Picture yourself in this situation; you’re finally on the last episode of one of your favorite anime titles (you don’t have to tell us which one), and just when the action reaches its climax, the series ends in an abrupt freeze frame or you see the all too familiar “To Be Continued…” title card come into play. Yep, you’ve officially experienced your first cliffhanger – which actually makes an anime title that much more exciting (because they leave you wanting more)!

Throughout the years cliffhangers in anime have done one of two things; leave the door open for sequels or somewhat of a continuation through the movie, or cause the series as a whole to take a hiatus (leaving any inkling of a sequel to be carried out through the manga). Whatever the case may be, an anime title with a great plot as well as character development may sometimes come with a cliffhanger, so to that here are our Top 5 picks that end in said cliffhangers.

Number 5: Corpse Princess: Shikabane Hime

Although this series has several years on it, it’s filled with a lot of action as well as some funny moments. Makina and Ouri manage to track down the Seven Stars and come across Hokuto, who turns out to be their true leader. During the final episode we’re treated to a battle between Makina and Hokuto as the former fights against the latter in order to help her understand what it means to live and die. The episode cuts off abruptly, as the viewers wonder how the end of the fight turned out – but I guess we’ll never know. (BTW, the episode afterwards is an OVA about the ‘original’ corpse princess.)

Number 4: Deadman Wonderland

This title’s another good one to check out if you haven’t already done so. Deadman Wonderland tells the story of Ganta as he finds himself inside a prison/amusement park for a crime he didn’t commit; slaughtering all of his classmates. Using his own blood as a weapon Ganta and Shiro find themselves fighting against other inmates that want him dead, all the way up to the final episode – which leaves you hanging. There may not be a second season to this awesome title (even though we wish there was), but the manga picks up where the anime left off.

Number 3: Attack On Titan

One of the most successful anime titles of its time is getting a third season! Attack On Titan is an action-packed nail biter that has its fans on the edge of their seats, in most cases. Aside from making a big footprint in commercial success in Japan as well as America, the final episode of the first season left us with a cliffhanger so huge, that it almost gave its fanbase a heart attack. With season three on the way, we’re hopeful that a lot of the questions fans have will be answered.

Number 2: Akame ga Kill

One of the most anticipated anime titles of 2014, Akame ga Kill was filled with all of the bounty-hunting, evil-slaughtering action that you’d find in a type of series like this. Every episode was just as action-packed as the last up until the final episode of the series that leaves us in cliffhanger limbo. All that’s left is a rather intensive battle that cuts off abruptly, leaving you wondering what ever happened to the remaining members of Night Raid. Still, this is a title that newer anime fans looking for action-packed thrills should check out!

Number 1: Claymore

In yet another action-packed anime series, Claymore tells the story of Raki and Clare (who are Claymores) as they battle against a monstrous demon race known as the Yoma. Every episode indeed does leave you wanting more, however once you reach the final episode of the series, you’re treated to a scene where Clare goes up against her greatest nemesis. However, you’re left in suspense due to the fact that results of the battle are up in the air, but even so, this series tells a beautiful story that’s worth looking into.

That’s it for our Top 5 as well as our week! We wish you guys a Happy Mother’s Day to all of the mothers in your lives you helped make you, who you are.

Until next week, stay golden! 😉

Every hero needs a sidekick! Well, not all of them do, as a percentage of them are anti-heroes that prefer to work alone. When it comes to villains however, just about all of them have a few henchmen to help take some of the villainous load off. Anime is no exception to this rule; as many of us fans have seen our fare share of what we like to call ‘Ani-Minions’, execute whatever orders their boss commands them to. Some of them have a ‘Saturday Morning Cartoon Villain Sidekick’ complex, while others can be just as ruthless as their boss. (If you want to go even deeper, sometimes the main henchman or woman turns out to be the primary antagonist the whole time!)

As with the main villains of the story, we’ve come to love some of the many second-in-command (or bottom of the barrel) henchmen that stay loyal to the cause; to be a pain in the butt for the protagonist. Tonight we bring you our Top 5 Ani-Minions that are loyal to the game of evil.

