Some anime programs will truly bring tears to your eyes, and others will leave you feeling hollow within. With their tragic, poignant moments, even some of the most popular anime, like “Naruto,” can send chills down your spine.
As a result, if you’ve been a fan of anime for quite a while, you may be aware that it contains a number of unsettling works that have stuck with you for a very long time. We’ve already covered the tragic deaths of our favorite characters in a separate schedule, and we also have a list of the finest depressing anime programs ever.
However, now that Netflix is shown a serious commitment to introducing more anime, we have chosen to create a brand-new, unique collection. The names of the most emotional anime on Netflix are listed below:
20. Japan Sinks: 2020
- Director: Pyeon-Gang Ho
- Writer: Sakyo Komatsu, Toshio Yoshitaka
- Cast: Billy Kametz, Faye Mata, Ryan Bartley
- IMDb Ratings: 6.4
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Pyeon-Gang Ho and Masaaki Yuasa are the directors of the drama movie “Japan Sinks: 2020.” When an earthquake rocks the whole Japanese archipelago, and people are left to fend for themselves, the calm Mutou family’s existence takes a turn for the worse.
Japanese men, women, and children must take extreme measures to secure their survival as society disintegrates. This moving and memorable story of survival can be seen here.
19. Grave of the Fireflies
- Director: Isao Takahata
- Writer: Akiyuki Nosaka
- Cast: Ayano Shiraishi, Tsutomu Tatsumi
- IMDb Ratings: 8.5
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
The anime movie Grave of the Fireflies is produced by the renowned Studio Ghibli, which is known for its depressing animation themes. Along with an emotionally charged plot, the movie also features one of the saddest anime deaths.
The movie is set in post-World War II Japan and centers on the struggle for the survival of two orphans. A four-year-old girl named Setsuko learns how cruel life can be in the movie. Although her older brother tries his best to care for her, he ultimately fails.
Seita (the brother) gives Setsuko a tiny piece of melon and then leaves to find more food. Unbeknownst to him, the small piece of watermelon served as his sister’s last supper. Grave of the Fireflies is much more depressing because it is based on a true story.
18. Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms
- Director: Mari Okada
- Writer: Mari Okada
- Cast: Miyu Irino, Yôko Hikasa
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 67%
The anime, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is among the most depressing anime films on Netflix. Maquia, who is from the legendary Iroph race, is the subject of this epic anime film on Netflix.
They are immortals who keep to themselves and do not interact with the outer world. However, as a power-hungry ruler decides to invade their country and massacre most of their population, their lives take a turn for the worst. Maquia decides to raise the young kid she finds amid all the chaos. The drama film has the potential to make you cry.
17. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
- Director: Shin’ichirô Ushijima
- Writer: Shin’ichirô Ushijima
- Cast: Lynn, Yukiyo Fujii
- IMDb Ratings: 8
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
Another depressing film that fans can watch on Netflix is this love drama. The movie centers around an aloof bookworm and a high school student Haruki Shiga.
He has a strong sense of disinterest and apathy about things. He, too, is very certain that no one is considering him. His life is changed by the discovery of the book Residing with Dying. This book is the popular student Yamauchi Sakura’s diary.
16. In This Corner of the World
- Director: Sunao Katabuchi
- Writer: Sunao Katabuchi
- Cast: Ava Pickard, Kenna Pickard
- IMDb Ratings: 7.7
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
This anime film tells the sad yet moving story of an eighteen-year-old girl who must deal with the terrible aftereffects of World War II.
Suzu, a girl from Hiroshima, is naïve and pure. Nevertheless, she moves into her husband’s residence after she reaches adulthood. She makes an effort to settle in when Japan gets involved in the conflict. However, as a result of the Hiroshima explosions, she experiences a complete transformation in her life.
15. 5 centimeters per second
- Director: Makoto Shinkai
- Writer: Makoto Shinkai
- Cast: Kenji Mizuhashi, Hilary Haag
- IMDb Ratings: 7.6
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
You’ll cry as you read this touching tale of two buddies.
The friendship between Takaki and Akari, which developed during their elementary school years, is the subject of this film. However, their friendship is tested when Akari relocates to a different city due to his parent’s new employment.
Their business suffers from the distance, and it depresses them both. When Akari reveals that he is leaving even further away and decides to see Takaki one final time, Takaki is shocked. This anime film has an emotional undertone that perfectly captures what true friendship is all about.
14. From up on Poppy Hill
- Director: Gorô Miyazaki
- Writer: Tetsurô Sayama
- Cast: Sarah Bolger, Chris Noth
- IMDb Ratings: 7
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
This anime is a tale of youth, family, and passion. It tells the tale of children’s innocence and their attempts to defend the things they cherish. You should watch this anime because it will make you long for your teenage years.
