10 short anime series with perfect endings
CrunchyrollShort anime are often more interesting and intriguing than long shows – so here’s a list of 10 series with perfect endings.
It may be challenging to define the term “perfect ending”, because viewers have subjective perceptions and opinions. Some may believe certain finales to be flawless, while others may think they are mediocre.
That being said, a flawless ending requires tying up critical loose ends, providing fans with much-needed closure, and ensuring that all of this is accomplished while boosting viewers’ emotions. If the finale is perfect, it will leave a lasting impression – a quality shared by the best anime of any length.
So, if you’re thinking about investing your time in some shorter stories that provide the ideal conclusion, here’s a list of anime shows you should watch. The list contains series ranging from all-time classics to hidden gems across various genres.
10. Carole & Tuesday
Total Episodes: 24 (2 Parts)
NetflixCarole & Tuesday is a science-fiction music anime series about two girls who meet by chance. Realizing their passion for music, they begin to live together and team up to establish a reputation for themselves.
Sadly, their dream is practically impossible to realize in a world where AI produces 99% of all music. The story takes place on Mars 50 years after humanity has moved there. However, not all hope is lost when they capture the attention of an unknown manager.
Where to watch: Netflix
9. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Total Episodes: 11 & 1 Sequel movie
CrunchyrollAnohana depicts a tragic story of friendship, remorse, and pain. This wonderful short anime series progresses slowly, culminating in a surprising and powerful ending. Meiko Henmo is unable to die, even years after her unfortunate death.
The plot revolves around Jinta Yadomi and his circle of pals, who fell apart after Meiko’s death. Jinta lives as a loner, spending all his time playing video games. Meiko begs him to grant her request, but Jinta dismisses her, believing she is an illusion. Soon after understanding she is Meiko’s spirit, Jinta and his pals gather to assist her in finding peace while also healing themselves.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
8. Assassination Classroom
Total Episodes: 47 (2 Seasons)
CrunchyrollUnlike the name suggests, Assassination Classroom is an intriguing blend of comedy, action, and heartwarming moments. The story takes place in a small derelict building in the mountains, which houses the students of Class 3-E from the elite Kunugigaoka Middle School. The class is full of delinquents and dropouts, so they cannot study on the main campus.
However, they’ve been tasked with a secret mission to assassinate their new teacher, who looks anything but human. On top of his strange appearance, he has destroyed the moon and now threatens to destroy the Earth by March of the following year if the students fail to kill him.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll & Netflix
7. Forest of Piano
Total Episodes: 24 (2 Seasons)
NetflixForest of Piano is a heartwarming and inspirational short anime series based on Makoto Isshiki’s award-winning manga. The story follows two youngsters, Kai and Shuuhei, from different backgrounds who share a passion for the piano. Kai Ichinose grew up in the red light area with his mother, who is a sex worker.
Somehow, Kai can play an abandoned and broken piano in the forest. However, no one else can play it, not even Shuuhei. On the other hand, Shuuhei Amamiya, who comes from a well-established family, dreams of becoming a renowned pianist like his father. The two choose separate paths for music until they meet in the same competition years later.
Where to watch: Netflix
6. Summer Time Rendering
Total Episodes: 25
CrunchyrollSummer Time Rendering takes you on an exciting journey through mystery, supernatural beings, and tragedy. The plot revolves around a time loop that prevents inevitable catastrophes from occurring. The protagonist, Shinpei Ajiro, returns home to attend the burial of his boyhood crush, Ushio Kofune.
However, he finds himself suddenly transported back in time. Not only that, but his supposedly deceased friend, Ushio, reappears before him. After discovering the presence of “shadows” and the imminent disaster that may befall the island, Shunpei must team up with her to confront the threat.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
5. Nodame Cantabile
Total Episodes: 45 (3 Seasons)
Prime VideoNodame Cantabile is a hilarious love story about Megumi Noda and Shinichi Chiaki. The duo who study Western art music performance in a Japanese music conservatory, are complete opposites of one another. Shinichi Chiaki is a perfectionist pianist and violinist who wants to be a conductor, and Noda Megumi (Nodame) is a pianist with below-average grades but a lot of latent talent.
However, Shinichi’s fear of flying keeps him stuck in Japan. Contrary to Shinichi’s first impression of Nodame as an unkempt girl without any motivation, he becomes impressed with her when he hears her play the piano for the first time. Nonetheless, Shinichi is crushed to learn that Nodame is his neighbor; worse, she falls madly in love with him.
Where to watch: Prime Video
4. Fruits Basket
Total Episodes: 63 (3 Seasons)
NetflixFruits Basket is a heartwarming tale about Tooru Honda blending in with the cursed Souma family. After her only family, her mother, dies, Tooru’s grandfather takes her in. However, shortly after, he requests her to move in with her friends for a few months until he renovates his place. Unwilling to bother anyone, Tooru buys a tent and starts living in the mountains. However, the Soumas learned about her circumstances and offered her a place to stay.
Things finally look good for Tooru until she gets mixed up in a fight between Kyo and Yuki and accidentally turns them into animals. She learns about the strange curse of the Souma family, where the Chinese Zodiac spirits possess 13 members and take on the forms of their respective animals when the opposite gender hugs them or if their bodies are weakened.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll & Netflix
3. Steins; Gate
Total Episodes: 24, 1 OVA, & 1 movie
CrunchyrollSteins; Gate is a classic short anime series created in 2011 by Hiroshi Hamasaki. It is based on a science-fiction visual novel game of the same name. The story revolves around a supposedly serious topic, such as time travel.
However, it introduces us to this concept through the occasional comedy and deep friendship between the main character, Rintaro Okabe, and other lab members. Rintaro, who portrays himself as a crazy scientist, strives and suffers alone to save everyone.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
2. Code Geass
CrunchyrollTotal Episodes: 50 (2 Seasons for main story)
Code Geass depicts a harsh alternate reality in which Britannia has invaded the majority of the free world, including Japan, which has been reduced to being called “Area 11,” with its citizens treated worse than animals. The British citizens occupy the community and live with high status. Lelouch Lamperouge is one of numerous heirs to the British throne but prefers to live in exile with his blind sister, Nunally.
After local terrorists nearly kill him, Lelouch is given the ability of Geass by a strange emerald-haired woman. It allows him to stare straight into a victim’s eyes and have them follow practically any single request. Using the power to survive, he quickly views it as his chance to overturn his father’s domination and begins his assault as the masked vigilante known as “Zero,” uniting the rebels of Japan to his cause.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
1. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Total Episodes: 64
CrunchyrollFullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a reboot series. The first anime deviated too much from the manga’s storyline, as the creator requested, while the second anime, Brotherhood, aimed to adapt the manga faithfully. The series perfectly balances comedy, tragic moments, character development, and backstories while featuring a heartwarming ending.
Although there had been another adaptation before, this one closely follows the manga and has a wide fanbase. The story follows two brothers who struggle to get their bodies back. They can only do that by acquiring a Philosopher’s Stone. However, the quest for the legendary item is more treacherous than they imagined.
Where to watch: Crunchyroll
If you need more great shows to check out, have a look at our lists of the best body horror anime and the best anime like Solo Leveling.