Manga with the Most Controversial Endings

Key Takeaways

Series are often rushed to end, leading to dissatisfying conclusions for fans of manga like Naruto and My Hero Academia.
Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure usually has solid endings, but Stone Ocean left many fans divided due to major changes and unanswered questions.
Bunny Drop started strong but took a dark turn by turning a heartwarming found family story into a controversial romance plot twist.

As a long-time manga enthusiast with countless hours spent poring over countless titles, I can confidently say that some of the most frustrating moments in my reading journey have come from unsatisfying conclusions. The ending of a story is often what stays with us longest, and when it leaves us scratching our heads or feeling let down, it can tarnish our overall experience.

Stories have a natural lifespan, but publishers strive to prolong a series until it reaches an exhaustive conclusion. It can be challenging for manga creators to bring their series to a satisfying end when they are encouraged to continue indefinitely. On the other hand, they might be forced to conclude it prematurely if its sales weren’t robust enough, leaving the plot unfulfilled.

Consequently, more manga have had hasty finishes compared to those with well-crafted ones, such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen. However, they’ve been fortunate because, although they could’ve been improved, their conclusions didn’t spark controversy. These final chapters often left readers feeling unsatisfied, annoyed, or even remorseful for starting them in the first place.

This list contains spoilers!

10 Naruto

Ending on a Whimper

Manga with the Most Controversial Endings

Creator: Masashi Kishimoto.
72 Volumes, 700 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

As a die-hard Naruto fan, I must say that the conclusion of this epic series has certainly sparked some heated debates among us loyal followers. While it was gratifying to see Naruto achieve his dream of becoming the Hokage and starting a family with Hinata, not everyone seemed satisfied. The resolution, for some, felt like a swift wrap-up that followed an arc that didn’t sit well with many fans. The final showdown between Naruto and Sasuke, however, was a poignant moment where they finally laid their differences to rest – a fitting end to their longstanding rivalry.

Readers found Kaguya’s portrayal as a villain unappealing, and were also dissatisfied with the development of Sasuke and Sakura’s relationship after their characters seemed to take unexpected turns in confusing directions. The ending was criticized for appearing more like Kishimoto trying to wrap things up neatly on a significant number, rather than providing a well-rounded conclusion. Alternatively, it may have been intended to leave some storylines unresolved so Ukyou Kodachi could address them in Boruto. Regardless, many believe it had the potential to be more satisfying than what was delivered.

9 My Hero Academia

When a Shōnen Hero Peaks in High School

Creator: Kouhei Horikoshi.
42 Volumes, 430 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

While some might argue that the ending of “My Hero Academia” isn’t truly controversial given the abundance of unsatisfying conclusions in anime, it undeniably stirred up more dissatisfaction among fans compared to endings like those of “Bleach” and “Jujutsu Kaisen.” In this series, Deku selflessly surrendered the All-For-One quirk to save others. His actions were rightfully honored, yet his graduation from school, still quirkless, seems to have left many viewers feeling somewhat disappointed or frustrated.

He ends up becoming a teacher, helping others fulfill their dreams. It sounds nice, except it sped through a lot of key details and ended up feeling sadder than it was. Is he still in touch with his old school friends? Did he get with Ochako? The manga really felt like it was going to pair them up. Instead, it seems like Deku ended up alone, with just his students and a secret supersuit for company. Hooray(?).

8 Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure Part 6: Stone Ocean

A Happy Ending That Asked More Questions Than It Answered

Creator: Hirohiko Araki.
17 Volumes, 158 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

The popular manga series Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure has been fortunate as many of its endings have been well-received by audiences. For instance, the ending of Part 6: Stone Ocean left most fans in tears of joy. Remarkably, the spirits of Emporio’s companions, believed to be lost forever, managed to survive Pucci’s universe reset and found much brighter lives with him out of the picture. Ermes’ sister miraculously survives, Anasui enters a romantic relationship with Jolyne, and they all receive a new beginning alongside Emporio.

On the contrary, not everyone was content as Emporio encountered individuals other than those he and fans were familiar with. These new characters go by Eldis, Anakiss, and Irene, possessing distinct identities, memories, and lives. It’s worth questioning whether this transformation extended to other cherished Jojo characters or merely affected the Stone Ocean events. This discrepancy has sparked a lot of debate, earning it the title of the most contentious ending in the series.

7 Flunk Punk Rumble

Is the Nerdy Girl a Ghost or Just Stupid?

Creator: Miki Yoshikawa.
23 Volumes, 219 Chapters.
Available in English via Chuang Yi Publishing.

Known more commonly as “Yankee-kun to Megane-chan,” or “Flunk Punk Rumble” was a charming romantic comedy series that revolved around Shinagawa, a troublesome teenager often referred to as a delinquent, and Adachi, their brainy best friend who turned out to be an ex-delinquent. The story unfolds as Shinagawa discovers a newfound appreciation for school thanks to Adachi. Unfortunately, the series faced difficulties when its sales began to decline, leading to disagreements between its publishers and Yoshikawa over how to move forward with the plot.

In my perspective, their tale took an unexpected turn. I, being a fan, share the same dream with Shinagawa – attending the same college as Adachi. However, out of nowhere, Adachi vanishes, leaving me to navigate college life solo. Years later, I become a teacher, and lo and behold, Adachi reappears as a student. Some speculate she’s a product of Shinagawa’s imagination, like a cute version of Fight Club’s Tyler Durden, but it seems more likely that this is a playful jab at her intelligence not being as high as it appears.