This anime is a tale of youth, family, and passion. It tells the tale of the youths in Yokohama who decide to defend their clubhouse from being destroyed in preparation for the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
One of those sad anime movies that make you cry while simultaneously making you cherish life. The movie has a dash of humor added, making it much more entertaining.
13. Children of the Whales
- Director: Kyohei Ishiguro
- Writer:
- Cast: Bryce Papenbrook, Johnny Yong Bosch, Todd Haberkorn
- IMDb Ratings: 7
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
The 93rd year of the Sentence of Sand is when the television series Children of the Whales takes place.
The Mud Whale, a ship that resembles an island and is sitting on the sand, is home to just over 500 people. One day, Chakuro, a crew member on the ship, leaves to look into a brand-new ship that has drifted too close to the Mud Whale.
He discovers Rikosu, a mysterious girl, on the new ship. This mysterious young woman also serves as a beacon of hope for the possibility of life beyond the Mud Whale. Rikosu is a clue to Chakuro that perhaps a new world exists.
12. When Marnie was there
- Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
- Writer: Masashi Ando
- Cast: Kasumi Arimura, Nanako Matsushima
- IMDb Ratings: 7.7
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
The famed Ghibli studio produced the film, known for its romantic and heartwarming family dramas. The protagonist of the tale is Anna, a 12-year-old girl. She has a medical condition and leads a depressing life.
Her mother sends her to a tranquil seaside town in Japan to regain her energy. There, Anna meets a young girl named Marnie. Their initial connection eventually solidifies into an unbreakable relationship. Unfortunately, this, one of the saddest anime movies, has the potential to make you cry.
11. Children who chase lost voices
- Director: Makoto Shinkai
- Writer: Makoto Shinkai
- Cast: Miyu Irino, Kazuhiko Inoue
- IMDb Ratings: 7.1
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
This depressing anime film is a coming-of-age tale, and the movie revolves around the meanings of life and death and how they affect everyone on our planet Earth.
Your time is well spent watching this masterpiece of cinema. The protagonist of the film discovers a magical universe after hearing music from a crystal radio that her father left behind. You won’t be let down by this emotional story of love, forgiveness, grief, and comprehension, as it is one of the saddest anime films.
10. Violet Evergarden
- Director: Taichi Ishidate
- Writer: Reiko Yoshida
- Cast: Daisuke Namikawa, Takehito Koyasu
- IMDb Ratings: 8.5
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
Another slice-of-life anime from Kyoto Animation is called “Violet Ever Garden.”
It relates to the tale of Violet, a young teenager who was once entangled in the carnage of the Great War. She was only raised to kill opponents, and sometime during the final battle, she wakes up in the hospital with nothing except a few mysterious words from the only person she has ever truly loved.
She begins working at the CH Postal Services because she feels disoriented in the post-war world and finds the idea deeply amusing and decides to work as one herself. This is the beginning of her adventure, which not only helps her reshape the lives of the people she works for but also find out the purpose of her life. It is one of the best sad anime movies on Netflix.
9. Nana
- Director- Morio Asaka
- Writer- Tomoko Konparu
- Cast- Rebecca Shoichet, Kelly Sheridan
- IMDb Rating- 8.4
- Rotten Tomatoes- NA
It’s a cute, humorous show called Nana that, on the surface, contains two girls who are complete opposites and rock music. Some of these topics are mentioned in the episode. However, this performance is so much more than just a tale of two nanas and the friendship they explore over a wonderful soundtrack.
Everyone carries their baggage, as Nana notes, and this is what makes people human. Tears, laughter, and frustration are likely to all follow. This depressing anime Nana is recommended for fans, but everyone who enjoys reading about compelling characters can also watch it. Unfortunately, it is one of the saddest anime.
8. Angel Beats!
- Director- Seiji Kishi
- Writer- Jun Maeda
- Cast- Blake Shepard, Brittney Karbowski
- IMDb Rating- 7.6
- Rotten Tomatoes– 77%
A group of teenagers battles to avoid being promoted in a world within the afterlife. The story deals with death, regret, and the difficult truth of mortality, yet it also has a satisfying and accepting conclusion.
Yuzuru Otonashi, the main character, awakens in a purgatory high school where some “kids” are engaged in a battle with an Angel they perceive to be God’s assassin attempting to coerce them into ascending to the next life.
In truth, they are stuck in limbo because of lingering regrets from their earthly lives. There are so many crucial life experiences they would have loved to have had but were unable to because they all passed away at such a young age. So it is indeed a sad anime series.
7. Wolf Children
- Director: Mamoru Hosoda
- Writer: Mamoru Hosoda
- Cast: Takuma Hiraoka, Takao Osawa
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: NA
Another heartwarmingly depressing film is this one, also accessible on Netflix.
The novel’s protagonist is Hana, a dedicated college student who develops feelings for a fellow student. But it turns out that he is a werewolf who transforms into a wolf on full moon nights and is not actually enrolled as a student.
