Just yesterday we were commenting on a situation regarding the anime adaptation of “Hibike! euphonium”Which, in its currently airing third season, has completely changed the events of the source material. But while this series still has one episode to surprise and return to the original canon, What 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 an original ending to the story. This was reported by people familiar with the source material, who were quick to point out that the adaptation had skipped the last story arc and gone straight to an original ending.

The fifth season of “Date A Live” ended up being adapted 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 did not comment 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 happy to have been able to experience the result of this long journey once again in anime form. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the crew and cast who did a wonderful job, as well as to all the viewers who supported us. Once again, thank you very much!».

• «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.».

Usually, animes' original endings are presented when the production catches up with the source material, but this is not the case. The "Date A Live" light novels ended over four years ago, and three volumes are enough to produce a new season. Unfortunately, the presence of an original ending may discourage those expecting a faithful adaptation or those waiting for the end of the series to watch it in full.

Furthermore, the production of “Date A Live” was plagued with problems from the beginning. Moving from one studio to another each season, the anime was produced by AIC Plus+ and Production IMS for the first two seasons, with both companies going bankrupt soon after. JCSTAFF then took over the reins for a third season, doing a disappointing job in every way, both in terms of animation quality and narrative, even adapting an entire volume into a single episode.

Although GEEK TOYS has come to the rescue for the past two seasons (fourth and fifth), Some suspect that the “Date A Live” project was already unsustainable and did not generate much profit for the producers. This would explain the presence of an original ending, precisely because GEEK TOYS already knew beforehand 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 everything well. 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's an original ending or not. If so, I can understand why some readers of the novel are upset. In my case, just from anime, I really enjoyed this season.».
• «By far the best season of Date A Live, I loved it so much. While the ending is beautiful, it's rarely original. Maybe he'll read the novel to me from here.».
• «Date A Live ended with GEEK TOYS following the path of the original ending. I'm not sure what will happen to the franchise, but it's been a journey of over a decade.».
• «Date A Live season 5 just ended with an original ending. Go to hell. I'm glad I abandoned it since the disaster that was season 4.».
• «I won't lie to you, giving Date A Live an original ending and skipping the last arc is probably one of the biggest mistakes I've ever seen in an anime adaptation. I don't want to be that person, but you're better off reading the novels.».
• «It was never an exceptionally good anime, but after over 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's some announcement of a sixth season, it can't end here».
• «The upside of this 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 hell is GEEK TOYS thinking? I think a sixth season is out of the cards.».

Source: Twitter