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.
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.
There were many animes that had been adapted from sad novels, such as Sword God's Domain, About My Reincarnation as a Slime, Index of Forbidden Magic Books, Gate to the Stone of Destiny, and so on. These anime works were all adapted from sad novels. By adapting the anime, the plot and characters in the novel were presented more vividly and attractive. These anime works not only had a breakthrough in the storyline, but also made a lot of efforts in character creation and emotional expression, which was deeply loved by the audience.
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.
One key element is the build - up of the love. You need to show how the love grew between the two people. Another is the turning point that led to the sadness. It could be a sudden event or a gradual change. Also, the emotional impact on the characters is important. How they felt during the sad times should be described. For example, if it was a break - up, their pain, anger, or despair should be part of the speech.
You can start by introducing the two main characters in the love story. For example, describe their personalities, how they met. Then, talk about the events that led to the sadness, like a misunderstanding or external forces pulling them apart. End with a reflection on the nature of love and loss.
Grave of the Fireflies. Set during World War II, it tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko. They struggle to survive on their own after their mother is killed in an air raid. Eventually, Setsuko dies of malnutrition, and Seita is left alone and later also perishes. It's a heart - wrenching tale of the horrors of war and the vulnerability of children.
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.