Top 10 Anime Series and Movies that Made You Cry

Ever find yourself totally caught up in an anime movie or series? Sometimes the stories are so moving, the characters so relatable, that even a hardened anime fan can't help but get a little misty-eyed.

Those heartfelt moments can stick with you long after the credits roll. Have you ever watched an anime that brought on the waterworks? Don't worry, you're definitely not alone. Here's your chance to share those titles with other fans. We're building a list of the most emotionally resonant, tear-jerking anime series and movies.

The Top Ten

Clannad

I'm not a big crier, but I cried like a baby while watching this. This is the only anime, and I have watched a lot, that has ever made me cry. I really think that the reason I cried was because of how well I got to know the characters and their stories throughout the anime.
Because of that, you really get to share their pain of losing a loved one. You get to experience the joy and happiness of their carefree high school life and suffer with them through the trials of being an adult.
I wasn't surprised that this anime is #1. It definitely deserves to be. However, it isn't just the sad tears that made this anime #1, but the happy tears as well.
Angel Beats!

Angel Beats! is a 13-episode Japanese anime television series produced by P.A. Works and Aniplex. It was directed by Seiji Kishi and written by Jun Maeda. The series features a story set in the afterlife and blends action, comedy, and drama.

This anime should be a lot higher than it is. The first few episodes will have you laughing, then you'll start crying. Like Anohana, it gets you connected to the characters. SPOILER FOLLOWS. It rips them away from you or builds relationships then destroys them, like when Angel graduated.
In Anohana, it's really just the last episode where everything hits you all at once, but with Angel Beats, there are tears throughout.
With 5 Centimeters Per Second, I read the manga, and it was really sad all around, but no tears from me. With Naruto and Code Geass, you just have to be emotionally involved to cry. I cried at every important character death in Naruto. I was devastated when Asuma, Neji, Gai, Pain, Itachi, Gaara, Deidara, and Konan died. I cried during Naruto only because I'm really emotionally connected, but it isn't a sad anime. Hell, I cried in KnB and Free!
Clannad After Story

Clannad is an anime series based on a visual novel that follows the life of Tomoya Okazaki, a disaffected high school senior who struggles with his relationship with his alcoholic father and harbors resentment toward the town he lives in. Tomoya and his friend Yohei Sunohara spend much of their time... read more

I'd rather pick Clannad After Story to be #1 than Clannad. I don't particularly find Clannad the saddest anime ever, since I don't cry a lot. Well, I did waste my tears on Clannad After Story. I think it has a beautiful storyline, even though I got a little bit disappointed with the ending.
For me, Clannad After Story reminds me of my father, with whom I often had arguments and sometimes we fought. Tomoya and his father reflect my relationship with my father. My father passed away before I watched this, so it brings regrets to me that I hated him. That's my #1 reason to love this anime. I think Clannad After Story will "crush" your heart more when you remember how much you hate your parent, especially your father, and how deeply you regret that.
Your Lie In April

Your Lie in April, known in Japan as Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso or simply Kimiuso, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa. It was serialized in Monthly Shōnen Magazine from 2011 to 2015. The story was also adapted into a popular anime television series.

This anime left me emotionally devastated for a solid three days after I finished it. I can't even begin to tell you how hard I sobbed. I know the overall message is supposed to be happy and hopeful, but oh my goodness. Even though you know exactly what's coming, it hits you SO HARD. It's a beautiful story and one of my favorites, despite how much I cry every time. Haha.

This should be number one. When I watched the last two episodes, I finished a whole tissue box from crying. The scriptwriters and the animation are amazing. At first, I thought it would be a romantic comedy anime. Heh. I was wrong. This has changed my life forever. It's beautiful. Who knew a lie could cause such a wonderful story?
Ano Hana

If you have ever lost a friend, this show will hit you hard. Watching how Menma's friends deal with her death in different ways was heartbreaking. Throughout the show, I laughed and cried a little. The end, though, is like a truck full of tears hitting you on the freeway and smacking you into Crybabyville. Believe me, it's that intense. The last episode is so heartbreaking. I had to pause it just so I could wipe the tears from my eyes to see. If you haven't watched it, WATCH IT.

