Most anime follow a fairly familiar storyline pattern. The main character faces various obstacles, strives to defeat the enemy, and ultimately achieves victory at the end of the story. However, not all anime adhere to this pattern. Here are recommendations for anime with endings where the villain wins.
There are some anime that dare to present a bitter ending. The antagonist manages to execute his plan, the world falls into ruin, or the protagonist’s struggle ends in vain. In some cases, the villain’s victory is not immediately apparent, yet its impact is profoundly felt throughout the narrative.
Anime where the villain wins
1. Code Geass
Code Geass serves as an intriguing example, as its main character occupies a position that cannot be fully described as a hero.
Lelouch vi Britannia adopts the Zero identity and employs the Geass power to oppose the Britannian regime. He is willing to commit extreme actions to realize what he believes to be a better world.
At the story’s conclusion, Lelouch meets his demise at the hands of Suzaku, who assumes the Zero identity. This death is, in fact, a component of their plan to establish peace. By sacrificing himself, Lelouch provides society with a figure to despise, thereby granting the world an opportunity to unite.
2. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners also delivers an extremely tragic ending for its characters.
David Martinez and his group keep clashing with formidable forces such as the Arasaka Corporation. After enduring numerous conflicts, David eventually confronts Adam Smasher.
The battle ends disastrously for David. Adam Smasher triumphs over him and eliminates most of his group. Lucy and Falco emerge as a few surviving characters.
This victory underscores the immense power of the opposing force relative to David’s group’s struggle.
3. The End of Evangelion
For classic anime fans, The End of Evangelion represents one of the most harrowing conclusions ever depicted.
The film pertains to SEELE’s plan to execute the Third Impact. Shinji Ikari and the other Evangelion pilots strive to confront this threat.
However, their efforts prove insufficient to prevent the onset of the Third Impact. The world ultimately suffers massive devastation, and the majority of humanity perishes.
Consequently, the objectives of those behind the scheme are realized, while the protagonists face overwhelmingly dire consequences.
4. Devilman Crybaby
Devilman Crybaby offers a far darker narrative than most typical anime.
Akira Fudo acquires demonic powers and strives to protect humanity from demonic threats. Together with Ryo Asuka, he encounters increasingly horrific events.
Unfortunately, Akira’s struggle does not culminate in triumph. Those he loves become victims one after another, while the conflict among humans, demons, and greater forces intensifies.
Ultimately, Akira also loses his life. The world he sought to safeguard remains unsaved.
5. Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans follows the journey of Tekkadan, a group composed of formerly exploited children.
They aim to secure a freer existence and build their future through their own efforts. However, this path leads them into political and military conflicts far greater than anticipated.
In the final phase of the story, Tekkadan is ultimately crushed by the forces of Rustal Elion and the Arianrhod Fleet.
What makes the ending feel especially bitter is a time jump that reveals how the world transforms after these events. Some of Tekkadan’s original aspirations are eventually realized by other factions.
6. Hellsing Ultimate
Hellsing Ultimate takes a slightly different approach. Although the Millennium Organization ultimately suffers defeat, several of its core objectives are inadvertently achieved.
Millennium’s initial aim was to wage a large-scale war against Hellsing while confronting Alucard directly.
This war materializes and exacts a heavy toll on various characters. Even though the organization collapses, its primary design precipitates the very destruction it sought.
Alucard’s own narrative also remains unresolved. He reappears after an extensive period of absence.
7. Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Rebellion Story
Madoka Magica is renowned for its frequent twists, and The Rebellion Story continues this tradition.
Kyubey was previously regarded as a primary source of conflict. However, after the events depicted in the film, a profound transformation occurs that alters the status of several characters.
Homura Akemi makes a startling move. She seizes Madoka’s power as a near-divine figure and reshapes reality itself.
As a result, the world previously constructed through the series’ narrative undergoes a radical shift.
8. Shaman King
Shaman King introduces an exceptionally formidable antagonist in Asakura Hao.
Hao is no ordinary foe. From a young age, he was groomed to become an immensely powerful being. His abilities make the main characters face great difficulties in confronting him.
Ultimately, Hao attains the rank of Shaman King.
This outcome alters the protagonists’ journey, distinguishing it from typical anime storytelling patterns. They do not achieve an absolute triumph over the primary antagonist as audiences might anticipate.
9. Berserk
Berserk is celebrated for its exceptionally bleak and harrowing world.
A pivotal figure in this conflict is Griffith. To realize his ambitions and seize power, Griffith commits profound sacrifices, including betraying the Band of the Hawk.
After his metamorphosis into Femto, Griffith assumes an overwhelmingly dominant position.
What intensifies the tragedy is the absence of commensurate consequences for Griffith’s actions across the animated storyline. The manga continues to sustain this unresolved conflict.
10. Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
Unlike the previous entries, which possess serious and dark tones, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt is an anime brimming with humor and parody.
At its conclusion, the protagonists actually defeat their adversaries. Viewers seem to receive a satisfying narrative closure.
However, a surprise emerges in the final moments when Stocking abruptly kills Panty.
This moment causes the entire journey of the two characters to undergo a dramatic transformation. The ending stands as an example of how even comedic anime can deliver unforeseen twists.
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