We all love a good cry sometimes, but some anime endings leave you feeling hollow for days. Prepare some tissues because we are about to revisit (or maybe avoid!) the 12 most depressing anime endings that are difficult to rewatch.
Spoiler alert: The article describes the endings of the anime, so proceed with caution.
12. Devilman Crybaby
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As demons awaken and the world plunges into chaos, a kindhearted but weak boy called Akira becomes a demon warrior, fighting alongside his mysterious childhood friend Ryo in a brutal war against evil.
The ending of Devilman Crybaby is undeniably tragic. Ryo is revealed as Satan reincarnated, and Akira realizes he was deceived into becoming a Devilman to survive in the changed world.
Instead of joining Satan, Akira fights alongside other Devilmen against his army, but they are defeated. In the end, humanity, demons, and Devilmen all perish, and the angels destroy and remake the Earth. Satan mourns the loss of the only person he really loved. Ultimately, the anime presents a bleak conclusion with no clear winners.
11. Berserk (1997 Series)
Berserk is a well-respected and influential manga, but its fame might not be as widespread as some other shonen series. What also doesn’t help is that many fans find the animation and pacing terrible, with the story being so condensed that it becomes confusing and unenjoyable.
Berserk (1997) follows Guts, a powerful warrior, and his band of mercenaries. Betrayal strikes when their leader Griffith sacrifices them all to become a demon. Almost all of the main characters got killed and while heavily injured Guts survives, he is consumed by rage, vowing revenge on Griffith.
The ending is more than bleak. Guts loses everything – his comrades, his lover, and his optimism. With no clear path forward, he’s left fueled only by vengeance.
10. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
In this movie, a withdrawn teen befriends a popular girl who reveals she has a terminal illness. Their unlikely bond teaches them about life, friendship, and cherishing each moment.
While viewers might expect Sakura to die due to her illness, the ending is even more depressing than expected. It’s not the illness that kills her.
After her release from the hospital, she is about to meet Haruki but doesn’t show up. After he goes home disappointed, he sees a news report about a local murder.
It turns out Sakura was randomly killed with a knife to the heart by a serial killer. Her shocking offscreen death is subtly foreshadowed throughout the anime, but it’s still a gut punch.
9. Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss is about a brave girl named Riko who wants to explore a giant abyss. She teams up with Reg, a robot boy, to climb down and find her missing mom. But the deeper they go, the weirder and more dangerous things get.
While the anime looks cute at first glance with its chibi characters and beautiful fantasy world, we soon learn that its substance is much darker. Though the anime isn’t finished yet, the ending of Season 1 is brutal. Moreover, from what we know so far, the final ending is expected to be sad as well.
Riko and Reg meet Nanachi, who lives with an odd, animal-like creature in the 6th layer. Viewers soon learn that this creature, named Mitty, used to be human but was cursed and is now immortal. Mitty’s soul is trapped inside her Narehate form, suffering endlessly. Reg ultimately ends her suffering with a powerful blast from his hand weapon.
8. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
In Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, David, a teen in a ruthless future city, gets cybernetic implants to become an Edgerunner – a high-tech mercenary. Partnering with a mysterious hacker named Lucy, they take on risky jobs for money and fame. But Night City’s dark side and the dangers of cybernetics threaten their dreams and their lives.
Unfortunately, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has one of the most depressing endings you could imagine. Almost all the characters we’ve grown to like die in gruesome ways, including the main character, David. If you had any hope that David might be special because he could handle military-grade technology like the Sandevistan, it’s shattered when he meets Adam Smasher, a legendary cyborg who decimates him. In the end, only Lucy is left alive.
7. Your Lie in April
Kousei, a talented young pianist, loses his passion for music after his mother’s death. When he meets Kaori, a free-spirited violinist, she reignites his love for music and challenges him to play with joy again. However, Kaori hides a secret that casts a shadow over their blossoming friendship.
Sadly, on the day of Kousei’s piano competition, Kaori underwent surgery. Despite the doctors’ efforts, she passed away on the 18th of February at the age of fifteen. To add insult to injury, the two never fully confessed their feelings. This leaves a lingering sense of “what if” and missed opportunities.
6. Attack on Titan
Attack on Titan takes place in an unforgiving world filled with Giant monsters called Titans that eat people. One of the villagers, Eren Yeager, and his friends fight for survival after the Titans break through giant walls protecting their city. Soon after, he discovers a secret power that changes everything.
To stop Eren’s devastating plan known as The Rumbling, where wall titans march to destroy everything and everyone in their path, Mikasa Ackerman, his childhood friend, decides to halt him by decapitating his human form. However, by the time this happens, approximately 1.5 billion people have already died.
Following Eren’s death, all Titan powers cease to exist, and the Eldians return to being regular humans once more.
5. Code Geass
When discussing anime with depressing endings, I always recommend watching the original Code Geass series. Whether you choose the subbed or dubbed version, it won’t disappoint. The series follows Lelouch, a brilliant but bored student who unexpectedly gains a mysterious power called Geass, which allows him to control others. Using this power, Lelouch assumes the identity of Zero, a masked vigilante fighting against a corrupt empire.
