Netflix is a home for different categories of movies.You will find the perfect crime thrillers, a rom-com to make you smile, and a horror movie to make your inside turn with fear. But you have landed on the right page for those who love sad anime movies to rile up their emotions to cry a river.
So for those looking for sad aesthetic anime, then we have the list of 24 sad anime movies. Every Story is different and very tense. So without further ado, let’s jump right in so you can have a cry-fest!
1. A Whisker Away
A Whiskery Away is a romantic, fantasy, sad anime movie that came out in 2020. Miyo’s affection for her classmate Kento is at the plot’s core. She uses a strange mask to become a cat to be closer to him, but as she does so, she gradually loses herself and starts fading away.
The plot is a coming-of-age narrative with some fantastical elements thrown in for good measure. It’s playful, and it’s under the film’s structure. Miyo and Kento are constantly at the center of the tale. Between the two, there is a lot of charm that encompasses youth. When they are needed, the storyline has unforgettable emotional moments. The characters are endearing and do not disappoint in any manner. Even the minor characters exhibit an interest in the Story. Overall it’s a bundle of emotions that will keep you excited yet make you cry!
2. Grave of The Fireflies
This sad anime movie is about two siblings trying to get through war’s consequences. The storyline is very sad as the sad anime boy who is a teenager tries to live by the pond with his sister after the death of their parents. The sad anime movie represents war and how it gets very tense and heart-wrenching.
It portrays the journey of the two siblings as they try to survive the harsh reality and sorrows of the world. The movie is loved and cherished worldwide for its excellent and compelling plot.
3. Your Name
In anime, the concept of fate isn’t new. It’s a stereotype that may be found in various genres in the industry. On the other hand, Your Name approaches it from a fresh perspective, bound to make the viewers cry. Mitsuha and Taki are the main characters of the film. Both are high school students who hail from modest backgrounds.
Mitsuha wishes to live in Tokyo but ultimately fails.
Taki is struggling to keep up with his academics while working part-time. When they swap bodies, fate pulls these two immensely sympathetic people together. They rapidly discover how much their choices affect one another and that nothing happens by chance in their lives.
4. True Tears
True Tears is a simple and uncomplicated romantic story, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have viewers weeping their eyes out by the conclusion. It follows Shinichirou Nakagami, a young man who finds himself living with the girl for whom he has feelings.
Shinichirou, on the other hand, begins to observe that she acts significantly differently at home than she does while they’re out. He wants to help her in any way he can, but he’s having trouble figuring out how to do so while also taking care of himself.
5. Violet Evergarden: The Movie (2020)
Violet Evergarden: The Movie (2020) is based on the life of Violet Evergarden, a young woman who was exploited as a pawn during the war. As the war comes to a close, the young woman reflects on her life’s adventures while exploring her feelings for a Major. The film follows the woman’s travels with the Major, who has declared his emotions for her.
Violet Evergarden: The Movie tells the narrative of a couple’s difficulty and love. The plot delves into the duo’s diverse emotions and the lengths to which one will go for love. The film is a must-see for everyone who enjoys a dark romance.
6. My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) tells the Story of two sisters who live with their father because their mother is ill. The two sisters eventually go to the countryside, where they come into a Totoro during one of their travels. The narrative revolves around the girls’ strange friendship with these mystical entities as they struggle to cope with their mother’s illness and absence.
My Neighbor Totoro is not entirely a sad film, although the mood does get gloomy at moments when the little children miss their mother. The Totoros attempt to cheer the girls up with their unusual antics and the movie is heartwarming. The tutors also assist these girls in achieving contentment as they wait for them to get better.
7. Elfen Lied
Elfen Lied is popular for being a gloomy film. To begin with, the film has an early scene of animal mistreatment that may break a viewer’s heart, and therefore if it is something that would break one’s heart, the audience should avoid the show or seek a guide that advises them to skip over.
