Entertainment
Emmys 2025: These Are the Big Winners of the Night
25. Berserk
Berserk weaves a raw, heart-wrenching romance into its dark and brutal world, centered on Guts' tumultuous love-hate bond with Caska. Their intense and passionate struggles offer a striking counterpoint to the fierce battles, making every tender moment as unforgettable as the action itself. | © Dark Horse Comics
24. 5 Centimeters Per Second
5 Centimeters Per Second is a touching film from Makoto Shinkai about childhood friends, Takaki and Akari, who slowly drift apart despite their deep love. This bittersweet tale shows that sometimes even true love can't live through the distance and life changes. | © Kodansha
23. Blue Box
Blue Box is a sports anime about Taiki, a badminton player who has a crush on Chinatsu, a popular basketball player, and they end up living together. The story turns emotional when Taiki's childhood friend Hina falls for him too, creating a love triangle full of heartache. | © TMS Entertainment
22. Violet Evergarden
Violet Evergarden is a moving story about a former weapon of war who embarks on a journey to discover the true meaning of love by helping others express their emotions. As she continues on her journey, she faces the sadness of losing Major Gilbert, and every message she sends helps her heal. | © Toho
21. Ride Your Wave
Ride Your Wave follows Hinako, a free-spirited coastal girl, who falls in love with Minato, a brave young firefighter. Their summer romance takes a heartbreaking turn when Minato dies in a surfing accident, leaving Hinako to find the strength to heal from loss. | © Toho
20. Angel Beats!
Angel Beats! is a uniquely imaginative series that offers a fresh take on the afterlife with a brilliant mix of laughter and heartfelt drama. Despite its short 13-episode run, the quirky characters and stunning soundtrack create a lasting impression that captures the bittersweet beauty of life. | © Sentai Filmworks
19. Banana Fish
Banana Fish is an intense drama that defies the typical shojo romance with its graphic scenes and high-stakes action. Follow Ash Lynx and Eiji Okumura as their unlikely bond becomes their lifeline against dangerous foes, leading to a shocking, heart-wrenching finale. | © Prime Video
18. Golden Time
Golden Time follows Banri Tada, a college freshman trying to reclaim lost memories after a tragic accident on the night of his high school graduation party. Split between reviving childhood love with Kouko and new feelings for his best friend Linda, Banri’s journey is a heartfelt exploration of second chances and turbulent emotions. | © Seven Seas Entertainment
17. From Up on Poppy Hill
From Up on Poppy Hill is a gentle and nostalgic anime about young love that blossoms over a shared mission to save the historic Latin Quarter in the school. Just as Umi and Shun’s feelings deepen, a startling family secret shakes their world, blending heartbreak with hope in a truly unforgettable story. | © Toho
16. Rumbling Hearts
Rumbling Hearts is a moving anime about high schooler Takayuki, who finds himself caught in a tragic love triangle after his girlfriend Haruka falls into a coma. As he grows closer to her best friend, Mitsuki, the story tests the strength of love, friendship, and decency, leaving you deeply moved by every twist. | © Madman Entertainment
15. Plastic Memories
Plastic Memories is a touching romance that explores the bittersweet pain of loss with simple, heartfelt dialogue and solid emotional moments. Though it follows a predictable path, watching Tsukasa cope with the reality of a human soul fading within an android body leaves you quietly moved and reflective. | © Anime Limited
14. Inuyasha
Inuyasha is a classic romance anime that combines demon battles with heartfelt romance, taking you back to those school days filled with wild adventures. Despite a few slower episodes meant to build its rich world, this anime makes every episode a journey worth remembering. | © Seven Seas Entertainment
13. Orange
Orange is a captivating romance anime that blends supernatural twists with heart-wrenching emotion. Follow Naho Takamiya as she receives mysterious letters from her future self, urging her to save her friend Kakeru Naruse, even if it means risking the future happiness she has built. | © Toho
12. Toradora!
Toradora is a coming-of-age story that blends familiar slice-of-life moments with deep, natural character growth. With its genuine storytelling and well-crafted characters, the series transforms classic tropes into an engaging narrative that feels both real and touching. | © Seven Seas Entertainment
11. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas centers on an antisocial male protagonist, Haruki Shiga, whose life is transformed when he discovers that his classmate, Sakura, is facing a terminal illness. As their friendship grows, the movie beautifully explores themes of cherishing life and coming to terms with the pain of inevitable end. | © Aniplex
10. Princess Tutu
Princess Tutu is a beautifully written and sad love story that combines magical charm with classic ballet and fairytale elements. It follows Ahiru, a duckling given a human body, as she transforms into the enchanting Princess Tutu to mend a heart. | © Madman Entertainment
9. To the Forest of Firefly Lights
To the Forest of Firefly Lights is a short but sweet film about the supernatural romance between Hotaru, a human girl, and Gin, a mysterious forest spirit who cannot be touched by mortal hands. Their slow-building love unfolds gently but is destined for a bittersweet end, leaving you with a tender ache. | © Aniplex
8. Weathering With You
Weathering With You is a beautifully sad romance where Tokyo’s unpredictable weather mirrors the inner struggles of young characters. This movie follows Hodaka, who feels lost in the big city, and Hina, a girl with the power to change the weather. | © Toho
7. Fruits Basket
Fruits Basket is a classic tear-jerking romance that combines the beauty of love with a dark family curse, revealing the true pain hidden behind the colorful smiles of the Sohma clan. It follows Tohru Honda, a kind-hearted girl with her battles, who brings hope and courage into a world tangled by fate and deep secrets. | © Funimation
6. Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl
Rascal Does Not Dream of a Dreaming Girl is a clever time-travel anime that avoids clichés and takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through its protagonist's unforgettable choices. Told from his unique point of view, the movie blends heart-touching twists with deep, complex moments that will leave you inspired. | © Aniplex
5. Your Lie in April
Your Lie in April is a heartfelt anime that combines the sadness of lost passion with the healing power of music. It follows piano prodigy Kousei Arima, who rediscovers the beauty of life and love through the fearless spirit of violinist Kaori Miyazono. | © Madman Entertainment
4. Clannad
Clannad is an emotional anime movie that hooks you with nostalgic charm and a powerful, metaphor-rich ending. Although it leaves out some backstories to keep things moving and even gets a little goofy at times, its honest portrayal of character and feeling will make your heart ache and smile at the same time. | © Sentai Filmworks
3. Oshi no Ko
Oshi no Ko is an excellent but sad anime series that combines romance with a deep look into the idol industry. It follows the story of Ai Hoshino’s children, Aqua and Ruby, as they navigate the truth behind lies and the heart-wrenching challenges of love, all while discovering the meaning of life. | © Sentai Filmworks
2. Your Name
Your Name is one of the best sad romance anime movies that follows a body-swap between Taki, a Tokyo teen, and Mitsuha, a girl from rural Japan. As Taki races to save their connection, the film explores the transformative power of friendship and the bittersweet pain of destiny, leaving you both mesmerized and tearful. | © Toho
1. Silent Voice
Silent Voice is an outstanding, sad anime that follows Shoya, who tries to make up for his cruel bullying of his deaf classmate Shoko, as they finally face each other in high school. The movie beautifully shows two troubled teens learning to communicate and understand each other, sparking love that will leave you in tears. | © Animation World Network