The ending of Season 2 of Code Geass is bittersweet. Lelouch achieves his goal of eliminating much of the corrupt royalty and exacting revenge, but he dies a hated man, without revealing his identity as Zero, the masked hero. In fact, he is the one who orchestrated his own death, allowing his best friend Suzaku to kill him as part of a plan to bring an end to all war and usher in an age of peace.
4. Akame ga Kill
Another anime with a very unsuspecting and depressing ending is Akame ga Kill. In this series, a naive young man named Tatsumi travels to the Capital to help his village. However, he soon discovers the city’s corrupt government and joins a group of assassins called Night Raid who fight to overthrow the evil empire.
If you’re someone who easily grows fond of a lovable cast of characters, Akame ga Kill! will leave you deeply saddened. Most of the Night Raid members, including the main character, meet tragic ends. The series is not gentle, as both sides—the Night Raid rebels and the Jaegers, a police squad of the Empire—suffer heavy losses that are heart-wrenching to witness. The final episode delivers the ultimate blow, leaving only Akame, the titular heroine, alive.
3. Plastic Memories
Plastic Memories follows Tsukasa, a new employee at a company that retrieves Giftias – advanced androids with limited lifespans. He gets partnered with Isla, a Giftia nearing the end of her lifespan.
We all hoped that Isla would somehow survive, especially as Tsukasa fell in love with her over time. As viewers, we yearned for a happy ending for the couple. Unfortunately, that hope was dashed when Tsukasa had to retrieve Isla, who was nearing the end of her lifespan. Heartbroken, Tsukasa is tasked with recovering Isla’s memories.
The final episode is touching, filled with tender and heartwarming moments between the two. Honestly, it’s heartbreaking to see Tsukasa having to retrieve her and then accept another partner.
2. Texhnolyze
Deep beneath the surface, a forgotten society struggles to survive within the crumbling city of Lux. Ichise, a young fighter who grew up alone, faces a brutal choice. To appease a furious fight promoter, he must sacrifice his own limbs – an arm and a leg.
Texhnolyze has a very dismal ending. Ichise, alone on an abandoned rooftop, begins to deteriorate when the power systems controlling his technologized limbs fail. As he faces death, he comes to terms with his fate.
Suddenly, his artificial limbs come to life one last time, briefly flashing a crude drawing of a flower given to him long ago by Ran. A small smile crosses his face before he slowly slumps, succumbing to his injuries.
1. Grave of the Fireflies
A powerful Ghibli movie that leaves a lasting impact, Grave of the Fireflies is so distressing that most people will find it difficult to watch again. It follows Setsuko and Seita, orphaned siblings struggling to survive in war-torn Japan. Despite their love for each other, the harsh realities of hunger and dwindling resources lead to a heartbreaking tragedy.
Many consider Grave of the Fireflies the best war film ever made. There are no flashy battle scenes or strategic plots, which often romanticize war. Instead, it shows the war for what it is: a tragic ordeal where innocent people suffer for political reasons.
The ending of this anime movie couldn’t get more depressing. Watching Setsuko fade away, her calls for Seita growing weaker over time, her hallucinations as she tries to feed Seita mudballs thinking they’re rice balls—it’s devastating. Regrettably, she dies from malnutrition.
I’ve often come across the misconception that anime is just for kids. Trust me; it couldn’t be further from the truth. Anime isn’t limited to cute magical girls, adorable creatures, and colorful adventures. It’s a medium that’s as diverse as any other in the realm of entertainment, catering to audiences of all ages. Today, I’m here to shatter that misconception once and for all by presenting the best mature anime movies aimed at adults.
The movies below are gems that explore complex themes, tackle mature subjects, and deliver narratives that resonate with grown-up viewers.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at anime films aimed at adults!
10. The Garden of Words
Studio: CoMix Wave Films
Aired On: May 31, 2013 (Japan)
Length: 46 minutes
The Garden of Words is a mesmerizing anime film directed by Makoto Shinkai, known for his exceptional storytelling and stunning visuals. This movie is a masterclass in capturing the beauty of everyday life through animation.
Set in Tokyo, the story follows two seemingly disconnected individuals who find solace in a shared secret garden during rainy mornings. Takao, a high school student aspiring to be a shoemaker, meets Yukari, a mysterious woman who seems to have her own reasons for seeking refuge in this hidden oasis. The garden becomes the backdrop for their chance encounters and a place where they can escape their respective troubles.
What truly sets The Garden of Words apart is its meticulous attention to detail. The animation is so breathtakingly realistic that you can almost feel the raindrops and hear the rustling of leaves. The film deals with themes of loneliness, connection, and the significance of finding someone who understands you in a world that often feels indifferent.
9. Redline
Studio: Madhouse
Aired On: August 14, 2009 (Japan)
Length: 102 minutes
Redline is a high-octane, visually stunning, and adrenaline-pumping anime film that takes you on a wild ride. Directed by Takeshi Koike, this movie is a true feast for the eyes, known for its jaw-dropping, hand-drawn animation that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in traditional animation.
