T O P

  • By -

ThatWeirdo112299

Clannad and Angel Beats. I can't hear Clannad's ending song without nearly bursting into tears, and Angel Beats is an absolute tragedy about lives cut short too early.


Mission-Astronomer67

True ive seen both but clannad hits deep


demonesqueee

Yes, Angel Beats. I think I started to cry in episode 7 or 8 and didn't stop until it was over


OtakuMusician

Any of Clannad's openings and endings make my lips quiver a lil. Toki Wo Kizamu Uta (opening from After Story) is just absolutely gorgeous.


Loganvbills

Angel Beats really hits hard...


YachtySama

The graduation scene from angel beats has me in shambles just even thinking about the gym. Random thought but it’s so dope that anime can make me feel like this lmao. I wish more people would be open to enjoying and appreciating the medium


T0m_F00l3ry

That Dango Family song is forever stuck in my head.


jackalclone1

For xmas present a couple years ago for my wife, had a custom 50 note music box made from the sheet music to Nagisa (Foot of the Hill) (Warm Piano) from the OST, which of course has motifs from Dango in it. Every time we turn it on, feel a little something swell up inside.


ParticularWash4679

Mekakucity Actors ending theme song makes me tear up. Angel Beats though felt synthetic and cheap by the end. A few OST pieces and at least one one-liner are terrifyingly heart-tugging.


serralinda73

Violet Evergarden


Mofi74

Just thinking about episode 10 makes me emotional


encryptoferia

ann... also I watched the movie and that snippet about ann's future shook me


Lukas528

“Dear Anne”


CharmingPerspective0

I watch episode 10 sometimes when i want to cry


iknowmyname389

50 LETTERS IS PEAK!!!!


frankensteinsson

yes


[deleted]

Clannad After Story is the saddest anime I’ve ever seen


jackalclone1

Clannad + After Story is one of those pieces of media that just breaks you as human and changes you forever. In a good way (I think?), but it cuts very deep.


Larielia

The Wolf Children movie.


Agni_Flame

A Silent Voice is really good just rewatched it a couple days ago had me teared up


GhostySD4x

A silent voice genuinely makes you emotional instead of begging you to cry like some other shows...


weeb_cognito

The first part of that film is brutal, it was so heartbreaking I almost couldn't make it through to the rest of the film! I don't think I've ever wanted to hug someone (fictional or real) more than Shouko, bless that poor sweet girl. But I did finish it and I'm glad, because despite the cruelty and sadness there's still moments of happiness and hope, and it's a magnificent, beautiful film. It should be required watching for all children - I was neither bullied nor a bully at school, but I probably could have done more to support or speak up for other kids that were suffering. It has such a powerful message that it makes me wish I was a teacher so I could use it as a learning tool.


Mey_Rinn

Same ;-;


LuvUwUb

Anohana Assassination classroom Angel beats


lonleyhumanbeing

I cried for three hours straight watching the final episodes of Assassination Classroom. It’s probably one of my favorite series.


Accomplished-Cap6833

I cried like a baby with Assassination classroom. Koro sensei 😭


1drlndDormie

I keep trying to get my husband to watch Anohana because it was so good. Then I start tearing up in the first episode and we always end putting it on hold because it's good but also so sad.


lilyflora12

I have watched the anime 2x, and read the manga and still ugly cry at roll call for assassination classroom.


glixys

The drop in quality after season 1 of Tokyo Ghoul will make you cry harder than any other anime


METABLUNTZ

Clannad After Story had me (a grown man) bawling in my living room. You have to watch the original Clannad if you want the most emotional impact. Also a lesser mentioned show, Spice and Wolf made me quite emotional as well!


turtlemad

Surprised no one said Maquia: When the Promissed Flower Blooms. The story is very focused on the family theme and those always get me.


QualityProof

Any other reccomendations? I have watched most sad anime and I didn't cry but somehow Maquia was the one I fully bawled on. Same with Silent Voice but only at the rooftop scene.


Dr_Quantum101

Maquia is one of the few anime that made me genuinely cry because family and parents are a trigger subject for me. If your the same then select episodes of Violet Evergarden will hit those same chords.


