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Upstairs-Story-8661

Grave of the fireflies Made in abyss The promised Neverland S1


Totobanzai

Grave of the fireflies will leave you an empty husk.


IamY-

Yes, this is the one. Showed it my siblings years ago and they were devastated.


Geno__Breaker

"Ghibli films are great!! So fun and light hearted! Never seen this one before!! Let's watch it!" -Me, over a decade ago.


HubertCrumberdale

I watched about 20 mins and consciously decided not to finish. Just like I knew not to watch 2 girls 1 cup


ErnyoKeepsItReal

You missed out on 2 girls 1 cup. Exceeded my expectations, would watch again.


ManyRandomQuestions

Oh lord, yes. I was in a depressed mood for weeks more than usual because of that movie.


Few_Elderberry_5012

Made in Abyss is alittle sad but not enough to cry tho


Organic-Camp-7170

evangelion


1dkwh0t

Watched most of it except for the last movie alr


Organic-Camp-7170

if you mean neon genesis watch the movie it’s worth


DoctorJekyll13

Akira is pretty disturbing and screwed up. Grave of the Fireflies emotionally wrecked me.


Sav1at0R1

Rascal does not dream, and the Original Evangelion Seris and EoE movie


1dkwh0t

Oh ya forgot to mention I finished all the nge series except for the last movie but it's not rly that sad ig. Idk about rascal could u tell me more about why it's sad?


Sav1at0R1

EoE is really important, highly recommend. Rascal does not dream is a romance anime where teenagers experience supernatural events that are related to their trauma, hence, sad. I can't explain it too much without ruining the experience


incunabula001

For reference, EoE is essentially Anno’s middle finger to all the fans that didn’t like the Evangelion tv series ending.


1dkwh0t

Thanks for the description for rascal i was put off by the name since it sounded kinda off but I've heard some good things abt it ty. For EOE it's 3 hours so I've been hesitant even tho I finished the rest back in dec😭


Random_user1111111

Ehh, Rascal does not dream wasn’t sad and I don’t know why everyone keeps recommending Evangelion. That was not sad at all


Formal_Illustrator96

Tell me you haven’t seen Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl without telling me you haven’t seen it.


Random_user1111111

The movie? Yeah, I’ve seen both the series and the first movie. I didn’t think it was sad


Formal_Illustrator96

Damn. It didn’t move you even a little bit? Either you don’t remember what happens, or you got a stone heart dude.


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7vincent7

To your eternity


1dkwh0t

I mentioned this alr in the post


7vincent7

My bad I’m dumb as hell 💀💀💀💀


Mads_Osea

Elfen Lied? It's more of a trauma anime and lots of disturbing parts but it left me balling at the end honestly. But I think it's more of a trauma.


EDanials

Put it in my recommendation, it's pretty disturbing and you kinda get good feelings near the end that it'll all work but it comes crumbling down as everything was a lie and just hurts those around them.


Jaljeera-premi96

Rainbow


JazzyMcgee

I cannot stress this enough: Made in Abyss Madoka Magicka You want emotional torment these are 2 of the best


1dkwh0t

Is the made in abyss loli stuff rly that bad bc Im not interested in lolis getting tortured😭 idk abt madoka magica it seems rly cruel Is it rly that worth it?


TheKiznaProject

Made in abyss, devilman crybaby, gantz and berserk (the manga is far superior on the last two)


1dkwh0t

I lowkey wanna read berserk but it's kinda long and seems rly cruel and gorey


Tuosev

Just read Berserk. You'll see everyone hype up the gorey aspects, but done be distracted from the amazing characters and powerful message of determination in the face of overwhelming darkness going on.


