Read the dictionary definition of anyways. All definitions for this word.
1. used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
1. Anyhow, he is dead now
2. I think they're asleep; anyhow, they're quiet
3. I don't know what happened to it; anyway, it's gone
4. anyway, there is another factor to consider
5. I don't know how it started; in any case, there was a brief scuffle
6. in any event, the government faced a serious protest
7. but at any rate he got a knighthood for it