5 Manga That Had Better Endings Than Chainsaw Man

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With the release of Chapter 232, Part 2 of Chainsaw Man has finished. While the ending isn’t poor – in fact, many fans will likely find it well-written – it shares a common trait with other popular shonen manga: the main storyline feels cut short. The story wraps up thematically, offering a fitting conclusion, but doesn’t fully resolve the narrative in a way that feels completely satisfying.

While many manga wrap up similarly, the ending of Chainsaw Man Part 2 doesn’t quite hit the mark. A thematically focused ending can still be satisfying, but Chainsaw Man felt like it had more story to tell – with characters like Denji and Asa, and the potential of the apocalyptic setting. Though the author, Tatsuki Fujimoto, intentionally ended the series with chapter 232, it’s hard not to feel that other manga have delivered more impactful conclusions.

Dragon Ball Pulled Off a Rushed Ending About Themes & Such Better Than Chainsaw Man Part 2

Both Dragon Ball and Chainsaw Man ended somewhat suddenly, though their situations were different – Dragon Ball concluded a major fight while Chainsaw Man didn’t. Dragon Ball often used time jumps as a storytelling device, so the jump after the Buu Saga didn’t necessarily mean the series was over. In fact, Dragon Ball hints at a new story arc beginning with the 28th Tenkaichi Budokai, rather than a complete ending.

Goku’s quick departure with Uub might feel abrupt, but it’s actually a very fitting end to Dragon Ball. He’s passing on his legacy to a new generation, while still staying true to his nature – he wants to train Uub to become a worthy rival. This reinforces a core idea of Dragon Ball: there will always be someone stronger, and that’s a positive thing. Similar to the ending of Chainsaw Man, the conclusion of Dragon Ball has sparked debate among fans, but that doesn’t diminish how well it wraps up Goku’s journey.

Death Note’s Ending Redeems The Second Half’s Drop in Quality

Many fans agree that both Death Note and Chainsaw Man had stronger first halves than second halves. Although the Death Note arc featuring Near and Mello isn’t as good as the second part of Chainsaw Man, most people feel that Death Note ultimately had a more satisfying conclusion. Light is finally defeated after repeatedly outsmarting the Japanese Task Force.

Working with Mello, Near finally defeats Light. Light’s dramatic and desperate end, when he’s shot by Matsuda, feels incredibly satisfying. His breakdown and pleas for mercy in his final moments perfectly conclude the story of Death Note, revealing that Kira was no different from the criminals – and even the innocent people – he killed to achieve his idea of a perfect world. Though the ending is abrupt and doesn’t give Light a victory, it’s a flawless conclusion that brings Light’s story and the series’ central ideas to a satisfying close.

Neon Genesis Evagelion’s Manga Ending is a Superb Adaptation of End of Evangelion

I always found it interesting that the Neon Genesis Evangelion manga actually started coming out a few months before the anime even premiered. It was a long run, though, not finishing until 2016, and it included a version of the End of Evangelion movie. While the manga and anime tell the same core story, there are some small differences – Shinji, for example, seems a bit more confident in the manga. Plus, the manga has its own unique ending that you won’t find anywhere else.

Similar to Chainsaw Man, the Neon Genesis Evangelion manga abruptly shifts gears at the climax, leading to a turbulent finale centered on the protagonist’s growth and the story’s core ideas. While Neon Genesis Evangelion’s conclusion is acclaimed across all its formats—anime, film, and manga—the manga version stands out for arguably giving Shinji a more hopeful resolution, all while remaining true to the series’ central themes.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 6: Stone Ocean Does a Reset Ending Better Than Chainsaw Man

The ending of Chainsaw Man shares similarities with the finale of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean. Both stories conclude with a reset of the timeline, offering the main characters a fresh start. However, Stone Ocean delivers a more satisfying and conclusive ending compared to Chainsaw Man.

The final arc of Stone Ocean features almost all of its characters dying, leaving only Emporio to confront Pucci as the world is reset. The story concludes with Emporio encountering Irene (formerly Jolyne) and reconnecting with friends who don’t remember him. Like the ending of Chainsaw Man Part 2, it’s a poignant and moving conclusion, but it feels even more impactful because of the careful way Hirohiko Araki developed the story leading up to the reset.

Chainsaw Man Part 1’s Ending Was Literally Perfect

The first part of Chainsaw Man is widely considered to have one of the greatest endings in manga history. Even without the continuation of the story, the first 97 chapters would still be praised for being incredibly well-written and satisfying. After spending the entire series manipulated by Makima, Denji finally defeats her, consuming her completely to ensure her permanent demise. He then becomes a guardian to a new Devil, Nayuta.

The second part of Chainsaw Man reveals that Denji wasn’t genuinely happy and struggled with the responsibility of caring for Nayuta. However, the ending of the first part suggested Denji would grow and mature, and it also neatly concluded the storylines of most major characters. Some fans believe the manga’s overall impact might have been stronger if it had ended after Part 1.

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2026-03-25 20:06