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10 Unforgettable Anime Cliffhangers That Will Keep You Coming Back!

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In any story, be it a romance, an action-packed adventure, or a tale about a pirate king, tension plays a crucial role. It could be romantic tension that leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next development, life-or-death stakes that keep hearts racing, or the longstanding tension of a character’s relentless pursuit of power over three decades. Tension is vital because it’s what keeps readers engaged and eager for more. The resolution of this tension is what should conclude a story, a relief from the anticipation that the author has skillfully built throughout their work, or not. Crafting tension involves constructing cliffhangers.

Tension is a key element in any story, keeping readers hooked and wanting more. It’s the resolution of this tension at the end of a story that provides relief from the suspense built by the author. Creating tension often involves setting up cliffhangers.

Cliffhangers have been a popular narrative tool since medieval times, reaching maturity during the Victorian Era with the rise of serial novels. Today, anime has elevated this art form, often leaving viewers on edge. Some anime are even infamous for their cliffhangers, like “Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure” which inspired the famous “To Be Continued” meme. Cliffhangers serve a crucial role in building suspense, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating the next installment for an entire week before the next episode would air (in pre-streaming days).

Season 1, Episode 36: “1.28”

In the thrilling world of Death Note, every moment is filled with suspense. This tension is what defines the series, and this specific episode is no exception – it’s as taut as a bowstring until the nail-biting cliffhanger at the end. Given that it’s the second last episode of the anime, the sense of urgency and importance is palpable. In this episode, Light entrusts Mikami with a significant responsibility: to jot down all the detectives’ names into the Death Note. This act, if successful, would significantly increase his chances of triumphing in this deadly game. He himself acknowledges the significance of this moment as the episode concludes abruptly right there.

Light is both arrogant and intelligent, with an unyielding ambition that borders on the Moriartyan. His relentless pursuit of his twisted agenda left viewers feeling as though he might actually succeed in his endeavors. The sheer confidence with which he speaks makes it difficult to doubt him. Now, with only one opportunity remaining for Near to thwart Light’s tyranny, viewers can’t help but be drawn back to see how it all unfolds.

Season 2, Episode 11: “The Hunt”

The Apothecary Diaries

The Apothecary Diaries stands out for its exceptional handling of both tension and relief, creating a captivating balance throughout. Characters like Maomao and Jinshi often find themselves navigating precarious situations, with the former’s position in the Rear Palace being fragile and the latter grappling with the secrets surrounding his lineage.

The narrative also revolves around the intriguing dynamic between Maomao and Jinshi, a will-they-won’t-they tension that keeps readers guessing. This episode, in particular, skillfully explores the gravitational pull between these two characters.

In this episode, the thrilling cliffhanger, reminiscent of the well-known “frog scene”, carries significant weight for both characters. The story concludes with Maomao and Jinshi stranded in a cave, with Maomao perched on top of Jinshi, generating a romantic tension so potent it could make anyone’s cheeks turn red. Tension doesn’t always need to be about life-or-death situations, and this cliffhanger left viewers eagerly anticipating the resolution.

Season 2, Episode 12: “Scream”

For quite some time, “Attack on Titan” was known for its mastery of suspenseful endings, or cliffhangers. These dramatic twists were designed to immerse viewers deeply into the bleak and agonizing world portrayed in the series. This meant keeping the audience on edge with the same level of uncertainty as the characters themselves experienced. Among many excellent episodes showcasing this technique, this specific one ratchets up the tension to an almost unbearable level.

The discovery that colossal beings, initially thought to be mindless, can actually be controlled, has drastically altered the entire cosmic landscape. Though it may seem commonplace now, at first, this revelation was groundbreaking when we witnessed the Beast Titan command other titans. What makes this plot twist captivating is the multitude of questions it leaves unanswered and the fact that many of these questions could take an entire season or more to resolve. This moment marked the first hint of a much larger mystery surrounding the titans, and it was like a time bomb, waiting to explode with answers.

Season 8, Episode 11: “Pain to the World”

The anime series “Naruto” and its sequel, “Naruto: Shippuden,” serve as fascinating examples in the realm of shōnen anime. As the storyline progresses, there’s an astonishing growth not just in characters but also in power dynamics, which at times seems almost unbelievable. Particularly, the Pain Arc in “Naruto: Shippuden” played a significant role in altering viewers’ expectations for the series. Although the franchise wasn’t known for its light themes initially, it was during this period that the storyline became more intense and serious.

Following numerous character demises and the brink of collapse for the Secret Leaf Village, spectators eagerly anticipate the ultimate clash between Pain and Naruto. However, this encounter does not unfold as expected in this episode; instead, it ends abruptly with Naruto stepping into the battlefield, hinting that this fight will surpass any battles we’ve witnessed before. This abrupt ending serves as a clear indication that something monumental is about to transpire, a clue that the anime’s quality and production values are set to soar to new heights – a surefire sign that the best is yet to come!