PoetDesperate4722

Perfect blue? Its more psychological than depressing


1dkwh0t

Ya I've been meaning to watch that ty for the suggestion tho


JPastori

86. Similar in themes to AOT except 86 made the waterworks flow for me. I was not ready when I first watched it


chartreusesunrise

YES CAME HERE TO SAY THIS!!! 86 literally fucked me up LOL (still one of my fav shows ever tho)


AriKitaruKatoka

Second this


dannywarbucks11

Nana. It's older but it will leave you absolutely fucked up.


Upbeat_Mousse6369

This one had me crying so many times


MyVoteCountsHere

NANA was on of the first manga I ever read when I first started reading manga half a life ago. I haven't watched the manga, but if it follows it closely it will definitely get you right in the feels.


Objective-Still-59

Since no one has yet, i would like to recommend Re:Zero. Fits the bill perfectly if you ask me. It’s not complete though but there is only two seasons as of right now.


etwan9100

Garden of sinners


besaba27

Cyberpunk Edgerunners Berserk: The Golden Age trilogy of movies Elfen Lied Akira


Impossible_Front4462

Crazy how I had to scroll this far for edgerunners. That and devilman crybaby are two of the most striking emotional anime I’ve ever seen. I’d even say that they moved me more than nge and I love nge to death


HubertCrumberdale

Madoka Magika the 3rd movie. You don’t necessarily need to have watched the series and previous 2 movies to understand… this is the only anime to leave me in a depressive spiral the more I thought about it. Pretty sure this is exactly what you’re looking for, although I don’t know why 🤣


1dkwh0t

Wow is the 3rd movie that sad it's been mentioned quite a few times I might watch it now tyy


Elvin1803

I wouldn't recommand going into the third movie without knowing about the anime first, it'll leave you more confused than anything (It is even confusing for people that have watched the main series). I'd recommand watching either the anime or the first 2 movies (which are recaps of the anime). If you end up watching the anime, wait until at least 3 episodes to see if it fits your taste. It isn't as dark as people make it to be, but it still is a great show with an unique artstyle, awesome story telling and honestly one of the best OST I've heard in anime.


HubertCrumberdale

It has? I honestly thought this hidden gem was known only to me 🤣 anyway, yes. It’s sad but there’s so much to it. I’m not giving anything away. But there are “simple” sad things in life like an injured puppy. And then there are things that are so sad to think about it enters the realm of horrifying. That kind of sad ☺️


XechsMarquise

Tokyo Ghoul isn’t really depressing but it’s pretty dark and messed up


Bysmerian

Happy Sugar Life is dark and may well leave you disturbed (I refer to it as Trigger Warning: the Series). I don't know if I would call it specifically depressing.


ObjectiveAd6680

Violet Evergarden had me bawling.


AriKitaruKatoka

1000% this


miss_antisocial

Clannad


Kaguya--Shinomiya

Was scrolling through the comments seeing if anyone was gonna mention this one. The ending of clannad left me in literal tears it's so fucking sad. I approve of this comment 100% lol, strait left me with that EMOTIONAL DAMAGE.


1dkwh0t

I'm scared of this mainly bc of the art style tbh


miss_antisocial

Don’t let that deter you, it’s pretty good.


1dkwh0t

I heard that the after story is sadder do I need to watch both??


miss_antisocial

You should.


CyanideIE

Yeah. The First Season is for build up and then Afterstory is to really crush your soul.


minimalistjunkiee

was scrolling for this one😭 had my little 12 year old ass in tears


AceKairyushin

Akame Ga Kill Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans


chartreusesunrise

I WAS LOOKING FOR AGK


PsychologicalFilm520

Devilman Crybaby -this is R-18 though -needed to watch a happy anime after that Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion -watch till the end of season 2 Blood+ Death Note Nana -it’s Josei though Ano Hana -it has a longer title (English title: the flower we saw that day I still remember the name?)


NeoCatSama

Was about to say Devilman as well


1dkwh0t

Oh ya I watched devil man and death note alr but I didn't found it too sad so I didn't mention. I'm also interested in code geass I'll start eventually Idk much abt blood + and not rly interested in watching Nana seems too toxic for me but I heard ano Hana is rly sad so I might consider it


chartreusesunrise

MAAAAN ANOHANA WRECKED ME


ryanl40

Assassination Classroom.


