Anime endings are not always given as much attention as the openings are. Viewers will always catch the opening at the beginning of the episode, but once it's over, not many choose to stay for the ending. In addition, endings are not as energetic or explosive as an opening is, which causes them to be less memorable.
Still, endings can be just as good as openings, and some can even be better. The Winter 2022 anime season wrapped up recently, and with came a strong collection of great ending themes. Here are some of the best ending themes from that season.
10 "Change" (Police In A Pod)
A lot of the ending themes this season were very mellow, low-intensity tunes, but Police in a Pod's ending theme is a little different. The song has a quite a bit of energy to it, being a bouncy J-pop tune by Nonoc with a vibrant guitar serving as an energetic background.
Visually, the ending theme is very simple, featuring snapshots of the main characters' daily lives as chibi versions chase after a variety of characters in a police car. While it may not be particularly impressive, the song is still incredibly catchy.
9 "Salvation" (The Case Study Of Vanitas Part 2)
The second part of The Case Study of Vanitas came with an all-new ending. While the fantasy vampire series is chock-full of action, this ending by MONONKVL is quite mellow in comparison, featuring a lot of placid, peaceful imagery of the main characters Vanitas and Noe washing up on a beach.
The song is a quiet R&B ballad, with powerful female vocals that pick up in intensity when the chorus comes through. While the energy doesn't last long, this is still a great ending to wind down to after an especially tense episode.
8 "Koi no Yukue" (My Dress-Up Darling)
My Dress-Up Darling is a feel-good rom-com with a lot of cute moments, so the ending theme is just as cute as well. The song is a lively bubblegum pop tune by Akari Akase that lifts the spirits, and the vocals and lyrics are quite endearing as well.
Also of note are the visuals, which feature mean characters Wakana Gojo and Marin Kitagawa bouncing on clouds and adventuring through space. It's a very cute ending perfect for closing out one of the most popular anime of the Winter 2022 season.
7 "Aimai Identity" (Miss Kuroitsu From The Monster Development Department)
Just like its opening, Miss Kuroitsu from the Monster Development Department's ending (performed by Maybe Me) is another parody of tokusatsu shows like Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. The ending is actually a mock-opening for an imaginary show for Divine Swordsman Blader, a hero in the series.
As a show that frequently references many different tokusatsu and hero shows, sometimes these references will be brought out in the credits. While the show may not be the best anime of the season, it's clear that there was a lot of love for its concept.
6 "Makoto Period" (Love of Kill)
While Love of Kill normally features a lot of silly gags, tense action, and heavy drama, the ending theme is anything but. It's a soothing ballad sung by Aika Kobayashi that's great for calming down after a particularly tense or heavy episode, making it quite welcome for the show's viewers.
Visually, the ending features the younger versions of the main characters Chateau Dankworth and Song Ryang-ha in a very somber montage showing their childhood lives. The mood is sad yet hopeful, a feeling that is empowered by the accompanying song.
5 "Houkou" (Sabikui Bisco)
Opening and ending themes sung by the characters in an anime are pretty common, and Sabikui Bisco features such an ending theme. The song is a duet of the voice actors of the two main characters Bisco and Milo, who sing as a montage of the many characters in the anime appear on the screen.
The song itself is a mellow power ballad tune, featuring soaring strings and horns as accompaniment. While it does get more energetic as the song goes on, overall it is a great midtempo tune to wind down to after an action-packed show.
4 "Bitter Rain" (Lupin III: Part 6)
Lupin III has been a mainstay of Japanese culture since the 70s, and its longevity has extended to a sixth anime series that started last year in 2021. The song used as its second ending theme, performed by Yuji Ohno and Sakura Fujiwara, is similarly classic, a jazzy lounge ballad not out of place in a 50s movie.
Visually, the ending is influenced by noir-style films, and features the series' famous femme fatale Fujiko Mine as she drives down a dark and lonely road. It's a very moody piece that definitely suits a rainy night, and is perfect for a series like Lupin III.
3 "Voltage" (Boruto)
Boruto has been running for quite a while now, and its most recent opening is quite the tune. The song is a bombastic pop tune by Anly, with anthemic vocals that create an incredibly inspirational mood. It's a song that fits an anime like Boruto very well.
The visuals themselves are quite nice, featuring Boruto and his team members as they ride on top of a train. The concept is simple, but it's also quite heartwarming, and the little subtleties in their interactions is great to see.
2 "Flare" (Ranking of Kings)
Ranking of Kings has had some really great openings, but its endings are also on another level all their own. Its second ending, performed by milet, is a mellow tune that slowly builds up in both energy and emotion.
While the song is great, the real star here is the visuals, which feature some incredibly beautiful artwork of both Bojji and Kage as they embark on various adventures and challenges. The ending is just one example of this anime's unique strengths, making it one of the best endings this season.
1 "Akuma No Ko" (Attack On Titan Final Season Part 2)
Attack on Titan is famous for having great openings and endings, and part 2 of the Final Season is no different. Featuring a dark, slow ballad by Ai Higuchi, this song is both ominous and beautiful, with incredibly powerful vocals that soar into the sky.
The visuals are both haunting and majestic, and focus on a young Eren Yeager. This combined with the incredible song makes this ending the best of the Winter 2022 season, one that is especially resonant for fans of the series.