10 Canceled Anime That Left Fans Hanging with Unfinished Stories

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A good ending can make a show great, but when a series is abruptly ended, the conclusion often leaves viewers unsatisfied. This is especially true in the realm of anime, where many cherished series were terminated before they could complete their narratives. These cancellations occurred due to various reasons such as budget limitations, complications with source material, or decreasing audience numbers. Ultimately, these decisions left fans feeling disappointed.

It might not always be clear when an anime has ended for good, since some have returned years later with new seasons or updates. But the shows listed here have either been officially canceled or are facing challenges that make further development unlikely. Of course, we hope these series and their fans will get a better ending than what’s currently planned.

10
‘Claymore’ (2007)

In the dark fantasy titled “Claymore,” the story unfolds within a medieval realm plagued by creatures known as Youma, who are humans with transformative abilities. These beings pose a threat to humanity. To combat this menace, hybrids called Claymores are generated; they possess powerful claymore swords and have been created from human-Youma unions. One such Claymore is Clare, tasked with slaying a Youma who slaughtered the family of a lad named Raki. Due to his village no longer being safe, Raki joins Clare on her travels, learning about the lives of these Claymores and their continuous efforts to prevent transformation into “Awakened Beings.

Nothing Left to Adapt

Claymore presents a disappointing scenario when the anime exhausted its source material, leading to an unsatisfying conclusion. Regardless, it’s still worth watching the anime, and readers may find it enlightening to delve into the manga to discover the fates of the characters.

9
‘Yona of the Dawn’ (2014 – 2015)

In the tale, Princess Yona finds herself deeply enamored with her cousin Soo-Won. However, when he tragically slays their father, King Il, she is compelled to escape along with her loyal friend Son Hak. Together they set out on a journey to seek out the four dragon warriors and save their kingdom from ruin. Blending elements of romance, personal growth (bildungsroman), and adventure, this series was a captivating blend that had something to offer for all tastes—that is, if it hadn’t been abruptly ended after just one season.

The Sun Sets on Yona of the Dawn

Regrettably, Yona of the Dawn concluded prematurely, leaving many important storylines and characters unintroduced. A refreshing spin on the shoujo anime genre, fans continue to harbor optimism for a revival, despite there being no signs at present to indicate this might occur.

8
‘Baccano!’ (2007)

2007 saw the debut of Baccano!, a captivating anime series set in a fictionalized version of America during Prohibition. The narrative jumps between various storylines and viewpoints, providing an engaging blend of characters, primarily gangsters and thieves who unwittingly possess a legendary elixir granting immortality. This fast-paced, action-packed series is not to be missed by any anime enthusiast, despite its brief run of just 16 episodes before it was unfortunately cancelled.

Ahead of its Time

Regrettably, the intricate plot of Baccano, though original, occasionally left viewers perplexed. Remarkable for its time, the structure of the show has been likened to Pulp Fiction, and its fast-moving, violent storytelling is bound to captivate manga enthusiasts and novices alike. Unlike many anime on this list, Baccano! concluded in a satisfying manner; however, there was still much unexplored ground within the series, suggesting that with additional episodes, the show could have left an even stronger impression.

7
‘D.Gray Man’ (2006 – 2008)

D.Gray Man stands out as both its initial adaptation and subsequent sequel are worthy inclusions in this collection. The original series debuted in 2006, followed by the sequel, D.Gray Man: Hallow, in 2016. Both follow the journey of Allen Walker, a young exorcist who is resolute about defeating the Millenium Earl and his creations, known as Akuma. The original series spanned 103 episodes but concluded on a suspenseful note. Years after, the sequel aimed to resolve this cliffhanger but ended on another one itself.

The Manga Is Still Going Strong

Despite some issues with pacing and plot, D.Gray Man has managed to garner a dedicated fanbase, and its sequel is often overlooked as one of the best anime from the 2000s. Although both D.Gray Man and D.Gray Man: Hallow failed to deliver satisfying endings, fans remain eager for more in the ongoing manga series.

6
‘Berserk’ (1997 – 1998)

Berserk” is an intense anime not recommended for beginners. It chronicles the journey of a warrior named Guts, who teams up with a band of mercenaries called the Band of the Hawk, led by Griffith. As time passes, Guts hones his swordsmanship skills significantly. Eventually, he parts ways from the group to chase after his personal ambition. Subsequent events transform Guts into the Black Swordsman and Griffith into a member of a demonic faction called the God Hand, making them sworn adversaries.