The Story is about a little girl named Lucy who is a Diclonius, a rare kind of elf. She is the subject of gruesome and terrible scientific experiments. Lucy finally manages to flee by murdering everyone in her path, but she suffers an injury that leaves her with a dual personality. It’s one of the most divisive anime series ever made, and it’s not for the faint of heart.
8. 5 Centimeters Per Second
Makoto Shinkai’s films are recognized for their stunning aesthetics, setting them apart from almost anything else. While his smash hit Your Name. is unquestionably his greatest work, 5 Centimeters Per Second is still the one that impacts fans the hardest. The film is about growing up and growing apart and revolves around two close friends who are driven apart by life.
Despite their best attempts, the characters become increasingly distant as they progress through life. Despite the growing distance between them, their memories of one other live on, and they continue to hope to see each other again. The video depicts life’s natural development and how individuals tend to stray from it.
9. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
The anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the most heartbreaking plots ever told. It’s the Story of two young boys who tried human transformation to bring their late mother back to life, breaking the laws of alchemy in the process. The brothers had to pay a terrible price for their deception. Alphonse, the younger, lost his entire body. In the process of reviving his brother’s soul and tying it to a suit of armor, older brother Edward lost his leg and subsequently his arm.
Despite this, the courageous and persistent brothers refused to acknowledge their destiny and set out to seek a means to reclaim their bodies. They thought the Philosopher’s Stone was the key, but when they learned the truth about it, they had to consider the moral consequences of utilizing it. That’s only the tip of the iceberg. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is a deep, dramatic anime with multiple heartbreaking storylines that will make your blood run cold and your eyes tear.
10. A Silent Voice
The film A Silent Voice: The Movie depicts the Story of a young kid who is ridiculed in high school due to her hearing impairment. She ultimately transfers after silently suffering through this. As a result, her primary bully is separated from the rest of the school’s kids, who feel terrible and sorry for the girl. The man’s path is depicted when he is allowed to redeem himself years later.
The narrative of bullied teenagers is told in A Silent Voice: The Movie, which has a gripping and heart-warming storyline. The narrative is enthralling at moments, nearly bringing tears to the eyes of the audience. As fans of startling plotlines, this film is a must-see.
11. The Tale of Princess Kaguya
The life of a girl named Kaguya, born from a bamboo tree, is told in The Tale Of Princess Kaguya (2013). Before being born as a human, the girl was a finger-sized creature that referred to herself as a princess. She grows up to be an extraordinarily beautiful woman since she is raised in a strict and noble environment. The narrative depicts the woman’s emptiness as she seeks solutions to her life’s questions.
The Tale Of Princess Kaguya is a Japanese folktale told through a storyline. The plot revolves around the young princess’s feelings of loneliness as she transitions from her rural hamlet to the city. The tale is gloomy and depressing, as it draws the viewer’s attention to the emptiness within them through the characters’ Story.
12. Whisper Of The Heart
Whisper Of The Heart depicts the tedious journey of a young woman who enjoys reading but is surprised to discover that all of the books have been checked out before her. She soon meets the obnoxious boy who has checked out these books. The plot revolves around the duo’s blossoming friendship as they each pursue their hopes and ambitions.
The plot revolves around the duo’s blossoming friendship as they each pursue their hopes and ambitions. It follows the Story of a group of teenagers who want to do something different. The narrative captures the gloomy mood well, as the little kid longs to be a violin maker but is afraid of his father. The film is entertaining and lighthearted, making it a must-see for anime fans.
13. Kiki’s Delivery Service
It shows the arduous journey of a young woman who adores reading but is astonished to find that all of the books have already been checked out. She quickly encounters the unpleasant kid who has borrowed these books. The narrative focuses on the duo’s growing friendship as they pursue their individual goals and dreams.
The plot involves a bunch of adolescents who wish to try something new. The melancholy tone is perfectly captured in the Story, as the little boy wishes to be a violin maker but is terrified of his father. The film is cheerful and fun, making it a must-see for anime enthusiasts.
