Some of the saddest anime scenes that made viewers cry weren't about the death of a character, yet these heartbreaking moments in anime still became unforgettable. Those anime lovers who don't like dark and bloody stories can still find bittersweet anime shows that'll surely tug at their heartstrings and even make them shed a tear or two.
Anime lovers can explore sweet and highly emotional slice-of-life, adventure, and even romance anime shows with tragic stories and lovable characters who had to go through some truly harrowing and painful experiences. These feel-good and inspirational shows have uniquely intense stories and are famous for making their viewers experience emotional bursts; making them laugh out loud in one moment and then ugly cry in the next.
7 Mitty's Transformation - Made in Abyss
Made in Abyss is one of the darkest anime series with plenty of tragic deaths. However, one of its saddest scenes doesn't involve death but a heartbreaking transformation. Even though Mitty was considered a survivor of the ascent from the sixth layer, many Made in Abyss fans thought that her transformation was an even worse fate than death.
Unfortunately, Mitty lost her human form and turned into a deformed creature unable to communicate, and, after all this, others continued experimenting on her. Made in Abyss' story follows the adventures of a young orphan named Riko and her robot friend as she descends into the terrifying and deadly Abyss while searching for her mom.
6 Chalkboard Scene - Komi Can't Communicate
While Komi Can't Communicate is one of the sweetest anime series with positive and motivational messages, it's also one with plenty of devastatingly sad scenes. One of its most beautifully heartbreaking moments is in the first episode when Tadano and Komi find a way to communicate with the help of the chalkboard.
At this point, viewers already know just how difficult it is for Komi to communicate and open up, but in this scene, it also becomes crystal clear just how much she wants to finally make a real friend. There are a few kind male characters in Kommi Can't Communicate but none are as considerate and caring as Tadano, who helps Komi break down her first wall. Komi Can't Communicate's story follows Komi's life as she tries to make a hundred friends with the help of Tadano.
5 Kyo's Transformation - Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is another inspiring slice-of-life anime series with mostly upbeat characters and deals with surprisingly dark themes. One of its funniest characters is Kyo, who, while always irritated, is also a kind-hearted young boy who is trying hard to become a better person and finally be accepted by his family. However, after Kyo's bracelet gets accidentally removed he transforms into his real form.
Kyo's transformation is Fruits Basket's saddest scene because fans could finally see Kyo's true form and understand what he really has to deal with. Fruits Basket's story follows Tohru's adventures after the young girl moves in with some of the members of the mysterious Sohma family.
4 Bojji's Not Chosen As King - Ranking of Kings
Even though Bojji is one of the strongest characters in Ranking of Kings he still had to face some truly heartbreaking situations. Despite being a small kid and the prince of his kingdom, Bojji was constantly bullied and ridiculed. However, the most heartbreaking scene in the anime is when he is not chosen as the next king even though that's what his father wanted.
What made things worse is that no one would tell him about this, and he was publicly humiliated. Bojji quickly got up and run away, but he was able to hold back his tears until he was out of sight. Ranking of Kings follows the story of the young prince Bojji who. despite everything. tries to become the greatest king.
3 All Might's Goodbye - My Hero Academia
All Might had to endure a lot of mental and physical pain, and he also had one of the worst injuries in My Hero Academia that eventually led to his retirement. While MHA is one of the most motivational anime shows around, it's also one with some of the most heartbreaking scenes in anime history.
One of its saddest moments comes after All Might's last fight when he uses up all his strength and transforms back into his normal Quirkless body. Seeing MHA's hero say goodbye was one of the saddest and most emotional moments for most of the anime's fans. My Hero Academia's story follows Deku's adventures after the young boy gets accepted to UA High where he trains to become a great hero.
2 Going Merry Burns Down - One Piece
Ace's sacrifice and death are still One Piece's most heartbreaking moments. However, the scene in which Going Merry burns down is certainly the anime's second-saddest. Going Marry was the Straw Hat pirate's first ship, and, over time, she even had her own voice and personality.
Unfortunately, after many victorious battles that involved not only crashes but also explosives and fire, she was eventually destroyed and became unusable. Seeing the Straw Hats say goodbye to their beloved ship was one of the anime's most surprisingly emotionally devastating moments. One Piece's story follows Luffy's adventures as the young pirate embarks on a journey to become the King of Pirates.
1 Kotaro's My Collection Exhibition - Kotaro Lives Alone
Kotaro Lives Alone has plenty of devastatingly sad scenes. However, its most heartbreaking one has to be when Kotaro welcomes his neighbors to his exhibition and shows them some of his most prized possessions.
What makes the scene truly heartbreaking is not just the fact that each of the items had a sad story but that it was also one of the very few scenes in which Kotaro was letting his guard down and behaving like a kid. Kotaro Lives Alone's story follows Kotaro's life as the little four-year-old moves into a new apartment building alone and befriends his neighbor.