Top 50 Best Sad Romance Anime Of All Time

Fruits Basket is a show that gained the audience's attention without breaking a sweat. And considering how amazing it is in terms of storyline, this is no surprise.

This installment from the franchise is the final season. And this is where all the interpersonal relationships that exist around Tooru come to a finite conclusion.

The anime explores the theme of Romance while maintaining the distance and content between the characters. And that's why this show is placed here on our list.

Let's just say that the ending of the show is a lot more tragic than you might expect. Make sure to give it a try when you get the chance. The anime as a whole is even more amazing.

This anime is for anyone who has been betrayed by his or her friends in childhood. Moreover, you would also enjoy this show if you have experienced bullying before.

This is A Silent Voice. The show talks about a guy named Shouya Ishida who used to bully a girl named Shoko Nishimiya during her school days.

However, soon enough, he was caught and faced the entire blame for himself. This is when all his friends abandoned him and he started living a lonely life.

Years later, things have gotten worse and nothing seems to be going straight. However, Nishimiya is back in his life yet again.

And this time, she will make things great for him. This is going to be fun for sure.

A story that will break you down into pieces and you might not be able to get up again.

That's what Clannad After Story is. This anime is the sequel to the original Clannad series. And let's just say that this insane growth in the quality of the series is unreal.

On its own, Clannad After Story isn't going to be all that interesting. However, if you watch it right after the original Clannad then the emotional weight is strong enough to make you cry for days!

Yes, Days! That's what makes this anime so amazing for anyone and everyone. There's a reason why people consider this to be one of the best series to have ever come out in this world. And let's just say that this belief is quite on point.

The Monogatari series never ceases to amaze the audience with its content. And the second season takes things to the next level.

The show focuses on the life of Araragi as he tries to find a life for himself amongst all the apparitions that exist next to him.

His lifestyle is beyond unreal and the way he deals with the problems is quite fascinating. The anime continues to introduce more characters that shape the experience of the viewers.

And the emotional weight that all of these characters hold is what steps up the game for this season of the Monogatari series. This is why anime is placed on such a high pedestal on our list.

Get ready for a mind-bending journey with 'Your Name'!This series skyrocketed to fame, and guess what? It's perched high on our must-watch list!

Meet Mitsuha Miyamizu and Taki Tachibana – two folks leading completely different lives, dreaming of a change.

Well, guess what? The universe decides to play a little switcheroo! Taki ends up in Mitsuha's bustling life, and vice versa. Now, they're stuck in each other's bodies with no map or manual.

What's the plan? They've got to find each other! And when they finally do, brace yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions as they discover the hidden gems in their swapped lives. 'Your Name' is not just a series; it's a journey full of precious moments that'll tug at your heartstrings!

Gurren Lagann is a series that can shape your life experiences with its narrative. It is filled with fun and entertainment while also maintaining the distance that must be created for the sake of a proper narrative.

The show talks about a bunch of characters who lived underground, deciding to step up and take the danger that lies above.

And to do so, they will be employing the help of a super strong mech known as Gurren Lagann.

Let's just say that this going to be a work of their life for sure.

Having the same first name as someone else is pretty interesting, isn't it? However, this anime takes the idea of two souls to the next level.

The show talks about two young women named Nana Oosaki and Nana Komatsu respectively. Both of them end up staying together by complete chance in a new city in Tokyo.

The idea here is that these girls are going to commence their new lives in this new city with old wisdom and experiences.

They are going to have a great time exploring their relationships and diving deep into their careers. These two girls are going to shape their lives forever. And all of this will be a result of one chance meeting on a train.

The show continues its way to the next season where the life of our beloved girl Tooru is taking some serious turns.

And the Souma residence is proving to be even more entertaining for the viewers. The show continues to elaborate on the secrets and history that the Souma residence has under its belt.

The series explores the world of supernatural activities and dive into them with this family as the prime subject.

And with all of this happening together, the series is going to be a work of art on its own.

The interpersonal relationships that develop in the narrative are the driving force for the entire Fruits Basket franchise.

Get ready for an emotional ride because this anime will hit you right in the feels, and bouncing back might take a minute. Your Lie In April is not just a series; it's an inspiration that'll make you see life in a whole new light.

Meet Kousei Arima, a classical pianist whose world turned grey after his mom's passing, leading him to abandon his dream. His life became a monotonous journey with no end in sight. It seemed like this musical prodigy was losing himself in a never-ending cycle of self-reflection.

But hold on, because things take a turn for the better when a lively girl named Miyazono Kaori steps into his world. Get ready for a heartwarming journey as she teaches him how to embrace life again. Trust me, your heart will melt along the way!

This is the movie of the Bunny Girl Senpai franchise. The story focuses on Shoko Makinohara and her life that shaped the anime altogether.

It was Shoko who started it all. And the movie dives into her puberty syndrome and elaborates upon it.

She might not have a lot of time for herself. However, the time that she does have, she would like to spend it with Sakuta.

And that's the beginning of her character exploration. This movie will break you down to bits if you are a Bunny Girl Senpai fan. And that's why you shouldn't skip it at any cost.

I Want To Eat Your Pancreas. That's the title of the show. And although the series may seem a bit weird at first, after completing the movie, you will know why this title is perfect.

It talks about a girl named Sakura who seems to have the pancreatic disease. And because of that, she is going to die very soon.

However, what makes her so special is the fact that she doesn't care about her own death and instead, tries to enjoy her remaining days to the fullest.

She ends up getting involved with a guy who seems to be emotionless. And that commences his journey with Sakura.

A journey with a defined end but unreal love in between.

This anime will break you down. And there's no second thought about it. The series talks about a girl who falls in love with a guy.

However, that guy turned out to be a werewolf. Despite that, she continues to love him and ends up marrying him.

However, things take a turn for the worst when this guy ends up losing his life. And now Hana, the girl in the story, is standing all alone.

Moreover, she is pregnant and soon enough, stands as the mother of two kids. These kids develop wolf habits and so, Hana moves to the countryside to ensure their safety.

That's the beauty and excellence of this anime. And the movie is going to melt your heart and break you down.

The second part of the second season of ReZero took things to the next level. The series focuses on Subaru as he tries to pave his way to survive a traumatic situation.

This situation was all part of a smart plan created by the Witches Of Sin. And because of that, the series went in the direction that they wanted it to.

The show will portray the torture that Subaru has to go through, to make things better for those whom he cherishes.

And this is the reason why Re Zero is a show that will give you the cries that you want while also making you smile because of its romantic value.

NHK is a series that plays with your mind. And the way it does it is absolutely stunning. The show talks about a guy who doesn't seem to have a lot going on in his life.

And his name is Satou. However, this is just the beginning of his story. His life seems to be filled with paranormal activities, all of them happening together as he tries to shape himself and become a better person.

The Show continues to talk about NHK which is a strange phenomenon taking on society. And let's just say that our boy Satou has to deal with all of this with a bunch more ahead.

If you are into sword fights then this anime is a must-watch for you. After all, it is all about swordsmanship and the adventures that follow.

The series talks about an elite swordsman who lived with his sister. However, his life changes when another girl approaches him and asks him to help her find the twelve swords.

Together, they both commence their journey to retrieve all the Twelve legendary swords. And that's the beginning of the Katanagatari series.

It is all about action and adventure. And just maybe, we might be able to enjoy some romance in it as well. Let's take a look, shall we?

The first season of Fruits Basket laid the foundation for the entire franchise. And so, it is one of the most popular romance anime of all time.

The show talks about a girl named Tooru who lost his family and became homeless at a young age.

However, the Souma family decides to take her and starts taking care of her. Soon enough, Tooru realizes that the Souma family has their own secrets that can't be expressed by logic.

For starters, these members can become animals just by kissing someone of the opposite gender. Yeah, this life is going to be quite fun for sure.

ReZero is a work of art. A story that will remain at the top of the Isekai chain for decades to come.

It talks about a guy named Subaru who gets teleported to a random world in a blink of an eye.

There, he gets caught up in a mess while he was trying to figure out his way to safety.