The anime revolves around JP, a talented but rebellious racer, as he competes in the most dangerous and prestigious intergalactic racing event known as the “Redline.” Set on a distant and diverse alien planet, the film introduces viewers to a bizarre and colorful cast of characters, each with their unique vehicles and personalities.
As the racers rev up their engines, the movie kicks into high gear, delivering heart-pounding action sequences, high-speed chases, and mind-bending physics-defying stunts.
8. Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade
Studio: Production I.G
Aired On: November 17, 1999
Length: 102 minutes
A dark and thought-provoking anime film, Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade stands as a compelling choice among mature anime movies. It blends political intrigue, psychological drama, and intense action into a gripping narrative. Directed by Hiroyuki Okiura and written by Mamoru Oshii, this movie is a part of the larger Kerberos Saga, known for its dystopian and politically charged themes.
The anime takes place in alternate-history Japan, where the country is under the control of a powerful government known as the Capital Police. The film follows Kazuki Fuse, a member of the Special Unit, a paramilitary organization tasked with maintaining order and suppressing civil unrest. The Special Unit is equipped with powerful armored suits and operates ruthlessly to quell any opposition.
While this movie is not a light-hearted or action-packed anime, it is a must-watch for those who appreciate complex narratives that challenge viewers to contemplate the moral dilemmas faced by its characters. It’s a haunting and thought-provoking film that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
7. Princess Mononoke
Studio: Studio Ghibli
Aired On: July 12, 1997
Length: 134 minutes
Princess Mononoke is a timeless masterpiece directed by the renowned Hayao Miyazaki, and it’s often considered one of the greatest anime films ever made. It’s not just an animated film; it’s a cinematic work of art that appeals to viewers of all ages.
The film takes place in an enchanting and mythical version of ancient Japan, where humans and nature spirits coexist, though not always peacefully. The story focuses on Ashitaka, a young prince who becomes cursed during a confrontation with a cursed boar demon. In search of a cure, he embarks on a journey into the heart of a forest inhabited by various supernatural beings, including the enigmatic Princess Mononoke, a human raised by wolves.
At its core, Princess Mononoke is a tale of the struggle between industrialization and nature, with complex characters who inhabit the gray areas between good and evil. The film tackles deep themes like environmentalism, the consequences of human greed, and the clash between traditional and modern values.
6. Millennium Actress
Studio: Madhouse
Aired On: September 14, 2002
Length: 87 minutes
Millennium Actress, directed by Satoshi Kon, is a true standout among mature anime movies. Kon is well-known for his unique storytelling style, which often blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction. This heartfelt and emotionally resonant film invites viewers to ponder the relationship between reality and fiction, the passage of time, and the stories that shape our lives.
Chiyoko Fujiwara is a retired actress who has become somewhat of a recluse. When a documentary filmmaker and his cameraman set out to interview her, Chiyoko’s life story unfolds in a captivating and nonlinear narrative. The film skillfully interweaves her film roles with her personal experiences, blurring the lines between her on-screen characters and her true self.
The film explores themes of love, dedication, and the transformative power of storytelling. Chiyoko’s relentless pursuit of a mysterious man she met only briefly as a young girl becomes a symbol of her unwavering commitment to her craft and her desire to reunite with a lost love.
5. Paprika
Studio: Madhouse
Aired On: November 25, 2006
Length: 90 minutes
Paprika is a visually dazzling and mind-bending anime film directed by Satoshi Kon who is famed for his exploration of psychological and surreal themes. The movie has become famous for its breathtaking and surreal dream sequences where the laws of physics and logic are constantly shifting.
It’s set in a near-futuristic world where a device known as the DC Mini allows therapists to enter patients’ dreams and explore their innermost thoughts and emotions. The titular character, Dr. Atsuko Chiba, uses this technology under the pseudonym “Paprika” to help patients confront their psychological issues.
However, when the DC Mini technology is stolen and used to invade people’s dreams without their consent, chaos ensues. Dreams and reality begin to intertwine, and the line between the two becomes increasingly blurred. Dr. Chiba, along with her colleagues and friends, must unravel the mystery behind the stolen device and prevent a full-scale disaster.
Fans were captivated by how it challenges them to question the nature of reality and the fragility of the human mind.
4. Grave of the Fireflies
Studio: Studio Ghibli
Aired On: April 16, 1988
Length: 89 minutes
One of the saddest mature anime movies, Grave of the Fireflies is a touching and emotionally intense masterpiece directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli. It’s a hauntingly beautiful yet heartbreaking tale set against the backdrop of Japan during World War II.
The story follows two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, as they struggle to survive in the midst of the war’s devastating effects. After their home is destroyed in an air raid, the young brother and sister are left to fend for themselves. They face hunger, disease, and the indifference of a society overwhelmed by the war. The film poignantly portrays the harsh realities of wartime Japan, especially for civilians.