This seriously made me cry the most. I cried for 45 minutes after that 11th episode, and I still have a tough time telling my friends what it is about. It was very heartwarming and pretty funny too. I recommend this show to everyone. Be sure to keep a box of tissues near you when you watch this anime.
Code Geass

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, often referred to simply as Code Geass, is a Japanese anime series created by Sunrise. It was directed by Gorō Taniguchi and written by Ichirō Ōkouchi, with original character designs by the manga artist group Clamp. The series debuted in 2006 and is known for its... read more

When you watch an anime like Code Geass, one would expect death, right? I mean, the anime's basis is war, and in war, people die. But I never thought it would be as heart-wrenching as it ended up being, especially in R2. I'll be honest, I didn't sob because very few things make me sob, but there were many parts that seriously gripped my heart and wouldn't let go.

This is so sad. I have several theories about the end.
Theory 1: I have it in my mind that it was all of Lelouch's plan to die so all world problems would be blamed on him and the world would be better.
Theory 2: The stranger in the mask is actually Lelouch, and the other Lelouch is an imposter who was very loyal to Lelouch.
Saddest theory: the ending is real.
Kanon

This old Army Ranger retiree bawled like a 3-year-old. One of the most heartrending stories ever.

You'll never know what hit you until it's too late.

You watch it and you tell me if you cried or not.
One Piece

This is the anime for me because it has, over time, made me feel all the types of emotions there are. This anime has both light-hearted and intense stories. Over the many years as an anime viewer, I have never found another anime like this. Well, except maybe Fairy Tail, but One Piece is the best at making anyone cry without regretting those tears. Hats off to the greatest anime ever!

It should be placed higher. Unlike most short anime, One Piece has HUGE plot development, and the sheer time you spend watching makes the emotions more intense. You can relate to the characters more and spend more time with them. Whenever a character's past is revealed or a character dies, I cry waterfalls. I have seen most of the anime on these lists, and One Piece made me cry the most. The others only made me teary-eyed (I'm a pretty cold person, lol).
Air TV

Feels. So many of them. The anime can be hard to understand since the plot is sort of squished compared to the visual novel, but it is still very sad, especially the end.

I just can't explain how I feel about this anime. I cried so hard since chapter 7! And every time I watch this, I just cry over and over again! But I love it!

Air made me cry so much that I was angry with myself.
Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist is an anime series adapted from the manga of the same name by Hiromu Arakawa. It follows two brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, who use alchemy in a quest to restore their bodies after a failed attempt to resurrect their mother. The original series aired in 2003, and a more faithful... read more

I have spent hours watching and re-watching episodes from this utter masterpiece. This anime has made me cry literal tears every time I reach the end. Never have I watched something so enjoyable and so interesting. The soundtrack will paralyze you with emotion, and the characters' mood affects your own.
The storyline and deep plot might just ruin you for all other anime. After watching this pure, well-written, and perfectly executed anime, I knew I would never enjoy something as much as I did watching this show.

This was one of the first animes that I've watched. When I just think about that scene, it hits me hard in the heart bad.
When you meet her, you'll love her. Cute. Cuddly. When it comes, trust me, it's going down.
My friends watched the scene where it happens and didn't cry. I told them the reason why they didn't was:
1. They haven't even watched the 1st ep.
2. They already knew about it. You have to try your best to avoid spoilers.
3. You have to get up to that part for the scene to make sense.
If you watch that first episode by itself and that's the first ep you watched in the series, you haven't experienced it. I swear if I hear those 3 words in Japanese or English, my heart will die inside.

The Newcomers

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Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden (Japanese: ヴァイオレット・エヴァーガーデン, Hepburn: Vaioretto Evāgāden) is a Japanese light novel series written by Kana Akatsuki and illustrated by Akiko Takase. The series won the grand prize in the fifth Kyoto Animation Award's novel category in 2014. This was the first work to win a grand prize... read more

Actually, the only one that made me cry.
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Re:Zero -starting Life in Another World-

The Contenders

Naruto Shippuuden

Naruto is so sad! I cried at every character's death, and Naruto's will is the strongest thing in the world. The art is fantastic and beautiful, while the story and plot are sad and emotional. But even when something is sad, there is a happy, funny, or heartwarming event as well.
When you watch the first episode of the first series, be ready to cry. When that first episode is over, you will have to go watch the very last episode of the second series. You will want to watch every movie too. This show will take you along on an emotional roller coaster. Plus, if you pay attention to the actual plot and specific words, you will be in a wonderland of thought that will change your world.
You will see friendship, bonds breaking, characters dying, characters crying, protection, darkness, light, love, and fights. You will even see how you can save someone with words. I recommend Naruto to anyone, and if you do watch it, the tissues are on the counter.
Elfen Lied

Elfen Lied is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Lynn Okamoto. It was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump magazine from June 2002 to August 2005. The series includes 107 chapters, which have been compiled into twelve tankōbon volumes.

