10 Most Heartbreaking Anime Series If Your Emotional Battery Needs Recharge

In moments of sadness, it's natural to want to watch anime that matches the melancholic mood. Each series on our list touches on a variety of topics that will make you think about the many aspects of life.

Before you watch, grab as many tissues as you can.

1. Death Parade, 2015

After death, people's souls end up in an otherworldly bar run by Decim. He is the judge who determines whether a soul goes to heaven or hell. To make the right decision, he provokes people, trying to expose the darkness in them. To do this, he starts the game and puts the lives of the dead at risk, while the players themselves do not remember that they died.

At first, the anime seems like a collection of unrelated stories, most of which are heartbreaking. But from the fifth episode on, the creators expand the lore of the world, introduce other Bartender-Judges, and gradually reveal the secret of one of the main characters – Decim's nameless assistant.

2. Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, 2009

Mirai, a schoolgirl tired of her boring life, went with her younger brother Yuki to a robot exhibition held on an artificial island. Annoyed by the crowd, she wished the world would end. Coincidentally, a massive earthquake struck Japan at that very moment, leaving people without communication.

The earthquake separated Mirai from Yuki, who was left alone in the destroyed entertainment center. Without thinking about her safety, Mirai rushed to find her brother. Luckily, a biker named Mari came to their aid and decided to do her best to get them home.

3. Orange, 2016

Schoolgirl Naho has discovered a strange letter from the future, written by her ten years later. Despite the identical handwriting, the girl is sure that she is not the author. But to her surprise, the predictions in the letter immediately begin to come true.

However, Naho still does not fully believe the mysterious letter was written by her and is in no hurry to follow its instructions. As a result of her seemingly harmless inaction, her beloved Kakeru loses a close relative. The tragedy convinces the girl of the reality of the predictions, including the imminent death of Kakeru himself.

4. Violet Evergarden, 2018

Violet Evergarden is a former child soldier. During the war, she lost both her arms and the only person who cared about her was the missing Major Gilbert.

After the war, Violet was taken under the wing of Officer Hodgins, who founded a post office dedicated to the literary expression of people’s thoughts, where Violet was placed. The employees of the company colorfully describe the feelings of their illiterate customers and compose declarations of love for them.

Violet perfectly expresses the feelings of the clients. At the same time, she hopes to one day understand the meaning of the words of Major Gilbert, who confessed his love to her before he disappeared.

5. Your Lie in April, 2014-2018

Kosei became famous for his brilliant piano playing. But behind the boy's talent was the cruel mother, who beat him for the slightest mistakes. After her death, Kosei suffered a nervous breakdown and literally stopped hearing the music he played.

One day he met the violinist Kaori, who convinced Kosei to play with her at an upcoming music competition. But even though Kosei agrees, he still can't hear the music. This does not frighten Kaori much – the girl is confident that she can bring the boy back to the world of music.

6. March Comes in Like a Lion, 2016-2018

After his parents died, Rei was taken in by Masachika, a friend of his late father's. The man introduced Rei to the game of shogi (similar to chess). Over time, Masachika's own children became jealous of their father's adopted son. After completely shutting himself off, Rei devoted himself to shogi and became a professional player.

Rei moves out of his foster home, earning money by winning shogi matches. One day, the adults decide to get him drunk, and Rei finds himself drunk and abandoned.

He is picked up by a girl, Akari, who recently lost her only parent and now has to take care of her younger sisters. The family quickly warms to Rei, and gradually the lonely guy begins to get closer to the girls, filling the void inside of him.

7. Ranking of Kings, 2021-2022

Bojji is the first-born son of the mighty giant king Bosse, who founded the kingdom and gave it his name. But contrary to expectations, the giant's heir was born small, even by human standards, and deaf.

After the king's death the prince's stepmother staged a palace coup. Against her husband's wishes, she places Bojji's younger brother, her own son Daida, on the throne. Bojji leaves the castle, hoping to grow stronger and regain his rightful throne. But Daida orders his subjects to get rid of the older brother once and for all.

8. To Your Eternity, 2021-…

The mysterious Beholder sent an immortal magical being to Earth, which at first looked like a white ball, but soon became human. Around this time, six-year-old March was chosen as a sacrifice to the bear god. But the girl refused to accept her fate and ran away from the village. She was saved from the pursuit by the immortal creature, whom the girl named Fushi.

At the beginning, Fushi cannot even speak. As the story progresses, he meets sympathetic people like March, and each of his companions has a strong influence on him, teaching him speech and human emotions. If Fushi himself is immortal, then his companions die as often as the characters in Game of Thrones.

9. Bokurano, 2007

During the summer vacation, 15 students climbed deep into the cave, where they met the programmer Kokopelli. He introduced himself as the developer of a mecha-game in which a robot fights alien invaders. Kokopelli invited the teens to be the first players in his incredible project, and they agreed.

Soon, two huge and very real robots appeared in the sea. The first boy managed to repel the alien attack, but then fell dead into the water. It turns out that the robot uses the life force of the pilots as fuel.

10. Vinland Saga, 2019-2023

The anime is about Scandinavians who go on raids and dream of Valhalla. The father of the main character, Thors, was a great warrior, but one day he got tired of fighting and fled to Iceland, where he built a peaceful settlement.

15 years have passed since the escape, but the former allies still remember the betrayal. One of the warriors lures Thors into a trap and he must sacrifice himself for his son, who has vowed to avenge his father.

The first season captivated viewers with its historical setting, brutal Viking battles and charismatic characters who go through heartbreaking events. In the second season, the anime continues to examine the value of life in the eyes of warlike people and puts the Vikings through heavy drama.