This heartfelt film takes a deep dive into resilience, sacrifice, and how war can affect innocent lives. It’s a solid pick for people who want a movie that really shows the grit and determination of the human spirit when life gets tough.
3. Perfect Blue
Studio: Madhouse
Aired On: February 28, 1997
Length: 81 minutes
If you watch anime AMVs and like Lana Del Rey, you’ve probably already seen some scenes from this movie on YouTube. Many AMV editors love to include Perfect Blue because of its aesthetics, often making it an essential choice in their creative endeavors.
The film follows the journey of Mima, a former pop idol pursuing an acting career. As her world blurs between reality and delusion, a series of disturbing events unfolds, blurring the lines between identity and obsession.
Perfect Blue is a mature film with a thought-provoking narrative that deals with the depths of fame, sanity, and blurred boundaries of perception.
2. Ghost in the Shell
Studio: Production I.G
Aired On: November 18, 1995 (Japan)
Length: 82 minutes
One of the most iconic mature anime movies, Ghost in the Shell is a masterpiece. The film’s influence on the sci-fi genre, both in anime and beyond, is undeniable. It has inspired countless works, including films like The Matrix.
The movie invites you into a world where cyborg Major Motoko Kusanagi hunts a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master.
In a future where humans are interconnected with technology, it delves into questions of identity, humanity, and the nature of consciousness.
The detailed and immersive portrayal of a futuristic, cyberpunk world is nothing short of mesmerizing. Moreover, Ghost in the Shell features complex mysteries and philosophical explorations that’ll challenge your perception of reality.
1. Akira
Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha (TMS Entertainment)
Aired On: July 16, 1988
Length: 125 minutes
Akira is a cyberpunk anime movie that left an indelible mark on the world of animation and science fiction. Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo, who also wrote the manga it’s based on, this film is a landmark in the medium, known for its groundbreaking animation, dystopian cyberpunk setting, and complex narrative.
This cyberpunk masterpiece follows Kaneda and Tetsuo, friends caught in a web of government conspiracy and psychic powers after a mysterious explosion. Tetsuo gains formidable telekinetic abilities, leading to a clash between power and control in a city on the brink of chaos.
The film offers explosive action, intense motorcycle chases, and a mind-bending plot that explores power, friendship, and the darker aspects of human nature.
For fans of cyberpunk, dystopian futures, and animation as a medium for mature storytelling, Akira is a must-watch that showcases the enduring power of animation to tackle complex themes and captivate audiences across generations.
Are you looking for sad anime that will make you cry? Well, look no further our Top 25 Best Sad Heartbreaking Anime That Will Make You Cry recommendations will get you feeling for the characters and crying for them. With tragically heartbreaking scenes and emotional moments, these stories are powerful.
Sad anime is notorious as a tearjerker anime that will make you bawl your eyes out, so why do we watch them? why do anime creators love making their audience cry? And why are there a ton of sad anime?
From heartfelt dramas about young love, unrequited feelings, and relationship drama to the more serious stories that tackle issues like mental health, death and illness, sad anime has found countless ways to break our hearts, make us cry, feel, think and look at situations from different perspectives.
Sad anime or tearjerker anime does help us have a good cry when we feel like crying, but sad anime also helps us understand ourselves, each other and learn from them sometimes without actually having to experience some of those sad moments or for some letting them know they are not alone in whatever hell they are in.
At least that’s what sad anime is to me and why I wanted to write the Top 25 Best Sad Heartbreaking Anime That Will Make You Cry, here is a recommendations list in no order of ranking of some really sad, heartbreaking and sorrowful anime.
I have twenty-five great sad anime recommendations with honourable mentions for when you need a good cry. But there are still countless other incredibly sad anime, but I gave myself a limit or it would take longer for you to get to read this post.
25. I Want To Eat Your Pancreas
Studios: Studio VOLN
Episodes: Movie
Aired: Summer 2018
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a sad anime that might sound like an ecchi or zombie horror anime by the name but it’s a romantic drama that successes in making you cry bucket loads.
Summary
One day, I – a high schooler – found a paperback in the hospital. The “Disease Coexistence Journal” was its title. It was a diary that my classmate, Sakura Yamauchi, had written in secret. Inside, it was written that due to her pancreatic disease, her days were numbered. And thus, I coincidentally went from Just-a-Classmate to a Secret-Knowing-Classmate. It was as if I were being drawn to her, who was my polar opposite. However, the world presented the girl that was already suffering from an illness with an equally cruel reality…
Based on an award-winning light novel by Yoru Sumino, I want to eat your pancreas is one of my favourite sad anime, the feelings it made me feel and the way it wrenches my heart really got to me.
From the start, we know the fate of our character Sakura won’t end well and we shouldn’t get attached but somehow we end up still getting attached to her.
I want to eat your pancreas is a moving and heartbreaking anime but its not just a sad anime, it’s a story that celebrates the gift of life and at the ends teaches us one or two things as the credits roll.