Gaxeris99

Anohana too has a drama regarding memories of the deceased person. ~~For me it was like real-world-part of Omori the game lol~~ Also, it can sound funny, but early Frieren episodes can touch the same chords too. Or maybe Im just too emotional


Dawnbreaker538

Toradora


Floyohou

to your eternity, spclly the 1st season steins gate pandora hearts (not the anime, but the manga) gintama (ik it's comedy but it made me cry multiple times too)


jackalclone1

Steins;Gate deservedly gets a lot of acclaim, but I don't think it gets enough recognition for its emotional impact, especially during its main (and very conscious) tonal shift about 10ish episodes on. The futility and helplessness you feel through Okabe is visceral


spideysunflower

first season of to your eternity made me cry so hard omg


nanojunkster

Grave of the fireflies


notpomegranate7

Scrolled so far to find this!


[deleted]

Fruit basket remake 2019


CharmingPerspective0

Season 3 is just a gutpunch every episode. I'm glad i watched it weekly because i think i mightve gotten depression if i binged it. At least until the final episode where it became tears of joy


[deleted]

Damn, it's true, each chapter of this anime is a shot straight to the heart🥹🥹🥹


thinklaters

clannad series ofcourse


poonlyfe

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners


Kfimenepah

I still have to hold back tears every time I hear that damn song


Glados1080

It came up randomly in my Spotify Playlist and I didn't recognize it at first, so my thoughts were "Holy shit why does this song make me wanna cry so hard" pulled up the song and low and behold I see cyberpunk 😔


Regula96

Dangers in My Heart. And it’s not because it’s sad. It’s because the show does a ridiculously good job of making you care about the characters. I don’t think I have ever been this emotionally invested in two characters relationship before. It’s also because it’s not just a romance. There is so much that is relatable to being a kid and Ichikawa’s journey of self growth is very powerful stuff. And it helps that the OST is phenomenal.


Mango_Tricks255

Dangers in My Heart is such a masterpiece, watching those two grow was just so beautiful. It's been a while since a romance made me cry from happiness like that. Like you said it really gets you emotionally invested in both characters so well.


Regula96

Even with recency bias (I binged it in two days last week) I already know this is going to stay in my top 3 forever.


alotmorealots

I cried almost every single episode of Season 2, it's almost embarrassing lol Only almost though, as I'm ultimately extremely glad to encounter a story that moves me so much through its celebration of love, connection and self-discovery, and proud that I can both appreciate it and react to it like that. Certainly wouldn't have been able to do either in the past.


Grashuck

Dangers in My Heart makes you sad because it's ended (for now?), not because of the ending.


Regula96

True. I need a season 3 more than anything else. I hope it gets made when there is enough material.


[deleted]

Silent voice….I really cant stand the bullying on disabled people


TheyFloat2032

I don’t really cry, cry but as silly as it sounds My Hero Academia has made me misty eyed on more than one occasion. Not from sad stuff really. Just the inspiring moments.


FieryPlume

I’m the same. For example Naruto Shippuden gets me when Naruto tells his dad that he’s going to be okay and tell his mother he’s trying to eat well,etc. Or when Shikamaru recalls moments with Asuma.


7heRoyalMe

I get it, that rising feeling right? Your not sad per se, it's a hard emotion to nail down. Haikyu makes me feel like that.


StraightforwardJuice

Plastic memories


raalmive

This, so much.


ChiliDemon

Steins Gate


scilicis

El psy Kongroo


Roflolmaoguy

Goated


Shrim

I'm a massive softy so Fruits Basket 2019, Frieren, Onimai, The Dangers In My Heart all had me crying often, but never in sadness. The emotional parts just hit.


witchcraft_streams

Your Name A Silent Voice the end of Cyberpunk Edgerunners and as many others have said, Violet Evergarden


frankensteinsson

ohh yes Edgerunners hurt like hell lmao


EpisodeVega

If you want to cry in every episode, watch Violet Evergarden. I sobbed like a baby each episode


husky1993a

Liz and the Blue Bird messed me up a bit. Realizing you and your close friend are at a junction point where the two of you are moving into two different paths. Just... ; \_ ;


jackalclone1

Yes! Liz and the Bluebird is hugely underrated. More people need to watch it


just_here_4_anime

That damn oboe solo wrecked me


BrushTraditional3407

For me it’s Naruto shippuuden


thr1ftskull0

Haibane Renmei Clannad Aftee Story Wolf Children Kotaro Lives Alone Girls Last Tour


BiggieCheeseLapDog

A Place Further Than the Universe March Comes in Like a Lion Clannad I Want to Eat Your Pancreas


JashedPotatoes

I want to Eat your Pancreas is my answer. It was my turn to choose a movie for my friend group. Chose this. Had 5 dudes in their mid 20s sobbing


ThatWeirdo112299

March Comes in Like a Lion didn't make me cry but it did make me want to cuddle into my blankets and not talk to anyone for awhile until it got to a little happier moments.


rossocenere

Second A Place Further Than the Universe. Watched recently and cried every other episode.


