Regular Show Ending Explained: Pops' Sacrifice & The Series Finale

Cartoon Network's Regular Show was a wild ride, and the ending? Even wilder! It was a three-part finale that was totally unexpected but so perfect for this series.

The Regular Show Finale

This awesome show concluded its 8-season run with a battle to save the entire universe! Pops, a sweet character who seemed to stay in the background in earlier seasons, was pushed to take center stage! Fans didn't know at first but his whole backstory is revealed as being one of the most critical characters of the whole series. This isn't a joke! He literally is in a battle with his brother, Anti-Pops, a super powerful villain with plans to wreck everything.

This isn't the first time this fight took place. The Pops vs. Anti-Pops battles to save the universe were epic. Even in its bizarre humor it's super heartfelt as everyone showed up during the finale, everyone was ready for the end, including those who appeared earlier in this crazy series.

Also Read: The Conners Season 7: Why DJ Needs To Come Back (But It's A Problem)

Pops vs. Anti-Pops: The Final Battle

Regular Show Season 8, Episode 27 ("A Regular Epic Final Battle"), was mind-blowing! It's where everything changed.

The battle of the century is about to begin and these crazy bots really bring the fight of their lives as we get to see the heroes from the whole show, getting ready to show just how much strength and power they truly have. Even fans can’t imagine all the action-packed battles. What was most surprising though, was even Mordecai and Rigby had to get in on the act!

It’s like a giant Megazord!
They showed how all the cast had been critical throughout all these previous seasons!
This is their big moment of glory!

Even as this incredible robot helped, what fans saw was that it came down to Pops and Anti-Pops. Just like previous universes that got destroyed! We're taken back to those origins again.

However, things went differently in this version. Mordecai and Rigby helped things go totally different. It’s one of those totally meta moments, that shows they used that ultimate power in their very last moments as this series was ready to go out in style!

Also Read: The Conners Season 7: A Farewell to the Beloved Family Sitcom

Pops' Sacrifice

This crazy story has plenty of ups and downs! It’s what keeps everyone excited for every new season! That said. Pops makes a total sacrifice to save the world. Fans are not able to forget just how important he became throughout Season 7 of Regular Show! That's how they built Pops to be the Chosen One in a really cool moment! What made him even more iconic, was his total and complete sacrifice. That included hugging Anti-Pops to stop him. There is even Pops traveling through the sun with Anti-Pops!

Also Read: Steven Universe: Why This Cartoon Network Show is a Fan Favorite

Did Pops Really Die?

Regular Show's park crew in the finale Image

It’s not easy knowing what death really means, in a show as crazy and wild as Regular Show. It wasn’t a surprise Pops’ death wasn't easy! He ended up looking at his friends' lives after making a final, memorable move on this awesome Cartoon Network series.

After showing a preview into 20 years in the future. The show is over in style and goes to heaven! where he watches his friend's memories as part of his afterlife in the afterlife as part of his journey beyond. Fans will remember those wild adventures by using these awesome tapes called "Regular Show" – This meta storytelling brings a heartfelt touch, tying the show perfectly to its memorable title!

Also Read: Regular Show Reboot: Everything You Need to Know!

What Happened to the Park Crew?

Regular Show’s finale shows what these funny, interesting heroes went through. Everyone worked together for the greater good. And then found amazing ways to work together, after this big finale!

Pops, in a totally awesome way, gets remembered with a huge statue in the park!
Mordecai takes on an artist’s path! After 20 years have passed we see the former employee as a happy father.
Rigby also got to pursue something great in his adult life.
Benson goes on to run his park.
The long living Skips keeps his job! This amazing figure helped many and never stops!
Even Muscle Man's story had some new updates and turns that will keep this fan favorite forever in people's minds!

The Meaning of Regular Show’s Finale

Regular Show never shied from those bizarre, crazy elements that brought fans into the show. The show constantly joked and was aware about what was going on around it! Those in the television world know that keeping a show for 8 seasons is super rare! The writers wanted fans to cherish this series, including remembering that sometimes it is good to say goodbye!

Even Mordecai and Rigby knew that they couldn’t be a part of Regular Show forever! And even went on to find happiness in their new chapters. All that remains to the creators is that they celebrate all of their accomplishments. To see all of these characters’ development over 8 seasons, brings so many things together as it leaves this beloved series’ audience with a truly powerful lasting impact.

Regular Show’s Sequel

Even if Regular Show came to a satisfying end it isn't the end for everyone’s favorite Cartoon Network characters! News dropped back in June 2024 through Variety that there’s a sequel being developed and fans have even heard about many iconic characters that are returning such as Skips. Mark Hamill himself, confirmed what many believed – another installment in this series, so expect a truly awesome time!

Fans and newcomers should get hyped because it will be truly something special as many are saying that "Regular Show Lost Tapes" will tie into those special tapes from Pops. And possibly give audiences some more background that were alluded to from prior seasons! Expect a lot of new twists. A series that fans may want to have as this could end up giving us some additional stories for this universe! It doesn’t take away the great value of the original Regular Show finale, however.