24. Plastic Memories
Studios: Doga Kobo
Episodes: 13
Aired: Spring 2015
Plastic Memories is one of those heartbreaking anime shows that reminds us that No matter how much someone wishes it, nothing lasts forever.
Summary
In a future not too far away, androids that look exactly like humans begin to spread across the world. The android production company SA Corp. produced Giftia, a new kind of android that has the most amount of emotion and human-like qualities out of any other model ever seen. However, due to problems in technology, the androids have a service life, and once they pass that, it gets pretty bad. For this reason, SA Corp. creates a terminal service in order to retrieve Giftia that have gone past their service life. A new employee at the terminal service named Tsukasa Mizugaki forms a team with the Giftia Isla to retrieve the other androids.
Plastic Memories may leave you crying its a sad anime, after all, or maybe questioning your very existence and what it means to live but Plastic Memories is a cute and beautiful story about young love that’s definitely worth watching.
23. Chrono Crusade
Studios: Gonzo
Episodes: 24
Aired: Fall 2003
Chrono Crusade is a great sad anime series with characters that are funny, deep and intriguing.
Summary
America in the Roaring 20s. On the surface, it’s a positive, peaceful time after the violence of the Great War. But lurking in the shadows is a dark element ready to snatch that peace away. Sister Rosette Christopher, an exorcist working as a part of the Magdala Order, has a duty to fight the demons which appear and cause destruction. But along with her companion Chrno, she usually ends up causing more destruction than the demons themselves! On one particular mission, they meet a young girl with a beautiful voice named Azmaria, who is being targeted by her own stepfather. As Rosette and Chrno work to save her, more is revealed about the relationship between them. There is more to these two than meets the eye.
Rosette is also looking for her brother who was taken from her by a demon.
Chrono Crusade is notorious for making viewers cry filled action, comedy and romance. It’s a hidden gem that starts of slow but if you watch the first 3 episodes, you will be hooked.
22. Violet Evergarden
Studios: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 13
Aired: Winter 2018
Violet Evergarden was a sad anime that asked a big question: how do you learn emotions?
Is it through experience? Knowing its definition? Or the people you meet?
Summary
The story revolves around Auto Memory Dolls: people initially employed by a scientist named Dr. Orland to assist his blind wife Mollie in writing her novels, and later hired by other people who needed their services. In the present time, the term refers to the industry of writing for others. The story follows Violet Evergarden, a girl who for the entirety of her life had been used as an instrument of war, and her journey of integrating into society after the war is over and her search for her life’s purpose now that she is no longer a soldier in order to understand the last words her major, Gilbert, had told her: “I love you.” – wikipedia
The anime’s storytelling was emotional and made us care about Violet Evergarden; not just the story but watching Violet’s own journey of discovery was incredible to watch. It was an effective tearjerker and a show that’s worth investing time into.
21. March Comes In Like A Lion
Studios: Shaft
Episodes: 44
Aired: Fall 2016
March Comes In Like A Lion is an anime that covers issues like mental illness, anxiety, bullying, and youth problems in a very touching and relatable way.
Summary
A youth named Kiriama Rei, who lost his family as a child, endures loneliness to become a professional shogi player. Then, through a chance meeting, he develops a relationship with the three Kawamoto sisters, who hail from a working-class district of the city, and little by little his frozen heart begins to thaw.
March Comes In Like A Lion teaches a wonderful lesson about how unhappiness is OK sometimes, being depressed, unsatisfied or stressed does not make you weak or unusual – it makes you human.
Every day is a challenge for Rei as he takes care of himself. Whether it’s in his day to day life or in the professional shogi, we can see how Rei develops as a person learning to just do the best he can.
20. Nana
Studios: Madhouse
Episodes: 47
Aired: Spring 2006
Nana is a shoujo tearjerker anime with wonderful music and a magical something that makes you cheer on for some characters and experience emotionally some events almost as strongly as the characters themselves.
Summary
Nana “Hachi“ Komatsu hopes that moving to Tokyo will help her make a clean start and leave her capricious love life behind her. Nana Osaki, who arrives in the city at the same time, has plans to score big in the world of rock’n’roll. Although these two young women come from different backgrounds, they quickly become best friends in a whirlwind world of sex, music, fashion, gossip and all-night parties!
Nana is a sad anime that highlights Humans imperfection and shows how everyone carries luggage of their own. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and explore a powerful friendship the two Nana’s share. It teaches a lot of lessons about life, it’s hardships and also the mistakes, that we shouldn’t make.
19. Angel Beats!
Studios: P.A. Works
Episodes: 13
Aired: Spring 2010
Angel Beats was a show that kept me guessing and consistently tugging at my heartstrings with its heartbreaking moments.
Summary
Otonashi awakens only to learn he is dead in a world after death, a group of humans fight for their fate and their future. Yuri, the leader of the Shinda Sekai Sensen, rebels against the god who destined her to have an unreasonable life. On the other hand, Tenshi, the chairperson of the student council for the world after death, battles against the SSS members. SSS members utilize armed weaponry to battle it out against the angels harnessing supernatural powers.
