Best Sad Anime On Hulu to Stream Right Now (August 2024)

Everyone loves a sad story — especially anime fans. Luckily, the medium delivers repeatedly with plenty of gut-wrenching and heart-breaking titles. In fact, some of the best anime story arcs of all time will leave fans teary-eyed (if not all-out ugly crying). So, there’s no shortage of sad anime, and several of the best can be found on Hulu.




From dark, depressing stories of loss, to somber and deep narratives about life, to action and adventure stories with heart-breaking deaths and gut-wrenching betrayals, Hulu has the perfect sad story for every anime fan. So get a box of tissues ready and find the perfect sad anime from the list of 14 entries below.

Updated on August 25, 2024, by Christopher Raley: Hulu has been growing a library of classic anime that are homeruns for fans of the genre. This library includes some of the saddest anime ever to be produced. More entries about sad anime on Hulu have been added to this article, and it has been updated to conform to CBR’s current publishing standards.


14 One Piece Has Adventure, Humor, and Tragedy

The Anime Has Light-Hearted Moments But Also Leaves Fans Crying


IMDb

9

MyAnimeList

8.72

Crunchyroll

4.9

One Piece follows the adventures of pirate Monkey D. Luffy and his adventures with his gang, the Straw Hat Pirates. Throughout 1,115 episodes and 21 seasons, this ongoing show has plenty to offer, including humor, adventure, and excitement. So if fans are looking for an all-crying, all-the-time anime, keep reading. Nevertheless, One Piece has many heartbreaking arcs that make it one of the saddest anime on Hulu this month.

Where One Piece really gets fans is in the backstories of its characters. These stories develop believable characters worthy of emotional investment. Whether it’s Nico Robin, Brooks, or Nami, the level of attachment fans develop for these characters makes deaths, drama, and separation that much harder to bear.


13 Naruto Takes Action Adventure To the Next Level

Real Character Investment Means Losses Carry Real Weight

IMDb

8.4

MyAnimeList

8.27

Crunchyroll

4.7

On the surface, this shōnen is about what many other shōnen are about: the adventurous exploits of magic ninjas. While Naruto does have excitement and humor, it dives deep into both its characters and villains, deriving believable motivations from compelling backstories.


Following the titular character, Naruto Uzumaki, and his quest to become a great ninja, Naruto delves deep into the motives of both its heroes and villains. This makes moments like the climactic fight between Naruto and Sasuke not only exciting for its action sequences but also for the emotional weight that fans experience through the characters.

12 Erased Is A Mystery Involving Time Travel

Satoru Races To Find a Murderer In the Past


IMDb

8.4

MyAnimeList

8.3

Crunchyroll

4.9

Erased is a thriller anime with a psychological emphasis that deepens as viewers watch Satoru Fujinuma go back to various points in time to solve the mystery of a serial killer’s rampage that results in the murder of three of his childhood friends. Erased takes a deep look at the main character’s own personal tragedies and those of his childhood friend Kayo Hinazuki.

Satoru, a struggling manga artist, has an innate ability called “Revival.” This ability allows him to return to points in time just before tragic events, giving him the ability to save people from death. At the heart of the Erased is Satoru’s friend Kayo, whose kidnapping Satoru is determined to prevent. Along the way, viewers gain an intimate look at Kayo, which makes for a heartbreaking ending.


11 Death Note Asks If the End Justifies the Means

Light Uses a Death Note To Kill High-Profile Criminals

IMDb

8.9

MyAnimeList

8.62

Crunchyroll

4.8


Death Note follows Light Yagami, a genius high school student who finds a black notebook called “Death Note.” The notebook reveals how anyone in possession of the book can cause someone to die in seconds if they have seen that person’s face and can write down that person’s true name. The notebook has been left by a shinigami named Ryuk, who is a kind of spirit that invites people to death.

What follows is a dark mystery as Yagami uses the notebook to kill high-profile criminals and Interpol gets the help of a brilliant detective named L to try and discover the identity of Light, who has been designated Kira by the media. L draws close to Light as the latter’s crusade against crime results in Kira worshipping cults and a model who falls in love with Light. Ultimately, Light is a relatable but doomed character, giving Death Note the deep sadness of a modern tragedy.

