Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* This is the CentralTheme of ''Manga/FrierenBeyondJourneysEnd''. The title character is a 1,000+ year-old elven archmage who fought as part of the adventuring party of TheHero Himmel and defeated the Demon Lord--all of which took place as the series' {{Backstory}}. After TheFellowshipHasEnded, she wanders for fifty years, and returns to Himmel shortly before he dies of old age. She spends another thirty years trying to figure out what the journey actually meant for her, eventually retracing her footsteps to the Demon Lord's castle with Fern and Stark, the apprentices of two of her former companions.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 38 (click to see context) from:
** Averted in ''Anime/DokiDokiPrettyCure'', as they get to keep both the fairies ''and'' the power to transform even after the final battle.
to:
** Averted in ''Anime/DokiDokiPrettyCure'', ''Anime/DokiDokiPrecure'', as they get to keep both the fairies ''and'' the power to transform even after the final battle.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
%%%
%%
%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks!
%%
%%%
As a pseudo-endings trope, this page has '''spoilers'''. Consider this your only warning.
SoWhatDoWeDoNow in {{Anime}} and {{Manga}}.
----
* Used in the first few episodes of ''Anime/BattleBDaman''. Yamato finally gets his own B-daman and his first battle is against [[TheLancer Gray]], someone who's generally considered a really tough opponent. After this, even though Yamato now has the B-daman he's been wanting all these years, he gets bored with every last thing he does. Mie {{lampshade|Hanging}}s this and suggests he goes out and look for Gray.
* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', after Ichigo [[spoiler:loses his powers and his ability to see spirits, including the Soul Reapers, some of which have become his friends]], he returns to his normal life... which he quickly realizes he is uninterested in, and he [[spoiler:jumps at the opportunity to get his powers back]].
* At the end of ''Manga/BusoRenkin'', when the kakugane are collected, Tokiko feels uneasy because she was so used to having hers. Then, of course, Kazuki promises that his will be with her forever...
* ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' both subverted and exemplified this.
** About midway through the series, Taichi and Koromon are stranded back in the Real World after defeating the current Big Bad. However, Taichi's the only one who seemingly escaped, and this fact depresses him. However, as Digimon begin appearing and causing destruction in the Real World, Taichi and Koromon realize that unless they fix things in the Digital World, they can't go home, and [[SendMeBack thus they return to the Digital World]].
** Played straight at the end [[spoiler:where the Chosen Children's success in fulfilling their destiny saves the Digital World and (seemingly) destroys the source of all evil. However, they're sent back home without their Digimon, and this time without any seeming way to return to the Digital World, leaving behind some of the best friends they ever had. Eventually averted by [[Anime/DigimonAdventure02 the sequel]], which didn't end like this]].
*** ''Anime/DigimonTamers'' has a similar ending [[spoiler:although they were already in the real world (their Digimon had to return to the Digital World without them, or be destroyed by a side-effect of their method of defeating the BigBad). There is a tiny spot of hope for them to get their partners back at the very end of the last episode, turning this into the optimistic version, but later materials crush this hope]].
** ''Anime/DigimonFrontier'' does it [[spoiler:unnecessarily - the portal is closing so the Legendary Warriors shove the kids through, not even leaving time for a real goodbye, making it almost as sudden and tragic a shock as the ''Tamers'' version. But then you realize that the Trailmon can take them back (and forth) at ''any time'' so there's really no rush]]. It's kind of a "imitate the past series, even if it doesn't make sense here and now" thing.
* After episode 5 of ''Anime/{{FLCL}}'', Haruko and Canti leave Mabase, and life for Naota briefly returns to normal. Naota is rather glad to have Haruko back in episode 6, well in time for the climactic showdown and the series' explosive finale. After said finale both Haruko and Mamimi part terms with Naota on firmer, more natural grounds and he seems to be much more comfortable with the circumstances of being a normal kid.
* ''Anime/GargantiaOnTheVerdurousPlanet'' falls somewhere between this and AndThenWhat. The main character, [[FishOutOfWater Ledo]], is a ChildSoldier raised in the dystopian Galactic Alliance. They see their endless war with the Hideauze as the only way for humanity to survive, but since the conflict orders their entire society, [[CircularReasoning continued fighting is also the only reason for humanity to survive in the first place]].