Angel Beats had moments that made me laugh out loud at the silliness of the characters and other moments that were just so depressing and sad. Its a beautiful story about life and people.
18. Elfen Lied
Studios: Arms
Episodes: 13
Aired: Summer 2004
Elfen Lied is infamous for its twisted take on the distinction between good and evil not being so clear, dark humour and extremely depressing plot.
Summary
The story involves human mutations called “Diclonius“, who grow horns on their heads and possess telekinetic powers, in the form of invisible “arms“ called vectors. The tendency for violence among Diclonii varies among characters. Certain scientists contain them in a Facility in cells, where they are subject to inhumane experiments to test their abilities or where they await execution for being too dangerous. An infectious virus is also associated with the mutation. This virus is spread through non-lethal contact with the vectors of a diclonius. The main non-mutant character in the story is Kouta, who ends up becoming increasingly involved with these dicloniuses, as they seek refuge from the scientists. The main diclonius character is Lucy/Nyuu, a killer whose alter ego is a hapless and very cute child whose vocabulary and intelligence are quite limited.
Elfen Lied is an anime that as a lot going on in it, but at its depth carries a deeper message about accepting yourself and your inner demons.
17. Orange
Studios: Telecom Animation Film
Episodes: 13
Aired: Summer 2016
Orange was an emotional roller coastal ride for me. Emotions are things that move us and decide the decisions we take and those decisions decide how our lives end up. Orange is a series that looks at how emotions can change our path.
Summary
One day, Takamiya Naho receives a letter written to herself from ten years in the future. As Naho reads on, the letter recites the exact events of the day, including the transfer of a new student into her class named Naruse Kakeru. The Naho from ten years later repeatedly states that she has many regrets, and she wants to fix these by making sure the Naho from the past can make the right decisions—especially regarding Kakeru. What’s more shocking is that she discovers that ten years later, Kakeru will no longer be with them. Future Naho asks her to watch over him closely.
At its core, Orange is an extremely character-driven show that covers serious subjects like depression and suicide. Orange will definitely leave a lasting impression on you.
16. Steins;Gate
Studios: White Fox
Episodes: 24
Aired: Spring 2011
Steins;Gate has one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have seen. Watching a character try and fail over and over again can be heartbreaking to watch.
Summary
The story of Steins;Gate takes place in Akihabara and is about a group of friends who have managed to customize their microwave into a device that can send text messages to the past. As they perform different experiments, an organization named SERN who has been doing their own research on time travel tracks them down and now the characters have to find a way to avoid being captured by them.
Steins;Gate was one of those anime that made me laugh, cry and really connect with our characters. It also made me think, and it rewarded my thoughts by having closure and clarity.
15. Looking Up At The Half-Moon
Studios: Group TAC
Episodes: 6
Aired: Winter 2006
The best way I could describe Looking Up At The Half-Moon is by saying that it’s bittersweet. The characters interaction and plot is what makes Looking Up At The Half-Moon one of the best sad anime.
Summary
During the winter, Yuichi was hospitalized due to hepatitis. Randomly he would try to escape from the hospital but would get beat up by the nurse. One day, he happened to meet Rika, a girl of his age, in the next building. He was fascinated by her beauty, but she was a very selfish girl. Although she led him by the nose, he began to be attracted by her. However, when Rika told him about her illness, he knew why she acted so selfish; she didn’t have long to live.
Looking Up At The Half-Moon was very depressing at times, it was a sad romance drama that kept me interested until the very end.
14. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Studios: Shaft
Episodes: 12
Aired: Winter 2011
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is an amazing anime with plot twists, drama, heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that all come together creating a brilliant plot with a really good ending.
Summary
There exist familiars who have the power to grant one wish to a chosen girl. However, in return, that girl must then become a magical girl and fight against witches, evil creatures born from curses that are responsible for murders and suicides. A schoolgirl named Madoka Kaname and her friend Sayaka Miki is approached by a familiar named Kyubey and a magical girl named Mami Tomoe with offers of becoming magical girls. Another mysterious magical girl named Homura Akemi tries to prevent Madoka from agreeing to the contract.
Puella Magi Madoka Magica is definitely head and shoulders above most magical girls (Mahou Shoujo) genre. The characters, art and music are amazing.
It’s an anime I would recommend to individuals who like a magical girl theme anime but also anyone who likes anime in general.
13. Searching for the Full Moon
Studios: Studio Deen
Episodes: 52
Aired: Spring 2002
Although this is a shoujo anime, its themes about first love, dreams, and mortality at such a young age will touch anyone’s heart!
Summary
Mitsuki loves singing, but a malignant tumour in her throat has prevented her from pursuing her passion. However, Mitsuki’s life turns around when two fun-loving Shinigami appear to grant her a temporary reprieve from her illness–and give her singing career a magical jump-start.
Searching for the Full Moon is certainly an experience with its incredible story, characters, music and the cycle of emotions you will feel is mind-blowing.
