Although it should be noted this isn't at all unique to Japan: Clarke's Childhoods End an so on and so forth.
"No, the Singularity will not happen. Computation is hard." -Happy Entfor my actual legitimate post
it is one of the safer ways to end a Mind Screw series
the shows you mentioned before it was spoilered
ended it with a perfect cinch and few people were disappointed with it
(maybe except the creator of Gainax Ending)
it is not a cultural thing but a just a literary device
edited 2nd Aug '11 8:21:27 AM by CommanderObvious
This level of trolling is reasonable for Commander Obvious. What do you think of this, everyone?Oh ho ho, at first I thought this was about AKIRA. Then I realized I was wrong.
I write pretty good fanfiction, sometimes.Well to me, Madoka ascending to a higher plane of existence wasn't really a Japanese thing as it was an Existentialist thing; her surrendering so much for an existence that was personally meaningful for her. Its not really a Japanese thing either. IDK if 2001 had an Aesop or not, but that comes before most Anime.
edited 2nd Aug '11 10:22:53 AM by Scherzo09
These are the words that shall come from my mouth. I shall be known for speaking them.

Maybe I am just generalizing but I notcied that ins ome prminent mind screwy anime, the main progtagonists somehow becomes some Godlike figure after learning a cosmic aesop and they ascend to some higer plane of existance. Is there some cultural reason as to why this is?
{Pointlessly naming the series that used this removed as spoiler —Madrugada}
edited 2nd Aug '11 8:15:38 AM by Madrugada
"Fan, a Mega Man character."