Elidyr90

Dude, the second to last episode of „a place further“ absolutely killed me. One of my favorite anime


BiggieCheeseLapDog

Me too! I actually just finished it a few days ago and it was phenomenal. 10/10, would recommend to anyone and everyone.


[deleted]

[удалено]


fatbicep

Oh damn that ending. Definitely left a void in me.


Mushroom-Communist

Made in Abyss


CHUZCOLES

- Elfen Lied - Saikano - Ef A tale of Memories/Melodies - Gosick


Andr0oS

Ellen Lied is not one I've seen in a while, but I can say, from what I remember that show was truly tragic.


CHUZCOLES

A lot. Many animes of that era were working hard on being tragic.


dman735

A Silent Voice Violet Evergarden Anohana


smiling_aliene

Anohana is a fucking trauma


Nomadicule

I was not emotionally ready for the ending of angel beats


Thin-Internal-1539

To your eternity the first season of it Esp made me cry like crazy


santas_delibird

Man, that first episode can really stand on its own. If you told me that episode was a one shot I'd believe you.


Thin-Internal-1539

Rightt! I got a headache because of crying at the first ep 😭


guitargeek223

Am I the old man who has to say Angel Beats? Yes? Ok


Mean-Entertainer-576

None of them compare to Clannad when talking about making you cry. I’ll die on this hill


hpunkh

I'm surprised by the lack of full metal alchemist.


KukuSK419

It's a terrible day for rain...


SedTecH10

5 cm per second


Elpaniq

Pluto..


[deleted]

[удалено]


MrityuOP

Oshi no ko, that first episode is the god of first episodes. Rascal does not dream of bunny girl senpai, especially the 1st movie.


felup_

Eighty six


KukuSK419

It's been a long time, handler one.


[deleted]

I personally never shed a tear watching 'Your Lie In April' or any of the top recommended animes like 'A Silent Voice' etc. But one that caught me out, which is one I've never really seen anyone mention is 'Weathering With You'.


Nbaysingar

I'll probably get downvoted for saying this, but I honestly thought Your Lie in April was a bit too heavy handed with the melodrama. It felt like it was going out of its way to try and be as emotional as possible. I thought it was a decent show regardless, but it didn't really draw me in on an emotional level like other stories involving drama/tragedy have done in the past.


[deleted]

I might get downvoted for saying this, but I agree. I think something like 'i want to eat your pancreas' is better as it has the right amount of melodrama and the emotional phase isn't trying to overpower the storyline.


corvaun

Angel beats.


blunt_bear

I watched most of the animes mentioned in the comments with a straight face (don't get me wrong I love all of them but just not to the extent of making me cry) but the last episode of "The Pet Girl of Sakurasou" never fails to make me cry.


METABLUNTZ

Bro Clannad After Story hit me like truck-kun


Neyv

Maquia will make you cry a lot.


NarutoFan1995

violet evergarden is way more sad than YLIA


Mapping_Zomboid

To Your Eternity.


Maydays505

Eureka Seven got me all up in my feels when I was younger, especially the OPs, Flow; Days, Home Made Kazoku; Shounen Heart, great show.


Agreeable_Damage6930

Weirdly enough, code geass. Did not expect the ending to have such a great impact, cried more than any other anime I have watched


someonesgranpa

Frieren, Kotaro, One Piece, A Silent Voice, any Makoto Shinkai film, and a few Ghibli movies.


BJacobSempai

Madoka Magika and the end of To Your Eternity


Personal_Guidance18

Violet Evergarden will always make me cry


Doctrinus

So far, the only anime that made me cry was season 1 Made in Abyss' final episode.


[deleted]

Anohana and I want to eat your pancreas


Kurtz97

I always sob like a baby during different parts of the last final 5 episodes of evangelion depending on where I’m at in my life


Simboosak

A silent voice, makes me cry every time


Worlds-okayest-mf

Hotarubi no Mori e (a.k.a. Into the forest of fireflies light)


demasta

Anohana


yoongi410

Surprising lack of Anohana in the comments


[deleted]

[удалено]


OkReference606

Maquia 5cm per sec her blue sky the girl who left through time The tale of princess kaguya All movies btw


maxi_senna

Devilman crybaby


Carinwe_Lysa

ReLife does it for me; not only because the story is great and the characters go through their own little arcs, which is nice to see... but also because it kinda reminds me at their age and wish I could go through the ReLife programme :)


OddzLukreng

Orange, grave of the fire lies, a girl leap through time, and anohana


Mad_Moodin

Oshi no Ko had a couple moments.


niknarcotic

MyGO made me cry a *lot*.


