Top 20 Anime Cancelled Too Soon

It’s frustrating when a promising anime series gets cancelled before it can tell its complete story. This list highlights some well-known anime that ended prematurely due to problems like poor ratings, studio difficulties, legal issues, the author’s health, or changes in production. For each series, we’ll cover what episodes were made, how much of the original story was adapted, and where you can find the rest of it – whether in manga, novels, or if it unfortunately remains incomplete.

‘Ouran High School Host Club’ (2006)

The anime series covers only the beginning of the manga’s story in its twenty-six episodes. It focuses on the initial events at Ouran Academy and introduces the members of the Host Club, but it doesn’t show how the main relationships are ultimately resolved. The manga continues much further than the anime and offers a complete ending. If you’re interested in seeing the full story, including the characters’ graduation and what happens afterward, you’ll need to read the manga.

‘Claymore’ (2007)

The anime series has 26 episodes and covers the first part of the manga, focusing on half-human warriors battling creatures called yoma. However, the anime creates its own ending, finishing well before the manga reveals its biggest secrets. The manga continues the story with much more detail, delving into the Organization and the real origins of the enemies. For those who want to see Clare’s full story and uncover the entire conspiracy, the manga is where to find it.

‘Deadman Wonderland’ (2011)

As a huge fan, I was really into this anime adaptation – it covers the initial prison storyline across twelve episodes, plus a bonus OVA. But it’s important to know it doesn’t go all the way through the manga; it ends well before the bigger conflicts start and, unfortunately, doesn’t animate the rest of the story. If you want to see how everything wraps up, especially with the Deadmen, the Wretched Egg, and the whole political conspiracy, you’ll need to dive into the manga to experience the final showdowns.

‘Gangsta.’ (2015)

The anime series adapts the first few volumes of the manga, focusing on two handymen working in the city of Ergastulum. Unfortunately, production was cut short after twelve episodes when the animation studio Manglobe went bankrupt. The manga picks up where the anime left off, exploring more complex storylines about the Twilights and the conflicts for control of the city. Readers interested in continuing the story can do so through the ongoing manga series.

‘Nana’ (2006–2007)

The anime series covers a large portion of the original manga in its forty-seven episodes, but it doesn’t have a conclusive ending. This is because the manga itself paused publication due to the author’s illness, leaving both versions of the story unfinished. The anime ends at a dramatic point, focusing on major changes in the lives and relationships of the two main characters, Nana. While fans can read further in the manga, the story as a whole remains unresolved.

‘X’ (2001–2002)

The twenty-four-episode TV series is based on the manga ‘X/1999’ and focuses on the conflict between the Dragons of Heaven and the Dragons of Earth. However, the series doesn’t show the final battle that the manga planned, and the manga itself was also left unfinished. This lack of complete source material made a definitive TV adaptation impossible. Those interested can find more of the story in the existing manga volumes and other earlier versions.

‘Stars Align’ (2019)

Originally intended to be a full-season anime, the show was shortened to just twelve episodes and ends quite suddenly. It follows a middle school soft tennis team, exploring themes of family and finding oneself. Although the director revealed details about planned future episodes after the cancellation, no continuation was ever made. Currently, the anime ends mid-story, leaving character development and the main tournament unfinished.

‘Highschool of the Dead’ (2010)

The anime series covers the first seven volumes of the manga in twelve episodes, plus an additional OVA. However, the story ends mid-way through a zombie outbreak arc and doesn’t adapt any further chapters from the manga. Unfortunately, the original manga was put on hold for a long time and was never completed after the author passed away. Fans who want to know what happens next can continue reading the available manga volumes.

‘Btooom!’ (2012)

This twelve-episode series adapts the initial survival game portion of the story. It stops before the complex branching storylines and the final resolution of the island’s mysteries. The original manga offers two different endings, allowing readers to pick their preferred conclusion and see how the game ultimately ends in the printed version.

