- The Anmu true ending requires collecting all lore notes across every floor before escaping.
- You must enter the hidden side room on the exit floor before riding the exit elevator.
- Missing even one lore note locks you into the standard Escape ending instead.
- Explore the hidden room behind the shelf on the crash floor for extra collectibles and lore.
- The true ending route is fully doable in a single careful, stealth-focused run.
Anmu True Ending vs. Other Endings
ANMU currently features two confirmed endings. The default Escape ending is what most players get on a first run: you insert the key into the exit elevator and ride up to safety. The true ending is the hidden reward for players who explore thoroughly and piece together the building's backstory before leaving.
| Ending | Trigger | Key Requirement | Extra Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escape (Ending 1) | Insert key into exit elevator and ride up | Complete all floors | Basic ending scene |
| True Ending (Ending 2) | Enter hidden side room on the exit floor before escaping | Collect all lore notes | Extended dialogue and story reveal |
Inserting the key into the exit elevator panel commits you to the ending tied to your current progress. Enter the hidden side room first, then use the elevator.
The true ending is the game's way of rewarding players who read the environment instead of rushing to the exit. Every lore note you pick up adds context to what happened in the building, and the hidden room on the final floor is where those threads come together. If you enter that room with all notes collected, the ending sequence expands with extra dialogue most first-run players never see.
Lore Note Locations by Floor
Lore notes are the backbone of the true ending route. They are scattered across every floor, and the game does not track partial progress for you, so search each floor completely before moving upward.
| Floor | Note Location | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crash Floor (Floor 1) | Hidden room behind the shelf (loose panel) | Easy | Also contains a collectible figurine |
| Code Door Floor (Floor 2) | Pinned to walls and desks across office rooms | Easy | Check every room before the keypad |
| Corridor Floor (Floor 3) | Alcoves along the patrolled corridor | Hard | Monster patrols; grab notes between passes |
| Breaker Floor (Floor 4) | Near the wall diagram and machinery | Medium | Grab before flipping breakers |
| Exit Floor (Final) | Inside the hidden side room | Medium | Room also triggers the ending flag |
Floor 2 Notes
- Spread across four office rooms
- Same notes used for the keypad code
- Read them twice: once for code, once for lore
Floor 3 Notes
- Located in side alcoves
- Timed around the Wanderer's patrol
- Never sprint between pickups
Final Floor Note
- Inside the hidden side room
- Found before using the exit elevator
- Last piece of the story
Fully clear each floor of notes before opening the next stairwell or coded door. Backtracking through a monster-patrolled floor for a missed note is far riskier than grabbing it the first time.
Step-by-Step True Ending Route
Follow this route to hit every true ending requirement in a single run. The order matters most on the final floor, where the hidden room must be visited before the elevator.
Crash Floor — Find the Hidden Room
After the elevator crash, grab the flashlight from the debris, then interact with the loose panel behind the shelf to open the hidden room. Collect the figurine and the first lore note. Also grab the first key hidden behind a shelf to unlock the stairwell.
Code Door Floor — Read Every Note
Search all four office rooms and read every note. Each note gives one digit of the randomized keypad code and several contain lore. Collect batteries from desks and lockers while you search. Enter the code and proceed.
Corridor Floor — Stealth Collect
Crouch behind crates and move only when the patrolling monster faces away. Sweep the side alcoves for lore notes and battery pickups, then slip through the maintenance door at the far end. Walk or crouch only — sprinting triggers a chase.
Breaker Floor — Optional Secret
Read the wall diagram, then flip the breakers in the shown order to restore power. For a bonus, flipping them in the reverse order opens a secret hatch near the breaker room with a bonus item. Grab the second key before leaving.
Exit Floor — Hidden Room First, Then Elevator
Climb to the final floor. Do not insert the key yet. Locate and enter the hidden side room, collect the final lore note, and confirm you have every note from previous floors. Then insert the key into the elevator panel and ride up to trigger the true ending.
Before inserting the key, mentally confirm: hidden room on Floor 1 cleared, all office notes on Floor 2 read, all alcove notes on Floor 3 collected, breaker floor searched, and the final floor's hidden room entered. All five checks green means the true ending is yours.
Surviving the Note Hunt
Collecting every note means spending more time on dangerous floors, especially the monster-patrolled corridor. Adjust your playstyle accordingly.
| Monster | Threat While Note Hunting | Counter |
|---|---|---|
| The Wanderer | Patrols the corridor where notes spawn | Move only when its back is turned; crouch behind crates |
| The Listener | Drawn to noise from quick pickups | Walk slowly; stand still if it approaches |
| The Watcher | Guards key rooms with rotating gaze | Time movement between gaze rotations; hug walls |
| The Stalker | Trails you when you linger too long | Keep moving forward; never shine your flashlight at it |
The Stalker punishes players who linger in one room — exactly what thorough note hunting encourages. Sweep each area efficiently, keep your flashlight pointed away from open doorways, and keep forward momentum.
True Ending Checklist
True Ending Run Checklist:
- Open the hidden room behind the shelf on the crash floor
- Collect the lore note inside the crash floor hidden room
- Read all notes across the four office rooms on Floor 2
- Collect all alcove lore notes on the corridor floor
- Search the breaker floor for remaining notes
- Enter the hidden side room on the exit floor BEFORE using the elevator
Your first run should focus on survival and learning floor layouts. Once you know every floor's rhythm, a second dedicated true-ending run goes far faster — you will know exactly where each note waits.
True Ending FAQ
Q: What is the Anmu true ending?
The true ending is ANMU's hidden second ending. It triggers when you collect all lore notes scattered across every floor and enter the hidden side room on the exit floor before riding the escape elevator, unlocking extended ending dialogue that reveals the building's backstory.
Q: Can I get the true ending if I miss one lore note?
No. The true ending requires all lore notes. Missing even one locks you into the standard Escape ending. Since notes are not tracked for you, search each floor completely before moving on, and double-check the crash floor's hidden room early in your run.
Q: Do I have to enter the hidden side room before inserting the exit key?
Yes. Inserting the key into the exit elevator panel commits your run to the ending matching your current progress. Always explore the hidden side room on the final floor first, confirm your notes are complete, and only then insert the key.
Q: Is the secret breaker hatch required for the true ending?
No. Flipping the breakers in reverse order opens a secret hatch with a bonus item, but it is a separate secret. Only the full lore note collection and the hidden side room visit are required for the true ending itself.