Manga artists have grueling jobs, working around the clock while operating under strict deadlines, all with the pressure of pleasing an audience weighing down on the mind. By the time a series approaches its conclusion,these factors can heavily influence the quality of the ending of a story. Some series may whimper to the finish line, and a few might enter long hiatuses before they can even reach it. Others, however, deliver endings that are able to neatly wrap their stories in a bow, and immortalize themselves in manga history.
While good endings aren’t exactly rare, they come in far fewer numbers than bad endings, and often receive praise for simply not losing sight of the overall narrative. The divisive conclusions of popular series likeJujutsu Kaisen,My Hero Academia, andOshi no Kohave caused the conversation surrounding manga endings to ignite in flames, with fans all having different opinions on what makes a good finale. Plenty of manga series have stuck their landings,but some simply stand out among the rest for a number of reasons.
Delicious in Dungeon
Cast
Based on the manga series, Delicious in Dungeon is a comedic fantasy series with a cooking emphasis. The series follows the exploits of a guild leader named Laios as he heads into a massive dungeon that contains a sunken kingdom, lured by the promise of untold treasure if he can slay the magician that caused it all.
Delicious in Dungeonsaw an incredible boom in popularity following the release of its 2024 anime adaptation by Studio Trigger. The original fantasy manga by Ryoko Kui follows a group of adventurers on a journey to revive one of their own, following a costly defeat by a dragon who wound up consuming the spell-casting Falin.The manga found success with its unique premise, and is highly deserving of the extra attention that its adaptation has brought to it.
Some manga series have an incredibly difficult time maintaining a consistent quality throughout their stories, butDelicious in Dungeon’s Ryoko Kui was able to do just that. The series ends on a positive note, with the group’s initial goal coming to fruition, and each member being able to mostly avoid any repercussions from the journey. The final pages, which act as an epilogue, feature panels drawn like medieval paintings,adding a stylish final note to what is already a consistently great manga. Despite Laios' curse, the knight becomes a great king, keeping the people fed.
9The Flowers of Evil
Manga by Shuzo Oshimi, 57 Chapters (2009-2014)
The big breakout hit fromthe wildly underrated master of horror, Shuzo Oshimi,The Flowers of Evilis a disturbing and haunting glimpse into the horrors of adolescence. The manga’s title comes from an 1800s French novel calledLe Fleurs du malby Charles Baudelaire, and touches on similar themes of sexual deviance. The nightmare journeys of Kasuga, Nakamura, and Saeki are more psychological than the works of someone like Junji Ito, and are terrifying in their realism.
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The manga’s final chapters, despite the chaotic, nightmare-inducing events of the story, actually end on a surprisingly positive note. Kasuga envisions the futures of those entrapped in the series' tragedies after meeting with them one final time, and receives some much-needed closure on his past. It isn’t often that highly psychological stories have happy endings of any sort, butThe Flowers of Evilis able to wrap itself up neatlywhile allowing the reader to walk away only slightly traumatized.
8Fire Punch
Manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, 83 Chapters (2016-2018)
Fans who thinkChainsaw Manis a strange story would likely be shocked by Tatsuki Fujimoto’s preceding debut series,Fire Punch. The dystopian dark fantasy manga by the artist who famously once tried levitating on camera,Fire Punchis often so bizarre that it borders on avant-garde. However, the series is an early glimpse at Fujimoto’s writing tendencies, andit exudes such a raw confidence and excitement in itselfthat the feelings become simply contagious.
Fire Punch’s ending is likely the most puzzling section of the story, but it marks the first time that the central message in all of Tatsuki Fujimoto’s stories is made known: no matter what, you must live. Some may find the conclusion of this already dark story far too depressing, yet underneath its surface, it screams in optimism that, despite the fire people may carry,nothing can burn away a person’s purpose for living. And why not make a movie at the end of the world?Fire Punchis a strange story that sticks its landing beautifully.
Manga by Akira Toriyama, 519 Chapters (1984-1995)
Dragon Ball
From the creative mind of Akira Toriyama, Dragon Ball is a mega multimedia franchise that spans back to the 1980s. Dragon Ball expanded quickly, starting as a serialized manga for Weekly Shonen Jump in Japan. It made its way overseas via manga and an anime adaptation that is enjoyed worldwide. Dragon Ball was the initial starting animated series that followed the adventures of the young Son Goku as he sought after the Dragon Balls. These mystical orbs would grant the wish of any who gathered them together. Then, the series would branch off into the immensely popular Dragon Ball Z, which followed Goku as an adult and featured high-intensity battles and Goku’s never-ending search to be the strongest. The series has also enjoyed several popular video game adaptations and continues to release several new animated series and theatrical films up to the recent popular Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero.
There’s little left to be said aboutDragon Ballthat hasn’t already been said. The masterpiece series by Akira Toriyama ran for an impressive 11 years in the pages ofShōnen Jump, andhas inspired several generations of fans and creatorsalike to never stop striving to be the best. Goku’s adventures from the time he was a mysterious tailed boy in the mountains, to eventually protecting the Earth from ancient demonic threats, have madeDragon Balllegendary.
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Ending a series which spans over 500 chapters is not an easy task, especially when the scope of the franchise had grown to the extent thatDragon Ballhad. But Toriyama’s decision to conclude his series with another World Martial Arts Tournamentwas a genius callback to the series' finest moments. Goku flying off into the distance with Uub, embarking on another grand adventure, was the only wayDragon Ballcould have ended.
Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100 follows Shigeo Kageyama, a young boy struggling with self-expression while possessing formidable psychic abilities. As he strives for normalcy by suppressing his powers, he faces challenges from false psychics, malevolent spirits, and enigmatic entities, bringing his emotional and psychic thresholds to critical levels.