‘Flowers of Evil’ (2013)

This thirteen-episode series brings the first major story arc to life using a unique rotoscope animation style. However, the animation ends at a crucial moment for the main characters, and doesn’t show what happens next in the town. If you’re interested in seeing how the story continues and how the characters develop, you can find the full story in the original manga, which explores the aftermath in detail.

‘Air Gear’ (2006)

This series follows teams competing with motorized rollerblades in its initial story arcs. The anime concludes after 25 episodes and a few extra animated shorts, but the original manga keeps going, expanding the story with bigger conflicts and more detailed world-building. The manga goes well beyond what’s shown in the anime, introducing new opponents and surprising plot twists. If you want to experience the full story, you can continue with the manga volumes.

‘Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE’ (2005–2006)

The anime series consists of two seasons, a movie, and some additional animated shorts, but it doesn’t tell the complete story from the original manga. The episodes cover the beginning of the adventure and include connections to other series. The biggest surprises and how everything ultimately resolves are saved for the later chapters of the manga and exclusive video releases. If you want to see the entire story, you’ll need to read the manga and watch the OVAs.

‘Soul Eater’ (2008–2009)

The anime covers the beginning of the manga’s story in its first fifty-one episodes, but then finishes with a completely new ending not found in the source material. Important storylines and character growth from later in the manga aren’t included in the anime. If you want to know what happens next, you’ll need to read the remaining chapters of the manga, which introduce new villains and expand on the world’s lore.

‘Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers’ (2015)

The anime series covers the story from the first light novel in twelve episodes, concluding with the resolution of the initial mystery. It doesn’t include the events from later books, which introduce new characters and expand the world. If you want to continue the adventure, the light novels go on to explore new places and reveal more about the heroes and the Demon God. You can find the continuation of the story in the subsequent books.

‘Zetman’ (2012)

This thirteen-episode series adapts the beginning of the manga, simplifying and changing some of the original story. It ends before diving into the manga’s longer, more complex storylines about the Players and the hidden projects surrounding them. The manga itself delves much deeper into the two main characters and how their stories unfold. Readers who want to see the full story, including how the conflicts build and are ultimately resolved, can find it in the original manga.

‘Noragami’ (2014–2015)

The anime adaptation covers the beginning of Yato’s story and several key battles. However, it stops well before the manga delves into the complex world of the gods and fully explores Yato’s history. The manga continues the story with significant new developments and a satisfying conclusion, allowing readers to experience the complete narrative by following it to the very end.

‘Spice and Wolf’ (2008–2009)

As a longtime fan, I’ve always felt the original anime adaptation of this series left something to be desired. While it covered a good chunk of the early light novels across two seasons, it really skimped on the extensive merchant travels that are so central to the story. More frustratingly, it stopped right before the arcs that truly cemented the incredible bond between Kraft Lawrence and Holo. You really need to dive into the novels to get the full scope of their journey and see where they ultimately end up. Thankfully, a new remake is now giving the story the full treatment it deserves, though the original remains unfinished business for many of us.

‘Tenjho Tenge’ (2004)

This anime series covers the initial school battles from the story across twenty-four episodes. However, it doesn’t include the later parts of the manga that reveal the characters’ family histories and the reasons behind their ongoing conflict. While the anime does feature some flashbacks, it doesn’t fully explain everything. To understand the complete story and how the conflict ends, you’ll need to read the manga.

‘Gantz’ (2004)

The TV series has two seasons and finishes with a storyline created specifically for the anime. It doesn’t follow the manga exactly, leaving out many of the later adventures and explanations about the mysterious black spheres. The manga goes on much longer, featuring huge battles and revealing the full story behind the game. If you want to see how the story truly ends, you can continue with the original manga.

‘Berserk’ (1997–1998)

This animated version covers the Golden Age story arc, ending with the Eclipse. It doesn’t show what happens afterward, which is a large part of the overall story. The manga continues much further, introducing new characters, lands, and groups. If you want to experience the complete story of Guts, you’ll need to read the manga.

Share the anime you think ended too early in the comments so everyone can compare notes.

2025-10-30 02:17