Supernatural season 15's ending concluded the show on a high note, with Sam and Dean Winchester, played respectively by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, reunited in heaven. In an arguably anticlimactic twist, however, Dean died in an unbelievably normal way, considering the cosmic clash between good and evil he'd been dealing with for seasons. However, Dean appears in another series that could give fans the content they crave.

Going down fighting vampires was exactly how Dean saw himself die, and, in a sense, it was a merciful ending, even though it left Sam behind. Sam and Dean Winchester got as close to a fairytale ending as two hunter brothers may ever get - at least one left living a long life and meeting the other again in the afterlife, along with old friends like Bobby. But for those needing more from the Winchester brothers, the little-known Supernatural anime is well worth watching.

The Supernatural Anime Series Is Well-Worth Watching If You Liked The Original Show

Supernatural's Anime Could Fill The Gaps Left By The Live-Action Show

The Supernatural anime was co-directed by Shigeyuki Miya and Atsuko Ishizuka and is surprisingly entertaining and original for such a direct adaptation of a well-known story. It packs emotional punches as well as spooky thrills. Released in 2011, Supernatural: The Animation ran for 22 episodes, made by Madhouse and released by Warner Home Video.

As far as Supernatural spinoffs go, the anime may be the best.

Those who want to see more of the Supernatural characters post-season 15 won't be completely fulfilled, as the anime adaptation doesn't get as far as season 15. That said, Jared Padalecki voices Sam in the dub throughout, and Jensen Ackles voices Dean in some episodes.

Which Parts Of The Original Series Supernatural's Anime Adapts

Supernatural: The Animation Has Its Own Story To Tell

Supernatural: The Animation, also known as Supernatural: The Anime Series, adapts some parts of Supernatural seasons 1 and 2. It also adds its own original material, which often makes for some of the best episodes of the lot, proving the creative skill of the team behind it. As far as Supernatural spinoffs go, the anime may be the best. It's a shame it only got through 22 episodes, which encom critical events like Sam and Dean's season 1 encounter with a shapeshifter and their season 2 encounter with a ghost on a mountain road.

The Supernatural episodes these events originally occurred in - "Skin" and "Roadkill" - were particularly memorable. The anime helps immortalize them further, providing a relatively faithful take on them, along with the key werewolf episode, "Heart." The anime also follows Jared Padalecki's Sam Winchester as he revisits the first time he met Jess in an original episode, actually covering ground that the live-action show really should have. The anime gets to the "All Hell Breaks Loose" episodes (part one and part two) in spectacular fashion and captures the essence of Supernatural.

The Supernatural Anime Is A Reminder Of Why The Early Seasons Were So Good

Supernatural Came From Humble Beginnings

Over the course of 15 seasons, Supernatural underwent some major changes. In the early era of the show, there was a lot more focus on smaller character-driven stories with Sam and Dean at the wheel. The pair went through their lives as hunters, trying to overcome the distance caused by years being apart, and searching for their father. The focus was clear, and the magic of the series came from the monster of the week storytelling serving as a perfect backdrop to the Winchester boys finding their way back to each other.

But in later seasons, with the introduction of angels, heavenly monsters, God himself, and apocalyptic creatures who could tear apart all the realities in existence, the stakes kept on rising. In the anime, the show returns to the more focused storytelling, and it feels like a fresh start for the brothers without the burden of all the extra frills. It was simple, clever, emotional, and a delight that earned a dedicated fan base that would stick with it for decades, even after the show ended. The early seasons made the show what it is, and it didn't need to keep pushing the stakes higher and higher until reality was in danger.

Don't Worry, We're Sure Supernatural Season 16 Will Happen Eventually

Supernatural Still Has So Much More Potential

That is not to say that the high stakes didn't serve a purpose. And characters like Castiel didn't appear until the heavenly storylines began coming thick and fast. The show undoubtedly continued to push through these boundaries and succeed. Otherwise, there is no way it could have survived through 15 seasons in 15 years. And yet, after the show ended in 2020, with a definitive out for Dean Winchester in the form of his death, fans are still begging to see more of Sam and Dean. And frankly, with so much demand, it feels impossible that Supernatural will never get a little more time on screen.

Of course, we all want to see Supernatural season 16, but it's also true that a lot of other shows are being developed into spin-offs, reboots, revivals, and other expansions. As long as Sam and Dean are brought in somehow, whatever narrative is used to continue, the story will have a built-in audience ready and waiting. But fingers crossed, things happen a lot more quickly and the boys can come back for a Supernatural season 16 so they can pick up where they left off and create a more satisfying resolution that takes the show back to its roots like the anime did.