10 Mushishi Examines the Mystery That Underlies the Mundane

Ginko Wanders the Land Healing People of Unseen Ailments


IMDb

8.5

MyAnimeList

8.66

Rotten Tomatoes

51%

While most sad series feature one tragedy after the next, some are a bit more subtle and melancholic. Mushishi isn’t exactly a typical sad story, but it still has a somber, and sometimes even depressing, feel to it. The series follows the adventures of Ginko — a mysterious man who wanders aimlessly while following strange creatures known as Mushi.

Determined to discover the meaning of their existence, Ginko researches the Mushi and their effects on other life — including human beings. As a result, his journey often takes him to some dark places, where he’s forced to face some of life’s toughest mysteries. Mushishi touches on human suffering, the complexities of emotions, and the meaning of life itself.


9 The Promised Neverland Is a Terrifying Journey Away From Home

Orphans Discover the Truth About the Orphanage They Live In

IMDb

8.2

MyAnimeList

8.49

Crunchyroll

4.5

Related

10 Best Manga If You Hate Happy Endings

While many manga have happy endings, there are some that take another route, denying their characters a happy ending that they may or may not deserve.


The Promised Neverland is a psychological thriller starring a group of young orphans as they fight to survive in a fearful world ruled by demons. After they discover the horrible truth about the orphanage they’ve lived in their entire lives, protagonist Emma and her siblings decide to attempt an escape. Along the way, the show packs a drama-heavy punch as the children and the viewers learn more about Isabella, the woman who runs the orphanage.

Unfortunately, the outside world is far more unforgiving than the hardy orphans realize, and freedom comes to them at a major cost. While the second season is not so great, the first season is well worth watching as The Promised Neverland is filled with action, horror, suspense, and heart-wrenching moments that make it a great pick for those who love a depressing tale of survival.


The Elrics Give Everything to Get Their Mother Back

IMDb

9.1

MyAnimeList

9.1

Crunchyroll

4.9

Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is one of the most beloved anime series of all time. The classic shōnen story is an influential part of anime history and a must-watch for all fans. The series follows the adventures of Edward and Alphonse Elric, a pair of brothers who lost their bodies as a consequence of attempting to use alchemy to bring their deceased mother back to life.


Now, the two travel the world in search of the Philosopher’s Stone, hoping its power can reverse the terrible effects of their mistake. FMA: Brotherhood is one of the most heartbreaking shōnen out there as the brothers ultimately realize the true nature of the philosopher’s stone and the troubling moral dilemma it presents. Filled with many dark and depressing storylines, this show is sad enough to bring a tear to even the toughest fan’s eye.

7 NANA Shows How Two Distinct Melodies Can Become a Harmony

Two Girls With The Same Name Experience Love and Loss


IMDb

8.5

MyAnimeList

8.55

Crunchyroll

4.8

NANA is a beloved Josei series that has easily become a classic over the years. It’s the story of two very different young women named Nana and their journey to find love, fame, and self-discovery. While they’re complete opposites, Nana Komatsu and Nana Osaki become the best of friends and bond over their hopes and dreams.

Together, the two Nanas navigate the world and try to make a name for themselves, overcoming some of life’s toughest challenges along the way. Although NANA doesn’t look like much at first glance, it’s not afraid to delve into some pretty deep subjects, and it gets surprisingly dark as a result. For fans of drama and shocking twists, NANA is a must-watch series.


6 Tokyo Revengers Sees its Hero Rides Off Into the Sunset

But There Is No Promise of a Sunrise

IMDb

7.8

MyAnimeList

7.90

Crunchyroll

4.7


Tokyo Revengers follows Takemichi, a young man who made a lot of mistakes in his past that he would change if he could. While that’s not an option for most people, Takemichi gets that chance when what should have been a fatal fall onto a train platform magically transports him back in time to his high school days. Now he has the chance to save the life of his one and only girlfriend who was killed by a ruthless gang.

As Takemichi tries to change the past with foreknowledge of the future, things never quite go as planned. For every positive change he makes to history, a new tragedy seems to take its place. Takemichi may never be able to make his future perfect, and it doesn’t help that he has to infiltrate a biker gang to do it. With Season 2 of Tokyo Revengers appearing exclusively on Hulu, there’s no better place to watch the poster child of delinquent anime series.