-->'''[[WiseBeyondTheirYears Bebel]]:''' But wait. What happens when the Hideauze are defeated? What would the Galactic Alliance do then? What would ''you'' do, Ledo?\\
'''Ledo:''' I would stand by until I received further instructions.\\
'''Bebel:''' And what would you do if those instructions never came?\\
'''Ledo:''' I would just continue to stand by.\\
'''Bebel:''' ''{laughs)'' Then we're not so very different after all.\\
'''Ledo:''' We are not different?\\
'''Bebel:''' Mm-hmm. Standing by. [[LivingIsMoreThanSurviving You'd have to go on living to do that, right]]?
* Twisted in Saikoroshi-hen (Dice Killing Chapter), a bonus chapter for the ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' game that was released after the main storyline. After depressed musing over the hard work that almost came to nothing, Rika wakes up in a perfect world without any of the [[DysfunctionJunction tragic backstories]] or danger from the [[GroundhogDayLoop previous worlds]]. [[spoiler:It turns out that it was AllJustADream, and rightly so -- there might be no gore or crazies around, but there's also no TrueCompanions and ThePowerOfFriendship is replaced by bullying and apathy. See, even if you had a terrible past, don't change it!]]
* Happens to [[spoiler:Gon]] in ''Manga/HunterXHunter'' shortly before the Dark Continent Expedition arc. [[spoiler:Gon succeeded in his goal of finding his DisappearedDad and defeated his ArchEnemy [[CatGirl Neferpitou]] at the cost of [[{{Depower}} his powers]]. In a discussion with his father, he's told that after everything he's been through he's been given a tremendous blessing in just getting his life back, and should use this time to figure out exactly what he wants to do next. Gon then [[PutOnABus retires back home to Whale Island]], while Kurapika takes over as protagonist for the time being]].
* Kurau's human half in ''Anime/KurauPhantomMemory '' has fond memories of the time she was taken over by her Rynax entity, but comes to terms with the fact that it is all over now.
* This is a major theme with the Imperial characters in ''Literature/LegendOfTheGalacticHeroes''. After [[spoiler:defeating the Alliance]], they realize that they no longer have a great cause to fight for and engage in many costly battles with WorthyOpponent Yang Wenli to experience the thrill of battle again. After [[spoiler:he dies]], this trope is one of the many reasons that [[spoiler:Reuenthal rebels and Reinhardt doesn't even consider negotiations]].
* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'' does this in TheMovie ''Endless Waltz''. Most of the pilots find normal lives after the war & seem to be enjoying themselves, but ArrogantKungFuGuy Wu Fei can't find meaning in his life without battles and ends up joining a rebel group so he can help start a new war. Post-Movie he joins the Preventers, an organization dedicated to stopping wars from breaking out in the first place.
* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' ends with all the apocalypse-seeking [[MonsterOfTheWeek angels]] defeated - however, Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Misato are each reduced to a broken, traumatized wreck by the beginning of ''[[GrandFinale The End of Evangelion]]''. It's then revealed that the entire apocalypse was planned by [[OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness SEELE]] to play out anyways, as SEELE dispatches the JSSDF to slaughter what's left of NERV, and use the Evangelions in lieu of the angels as the trigger for [[AssimilationPlot Human Instrumentality]]. Gendo tries to one-up them and use this power to revive Yui, but is thwarted when [[EmotionlessGirl Rei]] turns against her master, and hands this power to Shinji. As for [[MindScrew what]] [[NightmareFuel happens]] [[GainaxEnding next]]... well, WebVideo/BennettTheSage was best able to describe the film's second half as 30 minutes of... ''[[DerangedAnimation animation]]''.
* A particularly heartbreaking example happens in Episode 12 of ''Anime/Persona4TheAnimation''. [[spoiler:Mitsuo]] traps [[TheHero Yu]] in a LotusEaterMachine where the Investigation Team have solved the murder case and all return to their normal lives. Yu then has to see all of his friends drift apart as they focus on their own lives and don't even meet up like they used to. The clincher is when Kanji begins to complain about how none of them really have anything to talk about in their meetings any more. Fortunately, that does not happen after they defeat [[spoiler:Mitsuo]] and they all still insist on hanging out with each other.