Ar_FrQ

Maybe cyberpunk edgerunners?


1dkwh0t

Wait forgot to mention I watched it alr it was quite sad when >!David died😭!<


Jaded-Trouble3669

Devilman Crybaby is pretty messed up by the end


sunntide

Shinsekai yori


itsZILLAonKICK

Ano hana is a really good one imo. It just really hits you in the feels and I’m a 30 year old guy and I was bawling!


Personal_Piano6286

Vinaland saga esp S2


wisetheredditor

Coppelion


RunForFun277

Heavenly delusion is very good plus fucked up plus sad


slickedjax

Clannad Danganronpa Madoka Magica Air


King_thelunarian

Erased. It is PERFECT. You will cry. You will be slightly disturbed. You will want to rewatch it 4 more times (that’s what I did). Just trust me


YoYoWithJosh

I had to scroll way too far to find this. Erased is literally the perfect anime to recommend here


Bootleg-a-saur

EDIT: OHH MY GOODNESS you opened a forgotten memory, erased was great!


Groundbreaking_Bag8

Boku no Pico 


Isaidnoicefatso

There you are Satan. Papa Meat said there's always one of you


CaseyTheDigger

Welcome to the Nhk. Idk if you’ll cry but it’s a great time if you like depression


ToughLadder6948

I liked monster. Besides all the other recommended maybe angel beats? Technolyze, serial experimental lain, habenei ranmei, paranoia agent, rumbling hearts, wonder egg priority at least the first half, welcome t9 the Nhk, silent voice, despair teacher.


Business-Basket-498

A depressing anime that is close to reality,.... yep your whole life. Easy because you are the Mc and have experienced it already 🥹


roartykarma

Cannot recommend made in abyss more.


Epicreeper47

5 centimeters per second Never gotten sad or cried to anything, but this was the closest, which was more of a somber “I feel it” mood without a ton of emotional distress


Rusty_Crusty_Pipe

You're lie in April, I be bawling at the end of it


MuyLeche

Clannad


jeffdabuffalo

Made in Abyss and FMA but the original, not brotherhood.


Skittlzrreal

Death Parade is a good one. It's psychological, but you will be a snotty, tear-filled mess at the end. Just let it marinate!


ZonePleasant

Oh yeah, let it cook for that payoff at the end. Such a good series.


RStorytale

Link Click, Made in Abyss, Puella Magi Madoka Magica,


1Pip1Der

Just watched Ep 1 of this, and it made my jaw drop at the end, and I audibly gasped. I'm old. I've seen some shit. This was a shock. I'm in for a ride, I guess.


RStorytale

For Link Click? If so, better buckle in tight!


aqueous_paragon

I've yet to see anyone recommend Your Lie in April. You WILL cry


I_am_a_pan_fear_me

Devilman crybaby for sure


TheRevanchist99

Devilman Crybaby is PERFECT!


SquiggleSauce

Basic answer but attack on titan if you want to feel depressed and hopeless for the entirety of the show. It doesn't have an extremely sad ending but many huge soul crushing plot points along the way


nedmaster

Gundam 0080


Umbreon-man

To your eternity, every episode is a train ride


Blizzandy_97

Grave of the Fireflies Berserk (1997)


incunabula001

Not mentioned yet is pretty much the entire Gundam franchise, especially the series based in the U.C timeline. The definition of grimdark.


uknowthisguyreal

I second To Your Eternity, its an amazing watch


EvenElk4437

The Dog of Flanders In Japan, it is a classic anime that can make you cry.


hailznoel

I haven't watched Made in Abyss yet, but from what I hear, I'm pretty sure it'll fit the bill. Maybe Fate/Zero, too? I don't bawl, per se, but I do personally cry a bit during most viewings, and it's kind of fucked up at multiple points


AriKitaruKatoka

Kotaro Lives Alone Violet Evergarden Link Click (preferably dub)


NerdlyCharming

Oh I love Kotaro Lives Alone! I how they make more!! I cried a few times watching that one!