However, when he was rescued by a girl named Satella, he couldn't help but seek her. But things won't go as simply as they initially seem.

Why? Because this involvement in Satella's life is the reason why Subaru will encounter his own demise.

AnoHana is a show that will stand at the top when it comes to heartwarming romance series. And that's why you should give it a go as soon as possible.

The story talks about a guy named Jinta who meets his dead childhood friend Menma yet again. However, she isn't real.

Instead, she is a spirit who is roaming out there with the end goal of fulfilling her final wish.

Jinta brings back the old squad to help Menma fulfill her purpose. However, now that years have passed by, things have changed and this reunion might be a lot harder than you might've expected.

The anime will break you down into pieces. And there's no second thought about it. The series focuses on a guy named Sakuta Azusagawa who seems to have figured out a syndrome that makes innate deep wishes come true.

Therefore, when he comes across Sakurajima Mai, he realizes that he must help her or else, she might lose herself.

Soon enough, Sakuta helps her out and thus begins his journey to help out every character that experiences this syndrome.

And in the process, make some unexpected friends and family within.

This anime is all about a romantic relationship that can't exist at all. It focuses on a girl named Hotaru who got lost in a forest.

There, she met a spirit named Gin. And although Gin will disappear if Hotaru touches her, the story continues to pave its name.

And soon enough, Hotaru and Gin are so close to each other that this supernatural phenomenon becomes a painful sight to watch.

The anime will make sure that you cry your heart out as you try to understand the true spirit of love and its features.

Being with someone who isn't even real. Yet having the most fun of your life. That's what this show is all about.

No Game No Life has been a fun journey for fans all this while. However, this movie takes a different approach with its narrative and ends up creating something far more admirable.

The story focuses on a world that existed far before Sora and Shiro. In this realm, a guy named Riku is trying his best to take humanity to a future that they can look forward to.

It is going to be tough. However, his heart believes in it. And when he meets Schwi, his belief grows even stronger.

There's a reason why this anime is placed so high on this list. The emotional weight in the climax is absolutely magnificent.

Despite his nearsightedness preventing him from fulfilling his dream of becoming a pilot, Jirou Horikoshi leaves his hometown to pursue aeronautical engineering at Tokyo Imperial University.

His sole purpose is to follow in the footsteps of his idol, Giovanni Battista Caproni, and create aeroplanes.

However, upon arriving in Tokyo, Jirou is met with the devastating Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923. In the midst of the chaos, he saves Naoko Satomi, a maid serving a prominent family.

This event sets the stage for over two decades of societal unrest and despair leading up to Japan's eventual surrender in World War II.

Jirou's journey is filled with trials as he works towards designing the renowned Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter aircraft.

Along the way, he experiences personal and professional challenges, grappling with the impact of his creations on the war effort and the harsh realities of his own life.

Akatsuki no Yona is a series that will teach you the complexity of life in a fun format. It talks about a princess named Yona who was betrayed by her relatives as he takes over her Kingdom.

Escaping the place with her prime warrior, Yona begins her journey to find the four dragons that will allow her to take down her opponent.

However, a pampered girl is going to experience the wilderness from scratch. Let's just say that this isn't exactly the most comfortable experience for anyone.

However, a sheer determination is enough to make anyone realize their dreams. This is what makes Akatsuki no Yona so amazing for anyone and everyone out there.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a fun story about a girl who got the ability to time travel. The title explains the premise. However, the beauty of this series lies in its narrative and execution.

The way time travel has been portrayed while also depicting the childish nature of the girl and her actions in the show are the reasons why this anime becomes so fascinating.

The series goes on to include romance as well. And that explains the excellence that comes with it. Konno Makoto serves as the main character and soon enough, she is going to realize the complexity of life and the power of time. This is why the story is placed so high on our list.

This anime is all about an unexpected love story that can change the way you look at love as a whole.

The show talks about a girl named Chise Hatori whose life takes some horrible turns when she ends up losing her family and is then sold to a supernatural world.

There, she comes across a man in a mask who buys her off. However, the intentions of that man were anything but evil.

Instead, he goes on to prove a boon for Chise and provides incredible life to her. It is her happiness that this seemingly mysterious man roots for.