Very disappointed that this is fifteenth. I have watched Naruto, Your Lie in April, Fairy Tail, and One Piece, and I gotta say, Elfen Lied beats them by a long distance.
Naruto, Fairy Tail, and One Piece were sad at some parts, but not really tear-jerking. The reason they're above Elfen Lied is probably because they have huge fan bases.
Your Lie in April... that was sadder than Naruto, Fairy Tail, and One Piece, but not as sad as Elfen Lied. It was tear-jerking for sure, but actual tears never came out for me. I just really wanted to cry.
Elfen Lied, on the other hand, actually made me cry. Tears were actually falling down my cheeks. I never thought two hours of manga could leave me like this.
Fairy Tail

Fairy Tail is a manga franchise created by Hiro Mashima. It was adapted into an anime series produced by A-1 Pictures and Satelight, which first aired in Japan on October 12, 2009. The franchise also includes several original video animations and a feature film titled Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess... read more

Fairy Tail! So, Fairy Tail is my favorite show in the whole world. Is it as sad as Ano Hana or Clannad? No, nowhere near it, but this show does have its moments of tears and times where their words move you. This show makes you respect friendship and the people you have. If you like to laugh, watch people fight with supernatural powers, and cry a little, then watch this show. There's a reason it's one of the most popular anime out there.

Fairy Tail teaches you important life lessons while hitting you with emotions. The characters' will is the strongest thing you'll ever see. This was the only show that made me cry. It's a show about wizards. Fairy Tail will definitely make you cry.
Death Note

L and Light are both my favorite characters in Death Note. Seeing the two battle it out to find who could catch the other first was so amazing. I didn't want either to die.
When L died, I couldn't believe it. I thought it was some elaborate trick. And when the feeling sunk in, I started to cry. L was such an interesting character, and the part when his eyes turned from their large, removed state to normal eyes made me cry even harder.
Once L was dead, I was fully Team Kira. When Light died, I felt like I lost a part of me. I really can't tell you how devastated I felt when Light died.

I didn't really cry at the end, that mourning cry that I did for Code Geass. Rather, I cried because I felt angry, with myself and Light Yagami (that stupid brat!) and mostly the author.
I had such expectations of Light. He acted so clever through the series, acted like he could always take control of himself, and then what? He was that crybaby, that pathetic villain in the end! That was why I cried.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood‎

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is an anime series adapted from the Fullmetal Alchemist manga by Hiromu Arakawa. It closely follows the original manga storyline, in contrast to the earlier 2003 adaptation. The series is highly acclaimed for its animation, character development, and faithful adaptation... read more

Most "emotional" anime are normally romance, which is not really wrong, but come on!
This anime was by far really heart-breaking. Not because of a couple, but because you get to see the effects of war, social discrimination, and deaths. Yet, despite all these adversities, humankind still refuses to give up and fight through them.
We also get to see friendships, family ties, and most of all, which I think not a lot of anime go in-depth on, the pure love of siblinghood. It was so heart-warming to witness two brothers having each other's backs through all their sufferings and being willing to sacrifice for each other.

An amazing story about sacrificing all you have for what you love the most. The story of the brothers is amazing and unique, and I'm really not fooling you when I say that always when I think about the ending, I feel a little pain in my chest, and I'm 100% honest now. Amazing.
Grave of the Fireflies

This is such an underrated movie! It stands only about one millimeter below Elfen Lied, Angel Beats, Anohana, and Clannad. It's very realistic.
The first sentence is:
September 28, 1997. That was the date I died.
Have you heard any sadder intro?

