BoJack Horseman series finale explained: Does BoJack survive?

Exploring what happened in the series finale of BoJack Horseman (Image via Netflix)
BoJack Horseman is available to stream on Netflix. (Image via Netflix)

Few shows juggle talking animals, Hollywood satire, and existential dread quite like BoJack Horseman. Set in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals live side by side, the series follows a washed-up ‘90s sitcom star BoJack, a horse trying—and often failing—to pull himself out of the mess he’s made.

His life is tangled up with Diane Nguyen, a ghostwriter-turned-best friend; Princess Carolyn, his agent with a heart (and inbox) full of stress; Todd Chavez, his laid-back, chaotic roommate; and Mr. Peanutbutter, an always-sunny golden retriever and former sitcom rival.

The finale left things murky, but yes—BoJack does survive. After being found unconscious in his old home’s pool, he’s rushed to the hospital and eventually recovers. But that doesn’t mean the ending is easy or redemptive. The final episode walks a fine line between forgiveness and finality. BoJack is alive, but his relationships aren't what they were.

Closure comes quietly, through long conversations and lingering silences. BoJack Horseman doesn’t offer neat resolutions, but it does hold a mirror up to its main character—and lets him sit with what he sees. So, what exactly does the ending mean for BoJack’s future? Let’s break it down.

Disclaimer: The following article contains SPOILERS from the series finale of the show!


Explaining the ending of BoJack Horseman

BoJack's near-death experience

Still from the finale of BoJack Horseman (Image via Netflix)
Still from the finale of BoJack Horseman (Image via Netflix)

The second half of BoJack Horseman season 6 gradually builds toward its conclusion, with the key turning point arriving at the end of episode 14. After getting drunk and high, BoJack returns to his old house and falls into the pool. What follows in episode 15 is a surreal sequence set in a purgatory-like space, where BoJack is surrounded by figures from his past—Sarah Lynn, Herb Kazzaz, and his mother, Beatrice—each of whom eventually departs into the afterlife.

While episode 15 leaves BoJack’s fate uncertain, episode 16 clarifies that he survives and has been sentenced to prison for the breaking he committed in episode 14. BoJack was saved when he was found by the new owners of his old house.

He’s temporarily released to attend Princess Carolyn’s wedding, setting up a quiet conclusion to the series. The finale focuses on BoJack reconnecting with the core characters—sharing a conversation with Diane on a rooftop, dancing with Princess Carolyn at her reception, and watching fireworks with Todd.

There are no dramatic shifts in fortune. Instead, the final episode centers on the relationships BoJack built and strained over the course of the series. Whether those relationships continue or fade remains unstated, but each interaction is left open-ended. The finale closes on a note of transition rather than finality, marking a shift in BoJack’s story rather than an end.


Why BoJack did not die

Still from the finale of BoJack Horseman (Image via Netflix)
Still from the finale of BoJack Horseman (Image via Netflix)

Many viewers expected BoJack Horseman to end with BoJack's death, particularly with the recurring visual of him submerged in his swimming pool—a theme hinted at in the show’s opening credits. Episode 15 of season 6 appears to follow through on this idea, depicting BoJack unconscious in the water after a night of substance use. However, the finale reveals that BoJack survives and is sentenced to prison.

The sequence of BoJack floating in the pool, followed by appearances from characters like Diane and Mr. Peanutbutter, signals that his story does not end in that moment. The visual language of the credits, where BoJack floats rather than drowns, mirrors the show’s decision to keep the character alive.

Following his near-death experience, BoJack Horseman shifts focus to accountability. The season explores his past actions through a series of interviews and media scrutiny, bringing back public and personal consequences. BoJack’s relationships and behavior are examined, particularly those involving abuse of power.

Rather than concluding his arc with death, the series places BoJack in a legal and emotional reckoning. This ending frames BoJack’s future as uncertain but continuing, one where he must live with and reflect on the impact of his choices.


Princess Carolyn Marries Judah

Stills from the finale of BoJack Horseman (Image via Netflix)
Stills from the finale of BoJack Horseman (Image via Netflix)

Princess Carolyn, BoJack’s longtime manager, friend, and former romantic partner, plays a significant role in the BoJack Horseman finale. Her dynamic with BoJack receives closure during a dance at Princess Carolyn’s wedding, highlighting the unique bond they share throughout the series.