And this is why anime is placed so high on our list of sad romance shows. Make sure to give it a try tonight.

This anime is all about reliving your life. Therefore, the title is quite accurate for the show. It talks about a guy named Kaizaki Arata who is 27 years old and happens to lose his job.

Things seem to be going terribly for him. However, an offer changes his position for good. This offer was made to him by the ReLife Research Institute.

And this institute gives him a deal. The deal is simple. If he goes on to volunteer for the ReLife experiment, he will be rewarded with some handsome cash.

And what's the ReLife project you might be wondering about? Well, that's nothing but Kaizaki turning back into his 17 years old self and reliving his entire life yet again. Now, this is going to be fun to watch on screen.

A love story where the girl falls in love with another girl. Well, that's interesting. And that's also the premise of our current entry, Yagate Kimi Ni Naru as a whole.

The show talks about a girl named Yuu Koito who was quite fascinated with the idea of love and was looking forward to experiencing its Beauty.

However, she was disappointed to an unexpected degree when she didn't get any butterflies after a guy proposed to her.

But this was the beginning of a new life for Yuu as she fell in love with another girl named Touka.

And this bond is going to get even more interesting as the episodes pass by. This is why it is placed here on the list.

Discrimination is a major issue. However, when it comes to Nagi no Asukara, the magnitude just goes way deeper.

The premise of the anime is pretty simple. It talks about two civilizations that co-exist. One stays above water and the other stays under it.

However, injustice takes place with people who shifted from the underwater civilization to the surface civilization. And when our main characters reach out to a school for availing great education, the experiences that they have are interesting, to say the least.

This is what makes the anime such a great pic for anyone who is into sad romance stories. The show will melt your heart for sure. No doubt about it.

The anime is recognized for its emotional weight. And if you wish to cry yourself to sleep tonight then this is the foundation that you need.

The show talks about love between two species. Humans and robots. The interesting thing to note here is that in this story, the robot is going to die earlier than the human.

And because of that, a huge heartbreak is going to take place. All of the misery is right in front of our eyes.

And yet, we would still choose to tackle them right ahead in hopes of enjoying our present. If this makes you wonder, then Plastic Memories will give you the chills that you need from your romance anime.

Clannad is all about an approach. An approach to finding a life for yourself. However, this approach isn't going to be easy since the characters will have a rough time together.

And that's the beauty of the show. It talks about a delinquent named Tomoya who gets involved with a girl named Nagisa.

Things happen and now Tomoya is helping Nagisa to recreate the Drama Club in their school. The sentiment seems to be shared and Tomoya will soon realize that his life had a lot of missing features within them.

And that's why the world around him is going to change for good.

The first season of Beastars took the entire anime community by storm. Therefore, the next season took the hype to the next level.

This show talks about a world where humans are replaced by animals. And the idea is pretty simple. Just as discrimination exists among humans in real life, they do among animals as well.

These discriminations can be in the form of their natural upbringing. For example, being a carnivore or a herbivore.

And when human sentiments enter the circumstances, society as a whole becomes a lot more complex and diverse with its content. This anime is a work of art and there's no way anyone can deny that.

While Tokyo Revengers isn't exactly famous for romance, there's no denying that love acted as the basis for everything that happened in the show.

It talks about a guy named Takemichi who lost his beloved ex-girlfriend due to an accident that seems to have connections with his past.

Takemichi soon realizes that he has special powers that allow him to travel through time. And that's the beginning of the excellence that Tokyo Revengers has to offer.

It is a completely unseen experience that can entertain the masses without breaking a sweat. And the emotions just keep flowing in.

Two years ago, Mitsuki Kouyama's confessional opportunity was abruptly taken away when her close friend Eichi Sakurai moved to the United States.

Despite the distance, they made a pact to pursue their dreams: Mitsuki aspired to become a singer while Eichi aimed to explore the field of astronomy.

Mitsuki yearned for her melodies to transcend borders and reach Eichi like the luminosity of a full moon.

However, a significant obstacle stood in her way—Mitsuki was diagnosed with throat cancer, dampening her voice and rendering singing arduous.