* Happens briefly to Ash Ketchum in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoon''. After [[ThrowTheDogABone becoming the Alola Champion]], he's at a loss for what to do next (especially since the process for actually becoming a Master [[CrypticBackgroundReference is a mystery to everyone]]). He goes to Professor Kukui and Olivia for advice but both of them basically tell him FigureItOutYourself. Although Olivia suggests that he [[AndTheAdventureContinues go out and see the world]], leading to the WorldTour of ''Anime/PokemonJourneysTheSeries''.
* ''Anime/PrettyCure'':
** In most seasons, after the final battle, the girls have to return their devices to the [[MagicalLand fairy world/alternate dimension kingdom]] and usually say goodbye to their fairy partners as well. They will then have to go back to being normal girls again.
** Averted in ''Anime/DokiDokiPrettyCure'', as they get to keep both the fairies ''and'' the power to transform even after the final battle.
** At the end of ''Anime/FutariWaPrettyCureMaxHeart'', at the graduation ceremony, the Elder sadly says "The role of the legendary warriors is over. Now they can choose to travel whichever path they wish," which means that there is no more need for Nagisa, Honoka, and Hikari to be heroes and they can live normal lives again. However, the fairies stay with them, lucky for them.
** Haruka is actually seen having to hand over her device at the end of ''Anime/GoPrincessPrettyCure'' and crying afterwards. At the end of ''Anime/HugttoPrettyCure'', the girls are seen giving their crystals and Pre-Hearts back to Harry who packs them in his suitcase before leaving. They cry afterwards.
* This is a major point of contention between ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'' and many of his antagonists. Unlike them, he's willing to settle for an ordinary life. Kenshin, for one, ends his adventure by [[spoiler:[[HappilyMarried marrying Kaoru]] and [[BabiesEverAfter having a child with her.]]]]
* ''Anime/SaberMarionetteJ'' does this rather egregiously. After the three Japoness Saber Dolls sacrifice themselves to revive the one female (who was stuck in [[HumanPopsicle cryogenic suspension]] for centuries), the main character wistfully remembers all the good times he had with them and wishes they'd return. Lo and behold, [[AWizardDidIt without any explanation]], they do.
* ''Anime/SpellboundMagicalPrincessLilPri'' the girls transformation bracelets are taken away and the mapets return to Fairyland along with Wish after they save Fairyland. They're pretty bummed about it. In the end however Wish returns to Earth saying he liked being an Idol and the final shot shows the mapets sneaking up on the girls from behind.
* ''Anime/TenchiUniverse'', combined with HowWeGotHere, ''starts'' with this. It begins with Tenchi walking to school alone as he reminisces about the "carnival" of adventures he had with those crazy girls from space. [[spoiler:But when we catch back up in the final episode, Ryoko is there waiting for him, and tells him that, although carnivals do end, they eventually return. Cut to various scenes showing that the rest of the girls are already on their way back too.]] And this all leads straight into TheMovie...
* Happens to [[spoiler:Simon]] from ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'': after finally destroying the Anti-Spirals and bringing peace to the Universe, he puts on his cape, says goodbye, and spends the rest of his days WalkingTheEarth. [[spoiler:We then see him as a 40-something traveller helping a kid open a coconut with his drill key; the kid is all surprised with Simon's drilling skills, he calmly says "Of course, kid, who the hell do you think... (kid ignores him) Forget it, I'm just a nobody". Then we see the kid and Simon looking at the horizon as the Gurren Lagann is launched to outer space]].
* In the ending of both the anime and manga of ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'', everyone seems to have returned to normal permanently. Their marks have disappeared, they can't talk to animals, and Ichigo stops turning into a {{catgirl}}. Then one day, depending which version you're watching, either Ichigo's cat ears reappear just as Berii looks in the window or the girls are informed that their powers have returned and there's a new enemy to fight.