Season 5, Episode 10: “Land of Inhuman Demons (Part 3)”

The anime “Bungo Stray Dogs” pays tribute to the suspenseful storytelling of Victorian pulp novels by crafting thrilling cliffhangers, showcasing its admiration for this literary heritage. The intriguing characters in the series generate tension all on their own, but these specific episodes build an extraordinary level of suspense. As the episode concludes, it appears that Chuuya has shot Dazai, Aya may have given up her life, and the One Order is now under Fukuchi’s command after being unlocked.

This installment carries a heavy, despairing tone, as if everything is on the brink of collapse. The series skillfully blends humor and emotion, and this specific episode intensifies the emotional impact significantly. So far, Bungo Stray Dogs, whether in manga or anime form, remains unfinished, leaving ample space for the narrative to expand. However, it’s challenging to envision an episode that could surpass this one in terms of raising the stakes for future developments.

Season 5, Episode 21: “Revival Party”

My Hero Academia has made significant progress since its third season, introducing numerous new characters and diverse storylines. Although the “My Villain Academia” arc wasn’t particularly popular in Japan, it contains some incredibly intriguing content, as the villains serve as a mirror image of the impact that the Hero Society has had on society. Characters like Toga and Twice are particularly thought-provoking examples of this reflection. This episode is filled with suspense for viewers, especially following Toga’s murder of Curious.

In this installment, we delve deeper into Toga’s background and her impending Quirk transformation, though her fate remains uncertain. This segment offers a unique glimpse into her thoughts and motivations, revealing her as a girl yearning for affection. However, the episode ends with Toga sustaining severe injuries, prompting Twice to frantically attempt rescue, while Skeptic’s constructions loom ominously over them, potentially dealing a fatal blow in the final moments. The upcoming episode “Sad Man’s Parade” promises a significant resolution to these events.

Season 2, Episode 38: “Yusuke’s Despair”

In the anime series, Yu Yu Hakusho, Yusuke’s Despair stands out significantly. A remarkable moment for Kuwabara occurs where he bravely charges towards certain death to save Yusuke and defeat Toguro. Despite his valiant effort, he is impaled in the process following an inspiring speech. The expression on Yusuke’s face upon witnessing his best friend die adds to the intense atmosphere even more. The scene is surprising not only for its emotional impact but also for its rapid unfolding.

The brief sequence lasts barely a minute, culminating with Yusuke unleashing a new level of strength just before resuming his battle against Toguro. The Dark Tournament offers numerous delights, being one of the most remarkable tournament arcs in all anime, and this moment is particularly noteworthy within it. Kuwabara shines as an exceptional friend to any protagonist and this scene showcases him admirably.

Episode 106: “Namek’s Explosion… Goku’s End?”

Despite the familiarity many viewers have with the Dragon Ball storyline, it may seem surprising that Dragon Ball Z contained cliffhangers. However, this specific episode indeed served as a significant cliffhanger, particularly for those who watched during the initial airing on Toonami. The Namek Saga often had to be reaired due to the need to keep pace with dubbing, making the cliffhanger even more suspenseful.

In this episode, the battle between Goku and Frieza comes to an abrupt end as Goku frantically tries to leave Namek before it blows up. Whether he manages to escape is uncertain, as King Kai is unable to find him afterwards. Vegeta appears satisfied by Goku’s apparent demise, but Gohan swiftly gives him a solid kick for his smugness. Piccolo steps in to prevent further conflict, and it isn’t until later that we learn if Goku has truly survived. At this stage of the series, death was still a significant event.

Episode 10: “Separate Destinations”

Maes Hughes’ demise is undeniably one of the most poignant moments in anime. He was an exceptional portrayal of both an anime father and husband, tragically taken by Envy, who had disguised himself as Hughes’ wife, pulling the trigger at the end. The episode’s escalating tension, with Hughes struggling to disclose his findings about the Homunculi and their powers, while simultaneously attempting a desperate call for help, is enough to make anyone clench their teeth in anticipation.

The heart-rending wail of his daughter, bewildered by the unfolding events, intensifies the harshness of this world, as it heralds the continuation of Mustang’s tale. What adds to the gloom is that Elrich brothers remain oblivious to these happenings, the plot continues to unravel, and there are numerous dangling threads following his demise. This episode elevates the anime from good to exceptional, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Episode 26: “Under the Sky so Blue”

In the anime titled Trigun, there’s an ongoing conflict between the protagonist Vash and the world surrounding him. Being a pacifist in a ruthless society like Gunsmoke is challenging, as it seems determined to erode his compassion for preserving life. Throughout the series, Vash is repeatedly driven towards nihilism, even going so far as to kill Legato before engaging in a final battle with his brother Knives. The episode is fraught with tension over whether Vash will ultimately pull the trigger, but he chooses not to, opting instead to depart with his sibling.

This installment concludes the entire ‘Trigun’ anime on a suspenseful note, with Knives being vanquished yet still alive, implying further dangerous actions upon awakening. Vash starts to deviate from Rem’s teachings, shedding his coat, which adds an element of mystery to his future as well. The ‘Trigun’ cosmos is ideally suited for such cliffhangers, given that, as Rem put it, the passage to the future remains unwritten. This episode, and indeed the series, keeps viewers in suspense and leaves them eagerly awaiting more.

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2025-05-18 05:02

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