Themes play a big part. In 'Wolf Children', the theme of a mother raising two half - wolf children alone after their father's death is sad. The difficulties she faces, like hiding their true nature from society and the inevitable separation from them as they grow up, all contribute to the overall sadness of the story. It's not just about the events, but also about the emotions and ideas behind them.
The way the story is told can make it a 'best' sad anime story. 'Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day' has a very effective way of building up the sadness. It starts with a group of friends who have grown apart after the death of one of their friends, Menma. As the story unfolds and they try to help Menma move on, the memories and the pain resurface. The slow - paced and detailed storytelling makes the sad moments even more impactful.
A great sad anime story often has strong character development. For example, in 'A Silent Voice', Shoya's journey from a bully to someone seeking redemption is really moving. His relationship with Shoko, a deaf girl he once bullied, is full of complex emotions. When you see how they both grow and the pain they go through, it makes the story very sad and also very powerful.
Another great one is 'Clannad: After Story'. It shows the life of Tomoya Okazaki after high school. He has to face many difficulties in life, including the loss of his wife Nagisa during childbirth. The story is extremely sad as it portrays the harshness of life and the importance of family. It really tugs at your heartstrings.
The characters. When we get to know the characters well in a sad anime story, we start to care about them. For example, in 'A Silent Voice', Shoya and Shoko are both complex characters. Shoya was a bully who then tries to make amends, and Shoko is a deaf girl who has faced a lot of discrimination. Their struggles and growth make their sad story really hit home.
Deep emotional connections between characters. In Clannad After Story, we see the strong bond between Tomoya and Nagisa. Similar to that, in animes like 'Your Lie in April', the relationship between Kousei and Kaori is very deep. Their love and the way they support each other make the sad parts even more impactful when things go wrong.
A great sad story often involves a deep loss. For example, the loss of a loved one like in the story of the girl and her puppy. It's a connection that is suddenly broken, leaving the character in a state of grief that the readers can feel.
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day' is also a sad anime. Menma has died, but her spirit lingers. Her friends are haunted by her death and their past actions. They gradually come to terms with their feelings of guilt and grief as they try to help Menma move on.
Often, these anime have a lot of emotional depth. They make you feel for the characters deeply. For example, in 'Clannad', the relationships between the characters are so complex and real that when bad things happen, it really hits you hard. The music and the art style also play a big role in enhancing the sadness. Darker color palettes and melancholic music are common in such anime.
Another is 'Clannad'. Tomoya Okazaki meets Nagisa Furukawa, and as their relationship develops, we see the story of her family, including her relationship with her parents and her sister. There are many sad elements, especially when dealing with family hardships and the challenges of sibling relationships in the face of illness and difficult family dynamics.
The best anime story usually combines elements like complex characters with depth, a thought-provoking theme, and a well-paced narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Also, good world-building adds to the charm.
The sense of melancholy. It gives a different kind of emotional depth. For example, in '5 Centimeters per Second', the slow separation of the main characters due to life circumstances makes us feel the pain of lost love in a very real way.
The sense of realism. Even though it's an anime, the situations and emotions in sad love stories often mirror real - life experiences of love and loss. For example, in 'Your Lie in April', Kousei's struggle to move on from his past and open his heart again is something many people can relate to in their own relationships.