20 Sad Anime Series Guaranteed To Make You Cry

Sad anime series tell some of the stories that stick with fans the longest, as few emotions are felt as intensely as sadness. It is easy to laugh at a brief joke or feel joy over a character’s achievements and victories, but such feelings are often short-lived. On the other hand, bringing viewers to tears requires a genuine connection to be formed, as the characters need to feel real and relatable.

There are plenty of series that make their viewers cry on occasion. Especially when it comes to longer-running ones, certain moments are bound to be especially sad, such as One Piece‘s Going Merry’s tragic ending. However, few shows go out of their way to attempt to build up a real connection with viewers, focusing on their emotions above all and leading to some of the greatest sad anime series.

20 The Promised Neverland

Based on the Manga by Kaiu Shirai & Posuka Demizu

Given a premise focusing on raising children to feed them to demons to uphold “The Promise,” The Promised Neverland is one of the more upsetting anime concepts in recent years if not at least one of the most sad. Beyond the inherently distressing plot, the anime’s first season is also one of the most beloved in recent years, masterfully adapted by CloverWorks. However, the second season is not viewed favorably, massively rushing the major developments from the manga.

Despite the major misfire of season 2 though, the series remains a worthwhile and uplifting story about growing up and seizing agency. Despite the darkness inherent to the series’ premise, the series is ultimately about overcoming impossible circumstances. Still though, when The Promised Neverland gets dark, it’s one of the darkest and saddest anime ever adapted from a Shonen Jump manga.

19 Violet Evergarden

Based on the Light Novel By Kana Akatsuki & Akiko Takase

Violet Evergarden follows the eponymous protagonist who, after being raised as a weapon meant only to excel on the battlefield, has to start a whole new life as an “Auto Memory Doll” after the war ends. As she herself is largely unaware of the extent of human emotions and experiences, transcribing others’ thoughts and getting to know their feelings is a perfect way to learn and grow.

While Violet’s backstory is quite sad in and of itself, the saddest moments of this series occur when she interacts with her clients, such as a mother writing letters for her daughter’s future birthdays, knowing she won’t be around herself.

18 Angel Beats!

Original Anime Series By P.A. Works

The premise of Angel Beats! already sets it up as one of the most emotional series that anime fans could experience. Set in the afterlife, the story revolves around a group of teenagers, all of whom died with profound regrets and unfulfilled wishes. From the protagonists to the supporting characters, everyone who ended up here has a tragic and realistic backstory, at least one of which viewers are bound to connect with.

Although moments of humor and action are present as well, particularly relating to the conflict between the Afterlife Battlefront and Tachibana, this is ultimately but a facade behind which some of the medium’s saddest scenes await unsuspecting viewers.

17 Fruits Basket

Based on the Original Manga by Natsuki Takaya

For such a beloved classic shojo anime, Fruits Basket is a surprisingly strong contender as a tearjerker series while boasting otherwise whimsical premises. It doesn’t take long for the series to move along its romantic comedy roots to explore healing emotional trauma of the Somas, while working through her own troubled past. The 2001 anime and, later, the 2019 reboot of Fruits Basket are consistently praised as one of the best shojo anime of all time for how it handles themes of isolation, bullying, and abuse, while remaining steadfast as a heartwarming and wholesome series.

16 Orange

Based on the original manga by Ichigo Takano

Orange is a deceptively angsty shojo series that opens in the way most anime fans would expect it to, in a classic high school “meet cute” scenario between the female lead and the classic transfer student male lead. Things take a dark turn, though, when the female lead is given an ominous message from the future: the male lead, Kakeru, is at the center of her deepest regrets, and to prevent his tragic fate at all costs. Naho, the protagonist, begins to follow what these messages tell her to do to change the future – and just when things start to seem a little too supernatural for a series that’s otherwise deeply rooted in reality, audiences get to see the future versions of these characters visiting Kakeru’s grave.

The Eisner-Award nominated series is one that stays heavy throughout, a character study that explores themes of regret, grief, and learning to “let go” – in every meaning of the phrase. As the anime continues, Orange provides a powerful message about silver linings and supporting one another, as well as the ever-powerful “found family” trope.

