The 50 Most Heart-Wrenching Anime That Will Make You Cry Uncontrollably

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Creators often take pleasure in evoking strong emotional responses from their audience, particularly tears. Through heartfelt dramas dealing with young love, unrequited emotions, and complex relationships, as well as more heavy themes such as death, war, and illness, anime has mastered the art of tugging at one’s heartstrings and causing viewers to shed tears. There seems to be an endless array of sad anime series available, many of which boast some of the most poignant narratives found in any medium.

People who love deeply emotional stories that often leave them in tears will be thrilled to know that many classic anime series are indeed tearjerkers. These renowned anime titles not only provide profound insights but also tackle somber themes that resonate with their viewers. Over the years, these heart-wrenching anime have earned a reputation for being among the saddest in the genre, leaving even the most hardened anime enthusiasts teary-eyed from beginning to end as they tug at one’s emotional heartstrings.

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Maquia: When the Eternal Flower Blossoms” – A heartrending tale about an immortal girl named Maquia who belongs to a race that remains youthful forever. After her home is destroyed, she ventures into the mortal world in search of a new beginning. Along her journey, she encounters and adopts a baby boy, despite his mortality. Despite knowing he’ll grow old and pass away, Maquia forms a deep bond with him, showing her boundless love.

The movie chronicles Maquia’s emotional odyssey through motherhood, as she comes to terms with the fact that her son will ultimately outlive her. Although she knows heartbreaking separation awaits them, she maintains a cheerful facade for his sake and raises him into a strong, self-reliant individual. When it’s time for Maquia to bid farewell to her cherished child in one of anime’s most poignant scenes, it underscores the incredible power of maternal love to conquer adversity. In essence, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is a heart-wrenching tale that demonstrates how maternal love can triumph over even the toughest challenges.

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One of the earliest key anime adaptations, “Air,” is similar to the studio’s other works in that it delivers a moving and contemplative narrative brimming with emotion. The story revolves around a young nomad named Yukito, who journeys in search of a mythical Winged Maiden. Along the way, he encounters a solitary girl named Misuzu, and their bond deepens swiftly. However, a shocking twist unfolds when it’s disclosed that Misuzu is afflicted by an enigmatic illness that intensifies whenever she forms connections with others. Driven to assist his new companion, Yukito embarks on a quest to unravel the secret behind her ailment and its enigmatic link to the Winged Maiden.

Similar to other tales penned by Key, “Air” is divided into several narrative arcs focusing on different girls that Yukito encounters during his journey. Each tale becomes increasingly poignant, exploring themes of sorrow, loss, and despair that culminate in a startling death, leaving viewers utterly stunned. Despite being overlooked by many contemporary fans, “Air” stands out as one of the saddest series from Key’s catalog, rivaling even “Clannad” and “Clannad: After Story”.

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The Rose of Versailles” is an enduring historical romance, famed for its dramatic impact among shojo genres. This series unfolds in the era preceding the French Revolution, and follows the life of Oscar François de Jarjayes, a woman who was brought up as a man by her father and trained in swordsmanship. As her military career flourishes, she assumes the role of personal guard to France’s new Dauphine, the youthful Marie Antoinette.

This captivating series narrates the tumultuous incidents that ignite the French Revolution, with a focus on issues like poverty, class disparity, and abuse of power. As Oscar watches, horrified, these events unfold around her, she becomes entangled in the political strife within the French royal court. In “The Rose of Versailles,” Oscar and those close to her experience hardship as they navigate through the turbulent times they are living in.

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Based on the timeless masterpiece of Osamu Tezuka, this story unfolds during Japan’s Warring States Era. The narrative commences when a feudal lord strikes a pact with demons to ensure his domain flourishes. However, this comes at a heavy cost: he must surrender his newborn son, who in turn loses his physical features and skin as a consequence. Left for dead, the infant is miraculously found by an individual who names him Hyakkimaru and equips him with artificial limbs to aid him in his journey.

In his maturity, Hyakkimaru embarks on a journey to retrieve his lost physical self, accompanied by a homeless child named Dororo. Together, they encounter numerous difficulties and bear witness to the distressing circumstances of the people during a tumultuous era in Japanese history. This series, titled Dororo, presents a grim portrayal of war, poverty, and famine, resulting in some emotionally taxing scenes that can be challenging to endure. Despite its somber tone, it’s an outstanding reboot that crafts an engaging narrative that fans will remember for quite some time.

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Ride Your Wave is a 2019 movie that delves into the emotions of coping with sudden loss. It revolves around the romantic story between Hinako Mukaimizu, a lively surfer, and Minato Hinageshi, an attractive firefighter who saves her when her apartment building burns down. Following this serendipitous meeting, Hinako and Minato grow inseparable, and their affection for each other swiftly develops. Unfortunately, their fairytale romance is interrupted when Minato meets a tragic end in an accident.

