16 Romantic Anime Series That Still Make Fans Cry
Romantic anime series have a unique way of pulling at our heartstrings, often leaving us teary-eyed long after the credits roll. These stories, filled with love, loss, and self-discovery, have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Whether it’s the complexity of the characters or the deep emotional connections they form, these anime have a way of making us feel deeply. From tragic love stories to heartwarming tales of growth, each series brings something special. Fans return to these series time and time again, drawn to the powerful emotions they evoke.
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Your Lie in April
This anime explores the emotional journey of a young piano prodigy named Kousei Arima. After the death of his mother, Kousei becomes unable to hear the sound of his piano and loses his love for music. The arrival of a lively violinist, Kaori Miyazono, changes his life, drawing him back into the world of music. The themes of love, loss, and healing unfold as Kousei and Kaori develop a profound connection.
The heart-wrenching finale of Your Lie in April is what truly leaves fans in tears. Kaori’s terminal illness and the impact of her life on Kousei are portrayed in a way that resonates deeply with the audience, leaving behind lasting memories of their relationship. The music and emotional depth of this series continue to strike a chord with fans worldwide.
Clannad: After Story
Clannad: After Story is the sequel to Clannad and takes viewers on an emotional roller coaster. This anime revolves around Tomoya Okazaki and his relationship with the various people in his life, especially his love, Nagisa Furukawa. The series explores not only the sweetness of romance but the hardships that come with life and growing up.
What sets Clannad: After Story apart is its ability to balance the light-hearted moments with deeply emotional and heartbreaking scenes. The themes of family, loss, and personal growth hit hard, especially in the latter half. Fans who experience the journey of Tomoya and Nagisa are often left crying by the time the credits roll.
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
This series is about a group of childhood friends who grow apart after the tragic death of one of their own, Menma. Years later, her spirit returns, urging her friends to fulfill her final wish. Anohana dives deep into the guilt and emotional pain of growing up, grief, and the difficulty of moving forward after a loss.
The way the characters slowly reconcile with their past and each other is both heartwarming and gut-wrenching. The build-up to the climax, where Menma’s wish is finally fulfilled, leaves fans with tears streaming down their faces. The series portrays the lasting impact of lost loved ones and how love never truly fades.
Toradora!
Toradora! tells the story of Ryuuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka, two high school students with seemingly opposite personalities. The unlikely pair form an alliance to help each other with their respective crushes, but their relationship deepens over time. Though the series has moments of humor and light romance, it becomes more emotionally charged as it progresses.
The emotional weight of Toradora! builds up as both Ryuuji and Taiga face personal struggles, and their feelings for one another slowly evolve. The series’ bittersweet ending, filled with love and sacrifice, is what leaves fans teary-eyed. The character development throughout the series makes the emotional moments feel earned, creating a lasting impact.
Violet Evergarden
Set in a world recovering from a war, Violet Evergarden follows the journey of Violet, a former soldier adjusting to civilian life. She takes a job as an Auto Memory Doll, writing letters that convey the emotions of others. As she grows and learns about herself and others, she encounters stories of love, loss, and reconciliation.
The beautiful animation and heartfelt stories in Violet Evergarden evoke powerful emotions, especially when Violet interacts with people trying to express their deepest feelings. Violet’s quest for understanding love, sparked by her own experiences during the war, culminates in one of the most touching moments in anime. Fans are often left deeply moved by the series’ exploration of emotional healing.
Angel Beats!
In Angel Beats!, a group of students find themselves in the afterlife, where they must come to terms with their unresolved feelings and past regrets. The series focuses on the main character, Otonashi, and his connection with the enigmatic Angel. Throughout the series, the characters fight against their circumstances and try to find peace before they pass on.
The emotional depth of Angel Beats! is best felt in the latter half of the series when the characters’ backstories and their emotional growth are revealed. The final episodes deliver a powerful emotional punch, especially when it comes to the characters’ farewells. The combination of humor, action, and drama culminates in a heart-wrenching conclusion that leaves many fans crying.
A Silent Voice
A Silent Voice deals with heavy themes of bullying, redemption, and the impact of one’s actions on others. The story revolves around Shoya Ishida, who once bullied a deaf girl, Shoko Nishimiya, in elementary school. After years of isolation, Shoya seeks to make amends and reconnect with Shoko, leading to a powerful and emotional journey of self-reflection.
What makes A Silent Voice so emotional is its realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by those with disabilities and the consequences of bullying. The film’s raw and honest portrayal of Shoya’s journey toward redemption, paired with Shoko’s own healing process, results in a series of deeply emotional moments. Fans are often left overwhelmed by the film’s heartfelt conclusion.
Fruits Basket (2019)
Fruits Basket follows the life of Tohru Honda, a high school girl who becomes entangled with the mysterious Soma family, cursed to transform into animals of the Chinese zodiac. As Tohru becomes closer to the family members, she helps them confront their past and overcome their fears. The series is a mix of romance, humor, and deep emotional moments.
The series touches on themes of acceptance, family, and the impact of love on one’s personal growth. The emotional payoff comes in the form of characters finally confronting their demons and finding happiness. Fruits Basket consistently tugs at the heartstrings, making it a favorite among fans who are moved by its heartfelt moments.