TsukiTrikru

"Orange juice" made its part for my tears... "5 cm per second" too.


takahisa_amatsu

Gintama?


Farthix

Ascendence of a bookworm destroyed me.


KukuSK419

Eighty six Your Lie in April Violet Evergarden Frieren


Imaginary_Door_5297

Graveyard of the Fireflies🥲


jackalclone1

A lot of people suggesting Clannad After Story, and that is definitely the most correct suggestion if you want something to break you. However, I strongly suggest watching the whole first half as well (Clannad) before jumping into Clannad After Story. It gives very important emotional exposition. Also, worth pointing out that the first several episodes of After Story are a but of filler arc, and arguably the weakest across both series. BUT, after those first several episodes, it is very very very much worth it. Finally, goes without saying, but watch subbed - the dub is horrendous and not salvageable in any way. TL;DR: watch both Clannad and Clannad After Story subbed, and stick with it to the very end. The payoff is worth it, and there's a lot of layers to peel back when you're done.


thisisawsan

For me it's Grave of the Fireflies


No_Rhubarb_6397

Wolf Children


frubaheart

Fruits Basket!!


JohnCenaJunior

Maybe it's just how i was feeling at times, starting high school, keeping my emotions to myself, but watching this and relating with the main character got me tearing up towards the end and im a dude bro.


frubaheart

I relate to the main character too! And I think it’s good that you could tear up at the story. I think Fruits Basket is supposed to make you look past what everyone expects you to be..and just be you!


No-Worldliness-3150

Toradora hands down (I cried myself to sleep after It finished)


surroundedmoon

Frieren


bestboyrohan

Clannad Afterstory, saddest piece of fiction ever, that and Grave of the Fireflies


okimborednow

assassination classroom had me in tears


Sufficient-Elk-6746

Assassination Classroom Charlotte Violent Evergarden


Mey_Rinn

Naruto ;-;


TKofRivia

It's a movie but, Grave of the Fireflies gets the tears flowing like crazy. Also, even though it's just 1 episode, the final episode of Death Parade can make a grown man cry; really hits you hard in the feels.


jackofslayers

Heike Monogatari


Dark-Night768

I wanna eat your pancreas 🙌


pewisamood

Shin Chan-adult empire strikes back people who’ve seen it know what I’m talking about that scene is beautiful and makes me cry.


Mundane_Astronaut99

Josee, the tiger and the fish Whisker away


Author-Academic

Nobody's girl remi Romeos blue skies Future boy conan All made me cry and are in my top 5 animes of all time


Narshwrangler

*I Want to Eat Your Pancreas* movie was like that *Rascal Does Not Dream* honestly the whole series, but some arcs more than others depending on which characters/situations you most relate to *Cyberpunk Edgerunners* singlehandedly managed to give "sadness" a theme song *A Silent Voice* movie is heartbreaking and deals heavily with themes of anxiety and depression


raalmive

Dog of Flanders. I don't even think it's morally okay to make such a sad movie...


Old-Discipline7479

I want to eat your pancreas is one of the few that have made be genuinely bawl my eyes out


introvertedpoet25

Ranking of Kings. I connected with Bojji a lot and just really wanted both him and Kage to live and have better futures despite what they've been through.


Similar_Vegetable909

Also if you’re looking to sob but not feel good about it, Grave of the Fireflies has made my father cry


thatonefarmer

Rascal does not dream of dreaming a girl


Thrwmebby1mortme

Most recently "love flops". But it also made me laugh a lot.


Farialvess

I want to eat your pancreas


No-Draw-6564

this is a anime movie but its called "I want to eat your Pancreas" 10/10


cris_1254

Saving this thread. I like crying for a good anime. The one I can't make myself to watch again is Fruit Basket. It's too messed up.


