Anime can evoke emotions, often taking audiences on a roller coaster of feelings. Among these, some moments stand out for their capacity to touch upon the deepest wells of sorrow. These instances are defined by the tragic loss of a beloved character, unfulfilled love, painful sacrifices, or the raw depiction of life’s harsh realities.
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Whether it’s Portgas D. Ace’s sacrificial death inOne Pieceor the haunting survival story of Seita and Setsuko in Grave of the Fireflies, these moments resonate deeply, encapsulating the tragic beauty of the stories told. Here’s a look at ten of the saddest moments in anime.
10Jiraiya’s Death
Jiraiya, Naruto’s beloved mentor fromNaruto: Shippudenis killed by Pain. Jiraiya ventures into the enemy village, Hidden Rain, alone to investigate a dangerous threat, where he faces Pain. Despite his formidable prowess as a ninja, Jiraiya is overwhelmed by Pain’s power.
His death is not in vain, as he manages to send a coded message to the Hidden Leaf village about Pain’s secret. The loss profoundly affects Naruto, fueling his resolve to become stronger and live up to Jiraiya’s faith in him, making it a sad anime moment.
9Menma’s Goodbye
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day ends with a highly emotional scene where the spirit of Meiko Menma Honma finally departs from the world. Menma’s childhood friends, now strained and grown apart, gather to fulfill her final wish, which she can’t remember.
The group finally realizes that Menma’s unfulfilled wish was to reunite them. As they understand this, Menma becomes visible to them, allowing for a final farewell. This emotional scene is filled with tears and heartfelt goodbyes, leaving her friends and viewers heartbroken.
8Yuzuru’s Death
In Angel Beats!, Yuzuru Otonashi’s death in the real world is revealed gradually and profoundly moving. As a medical student, he died in a train accident while helping and comforting other trapped passengers, hoping to keep them alive until help arrived.
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His memories of this event were initially lost, but as they returned, so did the realization of his unfulfilled dreams to save lives as a doctor. His death was silent as he passed away alone in the dark tunnel, succumbing to his injuries. This sad moment shocked viewers and fans.
7Nina’s Transformation
In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, a truly sad moment occurs when Shou Tucker, a State Alchemist, uses his daughter Nina and their dog Alexander for a horrific experiment. Tucker, previously known for creating a speaking chimera, is under pressure to repeat his success.
He transmutes Nina and Alexander into a single creature, a chimera capable of speech. The chimera, heartbreakingly, recognizes Edward and Alphonse Elric, calling Edward big brother. The brothers are left horrified, realizing the monster before them was once the innocent little girl they befriended.
6Spike Spiegel’s Final Moments
Spike Spiegel’s final moments inCowboy Bebopis a highly emotional climax. After a fierce battle against his old rival, Vicious, Spike emerges victorious but mortally wounded. He descends the staircase of the Syndicate’s headquarters, collapsing in the main hall.
As the surviving members look on, he raises his hand, forms a gun shape with his fingers, and utters Bang, his trademark word, before falling to the floor, presumably dead. This sad moment made viewers wonder about Spike’s future, marking the end of a beloved character.
5Eren Yeager’s Mother’s Death
Attack on Titanstarts with a harrowing scene when Eren Yeager witnesses the death of his mother, Carla Yeager, during the invasion of thepowerful Titans. Carla ends up trapped under the rubble of their house. As Eren and his adoptive sister, Mikasa, try futilely to free her, Hannes, a member of the Garrison, comes to their rescue.
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However, seeing the Titan approaching, Hannes saves the children instead. Eren and Mikasa are forced to watch in horror as the Titan devours their mother. This sad moment traumatizes Eren, setting the course for the entire series.
4Portgas D. Ace’s Sudden Death
During the Marineford War in One Piece, Portgas D. Ace’s death is an extremely sad anime moment. To protect his younger brother, Monkey D. Luffy, Ace sacrifices himself by intercepting a deadly blow from Admiral Akainu.
Ace’s death is sudden and brutal, leaving Luffy and the audience in shock. His final words expressing his gratitude for the love and companionship leave a profound impact on the series. The loss of Ace is deeply felt by the characters and the fans alike, making it an unforgettable scene.
3Grave of the Fireflies Ending
Grave of the Fireflies byStudio Ghibliportrays the tragic story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, struggling to survive in Japan during World War II. Their journey culminates in one of the saddest moments in anime history: Setsuko’s death from malnutrition, followed by Seita’s demise from despair and starvation.
The heartbreaking depiction of Setsuko’s weakened state, her hallucinations, and Seita’s desperate yet futile attempts to save her make it an extremely distressing scene. After Setsuko’s cremation, Seita carries her ashes in a candy tin, symbolizing the loss of innocence and the harsh realities of war.
2Violet Evergarden Episode 10
In Violet Evergarden, episode 10, Violet is hired by a terminally ill mother, Anne, to write letters for her young daughter. Violet writes as Anne dictates for seven days. Unbeknownst to the young daughter, these letters are meant to be delivered on her birthday after Anne’s death.
The scene where Anne hugs her daughter, knowing she won’t be there to see her grow up, is very emotional. The episode concludes years later, with the daughter tearfully reading one of her mother’s letters, making it an incredibly sad moment.
1Your Lie in April Ending
Your Lie in April concludes with aheart-wrenching tragic scenewhen Kōsei Arima receives a farewell letter from Kaori Miyazono, a violinist he was inspired by and had feelings for. Kaori dies from a terminal illness after a risky surgery, a fact she hid from Kōsei to spare him pain.
In her letter, she confesses her love for him and thanks him for helping her fulfill her dream of playing violin with him. The combined impact of her confession, their unfulfilled romance, and her gratitude make this an emotional and sad moment.
