The anime industry is just as diverse as any other media medium. From terrifying horror to comedy that will make someone’s sides hurt, this variety is what makes the medium so easy to get into. That said, some of the greatest anime of all time are melancholic dramas and tragedies that excel at making their audience full of tears.
From school-time tales like Clannad based on visual novels to more societal critiques, anime can often make viewers feel in a completely different way. In the end, however, despite the grand size of the genre, some tearjerker anime excel at making fans cry far better than others.
Updated on October 2, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Fall 2024 season is apart to start, and the lineup might contain a few sad anime. Re:ZERO is back for another season that will definitely have some horrifying deaths at one point or another. Natsume’s Book of Friends Season 7 might have some heavy moments, although it should be mostly slice of life. TsumaSho could surprise a few people who are expecting a silly comedy, while Negative Positive Angler and Kinoko Inu should touch upon themes of depression (in presumably lighthearted ways).
Galleries have been added for every anime mentioned below.
31 Battle Shonen Anime
Rare But Unforgettable
Battle shonen properties like One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Full Metal Alchemist, and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure contain some of the most iconic and devastating “sad” moments in anime; however, potentially dozens, if not hundreds of episodes could separate these scenes. If someone is specifically searching for an anime that will make them cry loud and frequently, these shows are not for them. Conversely, if someone’s desired poison is a long-running action-adventure series that might periodically cause them to weep uncontrollably, battle shonen anime should not disappoint.
One Piece is especially great at nailing its emotional moments, and the anime does not exclusively rely on deaths to inspire tears. Full Metal Alchemist also does not pull any punches when aiming for the audience’s hearts.
30 Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Psychological Trauma
Madoka Magica‘s popularity is a double-edged sword since, nowadays, most newcomers will go into the anime already knowing its fantastic twist. While overexposure has lessened the impact of a key early moment, it should not take anything away from the rest of the experience. The magical girl anime borders on psychological horror, testing its young characters’ vulnerable and fragile mental states as they are put into situations that nobody should ever be forced to face.
Madoka Magica has its share of horrific and gory moments that will stick with someone long after they finish the series and movie sequel. That said, the anime achieves peak sadness not through bloody deaths but by emphasizing the girls’ hopelessness. These characters are broken.
29 Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-
Desperation, Trauma, & Self-Reflection In Another World
OK, this one might be a controversial recommendation since Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- tends to be divisive, especially its protagonist (Subaru). Still, the anime has plenty of heavy moments that could inspire tears, particularly if a viewer is more likely to cry if the characters do the same. Like most isekai journeys, Re:ZERO starts by sending an average human to a fantasy world, and Subaru quickly embraces his new exciting life as the hero of his story…at least, until he dies. Fortunately, the protagonist’s unique power allows him to revive early, essentially utilizing a checkpoint system.
Re:ZERO gets dark. Due to his power activating through death, Subaru’s contributions specifically require going through tragedy, and he suffers many horrifying ends that unsurprisingly impact his mental health. More importantly, Subaru goes through a rude awakening throughout season 1, forcing him to analyze his behavior, arrogance, and desperation. In general, the anime constantly challenges its characters, demanding they reflect on their flaws and insecurities to grow.
28 Girls Band Cry
Bullying & Well-Done Drama
The Spring 2024 anime season had quite a few shows that could inspire tears. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation and Sound! Euphonium produced a couple of heavy moments that will stick with viewers.
Focusing exclusively on new shows, the quarter had two candidates that warrant mentions, and they happen to be very similar. Out of the two anime, Jellyfish Can’t Swim in the Night attracted the most attention due to being more accessible and also benefitting from Doga Kobo’s recent hype. The story follows a group of girls who start an artistic collective known as JELEE. The anime started very strong as it established four very likable characters with clear motives; however, it lost steam during its last couple of episodes, largely thanks to a rushed pacing that caused some of the drama to fall flat. Just to be clear, Jellyfish is still worth a watch.