14. The Wind Rises
The Wind Rises is a biographical drama about Jiro, a young kid who aspires to become an excellent airplane designer. The film follows a young man’s journey as he pursues his dream of becoming an airplane designer while also falling in love. However, things grow more complicated for the young guy as his wife’s health begins to fail while she attempts to support him in his ambitions.
The Wind Rises depicts wartime hardships and Jiro’s abilities as an aircraft designer. The storyline, however, does not focus solely on the man’s life as a dreamer and specialist in his area. Despite the uplifting backdrop, the film is incredibly affecting and bleak since it tackles the events of the war and their terrible repercussions.
15. When Marnie Was There
It depicts the emotional agony of a little girl who has been forced to live with her family due to illness. The youngster has been adopted and only later learned that her guardians are being paid to look after her. The narrative follows a young woman’s emotional journey as she seeks comfort from a friend named Marnie. However, things take a strange turn for her when she discovers that no one called Marnie has ever lived, and she embarks on a mission to discover whether Marnie ever existed.
When Marnie Was There is a sad film that ends on a bittersweet note for the audience. As the little girl investigates Marnie’s chaotic life, the narrative moves at a leisurely and complicated pace. The plot is complicated and heartbreaking at moments, making for a sorrowful but unforgettable viewing experience.
16. Only Yesterday
Only Yesterday (1991) is a film about a lady in her late twenties who travels for business and embarks on an exciting adventure. The plot follows an office worker as she reminisces about her youth in the countryside. From the protagonist’s point of view, the film depicts his sensation of nostalgia. It is a beautiful and fantastic film about the life of a lady who grew up in a typical family. The film is incredibly moving, leaving the audience with a bittersweet aftertaste. The Story’s premise is straightforward and straightforward, consisting only of a recounting of a person’s experiences.
17. Angel Beats
Angel Beats! It begins with a little child named Otonashi waking up only to discover that he is dead. Fortunately for him, a rifle-wielding girl called Yuri explains that he’s died and that she’s the head of a name-changing field of battle that rebels against God and battles God’s henchwoman, the student body president Angel, who has magical abilities.
Angel Beats! is rather amusing until it isn’t; viewers forget what laughing is. Otonashi doubts the ethics of the battlefront’s conduct as they plan and carry out several operations against Angel. The true nature of the hereafter school is eventually revealed, and Otonashi begins working with Angel to understand the purpose of this limbo – to help those who have suffered pain and sorrow in life to pass on. It’s a true tearjerker to see the narrative of these folks unfold as they try to let go of their links to their prior lives.
18. Rohanna: The Flower
Few anime manage to have the audience weep for eleven episodes in a row, much alone cry on cue at hearing the first chords of a song. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day is an A-1 Pictures original anime that premiered in the spring of 2011. This eleven-episode anime follows a group of childhood pals, now teens, as they try to come to terms with the death of their childhood buddy Menma.
The gang of friends has drifted apart five years after Menma’s death, but the ghost of their long-lost companion could just be enough to bring them back together. The group gets back together so Menma may fulfill her request and move on while giving her companions the peace they need to move on without her. Fans will discover how Menma’s death impacts every one of her friends as they struggle with their incapacity to deal with and conquer their feelings of guilt throughout the plot. Anohana is a powerful, passionate, and tear-jerking event that no one should miss.
19. Clannad: After Story
Clannad is an anime version of the same-named visual novel by Key. It is, without a doubt, a very sad anime. Clannad is a twenty-three-episode anime that Clannad follows: After Story, a twenty-four-episode anime that is significantly more depressing. While the first half focuses on typical high school melodrama, such as friendships and emotional relationships, the second half takes a much more rugged and impacting look at adulthood’s challenges, emphasizing family’s importance.
Clannad is a rare anime that allows fans to watch the characters’ whole lives evolve rather than just high school graduation or the couples holding hands. Clannad, on the other hand, does not pull any punches. It will crush viewers’ hearts and leave them in a pool of sorrow. Consider seeing more key anime adaptations, such as Little Busters, if you like the experience.
