Anime That Should Have Ended Sooner

Summary

Anime can captivate fans with incredible storytelling and engaging characters, reshaping the community.
Some anime overstay their welcome, harming pacing & losing impact over time.
Series like Inuyasha and Detective Conan could have benefited from shorter runtimes.

Anime provides authors with an opportunity to weave captivating tales, breathing life into vast universes filled with intriguing characters embarking on heroic journeys. The imaginative realms conceived by mangaka are brought to animated existence, offering boundless possibilities and leaving indelible marks on viewers as they redefine the anime community. Enthusiasts eagerly anticipate these series and consume each episode, yearning for the adventure to continue indefinitely.

In certain instances, the finest anime gain depth from having numerous episodes, but others linger for too long and become overly prolonged. Anime that elongate an already flawless narrative often do more damage than good and lose momentum faster than series with better pacing. Here are some anime that would have benefited from a shorter duration or should have ended earlier.

7. Inuyasha

Naraku Overstayed His Welcome

The beloved series “Inuyasha” is renowned for being one of the most impactful isekai anime ever made, opening the door for numerous other series to follow suit. Its narrative centers around a young girl called Kagome, who encounters a half-demon named Inuyasha after being transported to an alternate feudal Japan overrun by malevolent spirits. She embarks on thrilling adventures with him in this setting.

The storyline trailed an odd couple in their struggle against demons to gather fragments of the Shikon Jewel, strewn across the land. Concurrently, a blossoming romance and a vibrant collection of supporting characters unfolded. Yet, Naraku, the consistent threat of the series, fell into a cliche, often slipping away unscathed after being saved by poisonous insects. The narrative also dragged out the romantic tension between the main duo over a hundred episodes and a feature-length animated movie.

6. Detective Conan

Will Shinichi Ever Get His Body Back?

The series known as Detective Conan, or Case Closed, is an exceptional production that has been around for many years and stands out as one of the top procedural mystery anime currently available. This story revolves around Shinichi Kudo, a remarkably intelligent teenager who finds himself entangled in a shady world of wrongdoing when he’s transformed back into a child. Assuming the alias Conan Edogawa, Shinichi employs his extraordinary deductive abilities to probe strange crimes, uncover the criminal syndicate responsible for his transformation, and eventually revert back to his original form.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel a tad disappointed that, despite more than a thousand episodes so far, the criminal organization in this captivating series remains largely unchecked. And while Shinichi’s temporary return to his normal age offers a glimmer of hope, it seems like the plot has taken a backseat to the show’s whimsical escapades.

5. Darling In The Franxx

An Intense Character-Driven Series Shifted Midway Through

In the vast landscape of Mecha anime, shows like Gundam and Evangelion hold significant influence. To create an impression and shine amidst such giants, a series needs to be exceptionally captivating. Darling in the Franxx certainly made waves upon its debut with its intriguing universe, innovative mech designs, and richly developed characters and connections. Fans initially hailed the storyline as near-perfect, but later voiced their disappointment with the plot twist midway through and an ending that left many unsatisfied within the community.

In simpler terms, the show continued with its high-energy action scenes, but the development of secondary characters and emotional depth reached their peak at the start. Spanning over a dozen episodes, the plot’s tension might have been more effectively resolved halfway through the series.

4. Takt Op. Destiny

A Science Fiction Rollercoaster Slowed To A Crawl

In a bleak future ruled by alien invaders known as D2s, who thrive on sound, humanity has been compelled to live in perpetual harmony through music. A gifted pianist grapples with grief and pain, but is thrust into a battle against these invaders when he and his adopted family suffer an attack that leaves them forever altered.

Taakt and his caretaker’s younger sister undergo a dramatic transformation, becoming Musicarts – formidable weapons capable of combating D2s. They work in pairs and set the stage for an engaging series with a compelling premise. However, as the story progresses, character development becomes less frequent, and the road-trip atmosphere starts to dissipate. Ultimately, the series concludes on a poignant note.

3. Attack On Titan

A Perfect Story Stretched Too Thin

Attack on Titan stands among the most extraordinary tales of the past ten years, destined to be remembered as one of the greatest anime ever made. The inhabitants of a solitary island struggle for survival within towering walls out of terror of the monstrous creatures lurking beyond them. During an assault, when the walls are breached, Eren Jaeger’s life is irrevocably altered after he and his adopted sister suffer catastrophic losses.

In his thirst for revenge, Eren sets out on a journey that reshapes the world. The captivating tale of Attack on Titan offers a blend of action, enigma, suspense, and romance. As the story concluded, the final season was divided into three segments, including a movie. Some viewers find this division excessive, arguing that a single-season release would have made a stronger impact.

2. Code Geass

A Series That Didn’t Need A Sequel

Code Geass weaves together action, drama, mecha, and a chilling horror narrative, unfolding an epic tale centered on themes such as revenge, morality, sorrow, and historical oppression. The protagonist, Lelouche Vi Britania, is a dispossessed prince seeking retribution against his father for the tragic demise of his mother. The Britannian Empire, having subjugated much of the globe, now lays claim to Japan as its capital, imposing stringent governance upon its inhabitants.

In the captivating narrative of “Code Geass,” Lelouch acquires an extraordinary ability known as Geass, a crucial element in his strategy to dethrone his family and seek retribution simultaneously. From its inception to its conclusion, this series is skillfully crafted. However, some fans feel that the subsequent installments, featuring the protagonist’s resurrection, diminish the impact of his initial self-sacrifice.

1. Psycho Pass

A Brilliant Concept That Should Have Stopped At One

In my view, the debut of Psycho-Pass stood out distinctly, boasting exceptional direction and storytelling. It unfolded in a far-off cyberpunk landscape where the Sibyl system, an intricate artificial intelligence, takes charge of crime management. This system examines an individual’s mental disposition, predicting their propensity for criminal activities, much like in the film Minority Report.

Initially, the first season of the show delivered a well-rounded, fulfilling storyline. Yet, subsequent spin-offs and follow-up seasons seemed to miss the intricate plot development and sharp focus that made the initial season stand out, leaving the overall series feeling repetitive even with its promising start.

2025-07-26 08:34