By the end of season 6, Princess Carolyn has a child, a new husband, and a new professional direction. She is shown launching a production company focused on female-led projects. The finale also confirms her marriage to Judah, her long-time assistant and business partner.

Throughout the series, Princess Carolyn’s arc frequently focuses on balancing her demanding career with personal aspirations. Her relationship with Judah reflects this theme—blending the personal and professional aspects of her life. First introduced as a twist earlier in the season, their partnership becomes a central element of her concluding storyline.

Princess Carolyn’s final scenes depict her moving into a new phase—personally and professionally—while maintaining her established sense of responsibility and ambition. Her character’s resolution aligns with the broader themes explored in BoJack Horseman’s final season, particularly around work-life balance, personal growth, and lasting relationships.


What Happens To Todd & Mr. Peanutbutter

Still from season 2 (Image via Netflix)
Still from season 2 (Image via Netflix)

Todd and Mr. Peanutbutter have smaller roles in the final episodes of BoJack Horseman, but their stories continue on separate tracks. Each shares a moment with BoJack — Mr. Peanutbutter picks him up from prison, and Todd watches the fireworks from his shoulders on the beach.

The finale outlines their next steps. Todd is running a daycare service in Princess Carolyn’s building and is shown spending time with Maude. Mr. Peanutbutter owns a restaurant, and though Pickles has left with Joey Pogo, he continues with his usual routine. He also returns a letter to the “Hollywoo” sign, unintentionally changing it to “Hollywoob.”

These scenes suggest that both characters will continue to be part of BoJack’s life in some capacity. Mr. Peanutbutter remains especially present, regardless of BoJack’s response to him. While not given extended screen time, Todd and Mr. Peanutbutter’s endings reinforce that their paths are ongoing and not reliant on BoJack’s. Their lives continue independently, intersecting with BoJack’s only at moments, much like other characters in the series.


What was in Hollyhock's letter to BoJack?

Still from BoJack Horseman season 6 (Image via Netflix)
Still from BoJack Horseman season 6 (Image via Netflix)

One thread left open in the BoJack Horseman ending is BoJack's relationship with his half-sister, Hollyhock. When part 2 of season 6 begins, BoJack is teaching at Wesleyan University, the same college Hollyhock attends. After learning more about what happened with Penny and her friends during season 2, Hollyhock distances herself from BoJack.

She avoids contact, and BoJack is unable to reconnect with her. After returning to Hollywood, he leaves multiple voicemails for her, but receives no response until a letter arrives. The letter’s contents are never revealed, but the moment of BoJack reading it triggers a noticeable shift in his behavior. Hollyhock doesn’t appear again for the remainder of the series.

Her absence suggests that whatever was in the letter led to a definitive break in their relationship. BoJack’s response to the letter implies acceptance, with no further attempts to reach out or confront the situation.

The series does not provide closure or reconciliation between the two characters. Hollyhock’s story concludes quietly, with no indication of whether their relationship might be repaired. This unresolved dynamic remains one of the lingering threads by the end of BoJack Horseman.


The meaning of the song in BoJack Horseman's ending

Still from BoJack Horseman finale (Image via Netflix)
Still from BoJack Horseman finale (Image via Netflix)

In the final scenes of the BoJack Horseman ending, the show closes with Catherine Feeny’s song “Mr. Blue” playing over BoJack and Diane’s rooftop conversation. The track underscores the dynamic between the two characters — one shaped by care, complexity, and distance. The lyrics, including “I have to go now,” align with Diane’s decision to leave “Hollywoo” and move to Texas.

The song also mirrors BoJack’s situation. As he says goodbye to people who were once central to his life, “Mr. Blue” plays in the background, describing a figure who has fallen from a high point but still has the chance to look up. The lyric “Don’t hold your head so low that you can’t see the sky” accompanies the quiet tone of the finale, where change remains possible but not guaranteed.

The song becomes part of the larger soundtrack that has been present throughout BoJack Horseman, often used to reinforce narrative shifts or emotional moments. In this instance, it plays as Diane walks away and BoJack watches her go, marking the end of a chapter. With the conversation finished and the sky above them, the show closes without a clear resolution, only the sense of time moving forward.


The BoJack Horseman ending doesn’t aim for closure—it simply lets things be. Relationships drift, consequences settle, and life carries on. For a show built on discomfort and reflection, it’s a fitting farewell. The entire show is available to stream on Netflix.

Edited by Niharika Dabral
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications