Anime has the unique ability to explore deep emotional themes, often leaving a lasting impact on viewers. From tales of loss and grief to poignant journeys of personal growth, these stories tap into the most universal aspects of the human experience. While some anime focus on action or adventure, others delve into the complexities of life and relationships, showcasing the beauty and sadness that coexist in our world. The following selection of
anime series that will make you cry
explores themes of bullying, war, love, and the fleeting nature of life, each offering a heart-wrenching yet fulfilling viewing experience for those seeking emotional depth. These anime resonate with their audience by portraying the struggles, heartaches, and triumphs of their characters in a deeply emotional way.
From the gut-wrenching twists in The Promised Neverland, to the healing and heartbreaking moments in Violet Evergarden, these series evoke tears with their powerful storytelling. Whether you're exploring the afterlife in Angel Beats! or navigating the painful journey of regret in Orange, these anime series reflect the depth of human emotion, leaving viewers with a sense of catharsis and emotional reflection. If you're looking for anime that will stir your heart, these selections are sure to provide a deeply emotional experience.
Most emotional anime series that will leave you crying
A Silent Voice: The weight of bullying
A Silent Voice is a deeply emotional anime film that explores the devastating effects of bullying, depression, and redemption. The story centres around Shoya Ishida, a high school student, and his deaf classmate, Shoko Nishimiya. When Shoya bullied Shoko in elementary school for her disability, it set off a chain of events that would haunt him for years.
The film picks up years later when Shoya, filled with guilt, seeks to atone for his actions by trying to make amends with Shoko. The movie's powerful themes of personal growth, empathy, and reconciliation resonate with viewers, offering a fulfilling yet bittersweet conclusion. The beautiful animation and attention to detail in portraying emotional nuance make this a standout film in the drama genre, highlighting the impact of bullying on both the victim and the perpetrator.
Maquia: When the promised flower blooms
This ambitious anime blends fantasy, drama, and action to tell the heart-wrenching story of Maquia, a member of a long-lived race called the Iorph. Unlike humans, Iorph can live for centuries, which puts them at a distance from human society. During a war, Maquia flees and becomes the guardian of a human baby named Aion.
As Maquia watches Aion grow older while she remains unchanged, the movie explores themes of motherhood, grief, and the passing of time. The emotional weight of the film lies in the relationship between Maquia and Aion, which poignantly illustrates the universal human experience of loss. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is both a war epic and an intimate family drama, making it a must-watch for those interested in anime that tackles deep emotional and existential themes.
Plastic memories
Set in a future where humanoid robots called "Giftia" are almost indistinguishable from humans, Plastic Memories explores the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. The story follows Tsukasa Mizugaki, a new recruit at the Terminal Service, and Isla, a Giftia who is nearing the end of her lifespan.
Tsukasa and Isla form a romantic connection, but the tragic reality is that Isla’s life is limited, and their time together is brief. Plastic Memories poignantly explores themes of impermanence, the nature of relationships, and the inevitable loss associated with technology. It is an emotional rollercoaster for sci-fi fans, offering a unique perspective on love and loss in a world where technology blurs the line between human and machine.
A place further than the Universe
This anime, while initially appearing lighthearted with its "cute girls doing cute things" tone, evolves into a moving drama. The story follows Shirase Kobuchizawa, a teenager whose mother disappeared while on an expedition to Antarctica. Shirase has been saving money to go to Antarctica in search of closure, and eventually convinces her classmates to join her.
Along the journey, the characters form bonds that are tested by personal trauma, and the trip becomes a vehicle for emotional healing. Shirase’s quest for closure is central to the series, and as the group reaches Antarctica, the weight of their shared experiences comes to fruition, bringing the anime’s emotional depth to its peak. The series balances humour and adventure with heart-wrenching emotional moments, making it a powerful story of personal growth and reconciliation.
WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us?
In this post-apocalyptic anime, humanity has been decimated by monstrous creatures known as Beasts, and the few remaining humans live in constant fear. Willem, the last surviving human, is tasked with caring for a group of young girls who are used as weapons to combat the Beasts.