Pressured by her music-loathing grandmother to undergo a risky operation, Mitsuki refused, fearing the loss of her vocal abilities.

Then, two shinigami, Meroko Yui and Takuto Kira, materialized, disclosing Mitsuki's limited time left to live.

This revelation propelled Mitsuki into action, joined by Meroko and Takuto, as they embarked on a race against time to fulfil Mitsuki's dream of becoming a professional singer. 

One of the most aesthetically pleasing anime to ever exist. That's how you would describe Garden Of Woods. It talks about a guy who wishes to be a shoemaker.

One day, he decides to skip the lecture and instead practice his shoemaking in a garden. There, he meets a girl who wishes to have a new shoe.

This guy promises to make her a new shoe. And so, they start meeting more often with the excuse of this new shoe.

However, that's just the surface of this bond. Because with every meeting, things get more and more connective and interesting for the audience.

Charlotte is a series that can melt your heart and bring you an unforeseen amount of entertainment using its narrative.

After all, it is not regular that we see a bunch of superpowered characters sitting in a classroom. Well, that's what the premise of Charlotte is.

The show continues in a classroom with a bunch of students having their own set of superpowers. Using those superpowers, they must find a way to have fun in this academy.

And this is what makes Charlotte so impressive to the audience. There might be romance budding in between characters as well.

A cute love story that tackles the theme of love and romance maturely, this is Ao Haru Ride.

The series focuses on a girl named Yoshioka Futaba who is part of a recognized school. However, her image isn't exactly the best one and so, she faced a lot of criticism at all points in her life.

However, the one thing that she always looks forward to is a guy named Tanaka-Kun. And it is because of him that she wishes to reset the life she is living.

Needless to say, that's not going to happen on its own. And this is where Ao Haru Ride is going to pave its name.

This anime will break your heart in the very first episode. And that's just the beginning of its quality.

The show talks about a girl named Takamiya Naho who got a letter from an unknown person. Turns out, that letter is from her future self.

And she is asking herself to save a new student from losing himself. If she doesn't, her fate is going to have terrible incidents in sight.

While Naho didn't believe it at first, over time, she realizes that this letter holds a lot more credibility than what meets the eye.

And this is why Orange is a show that anyone and everyone should look forward to. A series that will melt you down.

Chuunibyou is one of the most wholesome anime you can watch. However, what makes it even better is the fact that it contains emotional weightage as well.

The series goes on to talk about the life of Yuuta and Rikka as they pave the way for their love life.

However, this is not going to be easy. As Yuuta and Rikka are in the same home, things get more and more interesting between them.

They start to realize that this relationship is not the ideal one that they have seen in movies. And maybe Chuunibyou is not a great foundation for a strong relationship.

However, things happen and the show expresses some of the most beautiful feelings to its audience.

DanMachi is an anime of its own league. And that's because it can entertain the audience with its action, adventure, as well as romance, and drama.

The series focuses on the encounters that shape the characters for the better. The third season of the franchise is all about a girl who will change the outlook of our characters as they try to save a Monster in this world.

However, being alongside a creature like her can be quite dangerous. And if things don't go right, people might experience horrible accidents in her presence.

How is our main cast going to rescue this girl as she tries her best to seek survival for herself?

5 Centimetres Per Second is a movie that focuses on the hardships of Long Distance relationships. And so, all those who are a part of it will have a fun time watching it.

The show talks about a couple named Tohno Takaki and Shinohara Akari who were quite close to each other during childhood.

However, as the distance between them increased due to an unexpected transfer, things started to look bad for them.

This is why their relationship seems to be fading. As the distance keeps creating more and more inconvenience, standing strong becomes harder and harder.

This anime will break your heart for sure. And the romance is just so fascinating. It talks about a girl named Miyo Sasaki who is experiencing a horrible life behind her.

The family issues that come along with her just don't seem to end at all. And that's why Miyo seeks her peace in a guy named Kento.

Needless to say, this leads to a feeling of love being developed in Miyo's heart. However, Kento isn't exactly all that invested in her and so, Miyo takes the form of a cat to communicate with him.