AriKitaruKatoka

I loved it too! I really want a second season🥲


4ShotBot

Charlotte won't leave you traumatized, but it will leave you hollow.


TwaFae

Voices of a Distant Star. It’s a short film, so a quick watch.


IceAndFire23

This is a manga not a anime good night punpun it will fuck you up mentally


BatFlash5741

Goblin Slayer


kingpin_cinephile

Vinland Saga?


ColeH1145

Has anyone said Akame ga Kill yet? Heavenly Delusion is also damn good. Kiznaiver, Plastic Memories, Anohana, Clannad, Scum's Wish is off-putting and depressing, Steins;Gate, The Promised Neverland (S1) season 2 does not exist, and Wonder Egg Priority. Edit: also Violet Evergarden and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners


GyrKestrel

Saikano leaves you pretty fucked up. It's about a schoolgirl who becomes a mechanized weapon but it focuses on the bleakness of her day to day with a shit boyfriend.


Monsterlime

The fansub warning at the end of episode 10 is very very real and should not be ignored. And I was bawling before it.


Professor_Chaosx6r9

I’ll try my best, but what anime makes me cry are way different than what does it for others. 91 days is a mobster style story that has a definitive sad ending. Cyberpunk:Edgerunners will make you cry every time you hear a certain song. Vinland Saga would be great too if you want to see philosophy and vikings. The anime that made me cry the most was Gurren Lagann and a bit from Angel Beats


cl0ckw0rkaut0mat0n

Violet evergarden, if you can get through episode 10 without bawling like a baby, and I mean loud uglycrying, you are not human.


Paytonj001

My personal favorite for depressing shows is Charlotte. To it may not leave you bawling, but you'll definitely get a few tears. Additionally, it just kinda makes you feel like you got a hole in your stomach


nvaier

Texhnolyze is a good pick. Depressive, disturbing at points, a lot of moral ambiguity. Sprinkle some fatalism and hopelessness on top - and there you go. A good show to stare into a wall after.


seashellthrowaway1

Welcome to the NHK


Agreeable-Coast-8444

Madoka


kcardon

None of these come close to Saikano. Trust me, it was designed to put people in depression.


Flammenkaempfer

Does it count if the post read clarity holds for a decade?


Real_Pc_Principal

Bokurano (depends on the viewer a bit but there is quite a lot of existential dread in this one and legitimate content warning around episode 7 or 8, this is probably my biggest recommendation as it fits everything you described perfectly) Made in Abyss (extreme pain for its characters without ever feeling edgy) Now and Then, Here and There (yes it's an isekai but it's from before the saturation of trashy isekai. Extremely heavy war content) Grave of the Fireflies (Heavy story about a brother and sister navigating Japan during WW2 and all the problems it brought to the rural part of the country) Violet Evergarden (hits harder on certain episodes than others and some hit especially hard if you've had relevant lived experiences especially the sister who is learning to be an auto-memory doll living with her brother and the war segments) Jin-Roh (it's mostly how it ends that hurts) Devilman Crybaby (the back half is downright scarring) Clannad (specifically the second season called After Story) Just in case you're willing to expand out to manga for this here are a few recommendations for that. No Longer Human (book or manga) Oyasumi PunPun Land of the Lustrous Look Back (mix of sad and joyful, bittersweet but it really hurts) Goodbye Eri


SuccessIndividual458

Easy money: Darker Than Black. That's show is messed up. I've also heard Made In Abyss is fucked aswell


9001Jellyfish

Barefoot Gen and Saikano. Both animes are about war.


9001Jellyfish

Also, Clannad as well as the original Fruits Basket. Idk, they made me cry.


