Long-standing anime watchers know the struggle of waiting for an ending, especially when it comes to the gaps between seasons. However, it’s a whole different story when the actual plot of a show is left unfinished with no hope of a continuation. These cliffhangers may have built up enough momentum for the series, but they definitely leave viewers hanging in suspense.

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There are quite a few anime that authors have left unfinished or chosen not to continue simply due to their own creative decisions. Unfortunately, this has left many unanswered questions, which has caused quite a ruckus in the anime community. Many watchers still linger on these questions and wonder if they’ll ever get the closure they crave, but until then, here are some anime that end on cliffhangers that watchers may want to look out for before getting invested.

Spoiler Warning: due to the nature of this list exploring cliffhanger endings to anime, story spoilers will be discussed in the entries below.

8

Promised Neverland

A Rushed Ending Isn’t Always The Best Choice

The Promised Neverland

Release Date

April 14, 2019

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Promised Neverland left quite a bitter taste for many watchers as the anime never really resolved the conflicts the orphans faced. The first season was received quite well, but when the second season hit, the anime had skipped over important parts in the manga, which left a lot of fans feeling upset.

Of course, the final episode ends abruptly with Emma, Ray, and Norman reuniting on a demon farm and everything being seemingly okay, but if viewers read the manga, they’ll notice the ending is very different and equally puzzling. The manga also ends on a cliffhanger, and the reader does not know what the future holds for the children in this new world.

7

Nana

An Incomplete Ending For An Incomplete Friendship

Revered as one of the best josei anime out on the market, Nana tells the story of two completely different girls who meet and find out they share the same name. The best part about this whirlwind story is that it follows the manga closely, but not everything is sunshine and rainbows.

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The anime was never completed and left on a high note since the manga went on permanent hiatus due to the author’s deteriorating health. The manga cuts off mid-arc, and no one really knows where Nana O is as she’s presumed to have fled the country. Moreover, it’s speculated that she and Hachi had lost touch after the timeskip, leaving more questions unanswered.

6

Talentless Nana

A Gut-Wrenching Finale That Left More Questions Unanswered

Talentless Nana’s anime ends on quite a harsh note as viewers are unaware of the plot’s future. Michiru sacrifices herself for Nana, just like how Nana tried sacrificing herself for Michiru, but she ends up losing the only friend she cherished. There has been no confirmation for a continuation of the series, but viewers can refer to the manga for any unanswered questions.

However, the manga is still ongoing and has very infrequent updates. The story continues on and Nana accomplishes her mission of eliminating all ‘talented’ individuals on the island, but she’s left with even more guilt than when she lost Michiru. We see her continuing her life in a new plot line, but there is no concrete purpose to her life anymore, so readers will just have to wait and see.

5

Deadman Wonderland

An Anime That May Never Get A Conclusion

Another anime that raises more unanswered questions is Deadman Wonderland. As viewers follow Ganta Igarashi, who is trapped in a sadistic prison, the series becomes more twisted with each episode. Moreover, the anime does not stay true to that manga, and what follows is a 12-episode series of mayhem, blood, and escapism.

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By the end of it, viewers are left with the mystery of who Shiro really is and the puzzling identity of Red Man. There may be no hope for a continuation of the anime, but viewers can refer to the story in the manga should they wish. Unfortunately, the manga’s ending is also left up to interpretation — even though it suggests a hopeful future for Shiro and Ganta.

4

Banana Fish

A Tragic End That Leaves A Lasting Impression

Banana Fish

Release Date

2018 – 2018

Directors

Hiroko Utsumi

Writers

Hiroshi Seko

Many anime watchers know the unfortunate circumstances of Banana Fish’s ending. The story is a tragedy that lasts in viewers’ hearts, and the director of the anime chose to leave the ending open to interpretation.

Although the anime has been officially left up to interpretation, many fans understand the grave consequences left behind in the ending and the harsh goodbyes Ash and Eiji were forced to face. One can assume to take it as a cliffhanger purely to cope with the loss felt and choose their own ending where the two of them find happiness together.

3

Cowboy Bebop

A Classic Showdown Between Two Former Friends

For a classic anime with even more iconic scenes, Cowboy Bebop has one of the most puzzling endings. This group of unlucky bounty hunters follows Spike Spiegel and his not-so-happy reunion with his former friend Vicious.

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As with most long-standing anime, the series ends with a serious showdown between Spike and Vicious. Spike is left fatally wounded, and the whereabouts of Vicious are unconfirmed. The author has stated that he prefers to keep the ending open to interpretation as he wants his audience to decide for themselves on whether Spike gets to live or die.

2

Gangsta

Left Unfinished Due To The Author’s Declining Health

Gangsta

Release Date

July 2, 2015

The city of Ergastulum is no place for the weak as it’s essentially designed to be a ‘prison’ for Twilights (people born with superhuman abilities). Gangsta follows the tense lives of The Handymen trio as they navigate through the underbelly of this tumultuous city. Unfortunately, the anime leaves viewers with no resolution to the oncoming conflict, and there is no news for a second season.

This is because the manga has been on hiatus since 2019 due to the author’s declining health. The studio has decided to wait for more chapters to release and, if watchers want, they can pick up the manga to find out what happens, but they shouldn’t expect any good news.

1

Stars Align

A Coming-Of-Age Sports Anime

Stars Align is a niche among this list as it’s also an original anime that doesn’t have any manga (source material) to refer back on. Much like most sports anime, the story follows the members of the soft tennis club who all struggle with some sort of trauma.

The show is quite gripping and does involve rather heavy themes of identity and loss. The anime ends very ambiguously as viewers last see the boys each struggling with their own crisis and Maki entering his father’s house with a knife. No one truly knows what’s going to happen next as the studio cut the 24-episode runtime to 12. There is no news on a second season, and the creators have decided to end the show as it is.

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