10 Sad Anime That Will Make You Cry

Why Watch: Rated 9.29/10, Sousou no Frieren stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

During their decade-long quest to defeat the Demon King, the members of the hero's party—Himmel himself, the priest Heiter, the dwarf warrior Eisen, and the elven mage Frieren—forge bonds through adventures and battles, creating unforgettable precious memories for most of them. However, the time that Frieren spends with her comrades is equivalent to merely a fraction of her life, which has lasted over a thousand years. When the party disbands after their victory, Frieren casually returns to her...

Why Watch: Rated 9.10/10, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

After a horrific alchemy experiment goes wrong in the Elric household, brothers Edward and Alphonse are left in a catastrophic new reality. Ignoring the alchemical principle banning human transmutation, the boys attempted to bring their recently deceased mother back to life. Instead, they suffered brutal personal loss: Alphonse's body disintegrated while Edward lost a leg and then sacrificed an arm to keep Alphonse's soul in the physical realm by binding it to a hulking suit of armor. The broth...

Why Watch: Rated 9.07/10, Steins;Gate stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

Eccentric scientist Rintarou Okabe has a never-ending thirst for scientific exploration. Together with his ditzy but well-meaning friend Mayuri Shiina and his roommate Itaru Hashida, Okabe founds the Future Gadget Laboratory in the hopes of creating technological innovations that baffle the human psyche. Despite claims of grandeur, the only notable "gadget" the trio have created is a microwave that has the mystifying power to turn bananas into green goo. However, when Okabe attends a conference...

Why Watch: Rated 9.05/10, Shingeki no Kyojin Season 3 Part 2 stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

Seeking to restore humanity's diminishing hope, the Survey Corps embark on a mission to retake Wall Maria, where the battle against the merciless "Titans" takes the stage once again. Returning to the tattered Shiganshina District that was once his home, Eren Yeager and the Corps find the town oddly unoccupied by Titans. Even after the outer gate is plugged, they strangely encounter no opposition. The mission progresses smoothly until Armin Arlert, highly suspicious of the enemy's absence, disco...

Why Watch: Rated 9.05/10, Gintama: The Final stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

Two years have passed following the Tendoshuu's invasion of the O-Edo Central Terminal. Since then, the Yorozuya have gone their separate ways. Foreseeing Utsuro's return, Gintoki Sakata begins surveying Earth's ley lines for traces of the other man's Altana. After an encounter with the remnants of the Tendoshuu—who continue to press on in search of immortality—Gintoki returns to Edo. Later, the regrouped Shinsengumi and Yorozuya begin an attack on the occupied Central Terminal. With the Altana...

Why Watch: Rated 9.02/10, Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

The 150-year-long stalemate between the two interstellar superpowers, the Galactic Empire and the Free Planets Alliance, comes to an end when a new generation of leaders arises: the idealistic military genius Reinhard von Lohengramm, and the FPA's reserved historian, Yang Wenli. While Reinhard climbs the ranks of the Empire with the aid of his childhood friend, Siegfried Kircheis, he must fight not only the war, but also the remnants of the crumbling Goldenbaum Dynasty in order to free his sist...

Why Watch: Rated 8.94/10, Fruits Basket: The Final stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

Hundreds of years ago, the Chinese zodiac spirits and their god swore to stay together eternally. United by this promise, the possessed members of the Souma family shall always return to each other under any circumstances. Yet, when these bonds shackle them from freedom, it becomes an undesirable burden—a curse. As head of the clan, Akito is convinced that he shares a special connection with the other Soumas. While he desperately clings to this fantasy, the rest of the family remains isolated an...

Why Watch: Rated 8.93/10, Clannad: After Story stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa have graduated from high school, and together, they experience the emotional rollercoaster of growing up. Unable to decide on a course for his future, Tomoya learns the value of a strong work ethic and discovers the strength of Nagisa's support. Through the couple's dedication and unity of purpose, they push forward to confront their personal problems, deepen their old relationships, and create new bonds. Time also moves on in the Illusionary World. As the pla...

Why Watch: Rated 8.93/10, Koe no Katachi stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

As a wild youth, elementary school student Shouya Ishida sought to beat boredom in the cruelest ways. When the deaf Shouko Nishimiya transfers into his class, Shouya and the rest of his class thoughtlessly bully her for fun. However, when her mother notifies the school, he is singled out and blamed for everything done to her. With Shouko transferring out of the school, Shouya is left at the mercy of his classmates. He is heartlessly ostracized all throughout elementary and middle school, while t...

Why Watch: Rated 8.91/10, Kusuriya no Hitorigoto 2nd Season stands out for its execution of the Sad Anime genre. It is widely considered a masterpiece, praised for its character depth and stunning animation.

Using her wit and vast knowledge of medicines and poisons alike, Maomao played a pivotal role in solving a series of mysteries and conspiracies that plagued the imperial court. Having recently come to terms with the secrets of her parents, she returns to fulfill her normal duties on behalf of the emperor's highest-ranking consorts. Maomao also works alongside the eunuch Jinshi to better the consorts' many ladies-in-waiting, including helping them learn to read. However, with the arrival of a me...