10 Great Anime That Finished Way Earlier Than They Deserved

10 Great Anime That Finished Way Earlier Than They Deserved Soul Eater imagery

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By Casandra Ronning Published 48 minutes ago Casandra Ronning is a staff writer for Screen Rant's anime section. Since mid-2024, she has dedicated herself to expanding her knowledge and experience in the entertainment industry. She is most proud of conducting an exclusive interview with popular voice actor Stephanie Nadolny. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Anime history is filled with series that ignited intense excitement among audiences, only to abruptly end just as their momentum was reaching a peak. From rushed finales to production roadblocks and unfinished adaptations, some powerful stories have been left unfinished and unresolved, earning disappointment and frustration among fans.

These are the anime that had strong characters, storylines, and themes that often resonated with fans in a way that felt full of untapped potential. However, they met their end much sooner than audiences were ready for, leaving behind a void rather than the resolutions that many fans long for. Anime like these deserve to return and deliver an ending worthy of their legacy.

Soul Eater

Soul Eater follows the students of Death Weapon Meister Academy, known as the DWMA for short. It’s a school where weapons and their wielders train to fight supernatural threats, to hunt evil beings, and to collect souls. After the weapons devour 99 of these evil souls, along with the soul of a witch, they transform into powerful Death Scythes.

At the center of the story are Maka Albarn and Soul, whose bond as Meister and weapon drives much of the plot. They face powerful enemies, including witches and the kishin, alongside their classmates BlackStar, Tsubaki, Kid, and twins Liz and Patty, leading to high-stakes confrontations and an exploration of bravery, friendship, and the nature of good and evil.

The anime began to diverge from the manga midway, resulting in an anime-only ending that left several plotlines unresolved. Many fans of the series want the anime to return with a faithful adaptation of the manga’s ending, which would offer proper, well-rounded closure to the series and characters that many have come to love.

Deadman Wonderland

Deadman Wonderland Anime Cover Art

Deadman Wonderland centers on Ganta Igarashi, a middle school boy who is falsely accused of murdering his classmates. Sentenced to death, he was sent to a privately operated prison amusement park called Deadman Wonderland. There, he discovers that the inmates possess deadly powers called Branches of Sin, which allow them to manipulate their blood as weapons.

He forms alliances with other prisoners, including Shiro, a mysterious girl with a hidden connection to the prison’s dark secrets. Filled with intense action, psychological tension, and elements of horror, Deadman Wonderland stood out as a thrilling title among anime. However, after one season, the series was ultimately cancelled, leaving many fans disappointed and unsatisfied.

Princess Jellyfish

Princess Jellyfish follows Tsukimi Kurashita, a shy young woman obsessed with jellyfish, who lives in an all-female apartment building. Every resident is an eccentric, socially awkward otaku who shuns the outside world. Then one day, their world is turned upside down with the arrival of the bold, stylish Kuranosuke Koibuchi.

He proudly defies gender norms while helping Tsukimi and her friends confront their own insecurities and societal pressures. His charm and outlook inspire the women to pursue passions and challenge rigid expectations, allowing them to grow and blossom in ways they hadn’t thought possible. Princess Jellyfish is a heartfelt drama mixed with humor and romance that can’t be missed.

Unfortunately, the anime adaptation stops short, cutting the story just as it began to find its footing. The anime is full of rich, authentic characters and a touching, meaningful premise; however, it leaves many arcs unresolved and unexplored. A continuation of the series could fully realize the characters’ journeys and deliver a satisfying and timeless narrative.

Moriarty the Patriot

Moriarty the Patriot centers on William James Moriarty, a criminal mastermind who is determined to dismantle Britain’s rigid class system from within. He’s driven by his frustration with social inequality, leading him to carefully orchestrate crimes against the aristocracy alongside his accomplices. Soon, his schemes become the focus of the detective Sherlock Holmes, sparking a thrilling cat-and-mouse dynamic.

The anime adaptation concluded after a single, thrilling season. While it delivers an ending that feels well-rounded, it cuts out significant narrative developments from the manga. Had the adaptation lasted several more episodes, a fuller and more complete story could have been delivered, offering fans a perfect finale that wouldn’t be forgotten.

