Prepare Handkerchiefs: The 14 Best Anime that will Make You Cry

  Few anime are as notorious for their sad endings as "Your April Lie." The story of Kosei Arima, a successful pianist and musician, takes an interesting turn when the audience gets acquainted with the freedom-loving Kaori Miyazono. The two get along well with each other throughout the series, and eventually everything ends with a romantic plot. However, the story quickly becomes more and more dramatic as viewers become familiar with the disease and the problems it causes each of the characters. Overall, this series has a lot to appreciate, especially for those who like well-crafted characters.

  There is no greater tragedy than war, and in the popular anime "Violet Evergarden" this is very clearly visible. The story surrounds former soldier Violet Evergarden, the series' eponymous character, as she re-integrates into society after the end of the recent war.Taking on the career of a ghostwriter who writes for those who cannot write themselves, the anime delves into a deep exploration of the emotions of each character, especially the main character. As a result, Violet Evergarden is a good choice for anime fans who love historical dramas and intense action.

The Unseen Flower is a recurring choice among sad anime due to its unique idea. The plot centers on the story of a group of childhood friends who slowly disperse in different directions. What is the problem? The group split up after an accident that killed one of their friends named Meiko. This accident has an impact on the group, especially on the main character, now living as a recluse Jintu, when the ghost of Meiko suddenly appears to bring them back together. In general, "The Unseen Flower" is an excellent series for those who love stories that both delight and sadden.

  Anime films hold a special place in the hearts of anime and manga fans due to their soulful moments that cannot be achieved in a regular anime series. The length of the film, as well as the need to watch it in one sitting, allow the film to immerse the viewer more effectively - the film "Wolf Children of Ame and Yuki" proves this by showing viewers the daily life of a family of wolf people. After meeting with a werewolf in college, the main character Hana has two children-the half-silent film "Wolf Children of Ame and Yuki" is dedicated to the life of this unique family. In general, "Wolf Children of Ame and Yuki" is a good choice for anime fans who are looking for a sadder fantasy film that does not resemble the standard animation style of Studio Ghibli. The film was also praised for its unique idea, focusing more on the relationship between mother and child than on an action-packed plot.  

  Key visual novels have become famous for their heartbreaking plots (and romantic subplot), as well as excellent visual effects. The anime "Angelic Rhythms!", released in 2010, was remembered by many as one of the most exciting. The story, which takes viewers into the afterlife of school time, revolves around Yuzuru Otonashi and a group of renegade teenagers fighting against passing away. Key visual novels have become famous for their heartbreaking plots (and romantic subplot), as well as excellent visual effects. The anime "Angelic Rhythms!", released in 2010, was remembered by many as one of the most exciting. The story, which takes viewers into the afterlife of school time, revolves around Yuzuru Otonashi and a group of renegade teenagers fighting against passing away.

  Some series are created in order to impress the viewer to the depths of his soul. "I want to eat your pancreas" (contrary to what the title hints at) creates a world that is both pleasing and heartbreaking. The plot centers on the story of a girl named Sakura, who suffers from a rare, fatal pancreatic disease. As viewers follow the main character named Haruki, they will become attached to the relationship between the doomed duo. Of course, thanks to the great artwork and characters, viewers experience unique feelings towards the end of the story.

  Among the many titles of the genre, "Clannade" has become something of a classic. For old-timers, the series evokes nostalgic feelings. For newcomers, he offers a drama series with devastating consequences for the whole world. The plot centers on the story of Tomoi Okazaki, a high school student exploring his distorted view of happiness and reality.  Based on the visual novel of the same name by Key, the series offers a tragic story centered around each heroine. And although one of the plots prevails over the others, the denouement found in the sequel, "Klannad: The Continuation of the story", will be remembered for a long time.

  Everyone loves good riddles, whether it's anime or not. Being able to escalate tension and hide tragic events, viewers often come to unexpected conclusions; this certainly applies to the 2016 TV series "Orange". The main character, Naho Takamiya, receives a letter from her future self. However, the letter tells about the tragedy associated with her classmate, Kakeru Naruse. Now Naho must find the true meaning of the letters or face their tragic predictions. The series touches on themes of regret and other sad topics, ideal for viewers who like subtly melancholic stories.

  Anime movies can be even sadder than their episodic counterparts. The film "The Shape of the Voice" is a perfect example of this, striking the audience with its attractive, vital plot. The film tells the story of Shoya Ishida and his deaf classmate Shoko Nishimiya. The plot continues to have a dialogue about the problems of bullying and depression. Of course, not all sad anime are tragic; viewers will find the end of "The Shape of the Voice" joyful, if a little depressing. The perfect choice for viewers looking for the best of both worlds. 

The evolution of robotics is a common theme in both science fiction films and anime. However, only a few series touch on the sadder sides of this topic. So, "Plastic Memories" is dedicated to these crucial issues, as viewers follow the journey of Tsukasa Mizugaki and android Isla. The anime tells a dreary story about the impermanence of human and android life, as well as feelings related to artificial intelligence. The all-encompassing associations between the characters and the questions of romance in a short life make this story incredibly exciting. A must-watch for any sci-fi anime fan looking for something a little different.

  Crime stories have become very popular in recent years. Among the many thoughts, many fans of this genre think: "What could have been done differently?"; "The city where I am not" is looking for an answer to this question. The plot centers on the story of Satou Fujinuma, who gains the ability to travel eighteen years into the past to prevent mysterious crimes committed against his family and friends. The anime offers a rather unique approach to the mystery genre with a plot very similar to that of Detective Conan. However, the plot feels more personal as viewers learn more about the characters and incidents.

  Few incidents can be accompanied by such mental pain as a natural disaster. By separating families, these large-scale tragedies can destroy thousands to millions of lives without warning. These are just some of the themes shown in the tragic story."Tokyo eight-point". Set in Tokyo, siblings Mirai and Yuki Onozawa find themselves separated from their family due to a sudden earthquake of magnitude 8. The children, who are helped by motorcyclist Marie, face constant problems of separation from their family and endless disaster around them.  

  Sometimes old films of the last generation offer an even more worthy plot than modern classics. At least the Ghibli studio film "The Grave of the Fireflies" is exactly like that. Released back in 1988, the film tells about the fate of Seita and his sister Setsuko in wartime. The civilian side of Japan in 1945 often goes unnoticed in modern history, so this film offers a very eloquent retelling (based on the autobiography of the same name). Although the film has very dark tones (at least compared to other Ghibli films), the plot and well-crafted characters make it unforgettable.

  Terrorism is not a good thing, you can't argue with that. Nevertheless, it has become one of the most widespread tragedies of recent decades. Released in 2014, Echo of Terror explores the tragic background of a monumental issue in modern history through striking imagery and story mechanics. However, keep in mind: viewers may find the images in the anime difficult to swallow, as it is a psychological thriller and criticism on a very controversial topic. Nevertheless, the adventures of the characters Arata "Nine" Kokonoe and Toji "Twelve" Hisami will certainly leave an impression on everyone who watches to the end.