it was a season ender or what, but it involves Ryo facing a brainwashed Kaori and a nuclear bomb...

[Yotsuyasan]

I just pretend that OAV2 and The Alternative World didn't happen. :)

I don't do that, myself, because I didn't hate them. They're fun little tales, I suppose. It is just frustrating that they don't really do anything to add to the overall story that was presented in their much better predecessor.

[pi8you]

El Hazard - the first series though the ending does create a major time paradox. How did Ifurita end up near Makoto's school in 20th century Japan? She was sent through time and space because the Eye of God, as a result of meeting and eventually falling in love with Makoto in El Hazard. How did Makoto end up in El Hazard? Ifurita sent him there after Makoto found her near his school in 20th century Japan.
Not a paradox at all! Ifurita was flung 10,000 years (approx) into the past [through time] and to Makoto's dimension/world [and space], where she did whatever before ending up in the tomb under the school, where she waited for Makoto to exist and find her, and knowing that he didn't know who she was yet, sent him on his quest to find out and free her. It's a perfectly executed loop in the track of time that has doesn't cause problems with time continuing afterwards. Makoto's still stuck in El-Hazard after she gets transported by the Eye, he eventually figures out his way back to Earth (and with control over the when), and does so sometime later on the same evening that Ifurita sends him off to El-Hazard, they reunite, and then its off to do whatever.

That said, the El-Hazard OVA is probably my #1 complete satisfaction series of all time, and OVA2/Alt-World barely put a dent in it.

Another one high on my list of great endings is GitS SAC 2nd GIG, as it finishes out an outstanding story AND dovetails perfectly into the start of the manga.

ARIA The Origination ended with the perfect cap to an incredible series, much as I will miss it, that was really the best sort of ending possible.

Out of the newcomers, Toradora and Casshern SINS both make the grade, and Ride Back is looking like it might as well.

(and I know there's more, they're just escaping me at the moment)

[Critic Chris]

Cowboy Bebop: "Bang". That is all.
Fullmetal Alchemist SERIES: I know what you're thinking: "But, Chris, there's all sorts of unresolved stuff at the end of the series!" I say, "So what?" Between Al and Ed's dual sacrifices, the curious position of Wrath (who admittedly gets a great sendoff in the movie), a smiling, recovering Roy (who makes a HUGE, annoying and poorly explained jump into emo-land for the first part of the movie), and the final scene with Ed and Al vowing to find each other all gave off a positive "life goes on" vibe for me.
Scrapped Princess: All the loose ends are tied up, everyone we care about is alive and mostly happy, and we even get a "The End" sign. Total win.
Giant Robo: Yes, it makes you cry out for more. But MY GOD, THE EPICNESS. More than anything, you can see the genesis of Gurren Lagann in this series (well, also GaoGaiGar, which I haven't seen too much of) in its unbridled awesomeness.

[Glamrgrl104]

FMP all three endings were awesome.

Death Note- Just finished watching it that was just WOW. Brilliant end to it.

Heat guy J- Nice finish to it.



Will think of more later.

[mifuneral2]

my favorites:

ROD TV
Macross
Cowboy Bebop
Boogiepop Phantom
Paranoia Agent
Gurren Lagann
Gankutsuou

[Prede]

Great endings in anime are very rare. Here's my list though. I can count on my one hand all the great endings from series I've seen.

Speed Grapher
Hell Girl
Now and Then, Here and There
Red Garden
Paranoia Agent

[GundamWingMan]

Great endings? Wow! Let me think! Right off the top of my head, I offer the following in no particular order:

Azumanga Daioh
Angelic Layer
Boys Over Flowers
Peach Girl
Princess Nine
Kashimashi
Cardcaptor Sakura
xxxHolic
Gundam Wing
Simoun

[njchobitsfan]

Great endings in anime are very rare. Here's my list though. I can count on my one hand all the great endings from series I've seen.

Speed Grapher
Hell Girl
Now and Then, Here and There
Red Garden
Paranoia Agent

Forgot about Speed Grapher. Good one!

[dragonrider_cody]

First on my list is Chrono Crusade. The ending was written in the stars from the first episode, but it was handled beautifully. It may have brough tears to my eyes, but I couldn't have asked for a better ending.

Also, I would add Starship Operators. A sad ending, but also utterly beautiful. The end theme to the series fits the final moments of the show perfectly. I never thought I could cry for a ship...

Also on my list:
Azumanga Daioh (didn't think of this till someone else mentioned it)
Noir
Kanon
A Little Snow Fairy Sugar
Whisper of the Heart
Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi

Kurau Phantom Memory - I know some people hated this ending, but I really enjoyed. And it turned out much better than I expected.