* Happens to ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'' protagonist Yusuke after his final battles with Toguro and Sensui. Kuwabara smacked him for it. [[spoiler:When you consider that he had to fake his own death before Yusuke could find the motivation to defeat Toguro (AFTER he killed OldMaster Genkai, mind), it's understandable.]]
----
%%
%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order. Thanks!
%%
%%%
As a pseudo-endings trope, this page has '''spoilers'''. Consider this your only warning.
SoWhatDoWeDoNow in {{Anime}} and {{Manga}}.
----
* Used in the first few episodes of ''Anime/BattleBDaman''. Yamato finally gets his own B-daman and his first battle is against [[TheLancer Gray]], someone who's generally considered a really tough opponent. After this, even though Yamato now has the B-daman he's been wanting all these years, he gets bored with every last thing he does. Mie {{lampshade|Hanging}}s this and suggests he goes out and look for Gray.
* In ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'', after Ichigo [[spoiler:loses his powers and his ability to see spirits, including the Soul Reapers, some of which have become his friends]], he returns to his normal life... which he quickly realizes he is uninterested in, and he [[spoiler:jumps at the opportunity to get his powers back]].
* At the end of ''Manga/BusoRenkin'', when the kakugane are collected, Tokiko feels uneasy because she was so used to having hers. Then, of course, Kazuki promises that his will be with her forever...
* ''Anime/DigimonAdventure'' both subverted and exemplified this.
** About midway through the series, Taichi and Koromon are stranded back in the Real World after defeating the current Big Bad. However, Taichi's the only one who seemingly escaped, and this fact depresses him. However, as Digimon begin appearing and causing destruction in the Real World, Taichi and Koromon realize that unless they fix things in the Digital World, they can't go home, and [[SendMeBack thus they return to the Digital World]].
** Played straight at the end [[spoiler:where the Chosen Children's success in fulfilling their destiny saves the Digital World and (seemingly) destroys the source of all evil. However, they're sent back home without their Digimon, and this time without any seeming way to return to the Digital World, leaving behind some of the best friends they ever had. Eventually averted by [[Anime/DigimonAdventure02 the sequel]], which didn't end like this]].
*** ''Anime/DigimonTamers'' has a similar ending [[spoiler:although they were already in the real world (their Digimon had to return to the Digital World without them, or be destroyed by a side-effect of their method of defeating the BigBad). There is a tiny spot of hope for them to get their partners back at the very end of the last episode, turning this into the optimistic version, but later materials crush this hope]].
** ''Anime/DigimonFrontier'' does it [[spoiler:unnecessarily - the portal is closing so the Legendary Warriors shove the kids through, not even leaving time for a real goodbye, making it almost as sudden and tragic a shock as the ''Tamers'' version. But then you realize that the Trailmon can take them back (and forth) at ''any time'' so there's really no rush]]. It's kind of a "imitate the past series, even if it doesn't make sense here and now" thing.
* After episode 5 of ''Anime/{{FLCL}}'', Haruko and Canti leave Mabase, and life for Naota briefly returns to normal. Naota is rather glad to have Haruko back in episode 6, well in time for the climactic showdown and the series' explosive finale. After said finale both Haruko and Mamimi part terms with Naota on firmer, more natural grounds and he seems to be much more comfortable with the circumstances of being a normal kid.
* ''Anime/GargantiaOnTheVerdurousPlanet'' falls somewhere between this and AndThenWhat. The main character, [[FishOutOfWater Ledo]], is a ChildSoldier raised in the dystopian Galactic Alliance. They see their endless war with the Hideauze as the only way for humanity to survive, but since the conflict orders their entire society, [[CircularReasoning continued fighting is also the only reason for humanity to survive in the first place]].
-->'''[[WiseBeyondTheirYears Bebel]]:''' But wait. What happens when the Hideauze are defeated? What would the Galactic Alliance do then? What would ''you'' do, Ledo?\\
'''Ledo:''' I would stand by until I received further instructions.\\
'''Bebel:''' And what would you do if those instructions never came?\\
'''Ledo:''' I would just continue to stand by.\\
'''Bebel:''' ''{laughs)'' Then we're not so very different after all.\\
'''Ledo:''' We are not different?\\
'''Bebel:''' Mm-hmm. Standing by. [[LivingIsMoreThanSurviving You'd have to go on living to do that, right]]?