6 The Two Faces of Misaki Hoshino

The Meet-Cute Turns Sour

Creator: Kouhei Nagashii.
13 Volumes, 107 Chapters.
Available in English via K Manga.

The Two Sides of Misaki Hoshino

In the upcoming school year, Kobayakawa finds himself in a new class devoid of his previous companions, whereas Hoshino, without her usual makeup, maintains her existing social circle. The narrative concludes with Kobayakawa hesitantly attempting to form new friendships. This ending, though bittersweet, stirred discontent among many fans who felt that Kobayakawa was intentionally distancing himself from his old friends, ultimately leading to a life of solitude. However, an additional epilogue was added to alleviate the shock, even if it was still a stark change for readers to accept.

5 Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma

Struggling to Finish Off the Last Course

Creators: Yuki Morisaki and Yuuto Tsukuda (story), Shun Saeki (art).
36 Volumes, 325 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

If the entertaining, fanservice-rich portrayal of cooking in “Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma” didn’t capture readers’ interest, the beautifully drawn dishes would have at least provided an appealing visual experience. However, the series was also hindered by demands from publishers as Tsukuda and Morisaki struggled to maintain intrigue with predictable plot twists and repetitive cooking competitions.

At the conclusion, we see that Soma departs from school to explore the globe, managing to graduate somehow in the process. The secondary characters receive brief updates following a period of being largely overlooked, as focus was primarily given to Soma, Erina, and their weekly rivals. Interestingly, despite still being a student, Erina assumes the role of headmistress, while Soma is entrusted with managing the family restaurant – even though he neither won the BLUE tournament nor defeated Erina. The narrative simply wraps up when it needed to.

4 Prison School

Some People Never Learn

Creator: Akira Hiramoto.
28 Volumes, 278 Chapters.
Available in English via Yen Press.

When many viewers spot a sex comedy like “Prison School” labeled as ‘controversial’, they might assume that the depiction of fanservice or tackling sensitive subjects with humor caused issues, leading to unintended backlash. However, the controversial nature of “Prison School” doesn’t stem from its ending being too close to controversy; rather, it fell flat and disappointing in its conclusion, much like a dud firework.

Initially, readers believed Kiyoshi was transitioning away from his lewd behavior and might end up with his love interest, Chiyo. However, he is exposed as a pervert in front of her, leading Chiyo to adopt a strong dislike for men as Mari departs from school. This confirms the belief that Kiyoshi and his group were always failures and will continue to be so. While some found it an appropriate conclusion, it was hardly amusing after 300 chapters of reading.

3 Vampire Knight

Unhappily Ever After

Creator: Matsuri Hino.
19 Volumes, 102 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

Shōjo manga often struggle to deliver satisfying conclusions, just like their endings can be puzzling and confusing. For instance, the story of Vampire Knight presented a complex love triangle where the protagonist, Yuki, found herself caught between two men: Kaname, her savior who is also a vampire from her past, and Zero, her childhood friend who despises vampires. However, it’s eventually disclosed why Kaname saved Yuki from harm all those years ago.

She’s a genuine blood-drinking vampire and the sister of Kaname. This information isn’t great given that she’s pregnant with Kaname’s child. In an attempt to ensure her peaceful existence alongside Zero, he gives up his own life. Sadly, she ends her life to transform him into a human. Fast forward 1,000 years: He raises his daughter and Zero’s son together. To label this situation as messy is definitely an understatement.

2 Bunny Drop

Found Family Story Becomes a Bad Romance

Creator: Yumi Unita.
10 Volumes, 62 Chapters.
Available in English via Yen Press.

In the eyes of many readers, the narrative of Bunny Drop essentially concluded around midpoint, marking a significant transformation in Daikichi’s character from a negligent individual to a diligent caretaker for Rin, his grandfather’s illegitimate 6-year-old granddaughter. As no one else in the family was willing to take on this responsibility, he took it upon himself to step up as her guardian. Seen from his viewpoint, it’s a heartwarming tale. However, it then leaped forward by a decade.

Initially, young Rin found herself navigating high school and love, with her childhood friend Kouki appearing to be her suitor. However, an unexpected turn of events led her to develop feelings for Daikichi, who was not only her foster father but also her nephew. Fortunately, it was later disclosed that they were not blood-related, allowing them to embark on a love story reminiscent of Tennessee romance, transforming everything that had previously transpired into something more acceptable.

1 Platinum End

What Happens When God Dies?

Creators: Tsugumi Ohba (story), Takeshi Obata (art).
14 Volumes, 58 Chapters.
Available in English via Viz Media.

The second part of Death Note seemed overly prolonged, but it concluded decisively as Light faced the consequences of his actions, providing a sense of relief for many readers. On the other hand, Bakuman ended on a positive note with Takagi and Mashiro achieving their aspirations, even having Mashiro propose to Miho. In contrast, Ohba and Obata’s subsequent manga, Platinum End, featured a rather peculiar resolution.

In a twist of events, the one believed to be God’s chosen successor, Shuji, felt his divine role held no significant impact on mankind. Consequently, he took his own life in an attempt to destroy Heaven and grant humanity control over their destiny. However, this act also resulted in the annihilation of all life on Earth, possibly even the universe. This action left many readers bewildered, as it seemed to illustrate the self-destructive nature of humanity due to their excessive pride, while simultaneously leaving them questioning the narrative they had just encountered.

2024-11-29 13:34