They both get married, and Hana has two werewolf kids as a result. Tragically, Hana’s husband passes away unexpectedly, leaving her to care for the kids by herself.
6. Whisper of the Heart
- Director: Yoshifumi Kondō
- Writer: Aoi Hiiragi
- Cast: Yoshifumi Kondō, Issei Takahashi
- IMDb Ratings: 7.9
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
An aspiring writer named Shizuku meets a young man named Seiji who desires to become a master luthier. The two develop a romantic relationship while pursuing their separate objectives concurrently. But as her friendship with Seiji develops, Shizuku gets more and more eager to accomplish her aim.
Finally, she makes up her mind to carve out a place for herself among the principal characters, inspired by the Baron and guided by the whispering of her heart. There are some tender moments in this depressing anime. It is one of the best sad anime movies on Netflix.
5. Flavors of Youth
- Director- Haoling Li, Yoshitaka Takeuchi, Xiaoxing Yi
- Writer-
- Cast- George Ackles, Taito Ban
- IMDb Rating- 6.6
- Rotten Tomatoes–
The anime movie “Flavors of Youth” is broken up into three distinct chapters. Each chapter’s narrative unfolds in a brand-new city as it examines life’s everyday pleasures through classic stories of love and sensuous memories.
This anthology incorporates a number of aspects of Chinese culture with powerful images that will mostly appeal to Chinese viewers. Despite this, everybody around the globe can relate to its ideas about the fleeting essence of existence.
Flavors of Youth is the ideal sad anime movie to watch if you don’t feel like committing to something long but still want to go on a nostalgic journey.
4. The Wind Rises
- Director- Hayao Miyazaki
- Writer- Hayao Miyazaki
- Cast- Hideaki Anno, Hidetoshi Nishijima
- IMDb Rating- 7.7
- Rotten Tomatoes– 79
This one is another Studio Ghibli film that holds a special place in our hearts. Although the film may not have a depressing beginning, it has a tragic conclusion.
Here, we see Jirou’s life, a young man who has always dreamed of flying. But because of his weak vision, he chooses to study as an aeronautical engineer. We follow his path as he moves on to create the notorious Mitsubishi A6M0 aircraft. Watch this Ghibli movie and be ready to get on an emotional rollercoaster ride.
3. Your Lie in April
- Director- Kyōhei Ishiguro
- Writer- Takao Yoshioka
- Cast- Natsuki Hanae, Risa Taneda
- IMDb Rating- NA
- Rotten Tomatoes– NA
“Your Lie in April,” a romantic drama adapted from the manga series of the same name by Naoshi Arakawa, is a tale of hardship and self-discovery.
Even seasoned artists appreciate the extraordinary pianist Kousei Arima for his talent. However, the young boy tries to deal with the terrible reality of his mother’s sudden death, and as a result of the stress, he cannot hear the sound of his piano for the ensuing years.
Arima’s life is spiraling out of control when he meets a young lady, Kaori Miyazono, a stunning violinist who encourages him to pick up the piano once more and competes with him. Arima’s experience aids in his recovery from despair, but Kaori is concealing a harsh reality that can send him back over the edge.
You must watch this great movie to find out how the story revolves.
2. A Silent Voice
- Director: Naoko Yamada
- Writer: Naoko Yamada
- Cast: Saori Hayami, Miyu Irino
- IMDb Ratings: 8.1
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
The protagonist of the anime movie “A Silent Voice,” created by Kyoto Animation Studio, is a dissatisfied adolescent named Shouya Ishida.
He and many of his classmates brutally abuse Shouko Nishimiya, a new deaf girl and a transfer student, just to pass the time. Because when the school administration learns of this later, only he is held accountable for everything that was done to her.
He is soon shunned by the entire school, spending the remainder of middle and high school alone. Finally, he decides to meet Shouko again and repair any harm he may have caused after realizing his errors a long time later.
What comes next is a heartwarming tale about a little boy who attempts to atone for his previous regrets. In addition to a wonderful, touching plot, “A Silent Voice” also features some gorgeous graphics and musical scores.
Your heart will ache multiple times due to the important and troubling topics it covers. In the end, it can even cause you to reflect on your interactions with previous and present acquaintances in this sad anime movie.
1. Your Name
- Director: Makoto Shinkai
- Writer: Clark Cheng
- Cast: Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Ryô Narita
- IMDb Ratings: 8.4
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: -%
One of the most well-known anime films ever is called Your Name. Fans adore it for its stirring narrative and stunning images. The story’s subjects are two people who reside in quite different locations and exchange souls.
While Taki is a city kid who leads a hectic life, Mitsuha aspires to live in a city. Then, one day, Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body and finds that things are no longer as they used to be. They must now collaborate to find a solution. This, along with having an emotional storyline, also has fantasy elements. It is one of the best sad anime romance movies on Netflix.
