Anime is often seen as a time consuming hobby with many popular series spanning multiple seasons and years. Fans naturally become attached to anime and its characters and remember them long after they're gone. Anime movies are much shorter in comparison, lasting only an hour or two. Yet they have the same effect. Even in much shorter stories, they still tell emotionally powerful stories about memorable characters combined with top-notch production.
When talking about anime movies, Ghibli is the obvious first answer that comes to most people's mind. For almost 40 years, Studio Ghibli has produced some of the most famous films, such as Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle and Princess Mononoke. But in those 40 years, various other studios have also given us films that are just as good, if not better, than some of Ghibli's films.
Cry along with the saddest anime movies of all time
These are some of the saddest anime movies that are heartbreaking to watch.
5 centimeters per second
Shortly after their first meeting, Takaki and Akari bond over their love of books. Always spending time together led to the assumption that they would continue to do so forever. But fate had other plans. They broke up when Akari had to move to another city. They broke up without a proper goodbye, but reconnected through letters. After almost a year, they finally decided to meet again.
On a snowy day, Takaki traveled for hours to meet Akari. His crying heart, endlessly delayed by the bad weather, could do nothing but wait and hope that Akari would return home safely. Unsure if Akari was still there, he continued on his way to his destination.
5 Centimeters Per Second is a collection of three stories from different stages of Takaki's life. It is a realistic but painful story of love, distance and separation. The film relies heavily on setting the atmosphere and tells its story through letters. It is one of Makoto Shinkai's earliest works and is often praised for its immersiveness.
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
As Makoto soon reached the end of her school life, she was faced with the crushing decision of deciding her future. She delayed this horrible fate and continued to spend time with her friends. Her clumsy and sluggish life came to an abrupt halt when she discovered she could jump through time.
Hoping that the present would continue forever, she used her powers to avoid the future. But she soon discovered that even her insignificant decisions had consequences. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time tells the story of coming of age through a silly, carefree and cheerful main character. It is a reminder of the transience of time and the inevitable tomorrow.
Cosmic Princess Kaguya
A modern retelling of an ancient Japanese folktale, Cosmic Princess Kaguya is a visually brilliant, musical and emotional film. Iroha, who moves between school, work and hobbies, lives a normal life. But one day a baby appears out of nowhere on the way home. Unable to ignore this child, she begins to care for him. In just a few days, this infant, now named Kaguya, will grow into a teenager. Together they enter a virtual world where Kaguya decides to embark on an impossible task.
Cosmic Princess Kaguya is a Netflix original that came out earlier this year. Thanks to the charming duo, the audience fell in love with it. It starts comically but develops into an emotionally deeper story. The reinvented vocaloids, well-choreographed action and transition between the real world and the virtual world make it a unique and unforgettable work.
Summer Wars
Similar to Cosmic Princess Kaguya, Summer Wars merges the real and virtual worlds. Kenji is only good at math and has no plans for the upcoming summer break. As the holidays begin, he finds himself accompanying his senior, Natsuki, whom he also secretly likes. Everything seemed peaceful and happy until Kenji accidentally activated a deadly virus. Now that the whole world is in danger, everyone is working together to stop this digital menace.
Summer Wars is a heart-warming sci-fi adventure that sets itself apart by emphasizing the importance of family. The plot itself is fairly straightforward. A world where the Internet has significantly affected daily life is suddenly in crisis due to a virus. Kenji is initially found guilty, but when he proves himself, he is accepted by everyone and he finally understands what it means to be in a family. Even the characters are not exceptional, but their existence as a whole points to various ties and connections in the family. It is an emotional story that shows the ups and downs of a family.
Look back
Fujino's drawings in the school magazine brought her praise and admiration. Believing that she barely tried, she had an arrogant belief that her drawings were the best. But when compared to Kyoumoto's drawing, hers became mediocre. Shaken by the experience, Fujino began to draw seriously. Eventually the two met and Fujino realized that they might not be so different after all. This recognition started a collaboration that eventually grew into a friendship.
Look Back is a short story about two young girls who share a similar passion for drawing. But despite this similarity, they have characteristics that set them apart. The film shows the effort and hard work that goes into art. It soon develops into an emotional narrative that explores themes of self-exploration, parallel paths, and regret. The film is considered a creator: Fujimoto Tatsuki interprets his own artistic journey.
Weathering with you
Tokyo's fast-paced life has slowed down due to the incessant rain. A young refugee, Hodaka, who works part-time in an editorial studio, searches for clues to the mysterious sunshine girl. He meets Hina, a cheerful girl who helps him. He soon discovers that it is the sun. Together, they start accepting jobs to clear the sky and help people escape the endless rain. But they will soon be overtaken by the consequences of interference with nature.
Weathering With You probably has some of the best animation we've seen to date. Everything from simple raindrops to the sight of Tokyo flooding looks great. The film combines supernatural elements and charming characters to tell a story of youth and the importance of choices.
I want to eat your pancreas
The main character is always buried in books and is cut off from society and has no friends. But that changes when he accidentally reads his classmate's personal diary. Now aware of Sakura's illness and her impending death, he is constantly asked to associate with her. Initially hesitant and worried, he begins to enjoy his time with Sakura. With each passing day, they grow closer and walk together towards the inevitable end.
I Want To Eat Your Pancreas, despite the tragic setting, gives a beautiful and positive message. Sakura's bright personality allows the protagonist to open up and see the world around him differently. It is a story of love, acceptance and change while discovering the true meaning of life. It is both heartbreaking and happy and leaves strong emotions in its viewers.
Wolf children
Young university student Hana falls in love with a mysterious man who turns out to be a werewolf. Accepting him as he is, they soon turn into a family of four. However, Hana's husband dies tragically. Left with two wolf children, unable to raise them in secret, she decides to move to the countryside. In a new place, surrounded by new people, she begins the difficult journey of a single mother.
Wolf Children is a beautiful story about motherhood and growing up. Along with supernatural elements, it is a realistic portrayal of the struggles of motherhood. It also explores themes of self-discovery and acceptance through Yuki and Ame. It emphasizes the importance of community, which is demonstrated by the ever-growing relationships that Hana has been able to create in the countryside.
Your name
Dissatisfied with her current life in the countryside, Mitsuha wishes she was born a handsome Tokyo boy in her next life. When he next wakes up, he mysteriously switches bodies with a boy from Tokyo named Taki. This begins an unusual bond where the two share their lives and experiences with each other. But when the phenomenon suddenly stops, Taki sets out on a journey to find Mitsuha. A shocking truth awaits him that defies space and time.
Your Name is widely considered to be the favorite anime film of many fans. Like Makoto Shinkai's other films, it is a visual masterpiece. In a supernatural setting, it explores the themes of love, separation and constant longing for someone. It is poetic and leaves the audience with a satisfying but ambiguous ending.
A quiet voice
With his will to live waning, Ishida is haunted by the evil deeds of his past. Hoping to right his wrongs, he seeks out Nishimiya, a deaf girl he bullied in the past. Despite changing his ways, his past gives him the assumption that he is despised and hated by everyone. Having shut himself up for so long, he no longer has friends. But things finally start to change when she meets Nishimiya and also makes a new friend at school.
A Quiet Voice is an emotionally driven story about bullying. It shows the cruelty and ruthlessness that someone with a disability can face. But the film also shows change. It positively shows that with reflection and awareness, mistakes can follow efforts in the right direction. With a large cast of characters, it portrays themes of empathy and forgiveness.
Arrange the covers in the correct Japanese release order.
Start
Arrange the covers in the correct Japanese release order.
Easy (5) Medium (7) Hard (10)