Number 5: Team Rocket (Original Members: Jesse, James, and Meowth)

Speaking of Saturday Morning Cartoons, who could forget this trio sent by Giovanni in an effort to capture Ash’s Pikachu – for the umteenth time! Much like a certain mustachioed evil scientist, Team Rocket is loyal to the cause and will do whatever it takes to get that Pikachuuuuu!!!!! XP

Number 4: Mukuro Ikusaba

Although she doesn’t get as much screen time (except when around her sister), Mukuro is one of the Despair Sisters who assisted Junko with her plans to cause despair throughout Hope’s Peak Academy. She admired her sibling and stayed loyal to her, even though Junko tried to kill her by stabbing her with an ice pick – which she blocked. She didn’t last long however; as she ended up portraying her sister two years after trapping the 78th class inside the school, only to die two episodes in on Danganronpa: The Animation.

Number 3: Hokuto (The True Leader of the Seven Stars)

Hokuto is a powerful Shikabane who was created as a living human sacrifice; born to be killed as a child. Because of this she has no regrets, no obsessions, or even nature within her; making her one of the most powerful Shikabane yet! She’s a henchwoman who is really the primary antagonist of Makina and Ouri, as well as the true leader of the Seven Stars.

Number 2: Kabuto Yakushi

There’s not a single Naruto fan who doesn’t recognize this face. The last time he was heard from was 2017, but for those who remember this medical Sound ninja, Kabuto is Orochimaru’s right-hand man who works for hims as a spy for various villages and people (including the Akatsuki). Naruto’s had a few run-ins with this grey-haired foe, as he can hold his own in battle with his Chakra Scalpel Technique. He was so loyal to Orochimaru he literally infused some of his cells into his own body – of course we all know how that story turned out…

Number 1: Captain Ginyu and the Ginyu Force

You can’t talk about the Frieza Saga without talking about one of the most loyal forces this side of the cosmos. They are the G-I-N-YU Force! Bound by loyalty to Frieza, Ginyu and his gang make their way to Planet Namek to assist in finding the Namekian dragon balls, all while dishing out their own brand of pain against the Z-Warriors. In spite of the fact that they all fell to mostly Vegeta (with Ginyu becoming a frog and dying later), the Ginyu Force stayed committed to the cause and were one of the most enthusiastic, confident, and loyal henchmen around!

That’s it for our Top 5! More posts to come so keep it locked n’ loaded next time on D&A Anime Blog; where anime is a part of you! 🙂

Going through life we sometimes find ourselves battling with various obstacles that hinder us from achieving our own greatness, as well as the greatness that we see in others. There are various old sayings like ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!’ or ‘What goes around, comes around!’, but to many of us we seek out quotes that give us a deeper understanding about the world we live in. There are many historic quotes that can be found in any history museum in the world, but for anime fans the best quotes can be found in the very titles that we watch.

Some of them give us hope while others put us on a deeper level of thinking, whatever the case may be for you, somewhere along the line you’ve heard these quotes before. For this post we’re bringing you our Top 5 anime quotes that will do one of three things; make you cry, make you think, or teach you to never give up hope!

Number 5: Ganta Igarashi’s Quote (Deadman Wonderland)

A quote like this can make us really think about what’s important in our lives, and hopefully open our eyes to see what it truly is. Never take what’s important to you for granted, and don’t turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to what may be important to someone else.

Number 4: Garaa’s Quote (Naruto Shippuden)

All of us want peace in various parts of our lives, but it won’t be true if its under an illusion. The true value of peace is only relevant and meaningful if we accomplish it, and one day we will know what its like to have true peace…

Number 3: Saitama’s Quote (One-Punch Man)

You can’t change the world unless you change yourself, right? That’s the beauty of being a human; the power to change and having the will power to do it, can spread through others and even help them to change as well. (Through their circumstances, short-comings, and more!)

Number 2: Bellmere’s Quote (One Piece)

This quote reminds us that even though we go through the many storms of life, things will get better and the sun will shine again! There are people in your life who appreciate who you are, so never forget that! 🙂

Number 1: Kirito’s Quote (SAO)

For this final quote we’ll let you guys make of this what you will. Trust takes time to build, but doubt can come within seconds. The biggest regret you can ever have, is regretting the things you wanted to do or say, but never had the courage to do or say them. Life can throw you many curve balls, so start swinging, Jack!

There are many other anime quotes out there that have helped you get through the day; whether dealing with the loss of a loved one, being stressed out at work, or anything that will cause you to question certain aspects of your life. No matter what happens just know that you’re not alone in this world, because you matter to a lot of people – including us!

Stay gold! 🙂