Anime as a medium has a broad history of emotionally-resonant serial storytelling, with no shortage of sad stories. It’s always been a special sauce of this particularly expressive art form, its writing geared toward tugging at the heartstrings, with its moving parts, from characterization to music, creating powerful experiences that linger far beyond the final episode.
But what’s great about anime is how often it’s emotionally mature enough not to fetishize or cheapen grief. The best sad anime can be absolutely devastating by the end, yet others can use emotion to bring its characters to catharsis, in turn giving closure to the viewers. If they achieve this, audiences are presented with some truly essential anime experiences.
10
Death Parade
Original Anime Series By Studio Madhouse
With one of the flashiest and catchiest opening themes ever produced, Death Parade offers much more than an infectious soundtrack. The anime original takes place in a purgatory-esque bar situated between Heaven and Hell. Here, those who have passed away compete in “Death Games” to determine if their soul will be reincarnated, or if they’ll be sent to the void.
The way Death Parade handles its characters, their backstories, and how their lives led them to being the people they became up until the moment of their death adds an even heavier weight and consequence for their ultimate fates once their future is decided for them. Some of the stories are so impactful that they’re certifiable tear-jerkers.
9
Given
Animated By Lerche, Based on the Original Manga by Natsuki Kizu
The BL drama Given is a wholesome experience throughout, depicting the lives and loves of the band “The Seasons,” whose lives and names are changed forever by one key new member. The band’s lead guitarist, Ritsuka Uenoyama, discovers the forlorn Mafuyu Sato clutching his guitar, pitifully sad about its broken strings.
However, as the two connect and Ritsuka introduces Mafuyu to his bandmates Haruki and Akihiko, they discover Mafuyu’s angelic singing voice and a tragic past. When Mafuyu finally unleashes the music in his heart, there is no single dry eye in the house for the Given anime.
Music and anime are inherently linked, but with Given, that connection extends well beyond a fun soundtrack. The music in Given is integral to the plot and a major factor in what makes the series such a memorable experience.
8
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
An Original Anime Series Co-Produced by Studio Bones & Kinema Citrus
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Tokyo Magnitude 8.0
- Release Date<strong></dt><dd><span>2009 -2009 -00 -00<span></dd></p><p><dt><strong>Network<strong></dt><dd><span>Fuji TV<span></dd></p></dl></div><!– Display card main info widget end –>
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<p>One of<em>Tokyo Magnitude 8.0</em>'s main strengths is just how true to life it is, seeking to realistically depict an earthquake powerful enough to change the landscape of Tokyo in an instant, and the severe consequences thereof.</p><p>No one could ever be prepared for such an event, much less Mirai Onozawa and Yuuki Onozawa, two children away on vacation by themselves. Yet, far from their family, they have no choice but to face this new situation together with Mari Kusakabe, a motorcyclist and single mother.</p><p>Japan, more so than many other nations, has been hit hard by a handful of natural disasters.<em>Tokyo Magnitude 8.0</em>makes all that hit close to home even for anime fans who have never been personally hurt by a disaster themselves.</p><p>The sheer scale of the damage after something like a big earthquake is difficult to grasp, and that's something Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 captures quite well.<strong>The sadness comes from the effects of the disaster
, which causes plenty of loss and grief in the city.7WorldEnd: What do you do at the end of the world? Are you busy? Will you save us?
Animated By Statelight & ; C2C , Based on the Light Novel By Akira Kareno and Ue
WorldEnd follows Willem Kmetsch , a former warrior who was frozen in ice for years . He then awakens to find that he ‘s the only remaining human , as humanity was wiped out by mysterious creatures known as “ Beasts ” .
In fear of these monsters , Willem and surviving races must now live on floating islands in sky . This is where he encounters Leprechauns , young girls used as weapons against Beasts .
From its post-apocalyptic setting to tragic backstories Leprechauns , as well as their purpose sacrifice disregard for own lives , this series full emotional moments.
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20 Best Short Anime Series You Need To Check Out
Not every anime fan has time for huge series like Naruto or One Piece , but these short single-season anime outings should be seen by everyone.
6Plastic Memories
Original Anime Series Produced By Doga Kobo
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Plastic Memories
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