10 best anime for people who hate happy endings
Not every story needs a fairytale ending and let's be honest, sometimes the happiest endings are the most forgettable. If you're tired of last-minute redemptions, forced love confessions, and 'everything worked out in the end' wrap-ups, this list is for you.
These are anime for people who hate happy endings, where death isn't just possible, it's inevitable, and hope is something to be questioned, not trusted. These shows don't just tug at your heart, they tear it to pieces and walk away without apology. So if you're craving endings that hurt, stories that challenge closure, and characters who don't get what they want or deserve, these are the anime you need to watch.
These 10 anime don't believe in happily ever after
Devilman Crybaby
Source: IMDB
What starts as a psychedelic trip ends in biblical-scale tragedy.
Devilman Crybaby is loud, violent, and emotionally raw, using love and humanity as tools for destruction. The ending? Soul-crushing. It doesn't just kill characters, it wipes out hope entirely.
Grave of the Fireflies
Source: IMDB
If you've seen it, you're already broken. If you haven't, brace yourself. This Studio Ghibli film is a brutal tale of two siblings trying to survive World War II. There's no magic escape, no dramatic twist, just quiet, inevitable tragedy that will destroy you slowly.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
Made in Abyss
Source: IMDB
Don't let the adorable art fool you, this anime is as dark as they come. With every layer of the Abyss, the world gets more horrifying and the emotional toll heavier. Pain, death, and body horror are all on the menu and the ending offers no comfort.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Source: IMDB
What starts off as a cheerful magical girl show turns into one of anime's most brutal deconstructions of hope. Every wish comes with a cost, and no one walks away untouched. The ending is haunting, not tragic in a tearjerker way, but in a 'what even is free will' kind of way.
Death Parade
Source: IMDB
In this purgatory of games, no one is truly innocent. Death Parade explores what people leave behind when they die and it's rarely pretty. Each episode adds emotional weight, and by the finale, you're left questioning what 'justice' really means.
Banana Fish
Source: IMDB
On the surface, it's about gang wars and conspiracies. Underneath, it's a deeply emotional story about trauma, trust, and impossible love. The final episodes hit hard and the ending will rip your heart out with surgical precision.
Ergo Proxy
Source: IMDB
If you're into slow-burn, post-apocalyptic existentialism, Ergo Proxy delivers. It asks big questions, about identity, free will, and what it means to be human and offers few answers. It's cold, cerebral, and ends on a note that's less 'happy' and more 'you figure it out.'
Texhnolyze
Source: IMDB
Possibly one of the bleakest anime ever created. Texhnolyze is set in a dystopian underground city where life has lost all meaning. Every episode drags you deeper into decay and hopelessness, and by the end, there's nothing left, not even the illusion of survival.
Wolf's Rain
Source: IMDB
A poetic journey about wolves seeking paradise. Along the way, you'll experience loss, sacrifice, and existential pain. The finale doesn't offer easy answers and whether you call it tragic or transcendent, it definitely won't leave you smiling.
Now and Then, Here and There
Source: IMDB
This 90s gem is underrated, but packs one of the hardest punches in anime. A young boy is transported to a bleak world ruled by war and cruelty. It explores child soldiers, violence, and powerlessness with unflinching realism and the ending leaves you with emotional scars that won't fade easily.
Happy endings can be great but sometimes, it's the tragic ones that stick with us forever. These anime don't just ignore traditional resolutions, they reject them, offering brutal honesty, emotional complexity, and endings that actually make you think. If you're someone who hates when everything magically works out, these are the shows that respect your pain.