12. One Week Friends (Isshuukan Friends)
Studios: Brain’s Base
Episodes: 12
Aired: Spring 2014
One Week Friends is a heart-warming story focusing around friendship, love and what memories really could mean.
Summary
Hase Yuuki is interested in his unsociable classmate Fujimiya Kaori. Since he sits behind her in class, the only thing he ever gets to see is her back. One day, when they’re alone in a hallway, he blurts out to her, “Would you become friends with me?”. But her answer is, “I’m happy, but I can’t” What could be the reason for this answer?
One Week Friends is a tearjerker anime that I think people can really relate with. Showing how hard it can be fitting in in school. It’s a sad, yet hopeful anime that can teach us a thing or two.
11. 5 Centimeters Per Second
Studios: CoMix Wave Films
Episodes: Movie
Aired: Winter 2007
In 5 Centimeters Per Second emotions are portrayed in an incredibly beautiful and realistic way with wonderful lessons about growing up, letting go of the past, and taking control of one’s own life.
Summary
A tale of two people, Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari, who were close friends but gradually grow farther and farther apart as time moves on. They become separated because of their families yet continue to exchange contact in the form of letters. Yet as time continues to trudge on, their contact with one another begins to cease. Years pass and the rift between them grows ever larger. However, Takaki remembers the times they have shared together, but as life continues to unfold for him, he wonders if he would be given the chance to meet Akari again as the tale embarks on Takaki’s realization of the world and people around him.
The messages in 5 Centimeters per Second are beautiful even though sad. It will really make you emotional.
10. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
Studios: Bones, Kinema Citrus
Episodes: 11
Aired: Summer 2009
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is sad anime that creates an emotional connection with you and the characters that make you see yourself in one or all of them.
Summary
After a massive earthquake in Tokyo 25 km under the sea at a magnitude of 8.0, two young siblings Mirai and Yūki, who were visiting a robot exhibition in Odaiba at the beginning of their summer vacation, struggle to reach their parents in their house in Setagaya, assisted by a female motorcycle courier named Mari, who is striving to reach her own daughter and mother in Sangenjaya. Together, the three of them brave the partly ruined city and try their best to make it home safely. – wikipedia
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 is a show that reminds us of the small and big things we take for granted every day like family either blood or non-blood related. It will remind you to love life.
9. Air
Studios: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 12
Aired: Winter 2005
Air is a tearjerker anime with a nice romance, a touch of supernatural fantasy and great characters.
Summary
Yukito Kunisaki is a man travelling Japan in search of the “girl in the sky.” Eventually, he makes his way to a sleepy seaside town where he meets a strange girl named Misuzu Kamio who has dreams of flying in the sky. During his stay in the town, Yukito meets other unique people and begins to learn more about Misuzu and the town she lives in.
Air is a slow burn plot, depressing and slightly hard to follow but Air is really interesting and an emotional rollercoaster. Air is not for everyone but if you stick with it, Air will definitely have a place in your heart with it’s strong theme of family or you will love it for its visuals.
8. Haibane Renmei
Studios: Radix
Episodes: 13
Aired: Fall 2002
Haibane Renmei is an old tearjerker anime that placed a lot of emphasis on the past, finding redemption and the point of existence.
Summary
The story follows a young girl named Rakka, a newly arrived Haibane (an angelic-looking being), and other characters in the village of Old Home, a walled place with one entrance where no one is allowed to leave.
Haibane Renmei is a deeply emotional anime that is tied to faith, death, love, friendship and ultimately salvation. Its an anime that will really get your curiosity going with inferred and dark themes so be prepared. Will there be a light at the end?
7. Clannad: After Story
Studios: Kyoto Animation
Episodes: 24
Aired: Fall 2008
Clannad: After Story brought just about every kind of emotion out of me. Happiness, sadness, fear, trust, you name it and Clannad: After Story brought it.
Summary
Clannad: After Story, the sequel to the critically acclaimed slice-of-life series Clannad, begins after Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa graduate from high school. Together, they experience the emotional rollercoaster of growing up. Unable to decide on a course for his future, Tomoya learns the value of a strong work ethic and discovers the strength of Nagisa’s support. Through the couple’s dedication and unity of purpose, they push forward to confront their personal problems, deepen their old relationships, and create new bonds.
Time also moves on in the Illusionary World. As the plains grow cold with the approach of winter, the Illusionary Girl and the Garbage Doll are presented with a difficult situation that reveals the World’s true purpose. – MAL
Clannad: After Story is amazing in how it depicts life, the importance of family and the struggles of adulthood.
6. Your Lie in April (Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso)
Studios: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: 22
Aired: Fall 2014
Your Lie in April is a fantastic production, with engaging relatable characters and emotions oozing out of the plot.