Though the artist who goes by the pseudonym Oneis likely best known for his ongoing, self-published series,One Punch Man, he also wrote and illustrated the wildly popularMob Psycho 100. The series' anime adaptation, as well as the success of both theOne Punch Manwebmanga and anime series, helped to elevateMob Psycho 100to massive popularity.
The series' ending,which sees the cathartic self-acceptance of main character Mob, ties together all the manga’s themes in a neat and wholesome conclusion. Despite the psychic and supernatural plot elements of the story, its main messages are extremely grounded. Acceptance of one’s self, using power for good, and striving to become better are all incredibly important lessons to be taken from the series. The manga’s unique premise and character-heavy focus could very well be seen as inspirations for the new era of shōnen storytelling.
A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice is a Japanese animated film directed by Naoko Yamada. It follows Shoya Ishida, a former bully who seeks redemption by reconnecting with Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf girl he once tormented. The film explores themes of bullying, empathy, and forgiveness, offering a poignant look at the complexities of human relationships and the impact of one’s actions on others.
While the anime film adaptation ofA Silent Voicemay be far more popular than the original manga by Yoshitoki Oima, the relatively short 62-chapter readexpands on the story in several different aspects. A coming-of-age manga that tackles themes of self-acceptance and forgiveness,A Silent Voiceis a consistently emotional and moving experience that has beenundeservedly overlooked by anime and manga fans since its initial run.
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The manga, like the film, leaves the relationship between Shoya and Shoko somewhat ambiguous,though the manga’s telling of events differs somewhat. Skipping forward into the future, the two characters are seen holding hands while entering a Coming of Age ceremony. Shoya is no longer plagued by the insecurities he felt throughout the story, and Shoko remains at his side as they step into the future together. The major character arcs ofA Silent Voice’s two protagonists come to a satisfying close in the manga’s final pages.
Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk is a Japanese anime series based on the manga by Takehiko Inoue. The show follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a delinquent high school student who joins the basketball team to impress a girl. Over time, Hanamichi discovers a genuine love for the sport and works with his teammates to improve their skills and aim for the national championship. The series is widely praised for its character development and realistic depiction of basketball.
Sports manga are home to several incredible finales,but none are quite as impactful asSlam Dunk’s. The major breakout work of the legendary Takehiko Inoue,Slam Dunkis the quintessential basketball manga series. Main character Sakuragi’s journey from delinquent to dedicated basketball prodigyis one of the more inspiring that the medium has to offer, despite the series' habit of never taking itself too seriously. And its ending is a perfect send-off to the story’s several wonderfully written characters.
Chronicling the fated match-up between Shohoku and Sannoh, Sakuragi suffers a serious back injury, yet continues playing through sheer determination and a love for the game. The eventual cathartic moment shared between him and Rukawa, as well as the come-from-behind victory makes for one of the greatest single games in any sports manga. And though Shohoku would fail to take home a national title, the series leaves the audience with both Sakuragi and Rukawa putting their growth on full display.
Great Teacher Onizuka
Great Teacher Onizuka follows Eikichi Onizuka, a former gangster, as he pursues an unexpected ambition to become an exceptional high school teacher. The series explores his unconventional methods and the challenges he faces in transforming the lives of his students while confronting his own past.
Great Teacher Onizukais one of the most popular manga series to have been somewhat left in the past over the two decades since completion. A good portion of that likely has to do withhow poorly some aspects of the series have aged, but regardless,GTOis a comedically inspiring and moving manga series that teaches its audience to “live with gusto”. Onizuka, a man who should absolutely not be teaching anyone, is able to reach and positively impact a nightmare class of students, while growing a bit himself as well.
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The manga’s ending, following the climactic battle that nearly ended Onizuka’s life, spends its final chapters looking back atthe different ways each of the students of class 3-4 had grownthroughout the series. Onizuka himself, with his life’s purpose fully realized, waits impatiently to resume his teaching duties.
Manga by Hiromu Arakawa, 108 Chapters (2001-2010)
Fullmetal Alchemist
Fullmetal Alchemistis known for its anime adaptations, yet its original manga is incredible in its own right. Spanning nearly a decade of publication, the series is known for its blend of drama and action, as well as touching upon themes of war, family, revenge, and more. Its ending features the final battle with Father, as well as Edward’s emotional sacrifice of his alchemy abilities in exchange for Al’s body.
The series' final chapter is a perfect encapsulationof what makesFullmetal Alchemistsuch a special and enduring story. Looking off into the future, the manga closes with a collage of the characters' lives after the events of the series, leaving the arduous journey on a hopeful final note.
1Goodnight Punpun
Manga by Inio Asano, 147 Chapters (2007-2013)
Goodnight Punpunis one of the most difficult series to get throughin manga history. The story by Inio Asano, following the life of the titular Punpun Onodera, is not for the faint of heart,touching on themes of abuse, violence, and the loss of innocence. What is largely a unique coming-of-age story about an unfortunate protagonist in its first half, spirals into a horrifying glimpse at a life that has only ever gone wrong in its latter half.
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Following the senseless death of Aiko, Punpun stabs himself, before being found and rescued by Sachi. The series' main character is not a good person in any sense, and his fate is fitting.Creator Inio Asano once commentedthat death would have been too clean for Punpun, and instead the series ends with the bird-like protagonist being forced to continue living with all the guilt and trauma his own actions had brought upon him.It is the worst possible ending for a character most deserving of one, rewarding any reader strong enough to make it to the series' finish line.
