Unforgettable Anime Breakups? Whether it was your decision or your ex’s, breakups happen, and anime relationships are no different, though usually showing the beginnings of love, endings aren’t always common.
What happens when lovable couples just don’t get that happy ending? Or aren’t as compatible as first thought? Well, we looked at the top 15 unforgettable anime breakups in anime history that we’re still sad about, with honorable mentions! Grab a box of tissues and let’s go down memory lane.
Anime Breakups That We’re Still Sad About
15.
Hiroko Matsukata & Shinji Yamashiro
- Anime: Hataraki Man
Starting our list of top 15 unforgettable anime breakups in anime history that we’re still sad about is Hataraki Man’s Hiroko Matsukata and Shinji Yamashiro. Maybe it was its relatable 21st century Japan, where working ladies are ambitious and have their own career goals. The heartbreak felt real; capturing the breaking up of a relationship in the most realistic way.
When we’re introduced to a hardworking magazine editor, Hiroko Matsukata, and harder working boyfriend Shinji Yamashiro, you would think our perfectly matched couple are guaranteed a happily ever after. But their working life slowly deteriorates their relationship, till each forgets about the other and just stops caring.
14.
Sekai Saionji & Makoto Itou
- Anime: School Days
Our story begins with two star-crossed lovers, Sekai Saionji and Makoto Itou from School Days. Young love is so fragile and so fleeting, and none know this better than our dear couple. Leading to an anime breakup with a real downward spiral, the memory of School Days will linger in everyone’s head who watches it.
Seaki and Makoto’s relationship leads to a momentous conclusion. Depicting how the human mind and heart are extremely fragile and should be treated with care. Their relationship built on a web of deception unravels leaving a rollercoaster of emotions, lies, anger, detachment, betrayal, and much more.
13.
Tomoyo Sakagami & Tomoya Okazaki
- Anime: Clannad: Another World, Tomoyo Chapter
Cute couple Tomoyo Sakagami and Tomoya Okazaki’s one episode OVA Clannad: Another World, Tomoyo Chapter is one episode that is filled with emotions, especially for Tomoyo supporters.
The relationship between Tomoyo and Tomoya is very romantic, looking at the struggle between affection and ambition. As both strive for their goals, they realize how much of an influence they have on each other, even after they both said their goodbyes. Brilliantly conveying the message of how love cannot be replaced by something else because love cannot be easily sacrificed and forgotten.
12.
Miyokichi & Yakumo Yurakutei (Kikuhiko)
- Anime: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
Our next sad anime couple breakup is Miyokichi and Yakumo Yurakutei from Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju, a series that looks at life, love, friendship, family, and sacrificing everything to reach one’s potential. Looking at troubled and yet ordinary people try to navigate life.
Miyokichi and Yamkumo developed an on-again-off-again relationship that we hope have a happier ending, but with life, things don’t always end the way you want. Most of their relationship’s appeal is in what they leave unsaid. Showing how people start relationships for different reasons, even if it may not always be a healthy one.
11.
Mitsuki Hayase & Takayuki Narumi
- Anime: Rumbling Hearts
Another anime break up we were still sad about is Mitsuki Hayase and Takayuki Narumi from Rumbling Hearts. Capturing your attention with its take on life during and after a relationship, instead of the usual shoujo drama we are used to seeing.
Mitsuki and Takayuki’s relationship was complicated, both struggling with their feelings while trying to decide if they should be with someone they loved in their past or present which can be relatable, though unhealthy for any relationship. Most of us were teary-eyed when these two called it quits.
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10.
Akari Shinohara & Takaki Toono
- Anime: 5 Centimeters Per Second
5 Centimeters Per Second’s Akari Shinohara and Takaki Toono were another cute couple we were sad to see call it quits. The two childhood friends in love tried to keep their relationship going through the many hardships life throws at them. You can’t help but relate and cheer them on, wishing for a happy ending for these two.
Akari and Takaki’s story focuses on the sometimes harsh reality of long-distance relationships. As both are stuck in the past and unable to make any fresh memories, clinging to the hope of seeing each other again. They live their everyday lives half-heartedly, hurting themselves, those surrounding them while growing farther away from each other.
9.
Tomoe Yukishiro & Kenshin Himura
- Anime: Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal
Long before Kaoru Kamiya was in the picture there was an even cuter match, Tomoe Yukishiro and Kenshin Himura from Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal; the OVA that details the origins of the man who would be called Hitokiri Battousai long before he swore his oath not to kill and his first love.
Tomoe and Kenshin’s relationship can be described as one filled with many trials and tribulations during the turbulent era of the Meiji Revolution, their relationship is believable and sympathetic showing how thin the line between love and hate is. The emotional rawness around the end of their relationship will leave you in pieces.
8.