Summary
At a very young age, Kousei Arima was strictly taught, by his mother, how to play the piano and meticulously follow the score, to the point where he dominated every competition he entered with ease. He earned the title of “Human Metronome” for performing almost perfectly. Every musician of his age looked up to him. However, after his mother suddenly dies, he became tone-deaf due to the shock and then disappeared, never to be seen onstage since. Two years later, Kousei lives a monotonous life with his childhood friends Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryouta Watari supporting him. He continues to cling to music, although performing is still an impossibility for him. This is until his unexpected encounter with Kaori Miyazono, a violinist who performs freely without the dictations of a score. A story of friendship, love, music, and a single lie, Kousei’s life begins to change and gain colour as Kaori helps him to take up music again.
Your Lies in April is a colourful story that is more than it appears, that teaches us how to heal, learn to move on, and learn to accept the parts of ourselves that we’d rather pretend aren’t there.
5. anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Studios: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: 11
Aired: Spring 2011
anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is a surprisingly simple, yet emotional, look at the coping mechanisms of people dealing with loss and how it affects everyone the same way no matter the age.
Summary
Five childhood friends grow apart after the death of Meiko Honma, close playmate of them all. Jintan Yadomi, leader of the group when they were kids, neglects high school and lives as a shut-in when he unexpectedly starts seeing the ghost of Meiko, who can only interact with him and no one else. She has returned to ask Jintan to fulfil the forgotten wish she made as a kid.
anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day shows how coming to terms with emotional scars and moving forward is hard but can be done a day at a time with the support of friends and family.
4. The Light of a Firefly Forest (Hotarubi no Mori e)
Studios:Brain’s Base
Episodes:Movie
Aired: Summer 2011
The Light of a Firefly Forest is a tale of friendship and compromise of two people who should never have crossed paths, as their lives become hopelessly intertwined.
Summary
A young girl meets a boy, who is, in fact, a spirit dwelling in the forest while visiting her uncle for the summer. The boy, however, mustn’t be touched by a human, for it would result in him disappearing for all eternity. They spend the summer days with each other, and when the girl must return to home from her vacation, she promises to visit him again next summer. And that’s exactly what she does, for the next few years. During that time she grows up, and her age is slowly getting closer to the age of the boy.
However, their relationship and resolve are put to the test, when romantic feelings conflict with their one and only rule.
The Light of a Firefly Forest to some people might not be unique, or exceptional but it will leave you reflecting and remembering that very special person to you.
3. A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi)
Studios:Kyoto Animation
Episodes:Movie
Aired: Summer 2016
A Silent Voice is a great film that leaves you reflecting like all good films should do, questioning your interactions with people both past and present, making us all try to be better people.
Summary
The story revolves around Nishimiya Shōko, a grade school student who has impaired hearing. She transfers into a new school, where she is bullied by her classmates, especially Ishida Shouya. It gets to the point where she transfers to another school and as a result, Shouya is ostracized and bullied himself, with no friends to speak of and no plans for the future. Years later, he sets himself on a path to redemption.
Be prepared to go on a roller coaster ride of emotions when you watch A Silent Voice. Showing how love can find you no matter when, where or what situation you are in life.
2. Wolf Children
Studios: Studio Chizu
Episodes:Movie
Aired: Summer 2012
Wolf Children is the heartwarming story that depicts the struggles of being a single parent in an unforgiving modern world.
Summary
Hana is a 19-year-old student who falls in a fairy-tale like love with a wolf man. Over the course of the 13-year story, Hana gives birth to two children—older sister Yuki, and younger brother Ame, or Snow and Rain. At first, the family quietly lives in city trying to hide their wolf heritage, but when the wolf man suddenly dies Hana makes the decision to move to a rural town, far from their previous city life. – ANN
Wolf Children is a sad anime about the enduring and triumphant nature of maternal love. Showing the mental and physical fortitude it requires to handle parenting.
Honourable Mentions
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Studios: Bones
Episodes: 64
Aired: Spring 2009
Your Name
Studios: CoMix Wave Films
Episodes: Movie
Aired: Summer 2016
Now and Then, Here and Now
Studios: AIC
Episodes: 13
Aired: Fall 1999
Erased
Studios: A-1 Pictures
Episodes: 12
Aired: Winter 2016
Death Parade
Studios: Madhouse
Episodes: 12
Aired: Winter 2015
1. Grave of the Fireflies
Studios: Studio Ghibli
Episodes: Movie
Aired: Spring 1988
Grave of the Fireflies is my last but not the least, sad anime recommendation that depicts the struggles and perseverance of the human spirit in the nightmare that is war. Grave of the Fireflies is beautiful, yet at times brutal and horrifying.
Summary
On the final days of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his four-year-old sister Setsuko are orphaned after their mother is killed during an air-raid by American forces in Kobe, Japan. After having a falling-out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no surviving relatives and their emergency funds and rations depleted, Seita and Setsuko must struggle to survive their hardships as well as those of their country, which is on the losing end of the war.
Grave of the Fireflies gives you a lot to think about. It’s a film that is very antiwar showing the true effect that war has on the innocent vulnerable bystanders such as women and children.
So get ready for those feels, tears, memorable, meaningful, captivating and educational moments. And characters that resonate with you for a long time.