Comparatively, Girls Band Cry flew somewhat under the radar, an unavoidable consequence of the show not airing on a Western streaming service. Similar to Jellyfish, this anime follows a group of girls as they start a band. While a slow starter, Toei’s series gradually garnered momentum, receiving praise for its stellar CGI animation and deft coverage of challenging themes like bullying. Although slightly melodramatic at times, Girls Band Cry handles its drama extremely well, with most of the tension rising naturally from the characters’ relationships and their passion.
27 To Your Eternity
Dealing With Loss
Immortality comes at a steep price. Directed by a mysterious observer, a magical orb capable of changing shapes is sent to Earth, and it eventually finds itself taking the form of a wolf and then a boy. Along with sharing an emotional bond, the orb (called Fushi) can only assume somebody’s form if that person is deceased. Consequently, death is an intrinsic part of To Your Eternity‘s premise, and the anime shows how Fushi’s personality and journey are shaped by his relationships.
Death goes hand-in-hand with life, but someone can live on through the people they leave behind. To Your Eternity encompasses every possible emotion, be it unbridled happiness or crushing sadness. The latter comes frequently, and each moment can inspire tears.
26 5 Centimeters Per Second
A Lifetime Of Longing
One regret can haunt someone’s entire existence. Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara met when they were kids, forming an instant bond. They seemed destined for each other, but life eventually got in the way, breaking them apart forever. 5 Centimeters per Second chronicles their short but sweet time together, along with their attempts to move on once they are forced to go their separate ways.
5 Centimeters per Second was directed by Makoto Shinkai, a filmmaker who loves to make audiences cry. Split into three episodes, the story gets progressively more heartbreaking and complex. The anime not only shows intensely sad moments but also explores the depression that can set in after these life-changing events.
25 Haibane Renmei
The Beauty & Sorrow Of (After)Life
Many prominent fantasy series have become the icons of the sadder side of the anime industry. However, one fantasy series that flies under the radar has the potential to be one of the most heart-wrenching of them all — Haibane Renmei.
The premise of Haibane Renmei follows the story of Rakka, a haibane (a creature resembling an angel), and the mysterious-walled city of Glie. However, as mysterious as the circumstances are, the plot only becomes more suspenseful as viewers learn more about Glie and its inhabitants. As engaging as the central mystery is, Haibane Renmei‘s depth comes from its characterization of Rakka as the story chronicles her life and growth, which includes experiencing inescapable events like death.
24 Rumbling Hearts
Love & Heartbreak
Based on a visual novel, Rumbling Hearts is about romance and the conflicting emotions and heartbreak that can be born out of these relationships. Takayuki and Haruka are high-school sweethearts, and while their budding relationship is not perfect, they seem right for each other. However, an accident shatters their future, and things get complicated from there.
Rumbling Hearts has a strong roster of main characters who are all complex and grounded in reality. While none of them are necessarily presented as villains, the anime does not go out of its way to make its characters overly likable. They are flawed humans who are prone to bouts of selfishness, anger, and hostility.
23 Wolf Children
The Love Between A Parent & Their Children
Anime movies hold a special place in the hearts of anime and manga fans for their heartwarming moments that can’t quite be reached in a normal anime series. The length of the film, plus the need to watch in one sitting, allows the movie to immerse the viewer more effectively — the film Wolf Children proves this much as it shows viewers the daily life of a family of wolf people. After meeting a werewolf in college, the main character Hana has two half-wolf children; Wolf Children focuses on the life of this unique family.
All in all, Wolf Children makes for a good pick for anime fans who are looking for a sadder fantasy-style movie outside the standard Studio Ghibli style of animation. The film focuses more on the relationship between mother and child than an action-filled plot.