Nanami Takahashi & Motoharu Yano
- Anime: We were there
The next sad anime couple breakup is Nanami Takahashi and Motoharu Yano’s relationship is made for lovers of romance and drama. That left most viewers and shippers overwhelmed with emotions.
Nanami and Motoharu’s relationship dives into every young regular couple’s relationship difficulties, from problems of trusting because of past relationships to the big one, jealousy. Which makes them so relatable and makes the breakup hurt even more.
7.
Nana Osaki & Ren Honjo
- Anime: Nana
Punk rock couple Nana Osaki and Ren Honjo had a relationship that deeply helped to give both partners more meaning to their life through thick and thin till music causes them to part. In helping push themselves to be better they indirectly push each other away.
Though Nana and Ren have similar personalities, they are not totally similar. Ren is more open with his love for Nana, wanting to marry her, have her support and children with her, Nana prefers her independence. But characters are pretty relatable so it was sad when they didn’t get to drive off into the sunset.
6.
Tsukasa Nishino & Junpei Manaka
- Anime: Strawberry 100%
Tsukasa Nishino and Junpei Manaka are a silly and sometimes hilarious couple, whose relationship begins thanks to not so innocent intentions by Junpei, whose redeeming qualities when not being a teenage boy are his gentleness, kindness, and selflessness.
Tsukasa and Junpei’s relationship is quite sweet, with both caring and supporting each other and I think would be most viewers’ ideal teenage fantasy romance but because of both of them having different career ambitions, they have to call it quits, which left plenty shippers frustrated.
5.
Kouko Kaga & Banri Tada
- Anime: Golden Time
Ah, Kouko Kaga and Banri Tada from Golden Time can be a melodramatic couple though some of us are really like that in real life. Their relationship looks at two people working through a relationship and realizing that there isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.
Past relationships affect Kouko and Banri’s relationship like many other couples and the fear of getting hurt by loving someone that might not feel the same way causes them to call it quits, preferring to not fight and lose. Which made many viewers mad, especially after seeing how good they were together.
4.
Bulma & Yamcha
- Anime: Dragon Ball Z
Bulma and Yamcha’s relationship was a rocky one, though an item early on in the Dragon ball series. He was the brawn’s, and she was the brains like the yin to his yang and they were a hit couple from the very beginning.
Though they were first cutely and genuinely awkward around each other, both cared for the other and always tried to bring out the best in one another. But as the series progressed both drifted more apart because of life and arguments that lead to an off and on again relationship. Showing how easy it was to get caught up with things and forget your significant other.
3.
Shino & Jin
- Anime: Samurai Champloo
At number three of anime breakups are Shino and Jin, couples though only for a short time had a large impact on one another. Many viewers were also immediately captivated by the couple’s immediate bond and were one of the saddest episodes of the series.
Though both characters seem to love and care for each other deeply and bond. Their relationship shows how sometimes for the good of someone you love ending the relationship might be better, sacrificing your happiness for their continued eventual happiness.
2.
Miki Okudera & Taki Tachibana
- Anime: Your Name.
Next is Miki Okudera and Taki Tachibana’s relationship which begins during Taki and Mitsuha’s body switch, with Mitsuha in his body Miki develops feelings for Taki. Which though short left some viewers to tear up.
Miki and Taki’s relationship questions how much our memories make up who we are. With our characters’ lives diverging in different ways. And focuses on how love changes falling in and out of love, we can’t deny what the heart wants in the end.
1.
Casca & Guts
- Anime: Berserk
Houses are made from bricks and stones but a home is made from love alone. Last but not least on our list of unforgettable anime breakups is my personal favorite anime couple Casca and Guts, former rivals that can’t stand each other in the beginning but slowly come to respect and warm up to each other.
They’re two characters that every viewer watching approved and wanted to see have a happy ending, especially after all the craziness that has happened to them. But life happens, the sequence of events that parts them, all felt like a bad dream we and our couple couldn’t wake up from.
Honorable Mentions
Koza & Mugen (Samurai Champloo)
Sailor Moon & Tuxedo Mask (Sailor Moon R)
Setsuna Ogiso & Haruki Kitahara (White Album 2)
Anya & Georgi Popovich (Yuri!!! On ICE)
Sora Takenouchi & Taichi Yagami (Digimon: Digital Monsters)
Hanabi Yasuraoka & Mugi Awaya (Scum’s Wish)
Miaka Yuki & Tamahome (Mysterious Play)
Also, please note to avoid spoilers some anime breakups were only temporary, while permanent ones maybe really were for the best.
And with that, I am finally done! What did you think of the list? Do you think I missed one? What were the unforgettable anime breakups that you’re still sad about? Did any make you cry? Let me know down below in the comment section.
Till next time… Remember once in a while, it’s worth holding onto someone, even if it makes your arms hurt. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks for reading!