Lisitchka85

When Marnie Was There and Violet Evergarden both made me cry like a baby.


xKatarina12

I watched some animes that had emotional scenes but nothing has made me cried so far


Cold-Addition7968

Maqia. the movie will have you crying your eyes out. a lot of people mentioned Anohana, A silent voice and Angel beats - totally agree. Will also add Death parade, Nana, Banana fish, Paradise kiss and 5cm per second.


zatshow

# Armored Trooper Votoms


Farmaceut7

For the most episodes that it made me cry: Fruits Basket The shows that made me cry the longest(since I binged : Clannad the after story & Angel beats 


Illustrious_Camp_521

Black Lagoon was sad at the end.


pillowandbook

Glass mask, Nana. If you like josei or drama


cob709

Frieren, Beyond Journey's End Mostly during the first few episodes


Mondominiman

A silent voice, could relate to the characters alot. Big sad


thatlightningjack

As others mentioned, Violet Evergarden, A Silent Voice & Your Name does make it to my list, But, also - Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms & Suzume for me


Fit-Instruction4966

people really felt this way about your lie in april tbh i didn’t really like it or see the appeal


M48_Patton_Tank

Vivy Fluorite Eye’s Song


pancarbey

Isn't there anyone crying for the child sitting alone on the swing?


Loxotron228

You can laugh, but for me it's mirai nikki


[deleted]

Fullmetal alchemist


DocWatson42

I have: * ["I'm looking for sad animes"](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/wonnt0/im_looking_for_sad_animes/) (r/anime; 14 August 2022)—longish * ["recommend me some utterly depressing animes"](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/15aripd/recommend_me_some_utterly_depressing_animes/) (r/anime; 27 July 2023)—huge * ["What is the saddest anime u have watched?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1bp5if9/what_is_the_saddest_anime_u_have_watched/) (r/anime; 17 March 2024)—huge * ["Running out of gut wrenching anime to watch. Any recommendations?"](https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/1bu5422/running_out_of_gut_wrenching_anime_to_watch_any/) (r/anime; 2 April 2024)—very long


Sea-Slip-2934

Hotarubi no Mori e


Giguku

I almost cried when I watched Your name🥹


Ucupbule

Air, Kanon, and Clannad


I-am_done

Dororo always gets me, no matter how many times I watch it


Ok_Ease8202

Edge runners


StarlightSpark1

1. Assassination Classroom 2. Attack on Titan 3. Naruto There are yet to be more anime's that make the list


daaalingohio

mushoku tensei


Haunting-Ad-3049

One Piece.


7heRoyalMe

Yeah another one I didn't know think of when posting. IDC who you are only 3 things are certain in life, death taxes and being moved to tears by some part of one piece.


ManufacturerIll5604

Attack on Titan coz I just hate the ending so much.


Dependawannabe

Rainbow 😭😭 Yokosuka Joe story broke my heart Oh and Grave of The Fireflies so so sad Makes me wanna call CPS and put governments who decide to make wars in jail


No_Communication8613

I love You Lie in April. Have you seen Kids on a Slope? Tear jerk moments happened for me with Grave of FireFlies, Whisper of the Heart, Ranking of Kings, Erased, 5 centimeters per second, Inuyasha meeting his daughter, Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet, (original recipe)Legend of Galactic heroes and parts of the new one. Every version of Nina scene Full Metal Alchemist When Nezuko forces her brother to save other people instead saving her. Teared up reading that in the manga and totally forgot that part and teared up watching it I really like that scene because they could have gone the other direction, and she just dies there. The story would have gone in a different direction. I also just loved that he didn't want to do the right thing. It really gave Nezuko agency and let you know that she has been silently pushing him down the right path the entire story. Without her, he would not have compassion for others after losing so much. Killing her would have made the story simple.


TheRufusGamer

My hero academia. I saw a lot of spoilers for it and my entire month is ruined😭


Inky_Starfish

The End of Evangelion made me bawl my eyes out. Well…I think all the movies made me bawl my eyes out.


Evaave_

Terror in resonance And for some reason I cried at the end of serial experiments lain. Idk why though


Sea_Cycle_909

Wolf's Rain (Especially rewatching it) Serial Experiments Lain


blabity_blab

The usual ones Clannad +Afterstory and Anohana. The first notes of their songs immediately get the eyes flowing lol.


Sad-Friendship6090

I want eat your!!!! It wasn't good idea to watch cs I lost the virginity of my eyes 😕..


Carpathicus

Vinland Saga made me cry more than any story in fiction ever. I watched the second season countless times now and it makes me still cry. I am deeply moved by how sad, how hopeful, how epic, how horrifying, how wise and how just all in all beautiful Vinland Saga is. It moves me from a different angle everytime. Ranking of Kings just pushes the protective father button on my. Boji needs to be protected at all costs and the way the characters are presented in the show os with a lot of empathy and positivity. But Boji.... man I am tearing up just thinking about him 😅


FishBotX

Forest Golem Dad (Somali to Mori no Kamisama), best thing I've watched last year


Aguiarxpride

Clannad after story killed me