Slice-of-life anime is often combined with comedy and romance to create a carefree and relaxing atmosphere. But what happens when it incorporates more somber moments? In this article, we will explore the opposite end of the spectrum: the top 18 saddest slice-of-life anime of all time (including movies).
Editor’s Note: While some anime movies and TV series mentioned may not be explicitly labeled as slice of life, they contain elements of the genre and have been included in this list.
1. Your Lie In April
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Music, Romance
- Aired: 2014 – 2015
Your Lie in April is a story about a young pianist named Kōsei who loses his ability to hear after his mother dies. Years later, he meets Kaori, a free-spirited violinist who helps him rediscover his love for music.
The anime is known for its beautiful animation and moving soundtrack. What makes it sad are the difficult topics it deals with, such as loss and grief, which are unfortunately part of the human experience.
That being said, it is also a story of hope and the importance of living life to the fullest.
2. A Silent Voice
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Slice of Life, School
- Aired: 2016
A thought-provoking and sad slice-of-life movie, A Silent Voice follows Shōya Ishida, a former bully who is ostracized by his classmates after teasing a deaf girl named Shōko Nishimiya. Years later, Shōya seeks out Shōko to apologize and make amends.
The anime is famous for many reasons, but its powerful storytelling stands out among them. The themes it tackles are often quite depressing; however, it approaches them with sensitivity and empathy. Furthermore, the characters are complex and relatable, making the movie so moving that it will stay with you long after you’ve finished watching it.
3. Angel Beats
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Supernatural
- Aired: 2010
Angel Beats! is a popular anime that combines elements of comedy, drama, action, and slice-of-life. The story takes place in the afterlife, where students who died before graduating high school are sent to a purgatory-like world called the Afterlife World Front (AWF).
The AWF is a place where students can fight back against the god-like entity known as “God” who controls their afterlife. The main character, Otonashi, joins the AWF’s SSS Club, a group of students who rebel against God and seek to find meaning in their afterlife.
The sadness is rooted in its exploration of heavy topics, including loss, grief, and the purpose of life. However, it also has a strong comedic element, which helps to balance the emotional intensity of the story.
4. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Aired: 2018
Life, death, love, and friendship—these themes are present in every person’s life on this earth. Perhaps that’s why I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, a sad slice-of-life anime movie that looks into these themes, remains among the most popular, despite airing six years ago.
The story follows Sakura Yamauchi, a high school girl who is diagnosed with a terminal illness, and her classmate, Takumi Tanabe, who discovers her secret.
As Sakura’s condition worsens, Takumi becomes increasingly attached to her and begins to appreciate the value of life.
5. Welcome to the NHK
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Psychological
- Aired: 2006
Despite the advice found on platforms like Reddit and Quora advocating for therapy, mental illness unfortunately remains taboo in many countries. Welcome to the NHK seeks to confront this stigma by shedding light on heavy topics such as social isolation, depression, and mental illness.
The main character of the series is Tatsuhiro Satō, a NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) who becomes more and more withdrawn from society. As he deals with his loneliness and anxiety, he meets other isolated people who create a unique community.
6. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Supernatural, Slice of Life
- Aired: 2011
If there’s an anime that masterfully creates a relatable story for anyone who has experienced loss, it’s Anohana. It beautifully depicts friendship, loss, and even the process of moving on. The characters’ struggles with their feelings of loss and guilt feel real and heartfelt.
In this anime, we follow a group of childhood friends who reunite after the death of their friend, Meiko “Menma” Honma.
As they deal with their grief and try to fulfill Menma’s final wish, the group confronts their own personal struggles and learns the importance of cherishing the time they have together.
7. 5 Centimeters Per Second
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
- Aired: 2007
5 Centimeters Per Second is an anime film directed by Makoto Shinkai that tells the story of a young boy named Takaki Tōno and his experiences with love and distance. The film is divided into three segments, each focusing on different stages of Takaki’s life. It begins with his childhood friendship with a girl named Akari Shinohara. They share a deep bond, but as they grow older, circumstances pull them apart.
The movie shows the pain of unrequited love and the longing for someone who is far away. Takaki and Akari want to stay connected, but life keeps getting in the way, making it hard for them. It also highlights feelings of loneliness and isolation as Takaki’s memories of Akari become bittersweet. The beautiful animation and music add to the feelings of loss and nostalgia, making viewers really feel for the characters.
8. Garden of Words
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
- Aired: 2013
The director of The Garden of Words, Makoto Shinkai, is a renowned Japanese animator and filmmaker known for his dazzling and emotional works, such as Weathering with You and Your Name. These films have resonated with audiences and continue to capture their attention, setting a high bar from the start.
The story follows a high school student named Takao, who meets an older woman named Yukari in a park on rainy days. As their unlikely friendship develops, they share their struggles, but the story ultimately reveals the pain of unfulfilled connections and the reality of their separate lives, creating a bittersweet experience.
Now, The Garden of Words does not disappoint. It is a movie that is both sad and beautiful, exploring themes of loneliness and isolation while highlighting the healing power of nature. The film features absolutely mesmerizing shots of rain and greenery, making it truly eye candy.
9. Scum’s Wish
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Psychological
- Aired: 2017
A dark and provocative anime, Scum’s Wish is intended for an adult audience. While it’s tempting to say it should be cherished, this series is truly unsettling, revealing the darker sides of human nature, especially in relation to love.
Lust, sex, cheating, and betrayal are all central themes; Scum’s Wish covers them all. Human relationships are complex, and this anime captures that reality. Don’t expect anything heartwarming—Scum’s Wish is genuinely one of the saddest slice-of-life anime for a reason.
