Top 10 Saddest Anime Movies that Will Melt Your Heart
by Surya
Updated Apr 24, 2023
Saddest Anime Movies
Animation is frequently misconstrued as entertainment for children, and in the film industry, it is often categorized as a genre for family-oriented movies. However, in Japan, anime and manga have long been influential cultural phenomena, and in the 21st century, they have amassed a global following. Manga, the Japanese graphic novels, cover a vast range of genres, extending far beyond just superhero and adult-oriented stories. They encompass everything from dystopian science fiction to realistic social dramas. Additionally, with the establishment of major animation studios in Japan during the 1980s, manga was adapted into anime, which further expanded the genre's influence. As a result, the rise of home video technology in the 1980s enabled anime to gain traction in Western countries.
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Top 10 Saddest Anime Movies
1
Grave of the Fireflies
1988
2
Whisper of the Heart
1995
3
In This Corner of the World
2016
4
Your Name
2016
5
Perfect Blue
1997
6
Barefoot Gen
1983
7
Wolf Children
2012
8
The Wind Rises
2013
9
When Marnie Was There
2014
10
A Silent Voice
2016
S. No
Name of the Anime
Released Year
1. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Isao Takahata’s 1988 masterpiece, Grave of the Fireflies, presents a poetic and restrained approach to conveying its anti-war message, unlike Barefoot Gen's direct portrayal of nuclear war. Based on Akiyuki Nosaka's 1967 semi-autobiographical short story, the film depicts the story of young Seita and his sister Setsuko who barely survive the firebombing of their town by the Allied forces during the war's end. The narrative follows their journey to survive on their own amidst a nation disintegrating. Grave of the Fireflies showcases more complex emotions than Barefoot Gen, despite featuring children as the central characters. The animation is impactful yet less distressing. The story is about unconditional love and profound sorrow and is not only the saddest anime movie of all time but also one of the saddest movies ever made.
2. Whisper of the Heart (1995)
Whisper of the Heart evokes tears from its audience, as Yoshifumi Kondō intimately captures the ebb and flow of happiness and sorrow in life. Unlike Grave of the Fireflies, which portrays innocent victims in a bleak wartime environment, Whisper of the Heart's tears stem from its beautiful animation and storytelling, and also because it is Kondō's last film before his untimely death. Hayao Miyazaki, Kondō's mentor in Studio Ghibli, wrote the script based on Aoi Hiiragi's manga. The movie centers on the curious Shizuku Tsukishima, who is fascinated by fellow book-lover Seiji Amasawa. Their relationship is not a straightforward love story, but one filled with twists, humor, and mystery. Above all, this grounded tale of first love is rich with authentic emotions.
3. In This Corner of the World (2016)
In This Corner of the World, Sunao Katabuchi's tribute to human resilience is adapted from Fumiya Kono's manga series and takes place during World War II. The film portrays the life of Suzu, a young woman who moves to a port city after getting married during the war's peak. Despite her inability to handle household chores, Suzu's talent for drawing enables her to create imaginative stories out of her stark reality. The anime provides an intricate portrayal of human vulnerability when faced with war, poverty, and fear. It depicts a woman trapped in the relentless routine of daily life without any visible signs of improvement. Like Takahata's Grave of the Fireflies, Katabuchi's anime is deeply tragic, but it lacks melodrama. I recommend watching the 168-minute extended cut over the theatrical version.
4. Your Name (2016)
Makoto Shinkai's Your Name has become the most successful anime film at the box office, surpassing even Hayao Miyazaki's classic Spirited Away (2001). Shinkai is renowned for his poignant dramas that often focus on long-distance relationships. Your Name depicts the story of two teenagers, Taki and Mitsuha, who inexplicably wake up in each other's bodies one day. The first half of the anime utilizes this gender-swap trope for comedic effect. However, Shinkai gradually takes us on an unexpected tragic journey, featuring a brilliant flashback, and delving into the social constructs of masculinity and femininity. Your Name ultimately makes a profound statement about relationships and the fundamental element that underpins them - memories. Despite a few narrative flaws, the anime's emotional pull is so strong that its open ending leaves viewers with a sense of both hope and poignant sadness.
5. Perfect Blue (1997)
The late Satoshi Kon was celebrated for his inventive narrative techniques that pushed the boundaries of animation filmmaking, as well as his critical commentary on Japanese pop culture. His brief but impactful filmography demands both admiration and contemplation. Kon's debut feature, Perfect Blue, delves into the toxic culture of fandom. The film centers around a young pop star who decides to leave the music industry to pursue acting. While grappling with an identity crisis, the protagonist also becomes the target of a malevolent and obsessive fan. In addition to exploring themes of fandom and celebrity culture, Kon also tackles the subjects of depression and melancholy, as suggested by the film's title. He employs non-linear storytelling and innovative animation techniques to immerse viewers in the protagonist's sense of alienation and sadness.
6. Barefoot Gen (1983)
The manga series of Keiji Nakazawa's 1972 Barefoot Gen inspired the anime of the same name, directed by Mori Masaki. The story is loosely based on Nakazawa's personal experience of witnessing the Hiroshima A-bomb attack at the age of 7. The film presents the inhumanity of the bombing from the viewpoint of its innocent victims, primarily the young boy Gen who resides with his family. With harrowing details, the unspeakable horrors of the A-bomb and its aftermath are portrayed. The film is emotionally devastating, particularly when Gen, who is usually cheerful, succumbs to despair. The anime also includes a pointed criticism of Japanese society, highlighting the widespread discrimination against atom bomb survivors, known as "hibakusha." Overall, Barefoot Gen is an essential and captivating portrayal of the somber realities of war.