22 Toradora!
Tearing Down The Walls
One of the most influential romance anime of all time, Toradora! spawned an avalanche of copycats that repeated its tsundere tropes and ideas, causing the series to seem a bit generic in this day and age. However, the 2008 anime was a trendsetter upon its release, and it is still a better watch than many of its spiritual successors. At school, Ryuji and Taiga are the definition of “don’t judge a book by its cover” in the exact opposite ways. While the guy looks like a delinquent but does not have a rough bone in his body, the diminutive girl is prone to violent outbursts that could make the Looney Tunes blush. To pursue their romantic interests, they decide to form an alliance, although they are hardly on the same page most of the time.
Toradora! does not regularly aim to initiate waterworks, and the show frequently focuses on comedy or romantic tension. That said, when the story tries to be sad, it never fails. Taiga is responsible for most of the heartbreaking moments in the series, and these scenes are especially effective since they force her to let down her protective walls. Minori is also a tragic character.
21 Kotaro Lives Alone
The Trauma Behind The Humor
Kotaro Lives Alone does not immediately reveal itself to be a tearjerker, but the anime quietly and steadily starts to pluck at the viewer’s heartstrings. As implied by its title, the story follows Kotaro, a 4-year-old kid who moves into his own apartment. Unsurprisingly, the young child’s situation garners the attention of his neighbors, who quickly become unwanted but appreciated parental figures to Kotaro.
This premise is perfect for a lighthearted and fantastical slice of life about an unusual family dynamic, and while Kotaro Lives Alone occasionally fits that description, it does not reflect the entire package. The anime dives into Kotaro’s backstory, revealing the dire circumstances that caused this 4-year-old to mature beyond his age. Even the show’s sillier moments are underpinned by a hint of sadness.
20 Now And Then, Here And There
Isekai’d To Hell
Isekai has produced a couple of drama-heavy anime, but pure tearjerkers are in short supply. Re: Zero – Starting Life In Another World could qualify, although it is more upsetting than outright sad. If forced to select the most heartbreaking isekai anime, Now and Then, Here and There would have to get the nod. Putting the whole “sent to another world” angle to the side, this anime is a gritty war story that focuses on innocent children who get caught in the middle.
In an attempt to save a girl named Lala-Ru, Shu finds himself stuck in a strange and horrifying world that has no sympathy for the vulnerable. Now and Then, Here and There goes to some shockingly dark places, touching upon themes that very few anime are willing to approach. While not an enjoyable watch, this 1999 anime is powerful and unforgettable.
19 Ef – A Tale Of Memories & A Tale Of Melodies
Melodrama Done Well
An adaptation of the Ef: A Fairy Tale of the Two visual novel, Shaft’s anime seasons revolve around two romances each. While the two series have overlapping characters, A Tale of Melodies shifts focus to figures who play largely minor roles in A Tale of Memories. As such, they are fairly standalone experiences, although people should still start with the first season.
Ef is unapologetically melodramatic, to the point that its characters tend to really wear their emotions out in the open. Although this can get tiring, the anime makes up for it with generally good writing, likable characters, and a willingness to tackle serious issues. Both seasons are worth watching, but A Tale of Melodies is the stronger of the two; that said, they are both capable of producing tears.
18 March Comes In Like A Lion
Depression & Bullying
Along with having one of the most baffling titles in anime history, March Comes In Like a Lion is generally viewed as an all-time great drama, particularly for its second season. Even since losing his parents as a child, Rei has health and depression by putting all his energy into shogi. While providing a small escape and helping to pave a path for a promising future, shogi has done little to dispel Rei’s loneliness; however, this begins to change when he befriends three sisters who are also trying to make the best of a bad situation.
March Comes In Like a Lion touches upon difficult themes like depression, trauma, psychological abuse, and bullying. More importantly, the show handles them with care and nuance, offering no easy answers while still suggesting that things can get better. This anime will inspire a rollercoaster of emotions.