The movie titled “Ride Your Wave” revolves around Hinako’s journey as she navigates her sorrow. Convinced that he’s still alive in the waves, she clings to this belief and continues her days as if he were still by her side. This film takes us through each phase of mourning, depicting Hinako’s struggle with his absence and her gradual progress towards healing. A poignant tale of personal growth and conquering grief, “Ride Your Wave” is a mix of sadness and familiarity that resonates deeply.

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In simpler, more conversational terms: The anime titled “A Place Further Than the Universe” centers around a team of high school girls on an adventure to Antarctica. Each girl has her own unique motivations for going, from curiosity about life beyond college to coping with personal grief. The series is grounded in reality enough that viewers can easily empathize with the characters’ struggles. In other words, the main characters all have their own personal hardships and sad pasts driving them towards Antarctica.

Shirase clings to hope that her mother, who disappeared in Antarctica three years ago, is still alive and determined to travel there in search of her. Kimari yearns for excitement in life and fears squandering her youth, yet finds herself paralyzed by fear at every opportunity to change. Hinata, once mistreated on the school track team, switched to homeschooling and seeks genuine friendship. Yuzuki, a young actress, initially resists traveling to Antarctica for work, but is eventually persuaded by the other girls. The girls face unexpected challenges and arrive at heart-wrenching realizations during their joint adventure.

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In contrast to many anime that explore death-related themes, only a few venture into the post-death realm. Uniquely, Haibane Renmei presents characters who have already passed away and entered the afterlife. These Haibane are essentially spirits that transitioned prematurely or failed to fulfill their purpose. As they wait for their Day of Flight – a time when a Haibane officially transitions again – they must come to terms with their past and find forgiveness within themselves.

In my perspective, the narrative of Haibane Renmei revolves greatly around themes of sin and remorse. The Haibane marked by sin, carry fragments of their past lives, stirring within them feelings of sorrow and guilt. These recollections trap them in a loop of introspection as they strive to lift the curse of sin-bound existence. If they fail to attain their Day of Flight, they are deemed Failed Haibane and banished from the city.

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In “Rumbling Hearts,” the story unfolds as Haruka Suzumiya, a high school student, falls into a coma following a tragic accident. Her boyfriend, Takayuki Narumi, finds solace in Haruka’s friend, which soon deepens into an intimate bond. However, when Haruka miraculously regains consciousness, Takayuki is faced with the challenging choice between two women, a decision that proves to be extremely difficult. This captivating narrative delves into complex relationships and underscores the value of loyalty.

Derived from the video game Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, the narrative is rich in unexpected plot shifts, featuring complex characters who are neither wholly virtuous nor villainous. These characters’ moral ambiguity leaves viewers questioning their allegiance throughout the storyline. As the tale unfolds with deceit and sorrow, audiences find themselves empathizing deeply with the characters by the conclusion of the series.

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One Week Friends” doesn’t deliver an all-out emotional blow, but it manages to resonate deeply within any anime enthusiast due to its tender, understated narrative and familiar themes. The story revolves around Yuki Hase, a high school student who is smitten with the reserved girl in his class, Kaori Fujimiya. In an attempt to get to know her better, Yuki proposes friendship, only to encounter an unexpectedly frosty reaction from her.

This is due to an accident that left Kaori with severe memory issues, making it impossible for her to maintain friendships. Every week, her memory resets, causing her to forget new connections. Her amnesia has led her to isolate herself and push away those trying to get close. Despite the story being straightforward, it’s not lacking in emotional depth. The series chronicles Kaori’s journey of accepting her condition, dealing with her pain, and finding the love and friendship she’s yearned for through Yuki.

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In the captivating world of “Orange”, I, as a 16-year-old protagonist named Takamiya Naho, find myself in possession of a letter from my future self, imploring me to intervene and prevent the tragic demise of my new classmate Kakeru. Joined by friends who’ve also received such missives, we embark on a compelling journey to rectify our past mistakes and foster healthier relationships with Kakeru. This thought-provoking anime fearlessly tackles weighty themes such as suicidal ideation, emotional turmoil, and the poignant feelings of loss that resonate deeply with its audience.

The core themes in the narrative of Orange revolve around regret and survivor’s guilt. Kakeru bears a heavy burden of responsibility for his mother’s demise, which ultimately leads to his own tragic end if nothing changes. Naho and Kakeru’s other friends experience guilt over his suicide, and the series subtly reveals how seemingly insignificant interactions among friends may have significantly affected Kakeru during his battle with mental illness. Essentially, Orange employs powerful, engaging, and emotionally resonant storytelling to emphasize that only you can save yourself.

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2025-05-18 20:23