25 of the Best Tearjerker Anime Out There to Watch If You Need a Good Cry

From 'Grave of the Fireflies' to 'Your Lie in April', here are some of the saddest anime you could watch right now!

16. Puella Magi Madoka Magika (Series)

What seems to be a magical journey takes a dark turn in Puella Magi Madoka Magika. It follows middle school students Madoka and Sayaka who encounter the cat-like creature Kyubey, who promises to grant their wish in exchange for obtaining magical powers to fight off evil witches. After witnessing the death of another magical girl, Madoka would come to realize that this kind of life is filled with pain and suffering. Stream Puella Magi Madoka Magika on Netlix.

17. Stand By Me Doraemon (Film)

This CGI animated film based on the popular anime series Doraemon tells of the heartwarming friendship between the misbehaving kid Nobita and the time-traveling robot cat Doraemon. Tasked to bring happiness to Nobita’s life, Doraemon uses a series of gadgets to help the kid before he can finally go home. Stream Stand by Me Doraemon on Netflix.

18. One Week Friends (Series)

A heartwarming anime about love and friendship, One Week Friends tells the tale of Hase who wants to befriend his classmate Fujimiya, who seems to be always alone. Upon connecting with her, Fujimiya reveals to him that she suffers from an illness that wipes her memories every week. Despite this, Hase is determined to become her friend, even if it meant he had to do it over and over.

19. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood (Series)

This very popular sci-fi series is notorious for its heartbreaking moments. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood begins with the siblings Edward and Alphonse Elric, who as children tried to revive their dead mother with alchemy. Instead, it decimated Alphonse’s body and Elric’s limbs. Now operating with mechanical body parts, the siblings must search for the Philosopher’s Stone to retrieve what they lost.

20. Plastic Memories (Series)

Plastic Memories is set in a city where androids with emotions, or Giftias, walk alongside humans. It follows the young man Tsukasa who gets a job at a renowned company that produces and manages androids. Alongside a female android, Tsukasa is tasked to retrieve androids that are close to their nine-year expiration, causing memory loss, personality disintegration, and violent fits. In other words, Tsukasa becomes a reaper of sorts for these humanlike machines.

21. Nana (Series)

Nana is a story of two ladies sharing the same name whose hearts direct them towards Tokyo. One is a cheerful girl trying to find the dreamy romance she desires, and the other is a heartbroken young lady trying to become recognized for her music. In a stroke of fate, the girls find themselves living under one roof, and supporting each other’s endeavors.

22. Banana Fish (Series)

Banana Fish is a BL crime anime that also has its fair share of gut-wrenching moments. The story follows the gang leader Ash Lynx, who is trying to uncover the truth behind his older brother’s last words: “Banana Fish.” But during his investigation, his friends’ lives are endangered by the mafia godfather Dino Golzine– the same man who raised him. Stream Banana Fish on Amazon Prime Video.

23. Terror in Resonance (Series)

While a psychological thriller, Terror in Resonance also breaks hearts in its finale. This anime from the Cowboy Bebop‘s creator Shinichiro Watanabe, is about two enigmatic teenagers who are wreaking destruction across Tokyo through terrorist attacks. As the mass panic ensues, Detective Kenjirou Shibazaki finds himself desperately looking for answers to the terrorists’ identities.

24. Erased (Series)

Erased is another anime series that explores the idea of being able to change the past. It follows the aspiring manga artist and pizza delivery guy Satoru who can travel back to a few minutes earlier when someone around him is about to die. But when Satoru’s mother gets murdered, he is suddenly sent back to 20 years ago, when he was only 9 years old. This gives him another chance to save a childhood friend from being killed by a serial killer. Stream Erased on Netflix.

25. Haibane Renmei

Rakka is a Haibane, an angel-like creature who was born from a cocoon inside a walled city. Having a halo, small wings, and no memories of her past, Rakka tries to navigate her new life while following the restrictive rules for creatures like her, hoping to find her own salvation.