* Twisted in Saikoroshi-hen (Dice Killing Chapter), a bonus chapter for the ''VisualNovel/HigurashiWhenTheyCry'' game that was released after the main storyline. After depressed musing over the hard work that almost came to nothing, Rika wakes up in a perfect world without any of the [[DysfunctionJunction tragic backstories]] or danger from the [[GroundhogDayLoop previous worlds]]. [[spoiler:It turns out that it was AllJustADream, and rightly so -- there might be no gore or crazies around, but there's also no TrueCompanions and ThePowerOfFriendship is replaced by bullying and apathy. See, even if you had a terrible past, don't change it!]]
* Happens to [[spoiler:Gon]] in ''Manga/HunterXHunter'' shortly before the Dark Continent Expedition arc. [[spoiler:Gon succeeded in his goal of finding his DisappearedDad and defeated his ArchEnemy [[CatGirl Neferpitou]] at the cost of [[{{Depower}} his powers]]. In a discussion with his father, he's told that after everything he's been through he's been given a tremendous blessing in just getting his life back, and should use this time to figure out exactly what he wants to do next. Gon then [[PutOnABus retires back home to Whale Island]], while Kurapika takes over as protagonist for the time being]].
* Kurau's human half in ''Anime/KurauPhantomMemory '' has fond memories of the time she was taken over by her Rynax entity, but comes to terms with the fact that it is all over now.
* This is a major theme with the Imperial characters in ''Literature/LegendOfTheGalacticHeroes''. After [[spoiler:defeating the Alliance]], they realize that they no longer have a great cause to fight for and engage in many costly battles with WorthyOpponent Yang Wenli to experience the thrill of battle again. After [[spoiler:he dies]], this trope is one of the many reasons that [[spoiler:Reuenthal rebels and Reinhardt doesn't even consider negotiations]].
* ''Anime/MobileSuitGundamWing'' does this in TheMovie ''Endless Waltz''. Most of the pilots find normal lives after the war & seem to be enjoying themselves, but ArrogantKungFuGuy Wu Fei can't find meaning in his life without battles and ends up joining a rebel group so he can help start a new war. Post-Movie he joins the Preventers, an organization dedicated to stopping wars from breaking out in the first place.
* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' ends with all the apocalypse-seeking [[MonsterOfTheWeek angels]] defeated - however, Shinji, Asuka, Rei, and Misato are each reduced to a broken, traumatized wreck by the beginning of ''[[GrandFinale The End of Evangelion]]''. It's then revealed that the entire apocalypse was planned by [[OmniscientCouncilOfVagueness SEELE]] to play out anyways, as SEELE dispatches the JSSDF to slaughter what's left of NERV, and use the Evangelions in lieu of the angels as the trigger for [[AssimilationPlot Human Instrumentality]]. Gendo tries to one-up them and use this power to revive Yui, but is thwarted when [[EmotionlessGirl Rei]] turns against her master, and hands this power to Shinji. As for [[MindScrew what]] [[NightmareFuel happens]] [[GainaxEnding next]]... well, WebVideo/BennettTheSage was best able to describe the film's second half as 30 minutes of... ''[[DerangedAnimation animation]]''.
* A particularly heartbreaking example happens in Episode 12 of ''Anime/Persona4TheAnimation''. [[spoiler:Mitsuo]] traps [[TheHero Yu]] in a LotusEaterMachine where the Investigation Team have solved the murder case and all return to their normal lives. Yu then has to see all of his friends drift apart as they focus on their own lives and don't even meet up like they used to. The clincher is when Kanji begins to complain about how none of them really have anything to talk about in their meetings any more. Fortunately, that does not happen after they defeat [[spoiler:Mitsuo]] and they all still insist on hanging out with each other.