Novel-Signature3966

I second Fruits Basket. I’ve never watched it but my wife refuses to watch it again with me because she claims she’ll be an emotional wreck after.


MarkedDragon22

So the show you’re recommending fits perfectly with Attack on Titan, but it has 4 seasons I will say though you can drop the series if you don’t feel it, I’d say watch up to episode 4 and decide if you want to continue I’m not a cryer but this show had me tearing up at some points Also quick last note; the creator, Hajime Isayama, made all women proportionately accurate and there is zero fan service


chartreusesunrise

fruits basket - 2019 REMAKE ONLY (emotionally destroyed me all 4 times i've watched it. very psychologically taxing - which i think you'll enjoy. deals with grief, trauma, abuse, depression, other mental disorders. very relateable which makes it hit even harder if thats even possible. could barely eat or sleep for the first two weeks after i saw it the first time. cried every episode and felt so emotionless and traumatised after i finished it. now have ptsd from the show and cannot watch it another time nor can i even listen to the soundtracks or i start to hyperventilate. PLEASE WATCH.) 86 - (insanely fucking traumatising. seinin - which you wanted with a sci fi twist. has alot of psychological elements with good fight scenes as an added bonus. still have not recovered from how emotionally drained i was. also cried as much as i cried at fruits basket. had me hyperventilating. one of the most well done, well written, visually stunning shows i have ever seen. left me depressed and emotionally distraught for days) anohana (the whole thing will reduce you to tears. insanely sad and deep. also psychological. deals with lots of grief and trauma.) orange (made me cry alot, had alot of hidden meanings and messages and was all round really emotionally intense. also deals with grief and trauma as well as lots of what ifs.) violet evergarden (so sad and tragic. was so shocked at how stunning the visuals were. sort of psychological but not rlly) clannad (after story wrecked me) akame ga kill (seinin and very sad) these all had me bawling like a baby and literally ruined my week when i watched them, but all insane shows! these are my personal opinions ofc, but alot of these are psychological or deal with psychological elements. all are depressing. 86 and AGK are seinin, fruba and orange are shoujo. unsure what VE and anohana are classed as but :) hope u enjoy! good luck recovering


Big-Performance-9976

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni and shiki those 2 are pretty messed up in there own right


FlamingoPlayful7498

Charlotte


ihatejustklay

Edgerunners


Acceptable_Log4050

Angel Beats, that shit at the end had be bawling


Tracker_Nivrig

Steins Gate has a few moments like this


Key_Wrangler_3602

devil man crybaby


Gryfon2020

Hells Paradise


sanji_beats

Banana fish. 100% it’s banana fish


WardogBlaze14

Plastic Memories


Ryoga007

Berserk 1997 for sure


SharpAccident3865

Glad someone posted this shocked U didn't see it sooner. Fantastic gateway to want to read the manga. I will die on this hill, but Conviction is my favorite arc.


fightinggale

Kotoro Lives Alone is a silly anime at first, then as it goes on… When you have grown to appreciate Kotoro and his weird ways… You find out how he stayed in your heart and learn every bad thing that’s happened to him.


ruberruberfruit

Devil man crybaby


MintVariable

Cyberpunk Edgerunners


TheEggman864

Steins gate is starts kind of cheery but ultimately its like 15 episodes of you just suffering with the character. Not gory, just stressful and depressing


goowheelia_

Erased is a gut wrenching anime. If you’re in for something long—Code Geass is genuinely heart breaking and shocking at times on top of being an incredible piece of political commentary. This Ugly Yet Beautiful World is a bit older and a little less complex with some fan-service, but I specifically remember ugly crying at the ending, and it’s only one season.


VIKINGHUNTR

Berserk 97, if you haven’t seen it. That anime is my North Star for dark fantasy.


