The Top 5 Ranked Anime Shows That Will Make You Cry in 2026, According to Japan

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As of 2026, Violet Evergarden has been ranked the most emotionally impactful series of all time, much to the delight of its fans.

The latest anime rankings are out, and it’s no surprise that the most emotionally impactful shows topped the list. Violet Evergarden, which first aired in 2018 and is based on a popular light novel series from 2015, took first place. But it wasn’t the only popular anime to make the rankings.

The 5 Best Sad Anime of All Time, 2026 Version (Animate Times Ranking)

  1. Violet Evergarden
  2. Your Lie in April
  3. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
  4. Clannad
  5. A Place Further Than the Universe

The series lasted one season and was then expanded with two movies. The first, Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memory Doll, came out in 2019 and was very well-received. The second movie, Violet Evergarden: The Movie, was even more popular, currently holding a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

First released in 2014, Your Lie in April is based on the 2011 manga with the same title. The story centers around Kousei Arima, a 14-year-old piano player who was once a talented competitor. After a breakdown, he loses his ability to play – and even hear – the piano. Years later, his life changes when he meets the cheerful violinist, Kaori.

Created by the team Super Peace Busters – Tatsuyuki Nagai, Mari Oakda, and Masayoshi Tanaka – Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day premiered shortly after their previous work. The story centers on Jinta Yadomi, who has withdrawn from the world following the death of his childhood friend, Meiko “Menma” Honma. His life is turned upside down when Menma’s ghost appears, asking him to help her resolve some lingering regrets, leading Jinta on a deeply emotional journey.

Clannad started as a video game called a visual novel, created by the studio Key. It was unique because it was their first game designed for a wider, more general audience, following previous games aimed at adults. The story centers around Tomoya Okazaki, a high school student who enjoys helping people.

Since it first came out, Clannad has expanded into many different types of media, including manga, audio dramas, a movie, and an anime series. Currently, the 2007 Clannad film has a 76% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 250 user reviews.

Premiering in 2018, A Place Further Than the Universe is based on the manga of the same name by Yorimoi and illustrated by Meme Yoimachi. The story centers around a high school student who impulsively joins three friends on a journey to Antarctica, hoping to make the most of their youth.

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2026-01-26 19:40