17 Terror In Resonance
Terrorism has become one of the most prevalent tragedies of the last few decades. Released back in 2014, Terror in Resonance explores the tragic undertones of a monumental issue in modern history with striking imagery and plot mechanics.
That said, be aware that viewers may find the imagery in the anime hard to swallow, between being a psychological thriller and a critique on a very controversial topic. Nonetheless, the adventures of Nine and Twelve will certainly leave an impression on anybody who watches until the end.
16 Made In Abyss
Physical, Psychological, & Emotional Destruction
Made in Abyss follows a girl and her robotic friend as they venture down into the Abyss, a fantastical place filled with extraordinary creatures, beautiful vistas, and despair. As they head down deeper and deeper, things get progressively worse, and this fantasy show is willing to torture its characters regardless of their age or innocence.
Kinema Citrus’ anime is not an easy sit. While not consistently sad, Made in Abyss has very few moments of proper happiness. Every triumph is built on pain, loss, and tragedy; every character is either suffering or in the process of inflicting misery on someone else. In terms of dark adventure anime, Made in Abyss is basically in a league of its own, even if it is difficult to unabashedly recommend due to its more disconcerting sequences.
15 Fruits Basket (2019)
Healing Requires Time & A Support System
Fruits Basket covers basically the entire emotional spectrum, and it handles everything with style and finesse. Consequently, the anime does not always or even regularly aim to be sad, but when it does, heartbreak will follow. Following the death of her mother, Tohru Honda finds herself homeless and isolated; however, when her situation becomes known to the Sohma family, they invite her to live with them. Now living alongside her school’s male idol along with his short-tempered cousin, Tohru’s days are destined to be filled with laughter, surprises, warmth, and tragedy.
Initially, Fruits Basket leans heavily into comedy while it quietly builds up its main players. In due time, the anime begins to explore the characters’ backstories, most of which are defined by trauma. By its third and final season, the show has transitioned into a full-blown drama, and it is all the better for it.
14 Angel Beats
Life After Death
Key visual novels have become known for their heart-wrenching storylines (and romantic subplots), as well as their excellent visuals. Angel Beats, the anime released in 2010, has a legacy for many as being one of the most compelling of these. Taking viewers to a school-time afterlife, the story revolves around Otonashi Yuzuru and a band of renegade teenagers fighting against passing on.
Nonetheless, as the story goes on, viewers face the cruel reality of this afterlife. For new anime fans, this is an amazing starting point for the more melancholic side of the medium. The comedy and setting bring a more light-hearted tone, counterbalanced by incredible visuals, music, and twists that hit right to the heart.
13 Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War In The Pocket
Coming Of Age During War Time
Gundam is no stranger to tragedy; in fact, most of the franchise’s releases contain a few painful moments. In terms of more accessible entries, both The Witch from Mercury and Iron-Blooded Orphans are tearjerkers in their own right, particularly the latter; however, the most heartbreaking Gundam project is 1989’s War in the Pocket. The OVA series might not be as well known as most other properties in Sunrise’s franchise, but its short-run nature and personal story make it a surprisingly good pick for a standalone experience, especially since it does not reflect the typical Gundam blueprint.
Set in a neutral colony that has tried to stay out of the war between the Federation and Zeon, the anime focuses on a young child who is fascinated by war and forms a friendship with two soldiers from opposite sides. Rather than action or political intrigue, War in the Pocket tells a very human story that doubles as a dark coming-of-age journey.
12 I Want To Eat Your Pancreas
A Doomed But Worthwhile Relationship
Some series are built to hit the viewer right in the feels. I Want To Eat Your Pancreas (contrary to what the title alludes to) builds a world that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking to its very core. The story focuses on the story of a girl, named Sakura, who suffers from a rare, fatal pancreatic illness.
As viewers follow the show’s protagonist Haruki, they will grow attached to the relationship between the doomed duo. Of course, due to the show’s excellent artwork and characters, the viewers experience a unique type of feeling by the end of the story.
