10 Heartbreaking Anime Films Guaranteed to Bring Tears

Sad anime movies are renowned for their vibrant and dynamic aesthetics, capturing a wide range of emotions. They are known for their stunning visuals and incredible narratives that skillfully express complex human sentiments. These movies possess a remarkable ability to evoke strong emotions in viewers, thanks to their awe-inspiring backgrounds and breathtaking animations. Many of them are deeply moving, resonating with audiences by addressing relatable issues and emotions.

Here are some sad anime movies that would leave their viewers bawling by the time they’re over, leaving a lasting impression.

10 Sad anime movies that will leave you with teary eyes

1) The Girl Who Leapt Through Time/ Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo (2006)

This award-winning film follows the story of Makoto, a high school girl who accidentally discovers she can time leap. Initially using this power carelessly, Makoto soon realizes that her actions have consequences and her time-leap ability is limited. Before she fully comprehends her reality, tragedy strikes and Makoto must face the loss of loved ones.

The movie effectively portrays sadness and loss, highlighting the struggles and repercussions that Makoto experiences. This emotional journey earns the film a spot on this list of melancholic anime movies. Through its poignant storytelling, the audience is immersed in a whirlwind of intricate emotions as Makoto confronts adversity and embarks on a quest to rediscover herself and her true feelings.

2) Voices of a Distant Star/ Hoshi no Koe (2002)

Sad anime movie voices of a Distant Star (Image via CoMix Wave Films)

Voices of a Distant Star, an earlier work by Makoto Shinkai, portrays a world engulfed in a fierce intergalactic war, causing childhood friends Mikako and Noboru to be separated by vast distances.

As Mikako ventures deeper into space, their ability to communicate diminishes. While life carries on as normal on Earth for Noboru, Mikako finds herself trapped, grappling with the painful reality that she can never return to her former life.

3) Spirited Away/ Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (2001)

Despite not reaching the same animation quality as some of his recent masterpieces like Your Name and Weathering with You, the movie compensates for this by delivering a compelling narrative. It beautifully captures the emotional distance between two individuals separated by time and the overwhelming sense of loneliness experienced when left behind in a world that keeps moving forward without them. As a result, the audience is left with a poignant melancholy, firmly securing its position among the list of truly heartbreaking anime films.

Spirited Away secures its position on this list of melancholic anime films by virtue of director Hayao Miyazaki's poignant portrayal of emotions through the story of Chihiro, a young girl compelled to relocate and leave behind her previous life. This lays the groundwork for the film's climactic ending, in which she must depart from the spirit realm without turning back, thus severing the ties she had formed there.

Through its narrative, the movie effectively showcases the transformative power of life's challenges and emphasizes the significance of embracing change. Studio Ghibli's masterpiece, this film takes viewers on an unconventional journey alongside Chihiro. The heartbreaking conclusion, marked by Chihiro's inevitable separation from Haku and the others, evokes a profound sense of sadness and sorrow.

4) 5 Centimeters per Second/ Byousoku 5 Centimeter (2007)

Continuing with our list of melancholic anime films, we have yet another masterpiece by Makoto Shinkai, exploring the themes of love and heartache. This poignant creation is divided into three segments, each lasting 22 minutes, resulting in a total runtime of 63 minutes.

The story revolves around Takaki Toono, the protagonist, and his childhood companion, Akari Shinohara. Due to various circumstances, they are forced to grow apart, and despite their promises to stay connected, they gradually drift away over time, reaching a point of irreversibility.

Notwithstanding its visually stunning aesthetics and captivating soundtracks, the film portrays a profoundly emotional journey that leaves the viewers overwhelmed with melancholy and sadness. Through its skillful storytelling, the movie impeccably captures the essence of two individuals who share a deep love but are destined to be apart, resulting in a cinematic masterpiece.

5) Into the Forest of Firefly Lights/ Hotarubi no Mori e (2011)

Another award-winning short film earns its spot on this compilation of melancholic anime movies. It narrates the story of an extraordinary love affair. The main character, Hotaru, is a young girl of six who encounters Gin, a spirit, after losing her way in a forest.

As time goes by and Hotaru matures, their friendship blossoms into an unspoken adoration. However, their connection remains devoid of any physical contact due to strict rules that forbid Gin from interacting with humans. Should this boundary be crossed, Gin's very existence would fade away.

The movie delves into profound topics like adolescence, isolation, longing, grief, and the endeavor to progress, all portrayed through captivating imagery and compelling narrative. In just 45 minutes, viewers will go through a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a poignant conclusion that leaves them with a profound sense of melancholy, accompanied by tears.

6) A Silent Voice/ Koe no Katachi (2016)

A Silent Voice, an award-winning film, is an essential addition to the list of melancholic anime movies. It explores sensitive subjects such as disabilities, bullying, social anxiety, and suicide, illustrating the indelible impact of these negative emotions on the victims, who carry the burden of trauma and anxiety for an extended period.

