Anime fans and otakus know that every once in a while they find a series that completely grabs them. Be it the story, the characters, the theme or any other reason, these shows manage to connect deeply with them. However, when the last episode arrives and the lights go out, many find themselves facing an emotional roller coaster known as the “post-anime depression syndrome“ (PADS, for its acronym in English).
This phenomenon, according to Urban Dictionary, is defined as a feeling of melancholy and emptiness after finishing an anime series. Symptoms can vary, but it is common to experience deep sadness, a sense of loss, and a lack of motivation to do anything. The cause behind this may be the strong emotional bond that is formed with the characters and the plot of the series, or even a disappointment due to an unsatisfactory ending.
PADS is an experience shared by many anime fans, and getting through it can be quite a challenge. Some resort to looking for direct sequels or spin-offs of the series, although the chances of finding them are slim. Others choose to explore the original manga, thus discovering new stories and nuances that were not seen in the animated adaptation.
However, one of the best ways to tackle PADS is to share the experience with other fans. Online forums and social media communities offer a space to discuss the series, share theories, and connect with people who understand the pain of saying goodbye to a beloved story. Sometimes finding comfort in the company of others can make all the difference.
Additionally, exploring other works by the same creator or animation studio can help fill the void left by the end of the series. While it will never be the same as the original experience, discovering new worlds and characters can offer a welcome distraction and renew your love for anime. Ultimately, PADS is proof of the deep emotional connection that anime series can have on the lives of their viewers.
- «I also had that feeling the first year I got into anime. The more you watch anime, the less it happens to you, and at some point, half of the anime series you complete seem forgettable (in my case, this was the 200th entry on my MAL account)».
- «If you are really interested in an anime and want to continue the story after finishing watching it, you can always read the manga, I know that in the case of My Dress up Darling more than 40/100 chapters have been adapted. Otherwise, seeing more things will probably make you feel less attached to the previous things you’ve seen.».
- «If you want real depression, watch Neon Genesis Evangelion».
- «I have never experienced such a thing as post anime depression. Maybe it’s because I’m still on very good and effective drugs – upcoming anime».
- «It also happens to me after watching a good book or a good series, especially if I have seen a lot of episodes because I have become emotionally involved with the characters. But now I don’t feel it as much because I don’t have as much time to watch and work and family take up most of my time. So I think one way to avoid it is to take a break from anime once in a while and do other things».
- «This happens to me too, so I always watch several programs at the same time but not at the same pace».
- «I understand this with both music and anime. And with text-only commercial novels. When my favorite bands release an album, I immerse myself in it for a couple of months, then withdrawal sets in and I feel a slight anxiety about wanting the next one. The same goes for anime series that are still being released when I have to wait for episodes. When I get to the end of the anime or the books there is that kind of sad emptiness. I think it’s just kind of a natural consequence of finding things that we connect with and invest emotion into. But it shows that the work moved us, and that has to be good, right?».
- «When I started, I mainly watched shounen battles and harem stuff. So when I finished a show, even if I liked it, because I knew I could find something that had the same beats, I wasn’t sad. But when I started getting more involved in Drama and Slice of Life shows, which I happen to be much more interested in, I began to understand. I became invested enough in these shows and their characters that I felt like I could never find another show that was as successful.».
- «The same thing happened to me when Gintama ended, a one-of-a-kind show. Same story with Great Teacher Onizuka a couple of years ago».
- «For me, that usually means I just saw something really good. And that is a valuable experience.».
- «It depends on how much you connect with the characters. But I wouldn’t want boring, unrelatable characters.».
- «Try to get into the seasonal ones (weekly episode releases), it’s another feeling of depression/sadness when you’ve fully invested 3-4 months (worse if it was a 24 ep/2 cour series) and then it’s over. On the contrary, it is quite enjoyable, especially if you are active in participating with the community. The best example was Jujutsu Kaisen S2 last year. The memes and reactions were hilarious every week a new episode came out. People from all over the community shared sad, happy and fun moments, and it was a wonderful time to be a fan of Jujutsu Kaisen (except for those who made spoilers, who will always have a special place in hell)».
- «I think anime is similar to music: sometimes you think you’ve heard or seen everything good, and then you find new music or shows that you didn’t know about that are great. I don’t think it’s possible for us to run out of either, so keep trying new things and you’ll keep getting hooked on the new thing again and again. Good luck!».
- «I’ve been through this so many times dude, now I literally avoid depressing anime because they last so long. My advice? Wait for all the episodes to come out and read some spoilers or reviews before watching anything».
Fountain: reddit
