Over the years, there have been several anime that have made us feel a variety of emotions, ranging from laughter to depression. One of the strongest feelings they have imparted is undoubtedly sadness. Whether it be through traumatic story developments or through bittersweet character arcs, these have stayed in our minds for a very long time. In this article, we will be taking a look at the saddest anime ever made.
5. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (Studio: A-1 Pictures)
Anohana tells the story of a group of friends who reunite after a long time in order to lay the soul of their dead friend to rest. Led by the introverted Jinta, he is taken aback when he runs into the ghost of Menma, a friend who died in the past. Tasked with bringing together their old group and helping her move on, the main characters will have to face difficult conversations as well as deal with their complex emotions.
With a touching ending that will leave you completely in tears, this is a short and very memorable anime.
4. Made in Abyss (Studio: Kinema Citrus)
Easily mistaken as a cute and fun anime due to its character designs, Made in Abyss is in reality a devastating but fascinating tale in a fantasy setting. It follows a young girl named Riko and a robot named Reg as they go into the abyss, a mysterious place filled with all kinds of creatures and organisms. Initially enjoying their time, they are soon faced with several difficulties that test their bond and resolve.
Featuring heavy gore and hard-to-watch moments, Made in Abyss will give viewers several sleepless nights after watching it.
3. Violet Evergarden (Studio: Kyoto Animation)
A young girl named Violet who was raised for the sole purpose of battle finally gets respite after leaving the battlefield. While working as a person who writes down other people’s feelings, she runs into various different stories while trying to figure out her own emotions and place in this world.
Filled with amazing characters and beautifully written story arcs, this is an anime everyone needs to watch at least once in their lives.
2. Your Lie in April (Studio: A-1 Pictures)
Kousei is a brilliant piano player who leaves music due to trauma from his childhood. After running into the bubbly violinist Kaori, he is pushed to rejoin the world and discover his love for it again. Will Kousei be able to find fulfillment in his life again with the help of music and his friends or will his dark past catch up to him?
Your Lie in April is a brilliant culmination of music, romance and tragedy and will leave viewers completely heartbroken by the end.
1. Fruits Basket (Studio: TMS Entertainment)
Tohru Honda is an energetic young girl who is struggling due to her homelessness and is taken in by the Souma family. She soon finds that the family as well as their extended relatives all transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac while being forced to live under a curse. As she encounters various members of the family and also eventually falls in love, Tohru is determined to free them from the curse.
With a colorful cast of characters, each of whom has their own unique and sad arcs that would make you cry, as well as an amazing ending that makes all fans tear up, Fruits Basket is an extremely underrated anime that deserves its spot at the top of this list.