The story revolves around Shouya Ishida, an elementary school student, who repetitively torments his new classmate Shouko Nishimiya, who happens to be deaf. Ironically, Shouya becomes a target of bullying himself, resulting in his isolation. Years later, now in high school, Shouya grapples with severe social anxiety. Consumed by guilt and regret, he embarks on a journey to make amends with Nishimiya, leading them towards a path of healing.

This film has garnered global recognition and acclaim for its captivating storytelling. Tackling real-world issues, it evokes profound emotions within the audience, often bringing them to tears.

7) Wolf Children/ Ookami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki (2012)

This film delves into the intense emotions experienced by single parents and their children as they grapple with fitting into society. It portrays the hardships of dealing with the growth of children, the pain of loss, and the eventual separation. Centered around Hana, who falls in love with a werewolf and consequently gives birth to two wolf children, Yuki and Ame, the story takes a poignant turn when Hana's husband unexpectedly passes away. Left to raise their lively werewolf offspring alone, Hana embarks on a fresh start in the rural countryside, where she and her children confront countless challenges that life continuously presents. Wolf Children captivates with its exceptional storytelling and a heart-wrenching conclusion, earning it numerous accolades and a spot among the most sorrowful anime movies.

8) I Want To Eat Your Pancreas/ Kimi no Suizou wo Tabetai (2018)

This film is a true tearjerker that left the audience emotionally shattered, earning its place on this list of heartbreaking anime movies. Despite the misleading title, there is no cannibalism involved in the story. The plot centers around Sakura, a girl suffering from a terminal pancreatic disease, and her connection with Haruki, a classmate who struggles with emotional detachment.

As their love grows, it becomes evident that Sakura's time in this world is limited, foreshadowing the tragic direction of the narrative. With stunning animation, captivating visuals, and a compelling storyline, this film beautifully explores themes of friendship, grief, loss, and acceptance.

9) When Marnie Was There/ Omoide no Marnie (2014)

This Studio Ghibli film follows the story of Anna, a 12-year-old orphan who becomes intrigued by an old mansion near a lake after moving to the countryside. She forms a friendship with a mysterious blond girl her age named Marnie. When Marnie Was There skillfully portrays the challenges Anna faces in social situations, her feelings of being abandoned, and her struggle to cope with the loss of her family. The movie also explores the idea that deep grief and regret can continue to affect an individual, even in the afterlife. Through its exceptional storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and ability to evoke a range of emotions, this poignant anime film is sure to leave audiences moved to tears.

10) The Grave of the Fireflies/ Hotaru no Haka (1988)

Some viewers may find the intense emotions and distress depicted in this sorrowful anime film overwhelming. Adapted from Akiyuki Nosaka's short story, this Studio Ghibli production stands in stark contrast to their typically vibrant and inspiring works.

Grave of the Fireflies follows the journey of Seita, a teenager, and his young sister Setsuko, two Japanese war orphans faced with hardships during World War II as they strive to survive in a crumbling world.

The movie showcases their harrowing experience of losing their home and parents, their desperate search for nourishment and shelter, and their eventual anguish from hunger and disease. The anime film successfully depicts the haunting realities of war, and the devastating impact it has on numerous lives, particularly children, leaving a lasting impression on the audience. This poignant masterpiece may be too overwhelming to watch a second time.

To conclude

One of the sad anime movies, A Silent Voice (Image via Kyoto Animation)

Even though these melancholic anime films incorporate fantasy elements, their depiction of emotions and situations remain grounded in reality. Watching these poignant movies can assist viewers in gaining a deeper understanding of their own emotions, especially if they have experienced or are currently facing similar circumstances.

With the ability to evoke a diverse range of emotions, sad anime movies take audiences on a journey alongside the characters, stirring profound sentiments from the depths of their being. These films are bound to make a lasting impression and leave an indelible mark on one's heart with their compelling narratives.

Editor's P/S

1. In "Voices of a Distant Star", the separation of childhood friends Mikako and Noboru due to an intergalactic war is heartbreaking. As Mikako ventures deeper into space, their ability to communicate diminishes, and Noboru is left behind on Earth, living a normal life. The movie beautifully captures the emotional distance between the two individuals and the overwhelming sense of loneliness experienced when left behind in a world that keeps moving forward without them. The audience is left with a poignant melancholy, firmly securing its position among the list of truly heartbreaking anime films.

2. "Spirited Away" is another masterpiece on this list, directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The film follows Chihiro, a young girl who is forced to relocate and leave behind her previous life. The movie effectively showcases the transformative power of life's challenges and emphasizes the significance of embracing change. However, the heartbreaking conclusion, marked by Chihiro's inevitable separation from Haku and the others, evokes a profound sense of sadness and sorrow.