15 Oshi no Ko

Based on the Manga by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari

Oshi no Ko has the distinction of making its anime viewers cry within one episode, with its feature-length premiere having a devastating gut-punch that kicks off the true events of the series. In his previous life, Gorou was a physician and idol otaku influenced by his patient, Serena, to adore Ai Hoshino, the star of B-Komachi. After a surprising turn of events involving Ai’s stalker, and the unfortunate deaths of Gorou and Serena, the two reincarnate as Aqua and Ruby Hoshino only to witness their mother’s murder, prompting Aqua to begin a journey of vengeance against Ai’s murderer.

The idol industry in Japan is a popular topic for anime, but rarely is its darker side portrayed as well as it is in Oshi no Ko. The anime does an incredible job of making viewers feel for Ai, making her murder all the more heartbreaking. While Oshi no Ko isn’t all sadness, it’s definitely far more tragic than most other idol anime.

14 Your Lie in April

Based On the Manga By Naoshi Arakawa

Your Lie in April follows Kousei Arima, a piano prodigy who lost his ability to play as well as his love for music after his mother’s death. However, things seem to change when he meets Kaori Miyazono, an eccentric violinist whose free-spirited, emotional music playstyle re-kindles Kousei’s passion and inspires him to start playing piano again. Unfortunately, Kaori suffers from a terminal illness and their journey together comes to an untimely end.

Although Kaori’s illness is shown from the very beginning, and she spends most of her time in hospitals, no viewer could possibly finish the show without crying at the end, when Kousei reads her letter. The notes of Your Lie in April are all familiar and well-worn, but the anime handles them so well that it’s difficult to knock the series for being a bit predictable. Your Lie in April is one series that is guaranteed to break fans’ hearts in the best way possible.

13 Banana Fish

Based on the Manga By Akimi Yoshida

The story of Banana Fish is fraught with sad moments and reasons to cry, as it boldly features themes that few other stories have the courage to cover. From drug abuse and gang violence to corruption and PTSD, no phenomenon is too dark to be explored. The story follows Ash Lynx, a complex character who has proven himself to be incredibly strong in spite of his traumatic past, and Eiji Okumura, who gets drawn into Ash’s world with the apparent desire to save him. Unfortunately, their journey together does not end on the happy note that fans may have wished for.

Banana Fish is a classic 80s manga, and studio MAPPA’s adaptation absolutely does the story justice. So much of Banana Fish’s story is contained in little moments, and that’s something that MAPPA nailed with their anime. Banana Fish might be heartbreaking, but it still stands among MAPPA’s best anime series of all time.

12 Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Original Anime Created By Artist Collective Super Peace Busters

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is infamous for being one of the saddest anime series, and for good reason. The story revolves around a group of friends who drifted apart after one of them, Meiko Honma, died. Several years later, her sudden reappearance in the form of a ghost brings them back together, forcing them to confront the regret, guilt, and sorrow that they ignored for so long.

Although it features a supernatural twist, its nostalgic theme and focus on human relationships keep it grounded and relatable, only adding to the impact of its overarching sadness. Its distinct ending theme is sure to make fans emotional every time. With gorgeous animation, a cast of likable characters, and a story that will feel relatable to anyone grappling with the lost of a loved one, Anohana isn’t just one of the saddest anime, it’s also one of the best anime ever made.

11 Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Based on the RPG Series Created By Mike Pondsmith

Given its background, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners may easily be dismissed as promotional material for a game that only fans of the franchise would appreciate. However, it is far more than that, proving itself to be one of the best and saddest stories told in the medium. The show features an original story revolving around David Martinez, a boy with a once-bright future who ended up as an edgerunner after a series of tragedies, and Lucy, a netrunner with a likewise tragic backstory.

