Kapanlagi.com - From the past to the present, anime remains one of the most popular shows with many fans. Not only children, but many adults also enjoy anime. Yes, because anime does not only tell stories about fantasy and imagination. There are also several realistic anime, even those that end tragically or have a sad ending. In fact, anime movie recommendations are quite often searched for nowadays.
Sad ending anime is not just an entertaining watch. Watching an anime movie with a sad ending can also be a way to express emotions or buried sadness. Because, when watching recommended sad ending anime movies, we can feel the sadness and cry freely. Moreover, if the sad ending anime movie has a storyline that is relevant to the viewers' lives.
Summarized from various sources, here are recommendations for anime movies with sad endings that can evoke strong emotions in the audience.
Find other interesting anime recommendations at liputan6.com.
1. GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (credit: imdb)
Many people refer to GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES as one of the saddest anime movies of all time. This anime successfully stirs the emotions of viewers in every scene, peaking at the very sad ending. The majority of people who have watched GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES admit to crying and being drained of tears. That is why this anime is included in the recommendations for anime movies with sad endings.
GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES tells the story of the struggle of two siblings named Seita and Setsuko. The two children live during World War II. They represent innocent children who know nothing but become victims of the war. Living in wartime, Seita and Setsuko care for and protect each other. As an older brother, Seita does not hesitate to risk his life for his sister.
This anime film has a rating of 8.54 on MyAnimelist.
2. YOUR LIE IN APRIL
YOUR LIE IN APRIL also has a story that is equally sad. This anime tells the story of a pianist named Kousei Arima who stops playing the piano after his mother passes away. One day, he meets Kaori Miyazono. Kaori is a violinist who has long harbored a desire to play music together with Kousei.
Both sharing a love for music, Kousei Arima and Kaori Miyazono gradually become close. Kousei begins to open his heart to Kaori. However, it turns out that Kaori has a secret that she is suffering from a serious illness. As a result, Kousei must experience the loss of someone he loves for the second time.
This anime movie has a rating of 8.64 on MyAnimelist and can be watched on Netflix or Crunchyroll.
3. I WANT TO EAT YOUR PANCREAS

I WANT TO EAT YOUR PANCREAS (credit: imdb)
I WANT TO EAT YOUR PANCREAS shouldn't be deceived by its seemingly scary title. On the contrary, I WANT TO EAT YOUR PANCREAS is one of the recommended anime movies with the saddest story. This anime revolves around a character named Haruki Shiga.
In his life, Haruki Shiga feels lonely. He feels ignored by the people around him. One day, he finds a diary belonging to a popular female student at his school. In that diary, it is written that Sakura, one of the female students at his school, is suffering from pancreatic disease. Haruki feels touched. He, who was initially indifferent, starts to pay attention to Sakura. A sincere friendship develops between them, warm and touching.
This sad ending anime movie has a rating of 8.55 on MyAnimelist. You can watch it legally on Netflix.
4. 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND
Next on the list of recommended anime movies with sad endings is 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND. This anime movie has a story that is just as touching as the three titles mentioned earlier. 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND tells the story of the friendship between Tono Takaki and Shinohara Akari. They have been friends for a long time, but as the days go by, they grow more distant after becoming adults.
Their friendship is on the brink when Akari has to move out of town with her parents. Since then, they actually continue to try to maintain their relationship by sending letters. Unfortunately, distance and busyness turn out to be obstacles for their relationship in the future.
5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND is now available on Netflix and Crunchyroll. This anime has a rating of 7.55 on MyAnimelist.
5. HOTARUBI NO MORI E

