Opinions on a perfect conclusion will always be subjective, and not everyone can be pleased at the same time. Thus, when an anime is considered to have the best ending, a minority of the people will disagree with it.
However, the shows listed here have been widely accepted as stories that ended when they should have. Here, we have the top 10 anime that gave us the best endings and never looked back on their decisions.
1) Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Only a handful can become not just a show with a great ending but a perfect show altogether, like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. It has reigned supreme as one of the best anime to be ever made and has, time and time again, proved its worth even with so many new shows getting released every year.
Here, we see Edward achieving everything for which he set out on his journey. He gains the love of his life, his brother is a human, and he is just happy. And though alchemy is not in his life anymore, it does not matter.
Watch all the episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood on Crunchyroll.
2) Code Geass
Code Geass is one of the best shows ever made and rightfully has continued to influence other anime. This was the one that aptly portrayed and popularised the concept of an antihero, and even its ending stays true to its foundation.
The conclusion takes many by surprise because the selfish and cunning Lelouch does something very out of his character; he sacrifices himself for others. And the best part is this was what he had planned all along.
Watch all the episodes of Code Geass on Crunchyroll.
3) Cowboy Bebop
Cowboy Bebop’s ending is far from happy. Things are left ambiguous for the fans to suffer and make their own theories and possibilities about Spike’s fate. However, it is a successful end because we witness the duel between Spike and Vicious as we were promised throughout the show.
Watch all the episodes of Cowboy Bebop on Netflix.
4) Attack on Titan
Hardly any show made their fans as conflicted with its ending as Attack on Titan. Many swear it is the only possible outcome in a world as hopeless as theirs, but numerous also disagree.
Eren dying a villain while his friends get lifted to the status of heroes is what he planned and got in the end. However, we also witness that humanity’s thirst for violence never really diminishes.
Stream Attack on Titan on Crunchyroll.
5) Monster
This anime will take you on a psychologically damaging tour and leave you baffled by humanity’s evil side. The show that gave one of the greatest villains of all time, Johan, ended as it should, obscure.
We do not know whether Johan is alive or dead, but at least Tenma, the one who suffered the most, is alive.
Watch all the episodes of Monster on Netflix.
6) Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate has, hands down, one of the most interesting and mind-bending premises with a confusing end. It actually gives us 2 possible outcomes, both of which are perfect, even though one is happy and the other is not. If you stop at Steins;Gate, then that is fine, but if you continue to Steins;Gate 0, prepare yourself for Kurisu’s death.
Watch all the episodes of Steins;Gate on Crunchyroll.
7) Cyberpunk Edgerunners
Cyberpunk Edgerunners broke hearts with its sad yet inevitable ending. David dying at the hands of the Cyberpunk 2077 game’s antagonist, Adam Smasher, was heartbreaking and shocking. But at least we can be somewhat happy that Lucy got to fulfill her dream of visiting the moon.
Watch all the episodes of Cyberpunk Edgerunners on Netflix.
8) Fruits Basket
Shoujo anime usually ends on a good note, and this one is especially satisfying. Towards the end, the Sohma curse, which has been the issue all along, has been lifted. Tooru gets married to her love, Kyo, and they have a happy married life with their sons and a daughter.
Watch all the episodes of Fruits Basket on Crunchyroll.
9) Assassination Classroom
Assassination Classroom had one of the best yet the saddest ending that broke every one. The death of Korosensei was not a spoiler, as all the students set out to achieve it from the beginning. However, after we learn about his tragic life and see his bond grow with his students, his end felt heart-wrenching.
Watch all the episodes of Assassination Classroom on Crunchyroll.
10) Gurren Lagann
Gurren Lagann definitely enjoyed a satisfying run and then an ending because there was literally nothing left for Simon to accomplish. He got his moment as a hero to fight in an epic space battle. After that, he gets married to the girl he loves, gets old, and lives his life on his own terms.
Watch all the episodes of Gurren Lagann on Crunchyroll.
Some of these ends left fans devastated, but they are hailed as perfect because they stayed true to their element. It was believable and made a lasting impact that still remains fresh in our minds.
Frequently asked questions
Which anime are featured on this list of best endings?
The article highlights ten anime celebrated for their conclusions: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Code Geass, Cowboy Bebop, Attack on Titan, Monster, Steins;Gate, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Fruits Basket, Assassination Classroom, and Gurren Lagann. Each is praised for delivering a finale that felt complete and earned, rather than leaving its story open for an unnecessary continuation.
Are these endings from the anime adaptations or the original manga?
The list focuses on the anime endings as they were broadcast. Several come from manga-based series, such as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (by Hiromu Arakawa), Attack on Titan (Hajime Isayama), Monster (Naoki Urasawa), Fruits Basket (Natsuki Takaya), and Assassination Classroom (Yusei Matsui). Others are anime-original or adapted from another medium: Code Geass, Cowboy Bebop, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, and Gurren Lagann are original anime productions, while Steins;Gate is based on a visual novel. Because an anime ending can differ from its source, manga readers may notice some variations.
Do all of these anime have happy endings?
No, and that variety is part of why they are praised. Some land on hopeful or triumphant notes, such as Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Fruits Basket, and Gurren Lagann. Others are bittersweet or tragic, including Code Geass, Cyberpunk Edgerunners, and Assassination Classroom, while titles like Cowboy Bebop and Monster end on a deliberately ambiguous note. The common thread is that each finale feels intentional and conclusive rather than rushed or left dangling. Note that any discussion of these endings involves major spoilers.