With the story taking place in Night City, a dangerous, dystopian futuristic city where being good is rarely rewarded, its heartbreaking events are almost to be expected. At its heart, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a tragedy. Audiences will likely have a good idea of the horrible events that will unfold throughout the series long before the characters do, and that makes watching it even more difficult. It’s a testament to the anime that the perception of the controversial video game completely flipped after the wide critical acclaim of the show.

10 Death Parade

Produced by Madhouse

With one of the flashiest and catchiest opening themes ever produced, Death Parade offers much more than an infectious soundtrack. The anime original, which was created, written and directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, takes place in a purgatory-esque bar situated between Heaven and Hell. Here, those who have passed away compete in “Death Games” to determine if their soul will be reincarnated, or if they’ll be sent to the void.

Any series that analyzes and critiques the nature of death and the afterlife is bound to get heavy, but the way in which Death Parade handles some of its characters, their backstories, and how their lives led them to being the people they became up until the moment of their death adds an even heavier weight and consequence for their ultimate fates once their future is decided for them. Some of the stories are so impactful that they’re certifiable tear-jerkers.

9 Tokyo Magnitude 8.0

An Original Anime Series Co-Produced by Studio Bones & Kinema Citrus

One of Tokyo Magnitude 8.0‘s main strengths is just how true to life it is, seeking to realistically depict an earthquake powerful enough to change the landscape of Tokyo in an instant, and the severe consequences thereof. No one could ever be prepared for such an event, much less Mirai Onozawa and Yuuki Onozawa, two children away on vacation by themselves. Yet, far from their family, they have no choice but to face this new situation, together with Mari Kusakabe, a motorcyclist and single mother.

Japan, more so than many other nations, has been hit hard by a handful of natural disasters. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 makes all that hit close to home, even for anime fans who have never been personally hurt by a disaster themselves. The sheer scale of the damage after something like a big earthquake is difficult to grasp, and that’s something Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 captures quite well. The sadness comes from the effects of the disaster, which causes plenty of loss and grief in the city.

8 Flavors of Youth

Produced by Haoliners Animation League & CoMix Wave Films

The highly underrated film Flavors of Youth that released in 2018 is the unique case of an anime series produced in China being released to mainstream audiences. The feature-length film is based around the tradition of the four basic necessities of life: food, clothing, housing and transportation, which is divided into three separate parts; The Rice Noodles, A Little Fashion Show, and Love in Shanghai.

While the film may not be emotional or “sad” in the traditional ways that anime fans would expect, Flavors of Youth hits hard in its core themes and resounding message of enjoying every moment of life, as well as being a beautiful cultural piece that gives an ample amount of love to the many landscapes and landmarks found in China. Watching each of the characters in the short stories gives every audience member somebody or something to relate to, adding to the film’s impactful qualities.

7 WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us?

Based on the Light Novel By Akira Kareno and Ue

WorldEnd follows Willem Kmetsch, a former warrior who was frozen in ice 500 years ago. He then awakens to find that he’s the only remaining human, as humanity was wiped out by mysterious creatures known as “Beasts”. In fear of these monsters, he and the surviving races must now live on floating islands in the sky. This is where he encounters the Leprechauns, young girls used as weapons against the Beasts.

From its post-apocalyptic setting to the tragic backstories of the Leprechauns, as well as their purpose of sacrifice and disregard for their own lives, this series is full of emotional moments.

6 Plastic Memories

Original Anime Series Produced By Doga Kobo

Plastic Memories is a story of forbidden love, limited by time. The story takes place in a world where a company known as SAI Corp produces lifelike androids who resemble humans in every way, besides the fact that they have a significantly shorter lifespan. After landing a job at this company, Tsukasa Mizugaki meets up with Isla, a veteran android, and together they must retrieve other androids before they lose their memories.

Not only is it heartbreaking to see humans and androids who grew close be separated, but the very relationship of Tsukasa and Isla, which develops throughout the show, is also fated to end tragically.

5 Terror in Resonance

Original Anime Series by Shinichirō Watanabe and MAPPA

One of MAPPA’s earliest anime projects featuring the beloved direction of Shinichirō Watanabe, Terror in Resonance joins Kids on the Slope as a niche production with lasting, strong appeal. The series features a cerebral plot involving a nuclear strike scheme by the terrorist group Sphinx, whose members are survivors of a nefarious experiment by the Rising Peace Academy, with Sphinx being reminiscent of Death Note’s Kira.

