11 highest rated anime final episodes, ranked

Anime final episodes are crucial to an anime's overall reputation because what is a sensational anime series without an equally amazing final episode? While anime final episodes tend to be either outright amazing or extremely frustrating, the majority of completed anime series features amazing final episodes that don't leave a bad aftertaste.

However, what are the best anime final episodes in the industry? For this purpose, we compiled ratings from the largest anime database on the internet (MyAnimeList) and ranked the highest-rated anime final episodes based on the percentage of 10/10 they received from the fandom (since each series was scored differently by fans).

This helps establish a proper standard for rating, so that no series gets ignored, even the ones that are underrated. Moreover, only those series that are completely adapted (or have no chance of getting a sequel) have been selected for this article.

Disclaimer: This article contains anime final episode ratings from MyAnimeList and has the author's opinion.

Your Lie in April episode 22, Run With the Wind episode 23, and 9 other highest-rated anime final episodes on MyAnimeList ranked

11) Ping Pong the Animation (episode 11) - 84.9%

The final moments of the anime (Image via Tatsunoko Production)

Based on a manga series from the 1990s, Ping Pong the Animation is known for its out-of-the-box animation that surprised the world. The series also had one of the best anime final episodes (that completely adapted its source). It is also one of the highest-rated finals, with the title being a metaphorical play on the lives of the protagonists.

The final episode saw Peco and Smile confront each other during a serious table tennis match during the prefectural qualifiers. The episode's title, Blood Tastes Like Iron, hinted that blood was a sign of life rather than death, hinting at the origins of the protagonists. The match ended with Smile winning who had finally started taking table tennis seriously.

10) Fruits Basket Remake (season 3 episode 13) - 85.0%

Tohru and Kyo as seen in the anime (Image via TMS Entertainment)

One of the most unexpected remakes done by studio TMS Entertainment was a 3-season remake of Fruits Basket, that completely adapted the source material with its author present as a supervisor. As amazing as the series is, it also had one of the best anime final episodes.

Fruits Basket season 3 episode 13 featured the breaking of the Soma curse as everyone went into their normal lives. Moreover, Kyo and Tohru also started dating and continued their happy lives until they reached old age, which was also showcased through a wholesome visual at the end.

9) Assassination Classroom (season 2 episode 25) - 85.5%

Nagisa getting bullied by his students (Image via Lerche)

One of the classic anime series that was filled with action and ended by breaking the hearts of the fandom, Assassination Classroom had one of the most tear-jerking anime final episodes.

The final episode saw everyone from Class 3-E choose their careers after they killed Koro-sensei in the previous episode. While everyone chose careers that were more fitting to their personalities, the protagonist, Nagisa, chose to be a teacher for a class of delinquents. However, due to his training as an assassin, the protagonist proved that he would fit just fine with his class.

8) Your Lie in April (episode 22) - 85.3%

Arima and Kaori as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

One of the best drama series that made one of the major mangaka jealous of its narrative, Your Lie In April is a 22-episode adaptation that entirely adapted its source material manga, with incredible track recordings added to the anime adaptation. However, despite being heartbreaking, it has one of the highest-rated anime final episodes.

The final episode featured Arima's final piano performance while Kaori was having her surgery in the hospital. During Arima's performance, the protagonist saw Kaori's ghost accompany her in the performance as she slowly faded away (and she also died during surgery).

The second half of the episode saw Arima reading the letter Kaori wrote for him before her surgery. The letter contained Kaori's honest feelings for Arima as she told him how the protagonist was always in his sight. The letter ended with Kaori endlessly confessing her love for Arima.

7) Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (episode 11) - 85.9%

The final moments of the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Anohana has one of the best anime final episodes that is guaranteed to make anyone cry. The anime-original series combined Menma's wish with its ending song titled Secret Base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~

The final episode saw Menma disappearing in Jinta's eyes because she had fulfilled the promise of making Jinta happy (by uniting him with his friends). As Jinta rushed to the hideout with the other Super Peace Busters, Menma disappeared. However, they started playing hide-and-seek, a game they had played when they were young.

