Have you ever wanted to end a tiring day by watching tear-jerking anime? After long and tiring hours of working or studying, the urge to de-stress intensifies. Some will unwind by going out with friends. Others prefer munching on some late-night snacks while the rest nestle in bed as early as 9. Interestingly, anime lovers might prefer untangling those stress knots by watching heart-breaking animation.
Do you know? In Leo Newhouse’s article, Is crying good for you?, he states that crying helps release emotional pain and stress.
So, here are some tear-jerking anime movies and series that will have you using boxes of tissues and helps you de-stress.
Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light (2011)
Into the Forest of Fireflies’ Light or Hotarubi no Mori e is a short shojo manga by Yuki Midorikawa. It was published in Lala DX’s July 2002. Then, it was adapted into a movie with the same title by Bran’s Base studio in 2011, directed by Takahiro Omori.
Hotaru is a high school girl who falls in love with Gin. He is a young man whose parents abandon him at a young age. The forest spirits are Gin’s caretakers. Particularly, the spirits bestow a curse upon Gin. He could not touch and be touched by a human. Because if he does, he will disappear.
Against all odds, they developed a heart-wrenching relationship from every summer Hotaru spent with Gin. As their feelings escalate, a simple mistake has them paying the price of separation. Thus, this bittersweet anime will take you on a journey of smiles and tears. It might be the antidote to ending another tiring day.
Orange (2016)
Orange is another manga adapted into a TV series directed by Naomi Nakayama and Hiroshi Hamasaki. The protagonist, Naho Takamiya, a sixteen-year-old girl, receives a letter from the future. She has to save her new classmate, Kakeru Naruse, from sinking into depression and ending his life. Her attempts are often vain as Kakeru refuses Naho’s help of salvation.
It is an anime that touches on the importance of mental health, relationships, and love. Orange might hit a bit too close to home for many struggling students. But, its relevance will carve a safe spot in your heart and gives a spurt of clarity.
Fruits Basket (2019)
This manga series has had many television adaptations, approving its relevance and high demand from viewers. Fruits Basket is not the typical anime that punches you right in the face. It is a slow and agonizing watch. You will witness Tohru, a high school girl that lost her parents when she was little, going through life with 12 zodiac animals in human form.
As she falls in love with Kyo, a stubborn and cold-blooded orange cat, Tohru finds herself in a whirlwind of heartbreaks. Kyo constantly pushes her away due to the Sohma family curse.
The relationship between the innocent Tohru and ruthless Kyo is bound to break and mend your heart simultaneously. Be sure to sleep the tiredness (and sadness) away after the series ends!
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (2018)
Here is one of the classics.
Adapted from a light novel by Yoru Sumino, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas becomes one of the ultimate tear-jerkers for its devastating plot and unexpected twist.
Haruki Shiga (formerly unnamed) finds a diary owned by Sakura Yamauchi when he is in the hospital. Then, he discovers the fatal truth about his classmate. Sakura suffers from a pancreatic illness. As their emotions grow fonder, Haruki plans to cross out every ‘to-do’ in Sakura’s bucket list before her impending death. However, Sakura’s demise is nothing like what you have in mind. Keep those tissues near because this will be a tear-jerking watch like no other.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Any recommendation of sad animes is not complete without this gut-wrenching film directed by Isao Takahata.
Seita and Setsuko, a brother and sister duo, strive to survive the remnants of the Second World War set in Kobe, Japan. This film is heavy with nuances of history. It highlights the sacrifices Seita makes to ensure his sister’s happiness. Amid the depressing surrounding, Seita continues to put a smile on Setsuko’s face despite costing him his own life. It is an anime that will invoke thousands of emotions. Tissues are a necessity when watching this!
Sources: MyAnimeList.