I have several, but if I must pick one, it’s A Place Further Than The Universe. Interestingly, it’s simultaneously the happiest, too.
It wasn’t the case at first, but when I rewatched it, I was purely, emotionally devastated.
Your lie in april
Oh mate, clannad was sad
Clannad, after story, and then your lie in april.
Clannad after story is so sad that even the stupid Twitch plays Pokémon edit of it makes me cry.
Came here to find After Story, wasn’t disappointed.
Saikano is an underrated sad anime!
Clannad After Story, Liz and the Blue Bird, Phantom: Requiem for a Phantom, Violet Evergarden, A Silent Voice.
Your Lie in April. Easiest choice I’ve ever had to make.
this one made me really sad for a long time
Me too. I was absolutely shattered for a few days, base-level sad for a few weeks, and bleak undertones for months. It was jaw droopingly beautiful as a story but fuck, ow.
Lots of good contenders in this thread. I’ll just add
Made in Abyss
for the scene where...
Nanachi tries to gather the strength to end Mitty’s suffering.
I have never cried so hard during any other piece of media, ever. My GF had to hold and comfort me because I just couldn’t stop sobbing. That scene just… struck a nerve, I guess.
I haven’t seen a TON like I assume most on this comm have, but for me Grave of the Fireflies. It was too real for an animated film. Not in the sense that kids can’t handle reality, but just in the fact that it’s NON-STOP misery for the characters. There’s literally never a high moment in the movie, just tragedy after tragedy happening to children.
And it even continues after the movie ends when you look it up. First you see that the lights on the movie poster are not fireflies but incendiary bombs and then you read further and learn that it’s based on the real-life experiences of the author and was written as an apology to his dead sister. I mean it was his pride that led to her very slow and miserable death, so I can see him having problems coming to terms with that. It’s a movie that just keeps on giving. I always say it’s the best movie I only watch once.
Without knowing it was directly a true story about specific people, I knew it was more or less the truth for loads of unfortunate souls throughout history. Agreed on never watching it again.
My kneejerk reaction to the question is “Grave of the Fireflies”.
Fun fact: originally a double feature with My Neighbor Totoro.
That sounds like a roller coaster of a ride.
Which one played first?
Apparently it was Totoro (or so I recall from a really old Usenet post). Makes you wonder about the thought process involved.
My Neighbor Totoro is really sad also (or can be).
Ditto. I like a lot of sad stuff and that is just another level.
It really is in a class all its own. I don’t think I could ever watch it again.
I haven’t been able too either, ~17 years later. I honestly feel like it gave me PTSD.
It’s been more than 25 years for me. That movie is like a punch to the gut. And I don’t even like kids.
Madoka was pretty bleak at times.
Japan Sinks 2020
Wolfs Rain
Some might disagree, but I thought “Your Name” was sad.
Controversial
Lot’s of anime are sad but most of them end on a positive or hopeful note. That’s why I consider anime that end on a bleak note to be sadder. Stuff like Grave of the Fireflies or the recent Look Back.
A silent voice
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To your eternity
I loved the first half of the first season, but I feel like it got a bit stale by the end of the first season. I haven’t watched the second.
Would absolutely recommend, though.
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