* Happens briefly to Ash Ketchum in ''Anime/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoon''. After [[ThrowTheDogABone becoming the Alola Champion]], he's at a loss for what to do next (especially since the process for actually becoming a Master [[CrypticBackgroundReference is a mystery to everyone]]). He goes to Professor Kukui and Olivia for advice but both of them basically tell him FigureItOutYourself. Although Olivia suggests that he [[AndTheAdventureContinues go out and see the world]], leading to the WorldTour of ''Anime/PokemonJourneysTheSeries''.
* ''Anime/PrettyCure'':
** In most seasons, after the final battle, the girls have to return their devices to the [[MagicalLand fairy world/alternate dimension kingdom]] and usually say goodbye to their fairy partners as well. They will then have to go back to being normal girls again.
** Averted in ''Anime/DokiDokiPrettyCure'', as they get to keep both the fairies ''and'' the power to transform even after the final battle.
** At the end of ''Anime/FutariWaPrettyCureMaxHeart'', at the graduation ceremony, the Elder sadly says "The role of the legendary warriors is over. Now they can choose to travel whichever path they wish," which means that there is no more need for Nagisa, Honoka, and Hikari to be heroes and they can live normal lives again. However, the fairies stay with them, lucky for them.
** Haruka is actually seen having to hand over her device at the end of ''Anime/GoPrincessPrettyCure'' and crying afterwards. At the end of ''Anime/HugttoPrettyCure'', the girls are seen giving their crystals and Pre-Hearts back to Harry who packs them in his suitcase before leaving. They cry afterwards.
* This is a major point of contention between ''Manga/RurouniKenshin'' and many of his antagonists. Unlike them, he's willing to settle for an ordinary life. Kenshin, for one, ends his adventure by [[spoiler:[[HappilyMarried marrying Kaoru]] and [[BabiesEverAfter having a child with her.]]]]
* ''Anime/SaberMarionetteJ'' does this rather egregiously. After the three Japoness Saber Dolls sacrifice themselves to revive the one female (who was stuck in [[HumanPopsicle cryogenic suspension]] for centuries), the main character wistfully remembers all the good times he had with them and wishes they'd return. Lo and behold, [[AWizardDidIt without any explanation]], they do.
* ''Anime/SpellboundMagicalPrincessLilPri'' the girls transformation bracelets are taken away and the mapets return to Fairyland along with Wish after they save Fairyland. They're pretty bummed about it. In the end however Wish returns to Earth saying he liked being an Idol and the final shot shows the mapets sneaking up on the girls from behind.
* ''Anime/TenchiUniverse'', combined with HowWeGotHere, ''starts'' with this. It begins with Tenchi walking to school alone as he reminisces about the "carnival" of adventures he had with those crazy girls from space. [[spoiler:But when we catch back up in the final episode, Ryoko is there waiting for him, and tells him that, although carnivals do end, they eventually return. Cut to various scenes showing that the rest of the girls are already on their way back too.]] And this all leads straight into TheMovie...
* Happens to [[spoiler:Simon]] from ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'': after finally destroying the Anti-Spirals and bringing peace to the Universe, he puts on his cape, says goodbye, and spends the rest of his days WalkingTheEarth. [[spoiler:We then see him as a 40-something traveller helping a kid open a coconut with his drill key; the kid is all surprised with Simon's drilling skills, he calmly says "Of course, kid, who the hell do you think... (kid ignores him) Forget it, I'm just a nobody". Then we see the kid and Simon looking at the horizon as the Gurren Lagann is launched to outer space]].
* In the ending of both the anime and manga of ''Manga/TokyoMewMew'', everyone seems to have returned to normal permanently. Their marks have disappeared, they can't talk to animals, and Ichigo stops turning into a {{catgirl}}. Then one day, depending which version you're watching, either Ichigo's cat ears reappear just as Berii looks in the window or the girls are informed that their powers have returned and there's a new enemy to fight.
* Happens to ''Manga/YuYuHakusho'' protagonist Yusuke after his final battles with Toguro and Sensui. Kuwabara smacked him for it. [[spoiler:When you consider that he had to fake his own death before Yusuke could find the motivation to defeat Toguro (AFTER he killed OldMaster Genkai, mind), it's understandable.]]
----