20. The Garden of Words
The Garden Of Words (2013) depicts the conflicted existence of Takao, a young adolescent. The young man aspires to be a shoemaker and chooses to skip school one day. While sitting in a park sketching shoes, the little kid meets Yukino, an older strange woman. On rainy days, the pair gradually begins to meet at the exact location without any previous exchange.
The narrative of The Garden Of Words is aesthetically appealing and basic. The two have their problems and live separate lives outside of the park. The comfort they seek in each other’s companionship, on the other hand, is exceptionally heartwarming to witness. The film is breathtaking and should be seen by everyone at least once.
21. Flavors of Youth
The motion picture comprises a variety of narratives, all of which share the same spirit and structure. This movie performed a fantastic job conveying its message, which was that it is possible to discover both good and evil in the world.
You will get to watch how the characters connect with one another through realistic stories based on actual events. The audience will identify with it, and some of them may even get emotional because of it.
This anime features three different collections of short films that have been blended into a single work and are all set in China. The first one is called “The Rice Noodles,” it tells the narrative of a young kid who has fond memories of the noodle soup that his grandmother used to make.
The second focuses on the love that two sisters have for one another throughout the story.
The final one is called “Love in Shanghai,” which relates to three close friends’ stories. The gloomy slice-of-life anime film has a predominant tone of melancholy throughout its narrative.
22. Spirited Away
This film is also widely regarded as one of the most well-liked and well-known sad anime movies that are now available on Netflix. The narrative of the movie is wrenching, as it follows a young woman as she uncovers a secret world inhabited by fantastic beasts.
In this harsh reality, she has a hard time holding on to life. However, one day, she meets a young boy named Haku who assists her in surviving in that reality without her parents, whom she longs for and misses very much.
If you appreciate watching fantasy films, the Spirited Away anime movies are some of the best options for you to watch and have fun with. While watching this anime movie, you will feel comforted and have your heartstrings pulled simultaneously.
23. In This Corner of the World
This manga series created by Fumiya Kono served as a catalyst for the creation of the animation, which is an homage to the resiliency of humanity. The events of the novel take place during World War II when a young woman named Suzu marries during the height of the conflict and goes to a port city following the wedding.
Suzu isn’t very good at tasks around the house, but she makes up for it with her aptitude for painting and creating fantastical stories based on her miserable life. This animation is a close-up, minute-by-minute examination of the human condition’s vulnerability amid conflict, hunger, and fear. It tells the narrative of a woman who is hopelessly mired in the tedium of her routine, with no prospect of escape in sight. The events shown in this anime are tragic, but there is no melodrama.
24. Howl’s Moving Castle
The film Howl’sHowl’s Moving Castle from 2004 tells an account of Sophie, a young woman who is cursed to turn into an older woman. The girl eventually leaves her war-torn hometown and winds up meeting Howl, a magician. Howl saves the girl’s life. The plot of the narrative follows the development of their budding romance as the girl winds up residing in Howl’s new residence. In the midst of a conflict that is destroying the cities all around them, the tale focuses on an unexpected love story between the two main characters.
The storyline of Moving Castle is magnificent; it delves into many different facets of warfare, but its primary focus is on the growing love between the protagonists, Sophie and Howl. The character of Howl is problematic, as it is revealed that he is afflicted with a curse on his own. The emotionally complicated characters and the way in which they appear to despise themselves as a result of the curses they bear make for a fascinating watch.
Bottom Line
With a list of all these sad anime movies, you will find a lot of anime crying, sad anime boy, and a dark, depressed anime girl. It has everything! These movies will leave you in tears and surprised at how unkind the world can be towards different species. So grab your favorite snacks and have a fun cry sesh with your friends and family over these sad anime movies.
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Bethany Wilson 
Sarah Durrani 