Multiple Problems

The initial Berserk anime series spanned just 25 episodes and ended abruptly, suggesting it was probably terminated due to financial constraints and its complex themes that limited its appeal to viewers. However, the anime returned in 2016, but critics criticized its poor animation quality and omission of significant storylines. Unfortunately, with the passing of series creator Kentaro Miura in 2021, it appears that fans may not get a satisfying resolution to the story anytime soon or ever.

5
‘Highschool of the Dead’ (2010)

Highschool of the Dead, a favorite among zombie movie enthusiasts and a somewhat contentious addition to this list, offers an exciting, comedic take on the zombie apocalypse survival story. However, it has faced criticism for its frequent and potentially troubling depictions of sexualization involving underage characters.

A Sad Ending

The anime “Highschool of the Dead” was tremendously successful among anime enthusiasts, competing favorably with numerous other top-rated shows during its time. Even today, it continues to be cherished by fans who eagerly anticipate Season 2. Regrettably, the writer of the manga, Daisuke Sato, fell ill in 2011 and passed away in 2017, effectively ending the manga production and thus any prospects for a completed anime series.

4
‘Elfen Lied’ (2004)

Elfen Lied revolves around Lucy, a member of the Diclonius species, who escapes from a government facility after a violent breakout. In the process, she develops an alternate identity, Nyu, following a bullet wound to her head. The government now pursues Lucy, while she, along with other Diclonius, seeks revenge on humanity, both parties being equally resolute in their respective pursuits.

Still Controversial Today

Reflecting on a unique and often debated anime, I find myself drawn to “Elfen Lied.” Critics may see it as excessively edgy and violent, but fans argue that its distinctiveness and cool factor set it apart. Despite the differing viewpoints, the show’s 13-episode run was primarily due to its mature themes failing to resonate with a broader audience. As we approach the 20-year mark since its release, there has been no announcement regarding any potential reboots or new seasons.

3
‘Gantz’ (2004)

Following an unfortunate incident where Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato are struck by a train, they find themselves in a perplexing room containing a mysterious black orb named Gantz. It’s revealed that they’ve passed away but been granted another opportunity, albeit with a catch: to survive dangerous missions, collect 100 points, and use those points to reclaim their previous lives, completely forgetting about Gantz. However, these tasks prove to be much more treacherous than initially perceived, potentially leading to a final, irreversible demise.

Series Divergence

Similar to other animes on this roster, Gantz is famed for its excessive and unsettling nature, yet this is precisely what drew viewers in. Spanning 37 volumes, the Gantz manga, however, the anime adaptation only encompasses the initial eight, concluding with an entirely novel plotline instead. This narrative thread left fans feeling unsatisfied and perplexed, and even to this day, they’re still calling for a revival.

2
‘Deadman Wonderland’ (2011)

In a twist of fate, Ganta Igarashi finds himself falsely accused of murdering his fellow students and incarcerated within the lethal amusement park/prison known as Deadman Wonderland. Within this confinement, he crosses paths with a girl named Shiro, discovers his ability to manipulate his own blood, and is compelled to engage in life-threatening combat events. Throughout his ordeal, Ganta strives to unravel the enigma surrounding the penitentiary, the earthquake that apparently ignited his powers, years prior, and the true identity of the “Red Man” who took the lives of his friends.

The Death of ‘Deadman Wonderland’

Known for being one of the darkest and most twisted anime productions, Deadman Wonderland was prematurely concluded after only one season, leaving viewers hanging on a cliffhanger. Though fans eagerly anticipate its reboot, they can find some comfort in the manga, which is deemed even scarier and offers a definitive conclusion.

1
‘Bleach’ (2004 – 2012)

Ichigo Kurosaki is a high school student who acquires the abilities of a Spirit Guardian, tasked with safeguarding humanity by battling and cleansing rogue spirits known as Hollows, and escorting the departed to their final destination. This anime was extremely popular when it debuted, often competing in popularity with other renowned series like Naruto and One Piece. However, the conclusion of the storyline didn’t provide a definitive ending, leaving many possibilities unexplored.

A Happy Ending

It may come as a shock to some that this title appears on our list, given its extensive 366-episode run. However, it’s important to note that the show was terminated prior to reaching its manga conclusion. The final chapters were also hurried due to creator Tite Kubo’s health concerns. Fortunately, fans have been rewarded with Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War, a continuation that aims to wrap up the story and introduces some intriguing departures from the original material. This serves as a reminder that an anime’s ending might not mark its final chapter, and we hope other series on this list receive similar treatment in the future.

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2025-02-08 18:32