March Comes in Like a Lion
March Comes in Like a Lion follows Rei Kiriyama, a professional Shogi player, as he struggles with loneliness, depression, and his strained relationship with his family. He finds solace in a family of three sisters who become his emotional anchors. The anime delicately explores themes of mental health, personal growth, and the healing power of love.
The series builds its emotional weight gradually, showing Rei’s growth as he learns to cope with his past and the people around him. The quiet, understated moments of connection with the sisters, especially in times of hardship, resonate deeply with viewers. Fans often find themselves moved by Rei’s journey toward emotional recovery and the love he experiences along the way.
Nagi no Asukara
Nagi no Asukara is set in a world where some humans live underwater, and it follows a group of young people as they navigate the complexities of love and friendship. The series explores the tension between the sea-dwellers and land-dwellers and the emotional challenges faced by the characters as they confront their feelings for one another.
The love triangle between Hikari, Manaka, and Tsumugu is one of the main emotional arcs, with each character struggling to express their feelings. Nagi no Asukara explores themes of sacrifice, growing up, and dealing with the painful moments that come with unrequited love. The series’ bittersweet conclusion tugs at the heartstrings, making it a memorable emotional experience.
Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend
At first glance, Saekano may seem like a typical romantic comedy, but it delves deeper into the intricacies of love, desire, and the relationships between its characters. The anime follows Tomoya Aki, a high school student who embarks on a project to create a dating sim with the help of his friends. Amid the chaotic romance and rivalry, the series explores genuine feelings and the fear of being vulnerable.
While much of the show focuses on humor and romance, the emotional depth of the characters is revealed as the story progresses. The tension between Tomoya and the various female leads, particularly his feelings for Megumi, reaches an emotional climax. The series ends on a bittersweet note that leaves fans reflecting on the complexities of love and relationships.
The Pet Girl of Sakurasou
In The Pet Girl of Sakurasou, the story revolves around a group of students at a dormitory for misfits, with a particular focus on Sorata Kanda and his complicated feelings for his roommate, Mashiro Shiina. Mashiro is a genius artist with little understanding of everyday life, and Sorata finds himself in a caretaker role while also navigating his own dreams and aspirations.
The romantic and emotional turmoil in the series comes from the characters’ growth, their personal struggles, and the realization that love is not always straightforward. The challenges Sorata faces in balancing his own goals with his feelings for Mashiro create powerful emotional moments. The ending is bittersweet, with the characters realizing the importance of pursuing their own happiness, even if it means difficult goodbyes.
ReLIFE
ReLIFE follows Arata Kaizaki, a 27-year-old man who gets a chance to relive his high school years through an experiment that makes him look younger. During this second chance at youth, Arata forms relationships and begins to confront the mistakes he made in his past. One of the most significant aspects of the series is the romantic tension between Arata and his classmate, Chizuru Hishiro.
The emotional impact of ReLIFE comes from its exploration of regret, self-forgiveness, and the growth that comes with second chances. As Arata bonds with his classmates, he faces the tough choice of whether to continue his experiment or let go of his past. The series’ finale is poignant and bittersweet, leaving viewers contemplating the choices they’ve made in their own lives.
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions
Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions is a romantic comedy about a high school boy, Yuta Togashi, who wants to leave behind his “chunibyo” phase of delusional thinking, only to find himself caught up with a girl, Rikka Takanashi, who embraces it fully. As their relationship develops, they both come to terms with their past and the challenges they face in understanding love and reality.
While much of the series is filled with humor and eccentricity, it explores deeper emotional themes of self-acceptance and facing the pain of growing up. Rikka’s struggles with her own sense of reality and her feelings for Yuta lead to several emotional moments. The final episodes, where both characters face their own fears, are particularly moving and leave a lasting impact on viewers.
Chobits
Chobits is a science fiction romance that takes place in a world where humanoid robots, known as Persocoms, are common. The series follows Hideki Motosuwa, who discovers an abandoned Persocom named Chi, only to realize that she is far more advanced than the average machine. As their relationship deepens, Hideki learns about the complexities of love, human connection, and what it means to care for someone.
The series explores themes of loneliness, self-worth, and the emotional bonds that can form between humans and machines. The heart of the story lies in the emotional journey of Hideki and Chi as they confront their feelings for one another. The conclusion, which questions the nature of love and what it means to be human, leaves fans with tears in their eyes.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You follows Sawako Kuronuma, a shy and misunderstood high school girl who is often compared to the character from The Ring due to her appearance. Despite her quiet nature, Sawako forms a close bond with the popular boy in her class, Kazehaya Shouta. As their relationship evolves, they both navigate the ups and downs of high school life and their developing feelings for each other.
The anime deals with themes of acceptance, personal growth, and the courage to express one’s feelings. Sawako’s journey from being isolated to finding love is deeply emotional, especially as she faces challenges from her classmates. The series’ gentle and heartwarming moments are complemented by the tender romance that continues to bring tears to fans.
This article originally appeared on Avocadu.