10 best sad romance anime that will make you cry

Sad romance anime has the extraordinary ability to make viewers emotionally invested in fictional relationships and characters. When such love stories take tragic turns, the ensuing grief and catharsis can profoundly move audiences.

This list features sad romance anime series and films that set up idyllic bonds and relationships – first establishing affectionate connections between sympathetic characters and then mercilessly introducing loss, discord, or death.

Ready your box of tissues before watching these beautifully animated yet tragic tales of romance. Here are the 10 best sad romance anime that will make you cry rivers with their poignant stories exploring the ephemeral nature of life, love, and human connection.

10 tearjerking sad romance anime that will leave you in tears

1. Your Lie in April

Your Lie in April (Image via A-1 Pictures)

This sad romance anime follows Kousei Arima, a former child prodigy pianist unable to play after his mother's death. After two years of living a colorless life of isolation, he meets the vivacious violinist Kaori Miyazono. Kaori encourages Kousei to confront his fears and return to playing music.

Inspired by her free spirit, Kousei soon shakes off his depression. While Kaori pretends to show interest in their friend Watari, she and Kousei develop a deep emotional connection through their music.

But this seeming comeback story takes a tragic turn when Kaori's illness begins worsening, gradually stripping away the vibrant life she had brought into Kousei's dull existence.

2. Clannad: After Story

Clannad: After Story (Image via Kyoto Animation)

A direct sequel to Clannad, After Story continues Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa's romantic relationship into adulthood. The high school sweethearts marry and prepare to start a family together.

However, After Story soon takes a tragic turn when Nagisa dies shortly after giving birth to their daughter Ushio. Tomoya sinks into depression but eventually bonds with Ushio to gain closure. Their time together is heartbreakingly short as Ushio soon falls ill herself.

Making viewers emotionally invested and then mercilessly ripping happiness away, Clannad: After Story earns its place among the saddest romance anime.

3. Angel Beats!

Angel Beats! has all the ingredients for an emotional rollercoaster – life after death, lost memories, unfulfilled dreams, and bittersweet romance. It follows a group of teenagers stuck in limbo trying to make peace with their traumatic pasts.

Their leader, Yuri, plans to wage war against Tenshi, who they believe prevents anyone from moving on. But Otonashi discovers Tenshi isn't their enemy at all, helping others understand her true nature while guiding everyone toward finding their peace.

Angel Beats! uses flashbacks to reveal the main characters' unhappy lives and untimely deaths. By emphasizing unfulfilled wishes, it delivers many tearjerker moments leading to its emotional finale. This heartwarming yet tragic series is a prime example of sad romance anime.

4. Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day

Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day (Image via A-1 Pictures)

Anohana explores loss, coping mechanisms, and mending broken relationships. Years after childhood friend Menma drowns, teenager Jinta isolates himself from society while seeing her ghost.

His estranged friends reunite when Menma's spirit asks them to help grant her wish so she can move on. This bittersweet reunion follows complex feelings of grief, guilt, and resentment over Menma's death.

Long-hidden emotions bubble forth as the group reflects on treasured memories with Menma and confronts their mental turmoil. Viewers will need a box of tissues handy for Anohana's sentimental story and tear-jerking conclusion, another shining example of sad romance anime.

5. Violet Evergarden

Violet Evergarden (Image via Kyoto Animation)

The visually stunning Violet Evergarden follows an emotionally numb child soldier's journey toward understanding emotions after a war that robbed her of the only family she had. Violet learns the meaning of love and loss after becoming an Auto Memory Doll, ghostwriting heartfelt letters for others.

Through writing clients' intimate thoughts and emotions, she confronts her grief, guilt, and regrets. Several episodes feature clients grieving the loss of loved ones during the war, emphasizing feelings of longing through poignant letters.

Violet Evergarden is a beautifully crafted sad romance anime that leaves an indelible mark.

6. 5 Centimeters Per Second

5 Centimeters Per Second (Image via CoMix Wave Films)

The bittersweet romance in 5 Centimeters Per Second crosses years, distance, and communication issues. It follows two friends, Takaki and Akari, who promise to stay connected despite separating after elementary school.

They exchange letters at first but slowly grow apart as the distance divides them. After years without contact, Takaki reflects on his lingering emotions and regrets. In a fleeting moment at a railway crossing, they pass each other without speaking, symbolizing how time and distance have irrevocably separated them.

Highlighting how growing up often drifts people apart, 5 Centimeters Per Second is a sentimental journey, ideal for fans of sad romance anime.

7. A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice (Image via Kyoto Animation)

Bullying and its deep emotional consequences take center stage in A Silent Voice. It follows Shoya Ishida, tormented by guilt for severely bullying deaf classmate Shoko Nishimiya, contributing to her transferring schools.

As an outcast himself years later, Shoya tries to redeem himself by reconnecting with Shoko. He struggles to face the damage his past actions caused Shoko while wrestling with self-loathing and suicidal thoughts.

This redemption story underscores many sensitive issues like bullying, isolation, depression, and suicide. A Silent Voice is a deeply moving and poignant sad romance anime.

8. Plastic Memories

Part sci-fi and part romance, Plastic Memories tugs at heartstrings with its exploration of love and loss. Its emotional weight comes from Giftia androids – convincingly human-like robots programmed to live only nine years due to technological limitations.

New Giftia retrieval agent Tsukasa Mizugaki forms an unlikely bond with clumsy Giftia Isla, assigned as his partner despite nearing her expiration date. As her memories and functions deteriorate, their relationship confronts mortality and letting go of loved ones.

Make sure you have tissues handy for Plastic Memories – a perfect pick for anyone looking for a tragic sad romance anime.

9. The Garden of Words

The Garden of Words (Image via CoMix Wave Films)

This visually stunning, poetic film follows Takao Akizuki, an aspiring shoemaker skipping school when it rains. On one such morning, he meets the mysterious Yukari Yukino in a beautiful garden, beginning a series of rainy day meetings.

Gradually, they open up about their loneliness and feeling out of sync with society. Their connection grows complicated when Yukari is revealed to be a teacher at Takao's school, currently on leave due to personal struggles. Their story culminates in bittersweet life lessons about fleeting connections.

Masterful animation depicting rain, gardens, and emotion makes The Garden of Words a cathartic experience and a moving sad romance anime.

10. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (Image via Studio VOLN)

Despite the strange title, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a poignant, nostalgic coming-of-age story exploring life, death, and cherishing relationships.

It follows an antisocial bookworm befriending Sakura, an extroverted, terminally ill classmate pretending to be healthy. As her condition worsens, he stays loyally by her side, making precious memories until her unexpected tragic end.

Peppered with literary and film references alongside striking visuals, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas is a heart-wrenching and unforgettable sad romance anime.

Conclusion

The 10 sad romance anime discussed prove that emotionally-driven stories incorporating romance and tragedy can profoundly move viewers. Through depicting disease, death, lost connections, and unfulfilled relationships, they emphasize treasuring each moment with loved ones.

So whether you want cathartic tears or prefer lighter-hearted stories, hopefully these recommendations for the best sad romance anime deliver the right feels. Just make sure to have enough tissues before starting any series or film on the list!