Call that her superpower if you will. And this marks the beginning of all the romance that comes with this story.

Whatever will happen between these two is going to be a game of chance.

This anime will play with your mind. And let's just say that their story is a lot more complex than what you might have imagined.

The show talks about an academy that is placed in a sense that makes it feel like a prison.

However, in reality, the situation is quite different. The students of the academy seem to have nothing special going on for themselves.

But the circumstances take new turns when a male student gets admitted to the school. This is where the characters will have a new life to look forward to as in this seeming prison school, the existence of another gender might end up becoming a game changer for the entire academy.

This anime is not exactly about romance. However, it does have a lot of themes playing around in its narrative, and romance is one of them.

Moreover, with the progression of the storyline, we end up seeing a lot of heartwarming moments in the anime altogether.

The show talks about a guy named Shuu whose life turned upside down when a meteor showered on the head of Japan.

And things started to look miserable for everyone. However, to his surprise, he can save others using his secret power.

The power of his hand was hidden all along.

While this anime isn't exactly romantic, it is definitely destructive. And that's why it plays around with the themes of romance and drama as well.

The show talks about a girl with extremely dangerous powers, who escapes government confinement. However, now she is alongside two boys who aren't aware of her powers.

The interesting thing is, that she isn't aware of her powers either. But over time, the viewers and the characters realize that this is no game.

The destruction that can happen because of this one girl is far beyond comprehension.

And now we have Sword Art Online. Yes, it is not a romance-only anime.

However, it has a lot of romantic elements while also offering heartwarming and eye-balling moments as well. The series is an Isekai that focuses on our main character Kirito getting stuck in a VR game.

Now he must clear all the levels or else he can lose his life. And that's where all the craze begins.

The story has a ton of themes like drama, adventure, romance, and tragedy. With a mixture of all these themes and a great premise, Sword Art Online managed to become one of the most popular anime ever.

Darling In The FranXX is one of the most emotional action stories that you can experience. And this is why it is ranked so high on our list.

It talks about a world where young children are obligated to fight alien monsters for the sake of saving the planet.

However, something isn't right. Why is it that only young children are asked to drive these mechs? What exactly is going on in this world?

And what happened to those who were part of the warriors before the current ones? All these questions will be answered as the show continues with its narrative.

The reality of humans is quite nasty. And that's what serves as the basis of Kuzu No Honkai. The show talks about relationships.

However, the way it deals with those relationships is completely unexpected. Anime as a medium has a lot of great qualities and features when it comes to its entertainment factor.

However, what makes this anime stand out so much is the fact that the characters are portrayed in a realistic format.

In other words, the horrible side of relationships and love is portrayed so well that people can't help but appreciate this show.

Golden Time is one of the most sought-after anime series when it comes to Romance. And that's because of the quality and content that it offers.

While most anime talk about falling into love, this one talks about maintaining love while also maintaining a life for yourself.

This is just the beginning of the story. It focuses on a guy named Banri Tada who seems to have experienced amnesia.

And nothing seems to be going right for him. However, his life takes some interesting turns and now he has to start all over again with new people and love in his sight.

A love triangle is interesting. There's no doubt about it. However, what makes this anime stand out so much is that the relationships end up being remarked as brother-sisters.

Yeah, Sweet Home Alabama vibes. The anime talks about a guy named Natsuo who has a crush on her teacher.

However, she doesn't seem to be in his league and so he ends up sleeping with a girl named Rui.

The twist kicks in when Rui and Hina, Natsuo's teacher, show up at Natsuo's house as their new step sisters.

And now, the relationship between them is going to get even more interesting and fun for all of us. That's what Domestic No Kanojo is all about.

This story has had a great past in the anime community. And so, it deserves your love and recognition for sure.

The series talks about a guy named Makoto Ito who is experiencing the insanity that comes with youth and its relationship phenomenon.

My man is going to have a time of his life as he comes across two girls who end up getting too close to him.

However, you can only be loyal to one. And let's just say that the choice of loyalty is pretty hard for the students of this class.

Therefore, you must ensure that you create a great environment for yourself as you sit down to have fun with this piece right here.