What is Post-Anime Depression?

Anime fans and otakus know that, every once in a while, they find a series that completely grabs them. Whether it's the story, the characters, the theme, or any other reason, these shows manage to connect deeply with them. However, when the final episode rolls around and the lights go out, many find themselves facing an emotional roller coaster known as "post-anime depression syndrome" (PADS).

This phenomenon, according to the Urban Dictionary, is defined as a feeling of melancholy and emptiness after finishing an anime series. Symptoms can vary, but it's 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 forms with the characters and plot of the series, or even a disappointment over an unsatisfying ending.

PADS is an experience shared by many anime fans, and overcoming 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 the animation studio can help fill the void left by the series finale. While it will never be the same as the original experience, discovering new worlds and characters can offer a welcome distraction and renew love for anime. Ultimately, the PADS is proof of the deep emotional connection that anime series can have in the lives of their viewers.

"I 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 to you (in my case, this was the 200th entry on my MAL account)."
"If you're really interested in an anime and want to continue the story after you're done 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 stuff will probably make you feel less attached to the previous things you've seen."
"If you want real depression, watch Neon Genesis Evangelion."
"I've 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've watched a lot of episodes because I've become emotionally involved with the characters. But now I don't feel it as much because I don't have as much time to look 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 from time to time and do other things."
"This happens to me too, so I always watch several shows 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 mild 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 anime or books there's 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 in. But it shows that the work moved us, and that's got to be good, right?"
"When I first started, I mostly 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 to get more involved in the Drama and Slice-of-Life programs, which I turned out to be much more interested in, I began to understand. I got involved 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've just seen something really good. And that's 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's quite enjoyable, especially if you're active in engaging 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 funny moments, and it was a wonderful time to be a Jujutsu Kaisen fan (except for 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 all the good stuff, 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 be left without either, so keep trying new things and you'll keep getting hooked on the new again and again. Best of luck!"
"I've been through it 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."