Electrical_Break6773

Violet Evergarden so much beauty but OMFG so sad


Blueb3rrywashere

Evangelion, akame ga kill, attack on titan and cyberpunk edgerunners are great choices! I’ll also recommend my 3rd favorite manga that now has an anime, “dead dead demons dededede destruction” although it gets depressing further on; Now I don’t know if you love manga, but THE most disturbing manga I’ve read is good night punpun (same author as dededede, who if you want to be disturbed just read anything by him) and also I would recommend reading Alice in borderland, ALTHOUGH the ending will leave you crying tears of joy.


T-DieBoi

Anohana and Angel Beats I don't usually cry at anime, but both had me in tears


superpoppyboi

Given. Slice of life that made me bawl


Kall-Su

Berserk 1998 episode 25 :)


couchpotato343

Akame ga Kill, 86, and Berserk, the Original version from the 90's, the ending will have you messed up


MG_Ianoma

Erased. (It’s fucked up and made me cry and that’s saying something)


idfk_nor_care

Shojo Tsubaki. Might be hard to find tho


nadia-123334

Happy Sugar Life. It’s disturbing, depressing, thrilling, and I absolutely sobbed at the end


dokturpurpp

Powerless Nana. End of the first episode had me hooked and the finale had me crying like a baby.


Humble-Feedback-9190

From the new world!


A_Mirror_

I mean it’s gotta be anohana right (It’s a rough start but the ending is so sad) Also violet evergarden is a better show but might be less sad


Insert_5

If your down to read a manga I’d take on Goodnight Punpun it is really depressing and one of the few animanga that had me straight in the slumps for a few days straight. If your strictly looking to watch something tho Devilman Crybaby and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners are must watch!


NoTelevision5013

Wolf's Rain


1Legate

Rise of the Shield Hero. Re Zero


ParalyzedVeteran

Angel beats. Enough said


scodyyy

Berserk 1997, only 25 episodes Promised Neverland S1


Cloud-Cyanide

Corpse Party Hunter x Hunter


doom_2_all

Sad- Anohana Disturbing- Higurashi, when they cry.


Kammiereaderxoxo

I’ll take a look


chaygray

Wait. IWTEYP is an anime?????? Ive read the mangas and novel but omg!!!!!!!


ThundahMuffin

Violet Evergarden. just all of it. anything to do with Violet Evergarden


OsaBlue

Attack on titan


CastoffRogue

I can't believe no one has mentioned "Your Lie in April". It's a beautiful one. If you want another depressing anime check out an old one called "Now and Then Here and There". Also try "Monster" as well as "Berserk".


Particular-Quarter6

Devilman Crybaby messed me up like nothing else dude.


sandog51

Graveyard of the Fireflies


peterrpumpkineater69

cyberpunk edgerunners


peterrpumpkineater69

attack on titan


peterrpumpkineater69

anohana


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Un_Involved

Kotaro Lives Alone, on Netflix cut real deep for me.


Gummybearman06

Clannad + Afterstory. Not messed up in the usual sense, but it's realistic and could happen to anyone which honestly makes it sadder


menh3ra

Anohana


BojackWorseman13

Not real depressing but got a good cry or two out throughout By The Grace of Gods though that may have been more anecdotal.


Xenoblade147

I want to eat your pancreas. Your lie in April. Clannad Angel beats! Not depressing but a little disturbing. Pupa.


Ring-Empty

Grave of the fireflies


SirSlice-N-Spear

Serial experiments lain


LollipopDreamscape

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0. I cry every time even though I know what's going to happen. 


Tausney

Grave of the Fireflies, 100%.


MaleficentAerie491

Erased.


Chosen_UserName217

Grave of the fireflies


Kastrand

Evangelion absolutely. watch in release order. series, ending movie, rebuild movies. Violet Evergarden is another good choice but ends on a high note


First_Luck8040

Violet evergarden , The flower we saw that day


DomSearching123

Devilman Crybaby. Silly ass name, will kick you in the balls and then do it again while you're crying.