10 Anime with Sad Endings that Drain Tears due to Unrequited Love Stories

BLUE BOX (2024): Taiki falls in love with Chinatsu, a senior on the basketball team who lives with him under one roof. However, his best friend Hina secretly harbors feelings for him. As Taiki's love is reciprocated by Chinatsu, Hina chooses to smile through the pain and let go. This story highlights the bitterness of unrequited love.

GIVEN (2019): Mafuyu is still mourning the death of his lover until he meets Ritsuka, a guitarist who teaches him the meaning of life and love again. Music becomes both an escape and a healing for his soul. As he sings a song for his deceased lover, the audience's tears are unstoppable.

RIDE YOUR WAVE (2019): Hinako, a cheerful seaside girl, falls in love with Minato, a brave firefighter. Tragedy strikes when Minato dies in a sea accident. Though heartbroken, Hinako continues to feel his presence through reflections on the water's surface. Their love remains alive in memories, even after the last wave has passed.

TOKYO RAVENS (2013): Harutora and Natsume are bound by family fate in a world full of magic. When the truth about Natsume is revealed, Harutora must choose between love or sacrifice. He is willing to sacrifice himself to protect her, leaving their love in silence. Their love is eternal, but they can never be together.

MONTHLY GIRLS' NOZAKI-KUN (2014): Chiyo Sakura falls in love with Nozaki, her classmate who turns out to be a famous manga artist. When she confesses her love, Nozaki misunderstands and makes her his assistant. Chiyo remains loyal by his side without hope for reciprocation. This story shows that true love doesn't always need a happy ending.

VIOLET EVERGARDEN (2018): Violet, an emotionless former soldier, now works writing letters for others to understand the meaning of love. In her journey, she helps many people express their final feelings. However, her deepest wound lies within herself, the loss of Major Gilbert who taught her how to love.

NAGI-ASU: A LULL IN THE SEA (2013): A group of teenagers from the sea and land struggles to maintain their love amidst the conflict between two nations. One character must sleep for a long time at the bottom of the sea, while the other grows up unable to forget the past. Their love is separated by time and fate.

SCUM'S WISH (2017): Hanabi and Mugi pretend to be a couple to cover up their unrequited love. However, the lie turns into a confusing emotional relationship. They eventually part ways, realizing that love born from loneliness cannot last. The scars left behind become part of their maturation.

ORANGE (2016): Naho Takamiya receives a letter from her future self asking her to save Kakeru from death. She and her friends work hard to change the bleak future. Despite their efforts, fate still demands sacrifice. This story emphasizes that guilt can become a lifelong wound.

GOLDEN TIME (2013): Banri Tada loses his memory due to an accident and starts a new life at university. He falls in love with Kouko Kaga, a cheerful girl who struggles to understand his mysterious side. However, as Banri's old memories return, the new memories he created with Kouko slowly fade away. Come on, read articles about other Japanese anime recommendations at Kapanlagi.com. If not now, when, KapanLagi?