This is seriously such a beautiful and heartwarming story. Even thinking about the story makes me depressed. The characters were so human and lovable, and they will really make you feel awful. This anime will always be my favorite movie. It's truly a masterpiece that will make you cry your eyes out 100%.
5 Centimeters Per Second

I never even knew it was a feels anime. I watched it in school, and I was trying my best not to shed a tear in the middle of class.
Attack On Titan

Attack on Titan, known in Japan as Shingeki no Kyojin, is a widely acclaimed anime series created by Hajime Isayama. The series premiered in Japan in April 2013 and debuted in English in the United States in 2014. It is recognized for its emotional storytelling, post-apocalyptic setting, and thrilling... read more

Many characters died, but some left a more significant mark than others. When Eren died, it was the final straw. I was quite touched (I did cry a lot).
I finally accepted it, as there was nothing I could do. He was actually my favorite character.

I believe there is no anime that can compare to the intensity of this story. The people there were almost wiped out by the Giants but still strive to survive. This anime is sure to be one of the best stories and plots, but like every anime, it still has its flaws. But it is very unique to me.
Future Diary

Future Diary is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Sakae Esuno. The story centers on a deadly survival game in which each participant possesses a diary that can predict the future. The manga was serialized in Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace magazine from January 2006 to December 2010.... read more

This was the first anime that actually emotionally destroyed me. I have never cried so much in my life.

I cried when any character died, even if I hated them. This destroyed me, but it was one of the best animes I've seen in a long time.

This is the only anime, except for One Piece, that made me cry, and I didn't even cry when I watched Angel Beats!
Tokyo Magnitude 8.0

I dare you to watch this anime, and it is for sure, 100%, that you can't stop crying. Class S for the drama category.

Episodes 8 to the finale will make you cry like a baby, especially in the last parts.

The last episode was the saddest. I cried for a good half hour after the series.
Wolf's Rain

Wolf's Rain is a Japanese anime television series created by writer Keiko Nobumoto and produced by Studio Bones. It originally aired in Japan in 2003 and became well-known for its unique storytelling and atmospheric music by Yoko Kanno. The series was later released internationally and has maintained... read more

If you haven't seen it, watch it from beginning to end, and I dare you not to choke towards the end. I rank this in my top 5, probably 2-3, beside Neon Genesis Evangelion and Naruto Shippuden. I think One Piece had a good story with Luffy and Ace as well.

I don't know why this is not on the top. I think most people haven't watched it, but you just can't stop crying in the last two episodes.
Wolf Children

I love the characters, and you can't really take one side over another because they all have something to offer. Whether it's Yuki's personality, Ame's journey, Souhei's kindness and loyalty, or even other characters' perspectives, everyone's view makes sense.
Spoilers ahead!
Even Souhei's mother, who comes closest to being an antagonist, has a valid point. If a random girl injured your child's ear in a way that could make him deaf, wouldn't you be upset? Yuki wants to be a normal human girl, while Ame wants to be a free wolf by the end. The irony is that at the beginning, it was the complete opposite. You get to see everyone grow as individuals, and this movie is a must-watch.
The ending is sad as hell, but it works out.
Cowboy Bebop

Cowboy Bebop is a Japanese anime television series that premiered in 1998 and was produced by the animation studio Sunrise. The series was directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, written by Keiko Nobumoto, and featured character designs by Toshihiro Kawamoto and mechanical designs by Kimitoshi Yamane. The music... read more

I've seen some allegedly tear-jerking anime, but none have seemed to live up to the expectation. I've never cried at an anime before, but this has brought me very close. I say this not in reference to the ending because, to me, the ending is not all that sad. However, there are a number of scenes throughout this episodic anime that bring emotion to the lonely and empty existence each character lives.
Please Teacher!
Plastic Memories

Plastic Memories, often abbreviated as Pla-Memo, is a Japanese anime television series produced by Doga Kobo and directed by Yoshiyuki Fujiwara. The show aired in 2015 and takes place in a future where androids called Giftia, who possess human-like emotions, have limited lifespans. The story follows... read more

This anime is one of two out of all the ones on the list that actually got me to cry. I could tell from the beginning that it was going to end how it did. I tried not to get involved in it, but somewhere along the line, it just got so good. Then the end came, with tears, lots of tears.
If you're wondering, the only other anime I have seen that made me cry was Angel Beats in the end credits as they all fade away in the order they disappeared in. Not even that matched the emotional train wreck of this one, though.

This anime just came out. After watching lots of sad anime, I knew how it was going to end when I started watching it. Still, almost every episode got to me somehow. There were some scenes where I was laughing while crying hard. It is one of those shows you simply sit back, watch, and try not to cry. But you end up crying anyway because of the story and the dialogues. The emotions get to you!