SerpApi.Org
Oftentimes, fans turn to anime to forget the stress and drama of their daily lives. While not always, this medium is best known for being home to some of the most wholesome and inspiring stories ever. From young heroes fighting against impossible odds to achieve their dreams, to epic tales about friendship and cooperation that inspire audiences to be better.
Yet viewers are not always in the mood for a lighthearted Shonen anime or a tear-jerking Shojo series. These shows, beloved by millions of fans, not only have plots that will enchant audiences, but they are perfect for those looking to be emotionally destroyed by their favorite series. While anime often works as an escape for fans to enjoy a happy ending, sometimes, the heroes don't get the finale they desired.
Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
By far one of the most popular anime focused on a terrorist protagonist, Code Geass has been an example of how to effectively create a dire and hopeless finale without compromising the quality of a show. The protagonist, Lelouch, has always been a controversial figure. His desire to unite the world and bring peace was admirable, but the means he took to achieve it were more than questionable.
Still, no one can argue with his commitment, as he was indeed willing to go to any lengths to make his dream come true. After effectively bringing his father’s empire down, Lelouch realized a final step was needed before humanity truly knew peace. As such, he became a ruthless and sadistic dictator, becoming the world’s biggest enemy. He would then go on to be publicly executed by one of his men, disguised as his other persona, X, leaving fans to ponder if he was a villain or just a misunderstood hero.
Death Note
Calling Light Yagami, a character who committed a plethora of objectively evil acts during his tenure, a hero is a divisive topic among fans. While it is true that the Death Note anime introduced the man as someone looking to create a better world, his methods and ego quickly turned him into a despicable and terrifying figure, more akin to a villain than a hero.
Nevertheless, he is the protagonist of the Death Note series, and his sudden and tragic finale did leave more than one fan feeling empathy for the failed God of the new world. After being tricked by Near and his task force, Light became desperate, confessing his crimes in front of his former comrades. Matsuda, a man with a strong sense of justice, lost his temper and shot the protagonist several times, causing Light to slowly bleed out as Ryuk looked over his body.
Devilman Crybaby
Often praised for its compelling and unapologetic approach to many important moral and philosophical themes, Devilman Crybaby is a series that will remain with those brave enough to enjoy it. After becoming a demonic creature while following an old friend to a somber party, the once-shy Akira decided to use his new powers to protect the world.
Lamentably, all of his efforts and the suffering he went through were ultimately fruitless, as his entire adventure had been manipulated by his former comrade, who revealed himself as Satan. With nothing left to lose, Akira launches himself into a battle that devastates the planet. In the end, it cannot even be said that the villain won in the end, as Satan is left alone in a broken world after losing the only person he ever loved.
Berserk 1997
Objectively, one of the best Dark Fantasy shows of all time, Berserk’s hopeless yet intriguing world has managed to capture fans for more than three decades. Forced to survive in a world where mercy is not known, Guts traveled far to find a place he could call home. His time with the Band of the Hawk was, albeit violent, the happiest he had ever known.
It was not until Griffith, convinced he deserved more than what he got, sacrificed their comrades and became a devil, that Guts realized how cruel the world could be. Though he survived this cataclysmic event, the Black Swordsman had everything he ever cared about stripped from him. Guts’ life is a tragedy through and through, with no happiness or love that lasts long enough for him to recover.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Based on one of the best open-world games ever made, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was a truly enjoyable and memorable experience that used the titular genre to explore the nature of humanity. Throughout the series, fans become endeared to David and his group of friends, as they try to survive the lawless streets of Night City.
Just when everything was going their way and audiences believed the heroes would get a happy ending, the evil organization Arasaka caught up to them, forcing David and the rest of the crew to sacrifice themselves to try to make Lucy’s dream real. While the series does end with the woman achieving her goal of being on the moon, it came at the cost of everyone she ever loved, making this show one of the best dystopian love tragedies of all time.
Neon Genesis Evangelion
Hailed for being a series that challenges the worldview of its audience, Evangelion is by far one of the most popular classics of the anime industry. Shinji’s story is as fascinating as it is complex, relying heavily on deep moral dilemmas and philosophical questions that affect not only the characters but also the viewers. As such, when it came time for its ending, fans were ready to be both confused and amazed, which is exactly what happened.
The finale of this amazing anime focuses on two distinct but tightly related events, each relevant to the growth of Shinji as a character. While the scenes that take place inside his mind can be seen as a major win for the boy, since he can overcome his trauma, this comes at a great cost. The Third Impact did take place, causing all of humanity to be merged into a single consciousness, all because of the desires of one of anime’s worst fathers ever.
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
Throughout the decades, the indisputable king of Mecha anime, the Gundam franchise, has released a plethora of amazing series for fans to enjoy. Iron-Blooded Orphans is special for many, as it was able to blend the epic battles of giant robots with intricate and morally dubious plot lines. The show was a perfect mixture of political messaging, endearing characters, and perfectly placed plot twists that keep fans on edge.
One of the most shocking ones came during the finale of the series, as the heroes Agus and Altland were forced to sacrifice themselves to protect the futures of their newfound family. There is no brave rescue mission to ensure their safety, nor plot armor to keep them alive. The heroes indeed die, in one of the best but most bittersweet battles in the entire franchise.
Fate/Zero
The Fate franchise is without a doubt one of the most complex to follow, with many fans needing the help of a guide to navigate its intricate timelines. One of its most controversial series due to the villains emerging victorious in the end, Fate/Zero, served as a prequel to the widely popular Fate/Stay Night anime. Fate/Zero followed the participants of the Fourth Great Holy Grail War, which ended in a brutal tragedy.
After facing some of the most skillful combatants in anime history, Kiritsugu Emiya is given the chance to ask the aforementioned treasure for a wish. His noble desire for world peace ends in catastrophe due to the Holy Grail having been corrupted long before the war even began. This forces the hero to destroy the object, resulting in a massive explosion that causes the death of thousands; an ending that hurts so much more due to his enemies watching safely from afar.
Uzumaki: Spiral Into Horror
Considered by many as one of the most disappointing anime of the last decade, Uzumaki is an adaptation of Junji Ito’s most popular horror story. The series revolves around the town of Kurouzu-cho, which is being haunted by a strange curse. Each day, bizarre events related to spirals take place, claiming the lives and sanity of the protagonists, Kirie and Shuichi.
The show slowly reveals that the curse that afflicts the town is an ancient supernatural phenomenon that takes place every few centuries. The heroes, after learning this horrifying truth, travel to the depths of the spiral, hoping to find a way to save themselves. They soon discover that nothing can stop their fates, so they decide to succumb to the madness of the curse, proving why Uzumaki is one of the best body-horror stories anime has to offer.
Higurashi: When They Cry
Thousands of fans will remember the massive trauma caused by Higurashi: When They Cry as it was one of the most popular online during the late 2000s. The town of Hinamizawa was once a peaceful and joyful place, at least until its citizens were trapped in a deadly time loop during which most, if not all, were murdered. As the series progresses and reveals the many failed timelines in which the heroes die, the secret begins to be unveiled. Higurashi Season 1 ends on a particularly bleak note where the main characters seemingly break the cycle, only for it to be revealed that they failed.
Worse, it turns out that Rika, one of the main characters, is the supposed reincarnation of an ancient deity, which caught the attention of a cult that wanted to sacrifice her. While Rika is ultimately able to avoid her murder and live a happy life with her friends in Higurashi Kai, the memories of all her pain and suffering never go away. No matter how much she tries to enjoy life, she will always remember the sadistic and cruel deaths she was subjected to for 1,000 years.