5 Attack On Titan Reminds Viewers There’s No Winner in War

A Young Man Becomes a Monster To Fight Monsters

IMDb

9.1

MyAnimeList

8.55

Rotten Tomatoes

96%


Attack on Titan is one of the saddest anime series in the history of the genre. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where people live in fear of giant humanoids called Titans, AoT follows Eren Yeager (whose mother gets eaten by a Titan) and his friends as they join the fight against the Titans by enlisting in the Survey Corps. Given the premise, it’s no surprise that nearly every aspect of the story is utterly depressing. With countless deaths, shocking betrayals, and devastating plot twists, the story only seems to get darker the further it progresses.

Even as fans find themselves heartbroken over and over by this series, Attack on Titan is beloved by viewers and critically considered one of the best anime of all time. With the devastating finale completed and the show finished, now is the best time to binge the previous seasons. Lucky for those looking to do just that, Hulu has the entire series available, making it easier than ever.


4 Fruits Basket (2019) Is a Reboot Of a Heart-Breaking Classic

An Optimistic Young Girl Resolves to Help a Cursed Family

IMDb

8.6

MyAnimeList

9

Crunchyroll

4.9

Fruits Basket is one of the best shojo anime ever and has been wildly popular with anime fans of all kinds since the early 2000s. Both adaptations of the series are amazing in their own right, but there’s no denying that the 2019 series has much more emotional weight to it than its predecessor. This is due, at least in part, to how the series adapts all 23 volumes of the original manga throughout three seasons and 63 episodes.


The reboot is a faithful adaptation of the manga, and it features the darker storylines that start to surface later on in the series. While the story starts very cute and comical, Fruits Basket is actually a heartbreaking series that is filled with traumatic backstories of abuse, tragic romances, shocking reveals, rejections, and griefs that are sure to break the hearts of even the strongest viewers.

3 Assassination Classroom Hides its Pain Behind a Smile

A Mysterious, Powerful Alien Teaches Students How to Assassinate Him


IMDb

8.0

MyAnimeList

8.08

Crunchyroll

4.8

Despite its colorful appearance and upbeat opening, Assassination Classroom is far from a happy series. Admittedly, the anime has a lot of humor and uplifting moments, but it has a surprisingly heartbreaking premise despite it all. Assassination Classroom follows a class of assassins in training, who have been tasked with taking out Earth’s greatest threat.

In a cruel twist of fate, their target is the lovable teacher who has been training them from the start, Koro Sensei. Throughout the series, the students form a strong bond with their teacher, and even the audience can’t help but fall in love with him. On the one hand, this story is about the impact a good teacher can have. On the other, the unsettling backstories it reveals speak of truths that make it all the more painful when the teacher’s tragic end finally arrives.


2 Steins;Gate Considers Whether The Past is Better Left Alone

A Scientist Discovers Time Travel — and Can Never Go Back

IMDb

8.8

MyAnimeList

9.07

Crunchyroll

4.8

At first glance, Steins;Gate seems like a typical sci-fi time travel series, but it doesn’t take long for viewers to realize that this psychological story is surprisingly dark and depressing. The story begins when eccentric scientist Okabe Rintaro accidentally makes a huge breakthrough in time travel with his “Phone Microwave” invention.


What starts as an incredible discovery soon becomes a nightmare as he and his loved ones suffer the consequences of meddling with the past. Full of suspense and tragic plot twists, Steins;Gate is a heavy series that delves into the darker side of sci-fi and is a must-watch for fans of sad anime with a good shock factor.

1 Your Lie In April Is a Melancholic Tune

This Series Ends on a Sad Note


IMDb

8.5

MyAnimeList

8.64

Crunchyroll

4.9

Your Lie in April is one of the saddest anime series out there. While the series starts like any other lighthearted rom-com, it soon takes a shocking turn when viewers learn the lead female, Kaori Miyazono, is terminally ill. From there, the story only gets more and more depressing, touching on heavy subjects like learning to face death and dealing with loss.

With its touching story, gorgeous visuals, and moving music, the series manages to bring a tear to anyone’s eye because it deals with the reality of moving forward through profound loss and heartbreak. Though it’s now almost a decade old, Your Lie in April is a favorite among fans of sad anime and is considered a classic that all anime fans should see at least once.


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