As they looked for Menma everywhere, she wrote everyone her farewell messages, after which everyone saw a glimpse of her. Everyone started crying and yelled that they had finally found Menma. Menma's ghost wept and passed away happily.

6) Odd Taxi (episode 13) - 86.6%

Odokawa as seen in the anime (Image via P.I.C.S. and OLM)

An anime series that started as a 'close to cartoon' series and ended with one of the best anime final episodes featuring a mind-boggling reveal is Odd Taxi. It is an anime-original series that has one of the highest-rated anime final episodes and still remains one of the most underrated mystery series.

The series' final episode saw Odokawa's accident after which it was revealed that the entire series was through his perspective, due to which everyone was an animal.

This was because Odokawa was scared of humans and had visual agnosia (making it hard to visualize others). So, as he loved animals since childhood, he started perceiving everyone as animals. After Odokawa woke up in the hospital, he saw everyone as humans because he was over his phobia of humans.

5) Eighty-Six (second cour episode 12) - 89.1%

Lena and Shin as seen in the anime (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Based on a light novel series that is currently ongoing, Eighty-Six has one of the best and highest-rated anime final episodes. Due to its amazing finale, the fandom is still hoping for a sequel, however, as its second cour is two years old and its light novel is getting updated slowly, there are low chances of it getting a sequel in the upcoming future.

After returning to the Federacy alive, Shin and the remaining fighters from the Spearhead Squadron were transferred to the Independent Mobile Force. As they transferred to a new military, they learned that Lena, the Handler One who helped them in the past, would be leading them. During their meeting, they told Lena that they survived as she wept and vowed to fight alongside them against the Legion.

4) Non Non Biyori (season 3 episode 12) - 89.6%

Renge and Shiori as seen in the anime (Image via SILVER LINK)

Non Non Biyori is arguably the best slice-of-life anime series that had one of the most wholesome anime final episodes. It has one of the highest-rated final episodes (Non Non Biyori Nonstop episode 12) that saw the girls continue their fun adventures in Asahigaoka.

The final episode saw the graduation of Suguru, the older brother of Natsumi and Komari, and saw the other girls help Shiori's mother reach the hospital as she was about to give birth. The episode ended with Shiori entering the same school as Renge and the others.

3) March Comes in Like a Lion (season 2 episode 22) - 89.8%

Rei as seen in the anime (Image via Shaft)

The winner of the best continuing series in the 2nd Crunchyroll Anime Awards, March Comes in Like a Lion is based on an ongoing manga series. The series' second season was released in 2017, meaning that it has close to no chance of a third sequel in the future. However, it still has one of the highest-rated anime final episodes.

The final episode saw Rei and Souya's match get interrupted by a snowstorm, after which the former discovers a new side of the latter. On the other hand, Hina tries getting over the recent bullying incident as she transferred to the same high school as Rei.

2) A Place Further Than the Universe (episode 13) - 89.8%

The main protagonist group as seen in the anime (Image via Madhouse)

A Place Further Than the Universe is one of the most inspirational anime-original series that also has one of the highest-rated anime final episodes featuring the start of new adventures after the main protagonist group ends their trip to Antarctica.

The finale episode saw the girls reach Antarctica after which they enjoyed their time. On their way back home, they witness the Aurora and vow to stay together for future adventures, just like their visit to Antarctica.

1) Run with the Wind (episode 23) - 90.6%

Kakeru as seen in the anime (Image via Production I.G.)

Based on a novel series, Run with the Wind is one of the most underrated anime series that explores the niche sport of running (and is fully adapted). It also has the highest-rated anime final episode on MAL due to the emotions each character showed in the Hakone Ekiden race.

Haiji and Kakeru ran the last mile of the Hakone Ekiden race as they embarked on a new journey of growth. Kakeru got over his fear of competition and Haiji over his traumatophobia; both of them reached new heights in the final episode and secured a place for their university in the Hakone Ekiden race.

Final thoughts

While this is just based on the individual ratings from fans of different tastes, these anime final episodes do state that the fandom needs to wake up on these series if they haven't already. While most series are old classics, some recommendations that the fandom can take from this article include Ping Pong The Animation and Run With the Wind.

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Edited by Sreerupa Das