So, why is Japanese anime so sad? Well, it’s hard to define exactly what makes Japanese anime so depressing, but there are some common themes throughout. Take Evangelion, True Tears, or Steins;Gate. All four series are characterized by a deep sense of despair. And the answer lies in the depth of the emotion and theme of each. Let’s take a closer look.

Steins;Gate

Japanese anime has a deep sadness associated with it. The characters are often extremely sad, and it is common for them to exhibit gruesome acts. One series that portrays this, Madoka Magica, is particularly disturbing. The series’ gruesome imagery is reminiscent of the Mahou Shoujo genre. In fact, some anime have a depressing tone, with characters like Mitsuka Miyamizu, a teenage girl, seeking her boyfriend Taki Tachibana.

Evangelion

The first episode of Evangelion reveals how an ordinary man with no social skills becomes the savior of humanity, a task he takes on with the help of his robot friends. The rest of the episode reveals a more complicated storyline, ranging from the origin of the Eva units to a tragic transformation of human life. In the final episode, Eva finally finds the meaning of his mission: to help humanity in its time of need. As a result, the series has a profoundly sad impact on viewers.

Haibane Renmei

Although the title of this anime may be misleading, this drama is a follow-up to Serial Experiments Lain. In fact, the anime came about because of the popularity of the LAIN manga in the West, which inspired the creators to create a similar anime adaptation. The anime was released in 2002, and was based on two episodes from the manga. Despite the anime’s experimental approach, many fans found the story emotionally compelling and hoped to learn more about the main character.

True Tears

This heart-wrenching story follows the lives of a boy and a girl, Nakagami and Yuki. A dream girl, Yuki, turns cold toward Nakagami after his father dies. Nakagami must deal with this and his family’s grief by learning how to cope with her coldness. And it’s all the more difficult when his father dies, and he now has to live with his mother and sisters.

Kinema Citrus

Why is Japanese anime so sad? It’s difficult to understand the underlying sadness of anime films without first understanding the source material. For instance, “Shiki” is nominally a horror series but focuses on the life of a vampire family in Japan. The plot of this story is tragic, yet it is also beautifully animated. While many anime films portray a happy ending, this one has a sad ending.

Grave of the Fireflies

“Grave of the Fireflies” is a Japanese anime that shows the final moments of two young children. They have just lost their mother, but they have been spared from death in an air raid. While the sister dies, Seita keeps her ashes in a candy tin and waits for the time when their spirits reunite. Then, the film shifts to present day, when both sisters’ spirits overlook the city, where their ghosts are reunited.

Elfen Lied

In the world of fantasy television, there are many reasons to feel depressed. Elfen Lied, a 13-episode anime television series, focuses on a group of elves trying to find their place in the world. This anime explores the themes of love, innocence, promises, and discrimination, as well as acceptance. The show has been described as “an elf’s diary.”

Clannad: After Story

If you like sad and romantic anime, Clannad will appeal to you. Although the anime is similar in visuals to its predecessor, After Story has more strong character development and better music. Overall, it’s one of the best sad and romantic animes out there. This review will cover the reasons why Clannad is so good. You will also be able to enjoy a great deal of Japanese anime without spending much money.