Also read|
10 painfully relatable anime about adulting and burnout
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
Arbaaz Khan is all smiles as pregnant wife Sshura Khan shows off her baby bump at his birthday celebrations with sister Arpita Khan Sharma- Pic
Actor and filmmaker Arbaaz Khan celebrated his birthday with a star-studded bash, along with his sister Arpita Khan Sharma . The glamorous bash, which saw their closest friends from the Bollywood film industry in attendance, also marked a special moment for him and his pregnant wife, Sshura Khan. The birthday boy arrived for the bash, dressed in an all-denim ensemble, he contrasted with wife, Sshura, who made a striking appearance in a sleek all-black power suit. The couple, who are expecting their first child together, stole the spotlight on the red carpet. Mum's The Word In a first, Sshura was seen pulling back her jacket to reveal her baby bump while posing for photographs. The cute moment brought a smile to Arbaaz's face. The actor was seen playing the protective husband, gently holding his wife's hand as they made their way into the venue. Arbaaz only left Sshura's side when the paparazzi sang him the birthday song and joined him for photos. While the shutterbugs sang, Sshura was seen standing at the side, laughing at their antics and clapping to the tunes of the song. An Exciting New Chapter In a recent interaction with ETimes, Arbaaz confirmed the news of Sshura's pregnancy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Treatment That Might Help You Against Knee Pain Knee pain | search ads Find Now Undo He also described this phase as an 'exciting time' for both him and Sshura, expressing their shared joy and readiness to welcome a new life into their family. The couple tied the knot on December 24, 2023, in an intimate ceremony held at Arpita's residence in Mumbai. The private celebration was attended by close family members and friends, including Salman Khan , Sohail Khan , Salim Khan, Salma Khan , Raveena Tandon, and others from the industry. This will be the actor-producer's second child. He co-parents son, Arhaan Khan, with ex-wife Malaika Arora.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Optical Illusion: Only an animal lover can spot the hidden glasses around this cute orangutan in just 10 seconds
Image credit: Brightside Optical illusions have a magical way of tickling the brain. What looks like a simple photo often hides a surprise that many might miss. And today's illusion is no exception! It features an adorable orangutan relaxing in a forest, but hidden somewhere in the scene is a sneaky pair of glasses. The twist? The challenge is to find it in just 10 seconds! So, do animal lovers have a sharper eye? Let's find out. At first look, the image seems calm and cute, an orangutan resting peacefully among green leaves. Nothing seems out of place. But the moment someone is told there's something hidden, the brain jumps into detective mode. Image credit: Brightside That's how optical illusions work. They play with how the brain sees shapes, patterns, and colours. What's obvious to one person may be completely invisible to another. And in this case, the task is to locate the glasses quietly resting somewhere near the orangutan. This brain teaser is gaining attention on the internet, with people across social media challenging each other to beat the 10-second timer. While it might sound simple, it's anything but easy. The glasses have been cleverly blended into the background, making them nearly invisible to the untrained eye. Some claim that only true animal lovers or people with strong observational skills can spot the hidden object in time. Of course, it's all in fun, but there's no harm in putting those eyes to the test! Need a hint? Still searching for the mysterious glasses? Don't worry, a little nudge never hurts. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gibraltar: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola Try focusing your eyes on the orangutan's chest area. Just beneath the upper arm, a small outline blends perfectly into the fur. The frames have a similar brownish colour, making them look like part of the orangutan's body. The brain tends to skip over such camouflaged details unless something really stands out. That's why this challenge is such a tricky one! Why are optical illusions so addictive? Challenges like this one are not just fun; they also give the brain a bit of a workout. These illusions test visual perception, the process by which the brain interprets what the eyes see. In doing so, they improve focus, attention to detail, and sometimes even memory. For some people, solving such puzzles offers a small dose of satisfaction. For others, it's about proving they can spot what many others miss. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Tom Brady turns 48, and the internet can't decide whether to worship or roast him
Tom Brady's birthday celebration draws love, shade, and Leo jokes. (Image- X) You'd think Tom Brady was running for president the way the internet lit up for his 47th birthday. From GOAT emojis to birthday cakes drowning in ring references, Brady's name is all over X (formerly Twitter). Some called him a legend. Others, well, let's just say they've seen enough birthday love for the seven-time Super Bowl champ. As fans spammed their timelines with goat memes, legacy shoutouts, and tributes to 'the ring master,' a few users made it clear: it's starting to feel like we're celebrating the same storyline on repeat. And not everyone's here for it. Fans went full Leo-mode for the GOAT's birthday but not without a little 'GOAT fatigue' August 3 basically turned into a Tom Brady national holiday and X was his parade route. The NFL's official account led the charge, posting a photo of Brady flashing all his Super Bowl rings with the caption, 'Happy birthday GOAT.' Fans followed suit, flooding timelines with goat emojis, throwback highlights, and enough digital confetti to rival a Lombardi celebration. A bunch of Leo-season tweets poured in too, with people joking, 'Of course he's a Leo 😭♌️' and dubbing him the 'August GOAT.' And of course, there were those who called for one more ring, this time as a Raiders minority owner. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Denmark: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House Search Now Undo Tom Brady's birthday celebration draws love, shade, and Leo jokes But not every post was love and glitter. A few users shaded the Brady-mania as predictable and overblown. 'Okay, we get it,' one user replied under a birthday tribute. Another said, 'He stole my rings,' clearly poking at the endless obsession with Brady's Super Bowl wins. He's retired, but still trending, some fans love it, others are over it This isn't the first time Tom Brady has owned the spotlight off the field, but the sheer level of birthday engagement even post-retirement has some fans asking when it'll slow down. Sure, legends deserve their flowers, but some followers say this is starting to feel like the GOAT Birthday Industrial Complex. Still, when you've got seven rings, a Hall of Fame induction pending, and ownership status in the works, it's hard not to trend even in your quietest moments. Love him or eye-roll him, Brady's birthday proves he still runs the timeline Tom Brady might be retired from football, but he's clearly not retired from being the center of attention. Whether it's praise, sarcasm, or a mix of both, his 47th birthday became another reminder that Brady is always going to be a headline just by existing. And honestly, maybe that's the most Brady thing ever. Also read - 'Elite idiot': Tom Brady called out by Jason Whitlock after telling Scottie Scheffler to prioritize career over family For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