(credit: imdb)
The next recommendation for a sad ending anime movie is HOTARUBI NO MORI E. This anime has a touching and sad story about the relationship between a human and a forest spirit that cannot unite. Let alone uniting, their dimensional differences prevent them from having physical contact.
The story begins when a character named Hotaru Takegawa meets a forest spirit named Gin when she is 6 years old. At that time, Gin, who is a spirit, helps Hotaru, who is lost, to find her way out of the forest. Gin actually warns Hotaru not to return to the forest. However, Hotaru ignores that warning and continues to search for Gin.
HOTARUBI NO MORI E has a rating of 8.26 on MyAnimeList.
6. WOLF CHILDREN
For those of you looking for recommendations for a sad ending anime movie, WOLF CHILDREN could be one of the choices. This anime, known in Japanese as OOKAMI KODOMO NO AME TO YUKI, has a very sad story. WOLF CHILDREN tells the struggle of a mother raising two special children who are half-wolf.
The anime narrates the story of a woman named Hana who falls in love with a half-wolf man. From her relationship with that man, Hana has two children who have traits like their father, namely wolf ears and tails. Unfortunately, shortly after her children are born, the man who is the father of both children passes away. Since then, Hana begins her sorrowful days with her two special children.
This anime movie has a high rating of 8.56 on MyAnimeList.
7. YOUR NAME

YOUR NAME (credit: imdb)
Who doesn't know YOUR NAME? Recommendations for anime movies with a sad ending are already very popular. This anime has an interesting story about two pairs of boys and girls, Mitsuha and Taki. Mitsuha and Taki, who live in different places and times, suddenly switch bodies. Out of curiosity, they then try to find out about each other and leave messages.
It is later revealed that their body-swapping incident is actually related to a major event that will occur. After that event takes place, Mitsuha and Taki can no longer communicate with each other. Even slowly, their memories of each other also fade away. However, when they meet, Mitsuha and Taki still realize there is a bond between them.
This anime movie, also known by the title YOUR NAME, can be watched on Netflix. This anime movie also has a high rating of 8.83 on MyAnimeList.
8. A SILENT VOICE (2016)
If you are looking for recommendations for anime movies with sad endings, A SILENT VOICE could be the answer. This anime tells the story of a deaf girl named Shouko Nishimiya. She becomes a victim of bullying by Shouya Ishida. The sadness in this story is truly palpable.
Subsequently, Shouko transfers schools. After that, it is Shouya who becomes a victim of bullying. He is immediately engulfed by deep guilt towards Shouko. Only after entering high school do they meet at the same school, and Shouya tries to improve himself.
This anime movie has a rating of 8.93 on MyAnimelist and you can watch it legally on Netflix.
9. THE WIND RISES (2013)

THE WIND RISES (Credit: Myanimelist)
Speaking of anime movies with sad endings, THE WIND RISES could be the answer. Broadly speaking, this drama contains a story about sorrow that comes from various elements, including disaster, war, and romance. The focus of this film follows the journey of Jirou, a young man who wants to create airplanes.
Furthermore, Jirou successfully realizes his dream by creating the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane. His creation becomes one of the most iconic aircraft in Japanese history.
This anime movie with a sad ending has a rating of 8.11 on MyAnimelist and can be watched on Netflix.
10. THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS (2004)
Next, there is a sad ending anime movie titled THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS. This touching story depicts the division of Japan into two parts, with Hokkaido under the governance of the Union and the southern islands under the control of the United States.
Interestingly, three middle school students promise to cross the border with a plane they built themselves. The story, set in the summer of 1996, portrays the struggles of friends that can bring tears to your eyes.
THE PLACE PROMISED IN OUR EARLY DAYS has a rating of 7.44 on MyAnimelist and is available on Netflix.
11. SPIRITED AWAY (2001)

SPIRITED AWAY (Credit: Myanimelist)
The sad ending anime movie titled SPIRITED AWAY should not be forgotten. This anime tells the story of the journey and struggles of a young girl named Chihiro. Her family is trapped in a mysterious world, and Chihiro's parents have been transformed into pigs.
Not staying idle, she tries to save her parents by facing various challenges. The story, filled with suffering, will successfully evoke sympathy from the audience.
SPIRITED AWAY has a rating of 8.77 on MyAnimelist.
12. PERFECT BLUE (1998)
There is another anime movie with a sad ending titled PERFECT BLUE. This anime tells the story of Mira Kirigoe. She is part of a famous J-Pop idol group. However, she tries to start her own career as an actress.
She faces significant challenges as her acting abilities are constantly questioned, while fanatic fans continue to terrorize her. A series of Mira's career journey may touch your hearts and bring tears to your eyes by the end of the story.
This anime movie has a rating of 8.4 on MyAnimeList.
13. THE ANTHEM OF THE HEART (2015)