Yuri!!! On Ice

The main cast of Yuri on Ice

Yuri!!! On Ice follows the titular character Yuri Katsuki, a figure skater whose confidence collapses after a crushing defeat at a Grand Prix event. Returning to his hometown, he unexpectedly meets his idol and new coach, Victor Nikiforov. Alongside another competitor, Yuri practices a skating routine to win the next Grand Prix while confronting his own doubts and insecurities.

The series stood out for its artistry and groundbreaking animation of figure skating and for normalizing a same-sex relationship between the main characters. Yuri!!! On Ice was well-received in Japan and internationally, quickly becoming one of the most popular sports anime available. Paired with its themes of perseverance, self-discovery, and passion, the show was inspirational and moving.

Despite its critical acclaim and widespread popularity, the anime ended after a single season and canceled its film adaptation, much to fans’ disappointment. The anime left several characters and storylines unresolved, leaving fans longing for more. Yuri!!! On Ice remains popular nearly a decade later, and many still hope a movie will be developed in the future.

Yona of the Dawn

Yona of the Dawn cast facing the wind ready for adventure, featuring Yona, Hak, Yun, Shin-ah, Ki-ja, and Jae-ha

Yona of the Dawn follows Princess Yona of the Kingdom of Kouka, whose life is upended when her longtime love interest, Su-won, betrays her and seizes the throne. With no other choice, she flees with her loyal bodyguard, Hak, and begins a journey across her kingdom to gather the four legendary dragons to reclaim her throne.

The story is a thrilling blend of adventure, political intrigue, and romance, with fans watching as Yona grows from a sheltered princess into a capable leader, creating a satisfying character arc. While Yona of the Dawn was never picked up for a second season, its manga is still ongoing, leaving hope that the series may return.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Characters from The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya follows Kyon, a high school student who is drawn into a club by the eccentric Haruhi Suzumiya, whose obsession with aliens, time travel, and espers runs much deeper than anyone realizes. As Kyon and the other club members go along with Haruhi’s whims, he discovers that the other members are exactly who she’s looking for.

The series mixes episodic adventures with the overarching mystery of Haruhi’s subconscious, god-like powers, with Kyon and his clubmates trying to keep Haruhi happy and unaware of her devastating powers that could destroy reality as they know it. Filled with comedy, suspense, and philosophical undertones, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is a uniquely unpredictable story.

Despite having two seasons and a film, the anime still feels incomplete. With significant material for the original light novels, many fans await the next installment of the franchise that develops the story further. There’s much more to Kyon and Haruhi’s story, and fans remain hopeful that the series will return with another anime adaptation.

Hunter x Hunter

Hunter x Hunter follows Gon Freecss, a young boy who discovers his father is a legendary Hunter. Determined to follow in his footsteps, Gon decides to take the Hunter Exam, where he met new allies, including Killua, Kurapika, and Leorio. Each character has their own goals and drives as they face life-threatening challenges.

Despite its acclaim and popularity, the 2011 anime ends before the Dark Continent Expedition arc and the ongoing Succession Contest, leaving major storylines and character developments unresolved. The 2011 anime is a reboot of the original 1999 version of the anime, which was also left unfinished after it caught up with the source material.

Berserk

Berserk follows Guts, a lone mercenary with unmatched combat skill who finds himself defeated by the powerful and charismatic leader of the Band of the Hawk, Griffith. As a condition of their duel, he subsequently joins the mercenary group, where he forms bonds of friendship and loyalty and helps Griffith march toward his goal of forming a new kingdom.

The 1997 Berserk anime is widely regarded as the best adaptation of the series. While it has received films and a 2016 adaptation, none come close to the original. Unfortunately, the ’97 version ends just after the Eclipse, leaving the narrative on an unforgivable cliffhanger. As a classic, renowned series, Berserk deserves a complete adaptation.

Nana

Nana centers on two women who share the same name and meet on the same train bound for Tokyo, leading strikingly different lives. Nana Komatsu is a naive young woman chasing love and stability, while Nana Osaki is a punk rock singer striving to make a name for herself. Their chance meeting sparks a deep bond as they navigate adulthood.

Before any fan was ready, the series ended, leaving several major storylines and character arcs unresolved. The manga is on an indefinite hiatus; however, there is more of the story that has yet to be explored, and many viewers long for a return to the iconic series. Luckily, Ai Yazawa has shared that she plans to complete the story.

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