EMOTIONAL DAMAGE ANIME
AnimeSpoiler
The heaviest hitters I've seen in my time, short summary and themes listed under each series.
Mostly slice-of-life titles with a few Shonen and Thrillers I personally think make the cut.
I haven't seen Fruits Basket, Plastic Memories or Assassination Classroom.
Mostly slice-of-life titles with a few Shonen and Thrillers I personally think make the cut.
I haven't seen Fruits Basket, Plastic Memories or Assassination Classroom.
TV, 2008,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Big investment with Clannad but one of the most rewarding series of its kind. Borderline traumatizing.
Themes of family, forgiveness and illness
Themes of family, forgiveness and illness
Movie, 1988,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Ghilbi's saddest movie by a mile.
Themes of war, oppression and the human condition
Themes of war, oppression and the human condition
Movie, 2016,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:9
Arguably the best place to start for sad anime noobies
Themes of bullying, suicide and making amends
Themes of bullying, suicide and making amends
TV, 2011,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:10
Forever one of my favorites for so many reasons. SG;O packs even more ED but the original is simply legendary
Themes of failure, perseverance and leaving the past behind
Themes of failure, perseverance and leaving the past behind
TV, 2014,
22 eps
Me:-
Author:8
One of the most touching and heart breaking slice-of-life series
Themes of trauma, illness, and unrequited love
Themes of trauma, illness, and unrequited love
TV, 2003,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:8
An underrated dystopian gem. Absolutely devastating
Themes of oppression, sacrifice and comradery
Themes of oppression, sacrifice and comradery
TV, 2018,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:7
This one is capable of being on the top of anyone's "sad anime" list. Tread carefully with this one (many sensitive topics)
Themes of drugs, gangsters and many of the other themes already mentioned
Themes of drugs, gangsters and many of the other themes already mentioned
TV, 2018,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Lots of different short stories with different themes sprinkled all throughout
Movie, 2018,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:8
Very similar to YLIA. Somehow manages to spoil itself in minutes and still packs a mean blow.
Themes of illness, leaving the comfort zone, and living life to the fullest despite bleak circumstances
Themes of illness, leaving the comfort zone, and living life to the fullest despite bleak circumstances
TV, 2011,
11 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Short and heartfelt. Capable of hitting among the hardest depending on ones own personal experiences.
Themes of acceptance, grief and childhood comradery
Themes of acceptance, grief and childhood comradery
TV, 2015,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Heavy psychological elements and a thriller you won't forget.
Themes of the human condition, duality and suicide
Themes of the human condition, duality and suicide
TV, 2021,
20 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Awesome concept with heartfelt characters and soundtrack
Themes of immortality, death and the human connection
Themes of immortality, death and the human connection
TV, 2016,
12 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Like Steins; Gate Jr. but hits the feels in a different way.
Themes of domestic violence, selflessness and mystery
Themes of domestic violence, selflessness and mystery
TV, 2019,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:9
Very different from the majority of series on this list. VS is not "sad" by your typical standards but a handful of moments hit as hard as they come
Themes of revenge, honor and redemption
Themes of revenge, honor and redemption
TV, 2003,
51 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Brotherhood is the better product overall but original FMA anime has a much bigger emotional emphasis
Themes of brotherhood, equivalent exchange and sacrifice
Themes of brotherhood, equivalent exchange and sacrifice
TV, 2010,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:5
I've been meaning to rewatch Angel Beats. I'm not as found of it as many others are but it still managed to make me tear up.
TV, 2017,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Hard to say anything about this one without spoilers and why it could belong on a list like this. But trust me.
TV, 2014,
24 eps
Me:-
Author:7
This one can be a big hit or miss depending on the person
Themes of dystopia, comradery and sacrifice
Themes of dystopia, comradery and sacrifice
TV, 2008,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Its like Mushishi but the stories often have a sad or heartfelt twist.
TV, 2018,
13 eps
Me:-
Author:7
Themes of friendship, squashing the comfort zone, and coming to terms with unfavorable circumstances
