Best Tearjerker Anime (2024)

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 June 24, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The Spring 2024 season is basically done by this point. While not containing any painfully sad shows, the quarter had an anime that deserves to be highlighted.

The Summer 2024 season will be starting in the next few weeks. Tower of God and NieR:Automata Ver1.1a seem the most likely to be tearjerkers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your Lie In April

March To The Inevitable

Few anime are as infamous for their sad endings as Your Lie In April. Focused on the story of Kosei Arima, a well-accomplished pianist, and musician, the story takes an interesting turn as the audience is introduced to the free-spirited Kaori Miyazono.

The two get along well during the show's runtime, eventually concluding nicely with a romantic plot. However, the story quickly grows more and more dramatic as the audience becomes introduced to illness and the strife it causes each of the characters. Overall, there's a lot to appreciate about this series, especially for people who love well-developed characters.

Violet Evergarden

Personal Tragedies

There is no bigger tragedy than war, something that the popular anime Violet Evergarden really hits home. The story surrounds the ex-soldier Violet Evergarden, the namesake character of the series, as she reintegrates after the end of a recent war.

Taking up the career of a ghostwriter who writes for people who cannot write for themselves, the anime jumps into a deep exploration of each character's emotions, especially the protagonist herself. In the end, Violet Evergarden is a good pick for anime fans who like historical dramas and suspenseful action.

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Haunted By The Past

Anohana is a recurring pick among sad anime for its unique premise. The story focuses on the story of a group of childhood friends who have slowly drifted apart in different directions. The issue? The group was divided after an accident that killed one of their friends, named Meiko.

This accident affects the group, especially the now-reclusive main character Jinta when Meiko's ghost suddenly appears to bring them back together. All in all, Anohana is a great series for audiences who love a story that's both fulfilling and sad at the same time.

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 circ*mstances 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.

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.

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.

Toradora!

Tearing Down The Walls

One of the most influential romance anime of all time, Toradora! spawned an avalanche of copycats that repeated its 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. In order 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.

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 circ*mstances that caused this 4-year-old to mature beyond his age. Even the show's sillier moments are underpinned by a hint of sadness.

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.

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.

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.

Terror In Resonance

Social Commentary

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Clannad & Clannad: After Story

The Definitive Tearjerker Anime

Among the many anime tearjerkers, Clannad has become something of a classic. For old-timers, the series offers a nostalgic feeling. For newcomers, it offers a dramatic series with world-shattering undertones. Focused on the story of Tomoya Okazaki, Clannad follows the high-schooler as he explores his skewed view of happiness and reality.

Based on the Key visual novel of the same name, the anime tells a tragic story centered around each heroine. While one subplot is more prevalent than the others, the conclusion found in its sequel, Clannad: After Story, will not be forgotten.

Orange

Regret

Everybody loves a good mystery, anime or not. Able to build suspense and hide tragic events, the audience often comes to unexpected conclusions; this is most definitely the case for the 2016 series, Orange.

The protagonist, Naho Takamiya, receives a letter from her future self. However, the letter tells of a tragedy involving her classmate, Kakeru Naruse. Now, Naho must find the true meaning of the letters or face their tragic predictions. The series dwells upon the themes of regret and other saddening themes, perfect for the viewer who enjoys a subtly melancholic story.

A Silent Voice

Bullying

Anime films (many of which are available on Netflix) have the potential to be even more saddening than their episodic counterparts. The movie A Silent Voice is a perfect example of this, hitting audiences with its alluring, down-to-life plotline. Telling the story of Shoya Ishida and his deaf classmate, Shoko Nishimiya.

The plot proceeds to create a dialogue on the issues of bullying and depression. Of course, not all sad anime are tragic; viewers will find the end of A Silent Voice fulfilling, though still a little depressing nonetheless. A perfect choice for audiences looking for the best of both worlds.

Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms

A Unique Mother & Son Dynamic

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is an ambitious movie that works as a war epic and an intimate family drama. Maquia comes from a race known as the Iorph who outlive humans by hundreds of years; consequently, they generally stay far away from each other. However, when war breaks out, Maquia escapes and winds up acting as the guardian of a human baby. As the child ages beyond his mother, tension begins to rise between the two.

Maquia handles its core relationship with grace and nuance, crafting a dynamic that is disarmingly real despite the movie's fantastical setting. The anime's emotional beats hit like a brick because, ultimately, most people can relate to the story's themes of grief and loss.

Plastic Memories

Human & AI

The evolution of robotics is a common trope in both sci-fi movies and anime alike. However, only a few series touch on the sadder parts of this topic. That said, Plastic Memories does focus on these critical issues, as audiences follow the journey of Tsukasa Mizugaki and the android Isla.

The anime tells a wistful tale of the impermanence of human and android life, and the feelings associated with AI. The overarching associations between characters and questions of romance in a short lifetime make this story incredibly compelling. A must-watch for any sci-fi anime lover looking for something a little bit different.

A Place Further Than The Universe

The Long Road To Closure

A Place Further Than The Universe might not seem like an obvious tearjerker anime, especially since it has a generally optimistic tone and plenty of humor. However, the premise has the potential for heavy moments, and the show largely follows through on them. Shirase has been saving money to go on a trip to Antarctica, the last place her mother was seen before she went missing. Naturally, a teenager is not meant to go on this type of journey, but Shirase's drive manages to convince a few of her classmates to also join in, resulting in them making the trip.

A Place Further Than The Universe almost slips into "cute girls doing cute things" territory at times, especially during the first half of the series; however, the anime eventually transitions into a drama as the trip commences. All four main characters are delightful and have their reasons for completing this journey, and their blossoming bonds serve as the story's beating heart. Despite being hopeful of what she might find, Shirase is ultimately seeking closure, and when that arrives, tears will follow.

WorldEnd: What Do You Do At The End Of The World? Are You Busy? Will You Save Us?

A Fleeting Heartbeat

WorldEnd, aka SukaSuka, immediately lets the audience know they should not expect a happy ending, and the anime delivers in that regard. Set hundreds of years in the future, humanity has been wiped out, leaving behind a new race of people who live in constant fear of an alien threat known as Beasts. The only human still standing, Willem, is assigned to take care of weapons that are used to fight the Beasts. The catch is that these weapons are in fact young girls, and their future is incredibly bleak.

SukaSuka chronicles Willem's attempts to connect with these girls, fostering friendships that help bring some joy into all of their short lives. He also builds a more intimate relationship with Chtholly, a veteran fighter. WorldEnd has quite a few pacing issues, but the anime does not hold back when it comes to gut punches.

Grave Of The Fireflies

Depression In Animated Form

Sometimes, older films offer even more of a worthwhile plot than modern classics. At least, the Studio Ghibli film, Grave of the Fireflies, certainly does. Released in 1988, the story follows the wartime stories of Seita and his sister Setsuko.

The civilian side of 1945 Japan often goes unnoticed in modern history, so this film offers a very telling retelling (based on the autobiography of the same name). Although the film has some very dark tones (at least compared to other Ghibli films), the plot and well-developed characters make for an unforgettable and emotionally exhausting experience. While it might be difficult to rewatch, Grave of the Fireflies is undoubtedly one of the saddest anime of all time; in fact, it is one of the saddest movies ever.