THE ANTHEM OF THE HEART (credit: imdb)
THE ANTHEM OF THE HEART tells the story of Jun Naruse, a talkative girl whose life is filled with fairy tales and happy endings. However, due to her innocence, she accidentally uncovers her father's affair, which leads to her parents' divorce. Since then, Jun has lived with a deep sense of guilt that manifests as a mysterious fairy who locks her voice so she cannot speak anymore.
Even though she is in high school, Jun still cannot speak without feeling pain. One day, she is selected to participate in a musical performance with three other students. Upon hearing the singing voice of Takumi Sakagami, Jun begins to believe that perhaps she can still express her feelings through song.
This film has a rating of 7.79 on MyAnimeList and is available to watch legally on Netflix.
14. IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD (2016)
IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD tells the story of Suzu Urano, a kind girl who loves to draw and often daydreams. She grows up on the outskirts of Hiroshima and helps her grandmother's seaweed business with a sense of family warmth.
As an adult, Suzu gets married and moves to a strange new environment. In the midst of the harshness of war, she struggles to survive as peaceful life is slowly replaced by brutality and loss.
This film has a rating of 8.23 on MyAnimeList and is available to watch legally on Netflix.
15. THE BOY AND THE HERON (2023)

THE BOY AND THE HERON (credit: imdb)
THE BOY AND THE HERON tells the story of Mahito Maki, who loses his mother in a tragic fire during the war. He moves to a remote village and is continuously haunted by a mysterious gray heron that seems to know his past.
When his loved ones disappear, Mahito enters another world that brings together life and death. This journey forces him to understand the meaning of loss and the significance of life.
The film has a rating of 7.60 on MyAnimeList.
16. SUZUME (2023)
SUZUME tells the story of Suzume, who accidentally opens a door that connects the human world to another world. Her actions unleash a disaster that threatens all of Japan.
Together with Souta, she embarks on a journey to close these dangerous doors. This adventure becomes an emotional tale about trauma, courage, and healing.
The film has a rating of 8.25 on MyAnimeList.
17. ALICE AND THERESE'S ILLUSORY FACTORY (2023)

ALICE AND THERESE'S ILLUSORY FACTORY (credit: imdb)
ALICE AND THERESE'S ILLUSORY FACTORY tells the story of a factory explosion that leaves the city of Mifuse trapped in a time that has stopped. The residents do not age, the outside world is cut off, and life goes on without change.
Everything begins to shift when Masamune meets a mysterious girl in the factory. This meeting triggers a significant change that threatens the illusion of tranquility in the city.
The film has a rating of 7.23 on MyAnimeList.
18. FAQ
1. What is meant by sad ending anime movies?
Sad ending anime movies are films that have emotional and touching conclusions. The themes usually revolve around loss, sacrifice, or harsh realities that can move the audience.
2. What anime movies are included in the sad ending recommendations?
Some popular titles include Grave of the Fireflies, Your Lie in April, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, 5 Centimeters Per Second, and Hotarubi no Mori e.
3. Are all sad ending anime movies available on streaming platforms?
Not all of them are available on one platform. Some titles can be watched legally on certain streaming services, while others do not yet have official information regarding their airing.
4. Why are anime with sad endings popular among viewers?
Because their stories can evoke strong emotions and provide a profound experience. Many viewers enjoy sad stories as a form of reflection or emotional release.
5. Are anime movies with sad endings suitable for all ages?
Not always. Some films tackle heavy themes such as war, trauma, or death, making them more suitable for teenagers and adult viewers.
Here are some recommendations for the best anime movies with sad endings that can bring on the tears. Happy watching!
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Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.