The emotional depth of the soundtrack, yet another highlight of Watanabe’s filmography, evokes a bittersweet sadness at an exploitative and cynical society while ultimately preaching hope. Though fans may think the series is about the societal effects of terrorism, given the title, in reality, Terror in Resonance is much more about the political situation surrounding Japan’s military. The result is a thrilling watch that gives unique insight into the political climate in Japan.

4 Given

Based on the Original Manga by Natsuki Kizu

The BL drama Given is a wholesome experience throughout, depicting the lives and loves of the band “The Seasons,” whose lives and names are changed forever by one key new member. The band’s lead guitarist, Ritsuka Uenoyama, discovers the forlorn Mafuyu Sato clutching his guitar, pitifully sad about some recently broken strings.

However, as the two connect and Ritsuka introduces Mafuyu to his bandmates Haruki and Akihiko, they discover Mafuyu’s angelic singing voice and a tragic past. When Mafuyu finally unleashes the music in his heart, there is no single dry eye in the house for the Given anime. Music and anime are inherently linked, but with Given, that connection extends well beyond a fun soundtrack. The music in Given is integral to the plot and a major factor in what makes the series such a memorable experience.

3 Wolf Children

Produced by Studio Chizu

Mamoru Hosoda has a colorful career in filmmaking, helming projects like Summer Wars and his most recent success, Belle. One of his most emotionally profound features, though, is Wolf Children. The film is a lot of things: in its opening, Wolf Children is a story of unconditional love, and over the course of the film becomes a beautiful, insightful look into the emotional toils of motherhood.

Hana begins as a young college student, and after sharing her textbook with a mysterious man who sits in on one of her classes, becomes deeply enamored by him. As their relationship progresses, she learns he’s a “wolf man” – similar to a classic werewolf, albeit far more gentle. The pair later have two children, and when her love tragically passes away in an accident, Hana takes Ame and Yuki and moves to the countryside where they can live a peaceful life. The second half of the film depicts Hana’s struggle to manage the two children as they grow into middle schoolers, and must learn to accept the two very different directions her children wish to take in life.

2 Clannad

Based on the Visual Novel by Key

Clannad: After Story follows the future wherein Tomoya Okazaki starts dating Nagisa Furukawa, as well as their life together. Unfortunately, while witnessing their relationship develop should be a positive experience for fans of the couple, their family life proves to be riddled with trouble, challenges, and difficult choices. The tragedies are not even limited to the couple alone, with other characters also facing their own hardships.

Adulthood is rarely easy, a fact that this series portrays realistically and sincerely, which evokes genuine empathy from viewers. Many anime fans consider this title to be one of the saddest ever, with Tomoya and Nagisa’s family developments breaking fans’ hearts multiple times.

1 Grave of the Fireflies

Produced by Studio Ghibli

Though Ghibli has never been afraid to tackle serious issues, rarely is the result as heartbreaking and hard to watch as Grave of the Fireflies. The story centers around a young man named Seita and his young sister Setsuko who are faced with a tough life at the tail end of World War II. With their mother dead, their father off fighting the way, and the aunt they live with in the meantime not exactly welcoming, Seita is forced to fend for himself and Setsuko in a harsh world that has no space for them.

Grave of the Fireflies
is based on a semi-autobiographical short story by Akiyuki Nosaka.

Many have hailed Grave of the Fireflies as one of the greatest anti-war movies of all time, and while that’s certainly an element, director Isao Takahata disagreed that this was the movie’s message. Ultimately, to Takahata, Grave of the Fireflies is a movie about the personal cost of societal failures. Grave of the Fireflies is a heartbreaking but necessary watch, and the movie’s influence is far-reaching both in anime and outside of it. Luckily for fans, Grave of the Fireflies is now available on Netflix, so more people than ever can be traumatized by one of the greatest anime movies.