In this anime, we follow two high school students, Hanabi and Mugi, who pretend to be in a relationship to cope with their feelings for others they cannot be with.
10. Plastic Memories
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
- Aired: 2015
Plastic Memories might have an odd title but it fits it perfectly. After all, the anime is about artificial humans known as Giftias. In particular, it centers around a Giftia named Isla who is nearing the end of her lifespan, and a young man who works for the company producing Giftias who begins developing feelings for her.
If you’ve ever wondered whether AI can become conscious or have feelings, this anime delves into that idea. It explores what it means to be human, to have a soul, and whether romance between a human and an artificial being is possible. Overall, it’s one of the saddest slice-of-life anime with a very bittersweet ending.
11. Wolf Children
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
- Aired: 2012
A touching and sentimental movie, Wolf Children is about a young woman named Hana who falls in love with a man who can transform into a wolf. They have two children together, Yuki and Ame, who inherit their father’s ability to become wolves. After their father dies, Hana is left to raise her children alone, struggling to protect them while allowing them to choose between living as humans or wolves.
Just by reading the synopsis, you can tell this is a sad slice-of-life movie. It delicately tackles themes of loss, single motherhood, and the challenges of raising children who are different. Hana’s journey is filled with love, but also with hardship and sacrifice.
12. Violent Evergarden
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Slice of Life
- Aired: 2018
At first glance, Violet seems like an ordinary young woman. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth; in fact, she was raised as a soldier. After the war ends, she struggles to find her place in the “new world”.
Struggling to connect with others is a common experience. For many, exploring the meaning of love—whether in romance or friendship—is a challenge. Violet Evergarden is known as a heartfelt anime that tackles themes of loss, trauma, and connecting with other people. While there are many sad themes in this eye-catching series, it’s also filled with hope and inspiration, as Violet learns the true meaning of love and discovers the beauty of life.
13. Kotaro Lives Alone
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Slice of Life
- Aired: 2022
Kotaro Lives Alone follows the story of a young boy named Kotaro, who moves into a new apartment complex by himself. Despite his age, he shows maturity beyond his years and often surprises his neighbors with his insights and quirky personality. The series depicts his daily life as he interacts with the residents, each dealing with their own struggles.
Often praised for its beautiful blend of humor with heartfelt moments, the series showcases the importance of community and friendship, while also touching on deeper themes like loneliness and resilience.
14. Girls’ Last Tour
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Adventure, Slice of Life, Sci-Fi
- Aired: 2017
Have you ever imagined how hard it would be to live in a post-apocalyptic world? For two young girls, Chito and Yuuri, this is just an everyday experience as they journey through a desolate landscape on their small motorcycle. Despite the bleak environment, the girls find joy in small moments and share deep conversations about life.
Girls’ Last Tour perfectly captures the contrast between the girls’ innocence and the harsh reality around them. You can’t help but feel a sense of melancholy as they face loneliness, loss, and the struggle to find meaning in a world that has been destroyed.
15. To Your Eternity
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy
- Aired: 2021
To Your Eternity follows the journey of an immortal being, initially a simple orb, that takes on different forms as it experiences the world. It begins as a wolf and then transforms into a boy named Fushi after meeting a young boy who teaches it about life and emotions. As Fushi encounters various people and faces both joy and sorrow, it learns what it means to be human.
While To Your Eternity started as an underrated anime, it now has nearly 1 million fans on MyAnimeList, with a rating of 8.34, which is quite high. Its deep storytelling and exploration of themes like the meaning of love, the pain of loss, and the fleeting nature of life make it one of the saddest yet most impactful slice-of-life anime you can watch.
16. Clannad
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Romance, Slice of Life
- Aired: 2007 – 2008
A popular romance anime, Clannad follows the story of Tomoya Okazaki, a high school student who feels disconnected from his life and peers. He meets a shy girl named Nagisa Furukawa, and they form a friendship that leads to Tomoya getting involved with a group of friends. Together, they face various challenges related to family, love, and personal growth.
What makes Clannad stand out from other anime is its rich character development and relatable portrayal of relationships and the struggles of life. Nevertheless, despite its cute art style, Clannad is still quite sad as it tackles heavy themes such as family issues, loss, and the impact of choices.
17. Grave of the Fireflies
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, War
- Aired: 1988
There are movies that you recognize as amazing but don’t want to watch again because they are just too heartbreaking. For many, including me, Grave of the Fireflies is one of those films.
The movie follows the heartbreaking story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, during World War II in Japan. After their home is destroyed in a bombing, they struggle to survive on their own. Seita, the older brother, tries to protect and care for his younger sister, Setsuko, as they face hunger, despair, and the harsh realities of war.
The impact of war on innocent lives is often overlooked in many war movies. Grave of the Fireflies confronts this reality head-on, showing the harsh truth behind the glorified war. It highlights loss, sacrifice, and the struggle for survival, often without a happy ending.
18. Colorful
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Fantasy
- Aired: 2010
I’ve discussed the importance of mental health themes, stressing that it’s crucial to talk about them openly and remove the stigma. If we succeeded, people would probably be more likely to seek the help they need, whether from professionals or from friends and family. Colorful is a sad slice-of-life movie that seeks to break the taboo surrounding mental health by showing the viewers the challenges young people face and underscoring the importance of understanding and empathy.
In this movie, the story follows a recently deceased soul who is given a second chance at life. The protagonist, known as “Colorful,” inhabits the body of a boy named Makoto, who has just attempted suicide. As Colorful experiences Makoto’s life, he uncovers the struggles, pain, and emotions that the boy faced, including bullying, family issues, and feelings of hopelessness.
