The world of anime is a treasure trove of emotions, each series or movie offering its unique blend of storytelling. Among the spectrum of emotions it evokes, sadness holds a special place. In this article, we will explore into a selection of saddest anime movies that have moved viewers to tears. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster ride of emotions as we explore these cinematic masterpieces.
Top 10 saddest anime movies
10) 5 Centimeters Per Second
- MyAnimeList rating: 7.57
- Release date: March 3, 2007
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Slice of life
- Streaming platforms: Amazon Prime Video
Makoto Shinkai’s 5 Centimeters Per Second is a poetic reflection on love, distance, and the passage of time. The movie’s breathtaking visuals and melancholic storytelling make it a must-watch for anyone seeking an emotionally charged experience. The film is told in three parts, each following a different stage in the lives of the two main characters, Takaki Tōno and Akari Shinohara.
- The first part, “Cherry Blossoms,” follows Takaki and Akari as they are childhood friends who are forced to separate when Akari moves away. They stay in contact through letters and phone calls, but their relationship begins to strain as they grow older and their lives start to diverge.
- The second part, “Cosmonaut,” takes place several years later. Takaki is now a high school student, and he is still struggling to forget Akari. He meets a girl named Kanae Sumida, but he is unable to open up to her about his past.
- The third part, Five Centimeters per Second, is set several years after the events of the previous two stories. Takaki is now a working adult, and he has finally come to terms with his feelings for Akari. However, he realizes that it is too late for them to be together.
9) Colorful
- MyAnimeList rating: 7.75
- Release date: August 21, 2010
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
- Streaming platforms: Funimation
Colorful is a Japanese animated film directed by Keiichi Hara and based on the novel of the same name by Eto Mori. It tells the story of a soul who is given a second chance at life in the body of a 14-year-old boy named Makoto Kobayashi, who has just committed suicide. The soul must figure out what its greatest sin was in its former life and why Makoto committed suicide before its six-month time limit in Makoto’s body runs out.
The film explores themes of life, death, suicide, and the meaning of existence. It is a beautifully animated and moving film that has been praised for its sensitive handling of its subject matter. Colorful has won numerous awards, including the Animation of the Year award at the 2011 Tokyo Anime Award Festival.
8) The Garden of Words
- MyAnimeList rating: 7.89
- Release date: May 31, 2013
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Slice of life
- Streaming platforms: Netflix, Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video
The Garden of Words is a Japanese anime drama film written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. The film tells the story of Takao Akizuki, a high school boy who skips school to sketch shoes in a garden every rainy day. One day, he meets Yukari Yukino, a mysterious older woman who is also drawn to the garden. The two of them begin to meet regularly, and they form a bond over their shared love of poetry and art. However, their relationship is complicated by their age difference and their different social status.
The film is beautifully animated and features a hauntingly beautiful score.
7) The Wind Rises
- MyAnimeList rating: 8.11
- Release date: July 20, 2013
- Genre: Historical, Drama, Romance
- Streaming platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
The Wind Rises is a historical drama anime film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is based on the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the Japanese engineer who designed the A6M Zero fighter plane.
The film follows Jiro’s career as he designs the Zero fighter plane, which was used by the Japanese military during World War II. Jiro is conflicted about his work, knowing that the planes he designs will be used to kill people. However, he also believes that airplanes are beautiful machines, and he is determined to create the best possible planes. This film beautifully combines history, love, and tragedy.
6) In This Corner of the World
- MyAnimeList rating: 8.22
- Release date: November 12, 2016
- Genre: Historical, Drama, War
- Streaming platforms: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
In This Corner of the World is a Japanese animated historical drama film produced by MAPPA, co-written and directed by Sunao Katabuchi. The film tells the story of Suzu Urano, a young woman who is married off to a man she barely knows and moves to Kure, a port city in Hiroshima, during World War II. Suzu must learn to adapt to her new life in the midst of war, and she witnesses the horrors of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
The film is beautifully animated in a watercolor style that captures the simple beauty of everyday life. The story is told from Suzu’s point of view, and we come to care deeply for her as she struggles to survive and find hope in the midst of tragedy.
