Just yesterday we were commenting on a situation about the anime adaptation of “Hibike! Euphonium” which, in its third season currently airing, completely changed the events of the source material. But while that series still has one episode left to surprise and return to the original canon, What just happened this morning with “Date A Live” is probably beyond repair.
The last episode of the fifth season of the project was recently broadcast, however, the surprise was even greater for fans of the light novels when they realized that the decision was made to give the story an original ending. This was reported by those familiar with the source material, who were quick to indicate that the adaptation had skipped the last story arc and gone directly to an original ending.
The fifth season of “Date A Live” ended up adapting up to Volume 19 of the original light novels, which means there are still three more volumes left to cover. However, the presence of an original ending is a bad sign for those hoping for a sixth season. Unfortunately the author has not commented on this situation, so we cannot know if he was involved in this decision.
- «Thank you for watching ‘Date A Live V’ until the end! As I mentioned in the epilogue of the original Volume 19, ‘Date A Live’ is, in a sense, Mio Takamiya’s love story. I’m very glad that I was able to experience the outcome of this long journey once again in anime form. I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the staff and cast who did a wonderful job, as well as all the viewers who supported us. Again, thank you very much indeed!».
- «By the way, for those interested in what happens after ‘Date A Live V’, I think you’ll find answers by reading volume 20 onwards of the source material».
Generally, original endings in an anime are presented when the production catches up with the source material, but this is not the case. The “Date A Live” light novels ended more than four years ago, and three volumes are enough for the production of a new season. Unfortunately, the presence of an original ending may discourage those who were hoping for a faithful adaptation or those who were waiting for the series to end to watch it in its entirety.
Furthermore, the production of “Date A Live” was full of problems from the beginning. Going from one studio to another with each season, the anime was produced by AIC Plus+ and Production IMS for its first two seasons, with both companies going bankrupt shortly after. JCSTAFF then took the reins for a third season, doing a disappointing job in every sense, both in animation quality and narrative, even going so far as to adapt an entire volume into a single episode.
Although GEEK TOYS came to rescue the ship for the last two seasons (fourth and fifth), Some suspect that the “Date A Live” project was already unsustainable and did not generate much profit for the production companies. This would explain the presence of an original ending, precisely because GEEK TOYS already knew in advance that this would be the definitive ending of “Date A Live”.
But in the anime industry anything can happen, and if we have much less popular franchises getting sequels several years later, what’s stopping “Date A Live” from doing the same?
- «I don’t know how much the novel changes, but I really liked this original ending and it fit well within everything. To be honest, the CGI wasn’t the best, but the season was good».
- «And so ends the fifth season of Date A Live, although I don’t know if, as some say, it is an original ending or not. If so, I can understand why some readers of the novel are upset. In my case as an anime-only, I have enjoyed this season a lot».
- «The best season of Date A Live by far, I loved it so much. Although the ending is beautiful, it is quite rare for it to be original. Maybe he’ll read the novel to me from here.».
- «Date A Live has ended with GEEK TOYS taking the route of the original ending. I’m not sure what will happen to the franchise, but it’s been a decade-plus journey.».
- «Date A Live season 5 just ended with an original ending. Fuck you all. I’m glad I’ve moved on from the disaster that was season 4.».
- «I’m not going to lie to you, giving Date A Live an original ending and skipping the last arc is perhaps one of the biggest screw-ups I’ve ever seen in an anime adaptation. I don’t want to be that person, but you better go read the novels».
- «It was never an exceptionally good anime, but after more than a decade, we finally have all the pieces of this story. I understand that it was an original ending. I don’t know how happy the fans are with it, but it works for me.».
- «Original ending? I hope there is some announcement of a sixth season, it can’t end here».
- «The positive thing about being an original ending is that the girls end up as Spirits instead of ending up as humans like in the novels, and I like this original GEEK TOYS ending much more than the one in the source material».
- «Apparently we have an original ending. What the fuck is GEEK TOYS thinking? I guess a sixth season is out of the plans.».
Fountain: Twitter
