Spending time with one’s significant other can lead to many fruitful memories that many would hold onto during their lifetime. When it comes to media like movies and anime that dabble in the romance genre, they make sure to keep the tension and emotions high until the end.
The series Clannad After Story was a romance anime that kept people on edge (with Nagisa and Tomoya’s relationship) and wasn’t afraid to include heartbreaking and intense scenes. Although it’s well-known for being heartbreaking, there are many romance anime that’ll deliver the same saddening experience.
9 Hotarubi No Mori E (2011) Features A Relationship Where Physical Affection Is Prohibited
Hotarubi no Mori e follows a female named Hotaru Takegawa, who meets a male named Gin in a mysterious forest after losing her way. Despite being warned to avoid him, Hotaru consistently meets and forms a romantic relationship with Gin, violating a sacred rule that’ll test their bond.
This anime features a powerful romance between both protagonists while also reminding the reader of the difficulties surrounding their relationship concerning Gin’s inability to touch Hotaru. Even when he gains the ability to later, it was his first and last shot with Hotaru.
8 Elfen Lied (2004) Has Romance But Surrounds Itself With Dark Topics Regarding Bullying And Child Experimentation
Despite Elfen Lied being a horror anime that’ll chill everyone to the bone, the relationship between Lucy and Kouta will have many shedding tears for them. Despite having demonic powers, Lucy had affection for Kouta because of his kind-hearted behavior and approach toward her.
Further, Elfen Lied features content like animal abuse, bullying, child experimentation, and many dark topics that aren’t for the faint of heart. Some antagonists in this anime will also make people feel down about their demise because of their cruel backstories torture, painting evidence as to why humans can be deadly living organisms.
7 Your Lie In April (2014) Shows How Regaining Something One Misses May Lead To Losing Someone Greater
Your Lie In April’s male protagonist’s (Kousei Arima) tragic loss of his mother and love for music isn’t only what makes this show a heartbreaking anime that will make everyone cry. Rather the bond between Kousei and his love interest Kaori Miyazano will be the relationship that’ll hit home with many romance fans.
To spend time with a person that helps one achieve their passion for something they’ve lost is a beautiful companionship to have. After Kousei realizes Kaori’s fate after regaining his love for music, it makes the viewer feel bittersweet that he couldn’t fill the empty void for his deceased mother.
6 5 Centimeters Per Second (2007) Shows Why Distance Can Tear Powerful Relationships Apart
To have a fictional work provide a realistic message concerning the struggles in maintaining a relationship with someone is why 5 Centimeters Per Second is one of Makoto Shinkai’s best movies. The film features the difficulties in maintaining a long-distance relationship by separating the protagonists Takaki Tono and Akari Shinohara.
Despite being close friends who loved each other’s company, the film delivers a sad ending depicting the broken ties between these two lovers. Outside of their broken relationship, the film zones in the daily life struggle each character faces in their new habitat, alluding to how their environments affect their old feelings for each other.
5 Golden Time (2013) Showcases How Deciding Between Two People Will Not Result In A Happy Conclusion For Everyone
Everyday life can grant people many highs and lows as humans can’t always predict how something will turn out. This understanding of life is portrayed in Golden Time, a slice of life anime that’ll hit too close to home for some people dealing with romantic issues.
Having his high school memories wiped from an accident and enduring a new life wasn’t the only issue Golden Time’s male protagonist Banri Tada dealt with; he also must decide which female he wants as his soulmate. Choosing between two people is challenging, and knowing one person’s going to end up single, could make the result feel saddening.
4 Orange (2016) Shows How People Will Sacrifice Their Relationships To Allow Everyone To Have Happy Endings
Even when someone receives a positive reply to their affectionate confession, there are times where the one that asked may feel regret and sorrow for their partner. Orange is an anime that contains many tear-jerker scenes and challenges the morals of its characters.
Hiroto Suwa is an anime protagonist that’s friend-zoned by Naho Takamiya, for reasons many may not expect. Despite enjoying his future together with Naho, Hiroto realizes how heartbroken and affectionate Naho was for another man named Kakeru. To make things right, he gave up his happy ending with Naho by erasing his future with her and their children’s existence. It’s a bittersweet outcome that’ll leave many people feeling bad for Hiroto.
3 Plastic Memories (2015) Features A Couple That Won’t Last After Nine Years Because Of Technical Circumstances
With the growing state of technology exceeding faster than in the past, many expect the future to be a marvel worth witnessing. However, anime like Plastic Memories features a technology-enhanced society which is shown in a beautiful light (while also reminding people of the turmoil it can grant people physically and emotionally.)
As one of IMDb’s best sci-fi anime of the decade, Plastic Memories features the romance between a boy named Tsukasa Mizugaki and an artificial lifeform named Isla, who only has about nine years to survive before transforming into a dangerous AI unit. As the clock ticks down at Isla’s life, fans will understand the heartbreak that befalls Tsukasa as he becomes attached to someone he can’t have as a soulmate.
2 The Wind Rises (2013) Shows How War Can Impact Relationships Between Two People
War is a complicated topic with many people as it can lead to change but requires much sacrifice. The Wind Rises highlights the male protagonist Jiro Horikoshi’s sacrifice he must endure when learning that his lover Naoko Satomi is slowly dying.
What makes this romance anime more-tragic is that Jiro must hold his sadness back to let Naoko’s final moments feel joyful and filled with happiness. On top of that, Jiro can’t see his lover pass-on, which may toy with fans’ hearts.
1 Fireworks (2017) A Couple Abandon Their Families, Friends, And Others To Live A Life Alone Together
This film features characters, scenery, and soundtracks meant to break fans’ hearts. It features a boy and girl who run away from their homes to live a life of enjoyment and comfort.
Although that may sound wonderful, these two make a grand sacrifice to maintain their romantic relationship with each other. The two characters wish to live a life alone with each other where no one can see them forever. Ultimately, they’re abandoning their families, friendships, and other loved ones for romance, which doesn’t sit well with all fans.
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