Kapanlagi.com - Have you ever felt your heart shatter into pieces after watching an anime? Stories that initially captivate with charming characters and stunning plots suddenly turn into emotional nightmares that drain tears and leave deep wounds in the heart. Thus, they become anime that are worth watching once.
Like some lists of legendary anime that you might only be able to watch once in a lifetime. Not because of poor quality, but rather the opposite; the stories are too beautiful, too painful, and too memorable that you need years to heal from the trauma they leave behind.
So, what are the sad ending anime? Here is a list of anime that are worth watching once because of their sad endings, according to Kapanlagi. Let’s check it out, KLovers!
1. ANOHANA: THE FLOWER WE SAW THAT DAY (2011)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 8.9 Myanimelist |
Episode | 11 episodes |
Duration | 23 minutes |
Streaming | Crunchyroll, Netflix |
A teenager named Jinta Yadomi is surprised by the appearance of his childhood friend, Meiko "Menma" Honma, who has already passed away. Menma asks Jinta and their friends to grant her last wish so she can go peacefully.
This anime, which is quite watchable, tells the emotional journey of a group of friends who are separated by death, then reunited by memories and regrets. Friendship, forgiveness, and parting become the central themes that will leave a mark on the viewers' hearts.
2. YOUR LIE IN APRIL (2014)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 8.6 Myanimelist |
Episode | 22 episodes |
Duration | 22 minutes |
Streaming | Crunchyroll, Netflix, iQIYI |
Kousei Arima, a talented pianist who lost the ability to hear musical notes after his mother's death, meets Kaori Miyazono, a free-spirited violinist who changes his life. Their encounter brings new colors to Kousei's monochrome world.
This anime, quite worth watching, depicts the relationship between music and emotions, and how love can give the courage to face the past. Kousei and Kaori's journey is filled with beautiful and painful moments that will touch the audience's soul.
3. PLASTIC MEMORIES (2015)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 7.9 Myanimelist |
Episode | 13 episodes |
Duration | 23 minutes |
Streaming | Crunchyroll |
Tsukasa Mizugaki works at SAI Corporation, which handles high-tech androids called Giftia. He is paired with Isla, a Giftia that only has 81 days left to live, to retrieve other Giftia that have reached their time limit.
This anime, quite worth watching, explores themes of time and memories, and how we cherish the moments we spend with our loved ones. Tsukasa and Isla's journey serves as a beautiful reminder of the courage to love even when time is so limited.
4. CODE GEASS (2006-2008)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 8.7 Myanimelist |
Episode | 25 episodes |
Duration | 24 minutes |
Streaming | Crunchyroll, Netflix |
Lelouch vi Britannia, an exiled prince, gains the Geass power to control others. He uses this power to overthrow the oppressive Britannia Empire in a strategic game that changes the world.
This widely-watched anime explores themes of sacrifice, power, and moral questions about "whether the ends justify the means". Lelouch's journey, filled with political intrigue and personal conflict, culminates in one of the most memorable endings in anime history.
5. DEVILMAN CRYBABY (2018)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 7.7 Myanimelist |
Episode | 10 episodes |
Duration | 24 minutes |
Streaming | Netflix |
Akira Fudo, a gentle-hearted teenager, becomes the demon host Amon after his friend Ryo Asuka invites him to a Sabbath party. With his new power as a Devilman, Akira fights against other demons while trying to maintain his humanity.
This anime, which is worth watching at least once, depicts the struggle between humanity and brutality, love and hatred, in a dark and brutal story. The friendship between Akira and Ryo leads them into an apocalyptic tragedy that is shocking and hard to forget.
6. GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (1988)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 8.5 Myanimelist |
Episode | Movie |
Duration | 1 hour 28 minutes |
Streaming | Netflix |
Seita and Setsuko, two siblings who become orphans due to the American air raids in Japan during World War II. They struggle to survive amidst hunger and suffering, with hope dwindling each day.
This anime, which is worth watching at least once, presents a brutal portrait of the impact of war on innocent children. Seita and Setsuko's journey serves as a painful reminder of the humanity lost in conflict, and the sacrifices that are too great for small shoulders to bear.
7. BANANA FISH (2018)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 8.4 Myanimelist |
Episode | 24 episodes |
Duration | 23 minutes |
Streaming | Prime Video |
Ash Lynx, a young gang leader in New York, meets Eiji Okumura, a photographer from Japan. Their meeting occurs while Ash investigates the secret of the mysterious drug "Banana Fish" that is linked to his dark past.
This widely watched anime combines elements of action, mystery, and deep emotional relationships. The friendship between Ash and Eiji shines amidst a brutal world filled with violence, betrayal, and trauma, providing a beautiful nuance in a story that ends tragically.
8. AKAME GA KILL (2014)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 7.4 Myanimelist |
Episode | 24 episodes |
Duration | 23 minutes |
Broadcast | Crunchyroll, HIDIVE |
Tatsumi, a young man from a village who goes to the capital to seek his fortune, joins Night Raid, a group of assassins working to overthrow a corrupt government. Each member of Night Raid has a special weapon called Imperial Arms.
This anime, which is quite watched, does not hesitate to kill its main characters during the bloody revolution. The struggle between justice and cruelty depicts a world that is not black and white, where sacrifice becomes the price for change.
9. ANGEL BEATS! (2010)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 8.0 Myanimelist |
Episode | 13 episodes |
Duration | 26 minutes |
Broadcast | Crunchyroll |
Yuzuru Otonashi wakes up in an afterlife that resembles a school, with no memory of his past life. He meets Yuri Nakamura, who leads the Shinda Sekai Sensen (SSS), a group that rebels against a girl named Angel.
This anime, which is quite watched, tells the story of young souls struggling to find peace and accept the lives they have lived. The blend of comedy and touching drama takes the audience on a spiritual adventure that ends with a sweet yet sorrowful farewell.
10. TOKYO MAGNITUDE 8.0 (2009)

(credit: imdb.com)
Rating | 8.0 Myanimelist |
Episode | 11 episodes |
Duration | 22 minutes |
Streaming | Crunchyroll, HIDIVE |
Mirai Onozawa, a teenager who is frustrated with her life, experiences a devastating earthquake while visiting a robot exhibition with her younger brother, Yuuki. They struggle to return home with the help of Mari, a delivery courier, navigating through the ruined Tokyo.
This anime, which is quite watchable once, depicts the realism of natural disasters and the emotional journey of the victims in a stirring way. The sibling relationship between Mirai and Yuuki is the focal point of the story, teaching us about the importance of family and resilience in the face of unexpected tragedies.
That’s a list of anime that is worth watching once due to its sad ending that you might want to check out. There are still many other anime recommendations that you can discover by reading articles on kapanlagi.com. Because, if not now, when?
(kpl/dhm)
Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.