Anime That Will Destroy You Emotionally

The beauty of anime is that there is one for everyone. From some of the funniest shows to anime with complex and thought-provoking topics, the medium has managed to create incredible stories in various ways. Of course, this means anime also has its fair share of soul-destroying works.

These are shows or movies that depict great tragedies that sit with the viewers long after the viewing experience. It should be noted that when talking about these anime, stories that either rely on shock value, or have one infamous scene or scenario that is soul-destroying, will not be included, but rather stories that have a boa constrictor effect of squeezing the viewer on the inside until there is nothing left.

Windaria

The Inevitable Price Of War

Windaria is a 1986 movie that had a North American release that butchered most of the original Japanese film, including a rewritten script and a changed ending. But the original is a masterpiece and a deep tragedy. It follows the story of two Kingdoms, Itha and Paro, who are on the verge of war.

Watching how two love stories slowly descend into tragedies and the hopeful and bright disposition of the protagonists devolve into bitter struggle, greed, and disillusionment is enough to wrench the heart. By its end, there has been no resolution and only destruction remains. The lingering feeling is regret, as the viewer wonders how things could have been different.

Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms

Motherhood Hurts

Maquia is an anime that is somehow able to tell a very private tale of a mother and child relationship and a grander one about the fall of an empire. When Maquia, a young girl from a race of immortals, finds herself far away from home after an invasion of her homeland, she finds a human child and decides to raise it on her own.

Maquia must now navigate motherhood and the issues that come from her immortality. She must watch her son grow and become his own man while war and destruction loom in the background. The animation is breathtaking, and the music also really hits in the feels. The film will leave the viewer broken on the inside, but in the best way.

Kotaro Lives Alone

Kotaro’s Tragedy Is Subtle

Kotaro Lives Alone initially has the outlook of a comedy, a struggling manga author discovers he has a unique neighbor, a little boy, who also happens to live alone. As Shin gets to know Kotaro more, the two form something of a bond, which also filters through to others who live in the same apartment complex.

The tragedy of Kotaro Lives Alone is something that lurks in the shadows. It is the simple idea that stays with the viewer and refuses to let up; how did he wind up living alone in the first place? There are some hints about his situation later in the story, and while the story seems to end on a nice note, the feeling of sadness lingers.

To Your Eternity

Immortality Sucks

Fushi is an organism that can take the shape of the deceased. The story follows Fushi as it meets people and tries to understand the world around it. To Your Eternity has one of the most infamous first episodes, and what happened there was simply a taste of what was to come with the rest of the story.

Fushi’s journey around the world meant he met with some of the worst of what humanity had to offer. Whatever the case, death is an intrinsic part of this show, and because of that, it hurts to watch. Some have even claimed not to be able to binge it.

Girls’ Last Tour

The Inevitability Of The End

Chito and Yuuri are the last survivors of a civilization brought to its end by war, and they roam the desolate ruins of the world, just indulging in the simple pleasures of life. The girls are wholesome, and the story has something of an uplifting tilt to it.

However, underneath, there is a grim inevitability of the fate of the two girls. As they roam and subsist on what was left behind, reminiscing about the life that was, the viewer knows that it can only end one way. This means that for most viewers, while they will never see any shocking scenes of evil or tragedy, the show leaves behind a deep sadness that stays around for much longer.

Texhnolyze

Nihilistic Despair

Texhnolyze

Release Date

2003 – 2002

Network

Fuji TV

Directors

Nanako Shimazaki, Toshiharu Sato, Yasuhiro Matsumura

Texhnolyze is a show from the early 2000s that has a lot in common with head-scratchers like Serial Experiments Lain and Ergo Proxy; in fact, the show shares a producer with the former. Set in a bleak world where technology has advanced immensely, it follows Ichise, a young man just trying to survive.

The atmosphere of Texhnolyze is its greatest strength, and in every scene, the sense of bleakness overwhelms the watcher. There seems to be no point to anything, and it feels like the characters suffer for the sake of it. This isn’t a criticism, but rather the reason why the show is so soul-destroying. It’s a slow burn, which means it requires a lot of patience.

Bokurano

Children Suffering Is Never Not Painful, Even For Noble Causes

Bokurano involves a group of kids who find a cave and a mysterious man who asks them to play a game. They are to pilot a mech which is said to protect the world. They succeed, but the price for that victory is pretty steep.

The anime features giant robot battles, but this is not the core, as the real stars are the children who are all fleshed out pretty well. As the audience gets to know each character better, the grim fate that awaits them all weighs heavily. It is an interesting window into the existential question of humanity and what the price for saving others really is.

Grave Of The Fireflies

The Horrors Of War

Grave Of The Fireflies is a seminal work of animation that is still considered one of Studio Ghibli’s greatest movies. It tells about a pair of siblings who have their lives destroyed by war and roam the countryside trying to find some hope for an uncertain future.

What breaks the heart with this movie is that it is based on the real events of Akiyuki Nosaka, the author’s life. It depicts not so much the acts of war, but more like the consequences, many of which are soul-crushing. In one of its more infamous scenes, which involves a bombing, it stands out due to how silent the event is, with no fanfare or pomp, which just makes it all the more difficult to take.

Made In Abyss

Beauty Bearing So Much Pain

Made in Abyss

Release Date

July 7, 2017

Network

AT-X

Directors

Hitoshi Haga, Shunsuke Takarai, Satoshi Mori, Motoki Nakanishi

Made In Abyss has a deceptive art style and some emotive music that could lull one into a false sense of security. The world is large, the characters lovable, but the harsh truth of the world comes through in a very visceral way.

As young Riko and her companion, Reg, delve into the Abyss to unlock its secrets, what they meet is certainly not what they expected. The matter-of-fact way in which the characters are treated makes this a very good watch, but far from a comfortable one. Made In Abyss presents memorable characters (for better or worse), and by the end of the first season, one will be forgiven for not wanting to go any further.

Takopi’s Original Sin

The Latest Entry Into The “Anime Pain” Starter Pack

Takopi’s Original Sin

Release Date

June 28, 2025

Network

Bandai Channel, Netflix, Prime Video, Niconico, ABEMA, Hulu, Disney+, FOD, d Anime Store, Anime Houdai, U-NEXT, TELASA, DMM TV, niconico Channel, Lemino, J:COM STREAM, milplus, WOWOW On Demand, Anime Times, Rakuten TV, VIDEX

Takopi is a squid-like alien creature that has come to Earth to spread happiness. Upon meeting the dour Shizuka, Takopi is determined to bring a smile to her face. However, things are not what they seem, and after Takopi makes a naive mistake, they must now figure out a way to achieve success in making Shizuka happy.

The show takes an unflinching look at many social ills, including bullying, depression, and worse. It’s almost a blessing that it is only six episodes long, as each episode amps up the sadness, and the audience watches the cheerful Takopi get a very difficult reality check. The show is incredible, going by its scores on popular anime sites, but it will certainly empty out a soul or two.