5) Whisper of the Heart
- MyAnimeList rating: 8.22
- Release date: July 15, 1995
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Streaming platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
Whisper of the Heart is a 1995 Japanese animated romantic drama film directed by Yoshifumi Kondo and written by Hayao Miyazaki. The film follows Shizuku Tsukishima, a 14-year-old girl who loves to read and write. One day, she notices that all of the library books she has checked out have previously been checked out by a boy named Seiji Amasawa. Shizuku becomes curious about Seiji and sets out to find him. Along the way, she meets a talking cat, befriends an eccentric antiques dealer, and writes her first novel.
Whisper of the Heart is a heartwarming story about following your dreams and finding your soulmate. It is a classic Studio Ghibli film that is sure to touch your heart.
4) Grave of the Fireflies
- MyAnimeList rating: 8.51
- Release date: April 16, 1988
- Genre: Drama, Historical, War
- Streaming platforms: Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video
Grave of the Fireflies is a critically-acclaimed Japanese animated film written and directed by Isao Takahata and animated by Studio Ghibli. It is based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical short story of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka. The film tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, who are orphaned during the firebombing of Kobe at the end of World War II.
The film follows Seita and Setsuko as they struggle to survive in the aftermath of the war. They are forced to leave their home and live in a bomb shelter, and they soon run out of food and money. Seita tries to take care of Setsuko, but he is only a child himself, and they both eventually succumb to malnutrition and illness.
The film is beautifully animated and heartbreakingly realistic, and it is considered one of the saddest anime movies ever made.
3) Wolf Children
- MyAnimeList rating: 8.57
- Release date: July 21, 2012
- Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Slice of life
- Streaming platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, AppleTV
Wolf Children is a Japanese animated film written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda. The film tells the story of Hana, a young woman who falls in love with a werewolf and gives birth to two half-human, half-wolf children, Ame and Yuki. After the father’s death, Hana raises the children on her own in the countryside, away from prying eyes.
- The film follows the children as they grow up and learn to embrace their dual natures. Ame is more wolf-like, while Yuki is more human-like.
- They both struggle to find their place in the world, but they are ultimately accepted by their mother and the people around them.
The film is a heartwarming and moving story about family, acceptance, and the power of love. It is a beautifully animated film with a touching story that will stay with you long after you have seen it.
2) I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
- MyAnimeList rating: 8.55
- Release date: September 1, 2018
- Genre: Drama, Romance, Slice of life
- Streaming platforms: Netflix
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is based on the novel of the same name by Yoru Sumino. The film tells the story of a boy named Haruki who discovers the diary of a girl named Sakura in his school. Sakura is suffering from a terminal illness, and she has only a few months to live. Haruki decides to keep her secret, and the two of them form a close bond as they come to terms with her death.
The film is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It is a story about the power of friendship and the importance of living life to the fullest, even in the face of death. The film is beautifully animated and features a touching and emotional story. It is a film that will stay with you long after you watch it.
1) A Silent Voice
- MyAnimeList rating: 8.94
- Release date: September 17, 2016
- Genre: Drama, Romance, School
- Streaming platforms: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix
A Silent Voice is directed by Naoko Yamada and written by Reiko Yoshida. It is based on the manga of the same name by Yoshitoki Ōima. The film tells the story of Shoya Ishida, a boy who bullies a deaf girl named Shoko Nishimiya in elementary school. Years later, he tries to make amends with her, but she is still struggling with the trauma of his bullying.
The film is a powerful story about bullying, forgiveness, and redemption. It is a film that will make you think about the impact of bullying on both the victim and the bully. It is also a film that will make you feel hopeful about the power of forgiveness and redemption.
Conclusion
Anime has a remarkable ability to evoke profound emotions, and these top 10 saddest anime movies do so with exceptional finesse. From heart-wrenching tales of war and loss to stories of love and redemption, these films have left an indelible mark on the hearts of viewers worldwide.