7. Wolf Children (2012)
Werewolves are typically associated with horror, but in Mamoru Hosoda's heartwarming story of single parenthood, a young woman named Hana falls in love with a gentle werewolf who enjoys hunting pheasants at night but leads a peaceful life with Hana during the day. When Hana's husband doesn't return from a hunting trip one night, she is left to raise their two werewolf children alone. Hosoda, who wrote the original story, uses the fantasy element of werewolves to explore issues of racism and prejudice against single mothers. His storytelling is reminiscent of Miyazaki's, with its sharp attention to detail and enchanting portrayals of rural landscapes. Despite dealing with complex family dynamics, the film isn't afraid to confront emotions like fear, sadness, and uncertainty.
8. The Wind Rises (2013)
In his 11th feature-film, Hayao Miyazaki once again displays his love for aviation, but this time the aviation element is more realistic. The Wind Rises draws inspiration from the life of Horikoshi, a well-known Japanese engineer who designed fighter planes during World War II. The film also has autobiographical elements as Miyazaki's father founded an aircraft company that manufactured parts for fighter planes. Additionally, Miyazaki's mother suffered from tuberculosis, similar to the protagonist's love interest in the film.
At first glance, The Wind Rises may seem like Miyazaki's saddest film as it portrays a man who dreams of creating beautiful airplanes, but is haunted by the violence and destruction they bring. The film explores Jiro's struggles and losses, and includes a powerful sequence where Miyazaki depicts the devastating 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake. Upon its release, the film was said to be Miyazaki's last, but he later confirmed that he would be making one more film.
9. When Marnie Was There (2014)
Hiromasa Yonebayashi's breathtakingly animated film When Marnie Was There exudes an overwhelming sense of melancholy that permeates the entire narrative. The film is based on Joan G. Robinson's eponymous 1967 novel and follows the story of Anna, a 12-year-old orphan who suffers from stress-induced asthma and finds it difficult to connect with people. Concerned about Anna's health and well-being, her guardian sends her to the countryside, where she discovers a large, old abandoned mansion and befriends a mysterious girl named Marnie with blonde hair and blue eyes.
When Marnie Was There explores themes of trauma, grief, and loneliness through its poignant storytelling and subtly eerie imagery. The anime showcases the exceptional talent of Studio Ghibli animators with breathtaking shots that leave a lasting impression. The enigmatic character of Marnie adds an air of mystery to the story, leading up to an emotionally charged conclusion that is sure to leave viewers in tears.
10. A Silent Voice (2016)
A Silent Voice, directed by Naoko Yamada, is a poignant anime adaptation of Yoshitoki Oima's successful manga series. Though the storyline appears simple, it tackles complex themes such as bullying and social anxiety with sensitivity. The plot revolves around 17-year-old Shoya, who, as a social outcast, contemplates suicide while grappling with his past as a bully during elementary school. Shoya had relentlessly bullied Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf girl, causing her to transfer schools. Driven by remorse, Shoya seeks to apologize to Shoko and begins an unconventional friendship with her. The anime delves into deep emotions and intimately explores teenage depression and anxiety.
Top 10 Saddest Anime Movies All Time
1
Violet Evergarden: The Movie (2020)
2
A Silent Voice (2016)
3
Your Name (2016)
4
Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)
5
I Want To Eat Your Pancreas (2018)
6
Into The Forest Of Fireflies (2011)
7
Wolf Children (2012)
8
Perfect Blue (1997)
9
Weathering With You (2019)
10
The Garden Of Words (2013)
S.No
Name of the Anime
What is the Saddest Anime?
One of the saddest anime is "Grave of the Fireflies" directed by Isao Takahata. The movie is set in Japan during the final months of World War II and tells the story of two siblings, 14-year-old Seita and his 4-year-old sister Setsuko. After losing their mother in an air raid, the siblings struggle to survive on their own amidst the chaos and devastation of war. The film portrays the harsh realities of war, including starvation, illness, and death, as the siblings try to find food and shelter. The story is heartbreaking as the siblings' situation becomes increasingly desperate, and they are forced to make tough decisions to survive. The film doesn't hold back in its depiction of the horrors of war and will leave viewers with a deep sense of sadness and empathy for the siblings' plight.
What is the No 1 saddest anime?
Isao Takahata's 1988 masterpiece, Grave of the Fireflies, tops our list of saddest anime due to its heartbreaking portrayal of the horrors of war. The story is told from the perspective of a pair of siblings in Japan during World War II, making it an affecting treatise on the devastating effects of war. The film is widely regarded as one of the most heartbreaking ever made and is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict.
Top 10 Saddest Anime Movies-FAQ
The main theme of these sad anime movies is typically loss, grief, and coming to terms with one's emotions and circumstances.
Higurashi is a mature and enigmatic anime that narrates the tale of a cluster of companions residing in Hinamizawa, a countryside hamlet that is trapped by a savage and sanguinary inheritance. Every year, during the Cotton Drifting festival, also known as Watanagashi, a string of inexplicable fatalities has been happening for the past four years.
Other sad anime movies worth watching include Violet Evergarden: The Movie, Your Name, Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day - The Movie, and The Garden of Words.