These girls are all facing an uncertain, short life, and the anime follows Willem as he forms deep bonds with them, especially with Chtholly, a veteran fighter. The series is bittersweet, as it explores themes of fleeting life and the emotional toll of war. WorldEnd plays on the inevitability of death, showing how connections and bonds formed in the face of a doomed future can be both beautiful and tragic.
The Promised Neverland: A gripping tale of survival and escape
Based on the manga by Kaiu Shirai & Posuka Demizu, The Promised Neverland is an anime filled with suspense and emotional intensity. The story follows a group of orphans, led by the intelligent Emma, who uncover a horrifying secret about their seemingly perfect orphanage. Their world is turned upside down as they plot a daring escape to survive the gruesome fate awaiting them.
The first season is widely praised for its atmospheric tension and masterful adaptation, but the second season is criticised for rushing key plot points and failing to capture the depth of the original manga. Despite this, The Promised Neverland remains a powerful exploration of resilience and the human spirit's ability to overcome impossible odds. With its dark premise of children being raised to be sacrificed to demons, it is undeniably one of the most disturbing and heartbreaking anime in recent years.
Violet Evergarden: A journey through love, loss, and healing
Violet Evergarden is a deeply emotional series based on the light novel by Kana Akatsuki & Akiko Takase. It follows Violet, a former child soldier who is trying to reintegrate into society after the war. She becomes an "Auto Memory Doll," a professional letter writer who helps others express their emotions. Through her interactions with clients, Violet seeks to understand the meaning of love and the grief caused by loss.
While Violet's own tragic backstory is heart-wrenching, the real emotional impact comes from the personal stories she encounters. For example, one of her clients is a mother writing letters for her daughter’s future birthdays, knowing she will not be there to see them. These poignant moments make Violet Evergarden an anime about emotional growth and the healing power of empathy.
Angel Beats!: A heartbreaking afterlife story
Angel Beats! takes place in the afterlife, where a group of teenagers, each with unresolved regrets from their previous lives, must come to terms with their past. The anime is filled with tragic backstories, offering a glimpse into each character’s life before death, which is what makes the series so emotionally impactful.
Though the series has its moments of humour and action, particularly with the conflict between the Afterlife Battlefront and Angel, the heart of Angel Beats! lies in the sorrow and redemption of the characters. It is a truly tear-jerking experience, as viewers follow the characters on their emotional journey toward peace.
Fruits Basket: A heart-wrenching tale of family and acceptance
Fruits Basket follows Tohru Honda, a high school girl who finds herself living with the mysterious Sohma family. She discovers that twelve members of the family are cursed to transform into animals from the Chinese zodiac when touched by the opposite sex. As Tohru learns about the painful lives of the cursed family members, she helps them confront their trauma and find healing.
While the series starts off with a light, whimsical tone, it quickly delves into heavy themes such as emotional trauma, isolation, and the consequences of abuse. Both the original 2001 anime and the 2019 reboot of Fruits Basket are highly praised for their sensitive portrayal of these themes, offering a powerful message about the importance of acceptance, love, and personal growth.
Orange: A shocking journey through regret and healing
In Orange, the protagonist Naho receives letters from her future self, urging her to prevent the tragic fate of her new friend, Kakeru. As Naho and her friends work together to change the future, they face themes of regret, guilt, and the impact of small actions.
The anime explores Kakeru’s depression and his feelings of responsibility for his mother’s death, as well as the emotional toll that these feelings take on him. As the group struggles to help Kakeru, Orange delves deep into the complexity of mental health, showing that sometimes, the only person who can save you is yourself. The series is a poignant reminder of the importance of supporting one another through difficult times.
Oshi no Ko: A tragic tale set in the idol world
Oshi no Ko presents a unique and heartbreaking story set in the world of Japanese idols. The series follows Gorou, a gynaecologist who is a huge fan of the idol Ai Hoshino. After Gorou’s death, he is reincarnated as Ai’s son, Aqua, and together with his twin sister Ruby, they navigate the dark side of the idol industry while seeking revenge for their mother’s tragic death.
Oshi no Ko stands out for its ability to make viewers feel deeply for Ai, whose tragic story unfolds as the anime explores the cutthroat nature of the idol world. While the show is not all sorrowful, it offers a more tragic take on the idol industry than most anime, making it an emotionally gripping experience from start to finish.
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