by For many anime fans, the ending sequence (ED) is much more than a song played after the credits. While some viewers skip the ending after the first episode, dedicated anime fans know that ending themes often contain hidden details, emotional storytelling, character development, and even major surprises.
In recent years, particularly during Japan’s Reiwa era (2019–present), anime studios have become increasingly creative with their ending sequences. Instead of using the same visuals every week, many series have introduced special ending episodes that feature brand-new animation, exclusive songs, alternate visuals, or endings directly connected to the story of that episode.
These unique endings frequently become some of the most talked-about moments of an anime season.
One of the best examples is Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, whose unforgettable special ending perfectly captured the series’ playful spirit and quickly became a fan favorite.
Why Special Anime Endings Matter
Anime ending themes have evolved significantly over the years.
Rather than serving only as closing credits, many modern endings are designed to:
- Expand character personalities.
- Highlight emotional moments.
- Introduce original animation.
- Reinforce an episode’s themes.
- Reward viewers who watch until the very end.
Some endings even become more memorable than the episodes themselves.
Classic examples include dramatic ending changes in series such as:
- Attack on Titan
- Steins;Gate
where completely different visuals or music unexpectedly appeared during emotionally significant episodes.
The Reiwa era has continued this tradition while adding even more creativity.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War’s Brilliant Special Ending
One of the most celebrated Reiwa-era special endings appears in Season 3 of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.
Based on the manga by Aka Akasaka, the romantic comedy originally ran in Miracle Jump and Weekly Young Jump between 2015 and 2022.
The story follows two brilliant student council members:
- Miyuki Shirogane
- Kaguya Shinomiya
Although both secretly love each other, neither wants to confess first.
Instead, they constantly compete in psychological battles, each trying to force the other into making the first move.
The series became famous for blending romance with outrageous comedy and creative visual storytelling.
Episode 5 Introduces an Unexpected Rap Battle
Season 3, Episode 5, titled “Chika Fujiwara Wants to Make an Impression,” centers around one of the funniest storylines in the anime.
Student council president Miyuki Shirogane realizes that his rapping skills are absolutely terrible.
His performance is so painfully awkward that other characters jokingly criticize it with hilarious comments, comparing it to an assault on music itself.
Determined to improve, Shirogane turns to the ever-energetic Chika Fujiwara, who surprisingly has considerable musical experience.
What follows is an intense—and incredibly funny—training montage as Chika attempts to transform the hopeless president into a respectable rapper.
A Surprise Ending Nobody Expected
The biggest surprise arrives after the episode ends.
Instead of playing the usual ending theme, viewers are treated to an entirely new song titled:
“My Nonfiction”
Performed by:
- Makoto Furukawa (Miyuki Shirogane)
- Konomi Kohara (Chika Fujiwara)
The energetic rap song showcases everything Shirogane learned during the episode while allowing Chika to demonstrate her own impressive musical talent.
Rather than feeling like a standard ending sequence, the performance serves as the perfect conclusion to the story.
Stylish 3D Animation Impresses Fans
The special ending didn’t simply feature a new song.
It also debuted completely original visuals.
Instead of the anime’s usual art style, Shirogane and Chika appeared in stylish 3D animation, dancing and performing throughout the music video.
The unexpected visual shift immediately caught viewers’ attention.
Many praised the production quality, noting that the animation looked more like a professionally produced music video than a traditional anime ending.
Social Media Reacts Immediately
Following the broadcast, anime fans flooded social media with enthusiastic reactions.
Popular comments included:
- “This is way too good for a one-time ending.”
- “I wasn’t expecting a full rap music video!”
- “The animation quality is incredible.”
- “This might be the best ending of the season.”
Many viewers admitted replaying the ending multiple times because of its catchy music and impressive choreography.
Continuing Kaguya-sama’s Tradition of Creative Endings
The success of “My Nonfiction” wasn’t entirely surprising.
The franchise already had a history of producing memorable ending sequences.
Perhaps the most famous example is “Chika-tto Chika Chika♡,” the ending from Season 1.
That dance sequence quickly became a viral sensation, inspiring countless fan recreations, dance covers, and online memes around the world.
“My Nonfiction” continued that tradition by offering another unforgettable musical performance while staying perfectly connected to the episode’s story.
Why the Ending Works So Well
The special ending succeeds for several reasons.
Unlike many anime endings that simply play over unrelated visuals, “My Nonfiction” directly continues the narrative.
The rap performance acts as the reward for Shirogane’s hard work throughout the episode.
Instead of telling viewers that he improved…
The ending lets them experience his growth through music.
This storytelling approach makes the ending feel like a natural extension of the episode rather than a separate bonus.
A Perfect Blend of Comedy and Character Development
One reason Kaguya-sama: Love Is War remains so popular is its ability to balance outrageous comedy with genuine character growth.
The rap episode perfectly demonstrates this strength.
While the training scenes are packed with jokes, the story also highlights:
- Shirogane’s determination.
- Chika’s kindness beneath her playful personality.
- The friendship between student council members.
- The importance of perseverance.
The ending reinforces these themes while entertaining viewers with a memorable musical performance.
The Rise of Special Endings in the Reiwa Era
Kaguya-sama is just one example of a broader trend.
Many Reiwa-era anime have embraced special endings that feature:
- Episode-exclusive songs.
- New character performances.
- Original animation.
- Emotional epilogues.
- Story-driven music videos.
- Alternate visual styles.
Rather than treating the ending as an afterthought, studios increasingly use it as another storytelling tool.
This creative approach rewards viewers who stay until the final credits and helps make certain episodes even more memorable.
Why Fans Love Special Endings
Special ending themes remain popular because they:
- Surprise audiences.
- Expand character personalities.
- Celebrate memorable episodes.
- Showcase talented voice actors.
- Introduce exclusive music.
- Create unforgettable moments beyond the main story.
Many of these endings later become fan favorites, accumulating millions of views online through official music videos and live performances.
Final Thoughts
The Reiwa era has introduced a new generation of creative anime ending themes, and Kaguya-sama: Love Is War stands among the best examples of this trend.
Its special ending, “My Nonfiction,” transformed a hilarious rap-training episode into a stylish musical celebration featuring catchy songs, impressive 3D animation, and outstanding performances by Makoto Furukawa and Konomi Kohara.
More than just an ending sequence, it serves as a continuation of the episode’s story while showcasing the playful creativity that has made Kaguya-sama: Love Is War one of the defining romantic comedies of modern anime. As more studios continue experimenting with unique ending themes, moments like these remind fans that sometimes the most unforgettable part of an episode begins only after the credits start rolling.
