Occasionally, it’s intriguing to immerse oneself in a few anime productions that carry a bittersweet theme, portray tough realities, or even delve into deep sadness. These may seem counterintuitive, but they can offer an unusual sense of comfort, or provide relatable content to help process one’s own emotions and circumstances. There’s something compelling about these films and series that surprisingly ignites hope within us, even in the most hopeless or seemingly unavoidable situations.
Life’s journey is unique for everyone, filled with personal challenges and battles. At times, it’s comforting to momentarily escape into different worlds, even if that escape takes the form of anime dealing with somber themes. These shows can present bittersweet narratives, quiet internal conflicts, transformative hardships leading to startling realizations, and even total existential crises – the list ranks them from subtly moving to incredibly heart-wrenching.
7) Orange
In a surprising turn of events, Naho Takamiya finds a letter from her future self, written 10 years ahead. Initially, she’s hesitant about its authenticity. However, as events predicted in the letter unfold, Naho becomes convinced it’s genuine. The letter contains warnings about a regrettable future and advice to avoid certain mistakes, particularly concerning a new transfer student named Kakeru Naruse. His anticipated untimely demise is initially viewed as an accident, but as more signs emerge suggesting a deliberate act, Naho and her friends – Hiroto Suwa, Saku Hagita, Azusa Murasaka, and Takako Chino – start to suspect something sinister.
The TV series “Orange” explores complex themes such as grief, mental health, and depression, emphasizing the significance of recognizing subtle indicators when one’s mental health may be deteriorating. Everyone experiences their own personal battles that they might quietly endure, making it essential to cultivate resilient coping strategies like building strong support networks and promoting open dialogue. In cultures where displaying vulnerability could harm an individual rather than the collective, seeking help can be challenging, but it’s crucial and should always be supported.
Orange can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
6) Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
Jinta Yadomi, a solitary teenager, typically prefers staying away from school and immerses himself in video games. However, when an unexpected encounter occurs on a sweltering summer day with his late friend Menma Honma, he initially dismisses it as a figment of the heat. Yet, no matter how hard he tries to ignore her, she persists in asserting that she’s there for good, even though she passed away years ago. Convinced she’s a ghost, Jinta is persuaded to fulfill her request to grant an unremembered wish. Since their friendship was shattered after Menma’s demise, the group of friends reunite to help her fulfill this wish but soon realize that it isn’t as straightforward as they thought. As they work through their shared pain and guilt from the past, they discover that not only are they struggling to help Menma move on, but also dealing with their own emotional turmoil.
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, or simply Anohana, is not a story shrouded in lightness and vibrancy. Instead, it delves into the raw and complex realities of premature death and the profound emotional turmoil that those left behind may experience. Plagued by guilt and remorse, Menma’s friends grapple with her demise in unique ways, their individual grief journeys remaining unresolved until later in their lives when they are compelled to confront these painful memories as a group.
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
5) I Want To Eat Your Pancreas
The bookish character, who appeared indifferent and distant at first, seemingly uninterested in others due to his belief that they showed no interest in him, finds a personal transformation when he discovers a handwritten book titled “Living with Dying“. This turns out to be the secret diary of his lively classmate, Sakura Yamauchi. In this diary, Sakura confides about her pancreatic disease, revealing that she trusts him as one of only a few people outside her family who knows about her terminal illness. Though he initially maintains his emotional distance, he eventually agrees to be with her during her remaining days on earth. Over time, their friendship deepens and Sakura helps him understand the essence of living.
In this story, “I Want To Eat Your Pancreas,” we’re shown a love affair that seems destined for failure from the start. The audience is cautioned not to get too invested in it, much like the protagonist who tries to keep his distance. However, as we all know, detachment can sometimes be just as difficult to achieve as any other emotion. Sakura’s transience serves as a reminder that life is fragile and unpredictable. Regardless of whether one feels they have forewarning about their own mortality or not, it’s crucial to appreciate every moment of life because we never truly know how long we have left.
4) A Silent Voice
In elementary school, Shouya Ishida was known for his mischievous behavior. Regrettably, he found enjoyment in cruel acts, particularly towards his new classmate, Shouko Nishimiya, who was deaf. The entire class joined in on the bullying of Shouko, but when her mother accused the school of mistreating her daughter, Shouya was identified as the main instigator. This led to Shouko transferring away, leaving Shouya isolated and subjected to his peers’ bullying. Throughout high school, Shouya struggled with the guilt and remorse from his past actions. In an effort to change his ways and make amends, he embarked on a journey of redemption, but it proved to be much more challenging than anticipated for both him and Shouko.
The movie “A Silent Voice” explores the devastating impact of bullying, showing how it can drive someone to the brink. While Shouya was involved in bullying Shouko, the damage is portrayed as profound and long-lasting for both of them, as well as their fellow classmates who were complicit. Despite his persistent torment of Shouko, Shouya’s guilt eventually motivates him to seek redemption, a journey that can be challenging and fraught with obstacles.
3) Berserk
Originally a lone mercenary wielding a colossal greatsword, Guts is typically self-reliant. However, an unexpected defeat in a duel at the hands of Griffith, the charismatic, power-hungry leader and creator of the Band of the Hawk, leads to his enlistment into this troop. Within three years, Guts rises through the ranks to become a commander within the group he’s come to care for deeply. With the combined might of Guts’s formidable strength and Griffith’s leadership, the Band of the Hawk gains an unmatched reputation on the battlefield. Yet, as Griffith’s hidden, self-serving ambitions reveal themselves, their military victories begin to exact a heavy toll.
In plain terms: It’s important to be honest here – Berserk doesn’t offer a cheerful conclusion, whether we look at the ongoing anime or the manga as new chapters unfold. The storyline generally paints a grim picture, with more negative events than positive ones. If you can conceive of some of the darkest things that could befall humanity, chances are they’re depicted in this series. As a dark fantasy, it also includes shocking horrors involving otherworldly creatures tormenting humans in gruesome manners. Remarkably, one of the most vicious monsters turns out to be human and is closer to Guts than he realizes.
2) Takopi’s Original Sin
On a surprising visit to Earth, an alien being called a Happian from the Happy Planet arrives, eager to spread joy wherever it goes. This is the initial setup in “Takopi’s Original Sin,” but as readers soon discover, things are not always what they seem. Upon encountering Shizuka Kuze, a girl plagued by sadness, Takopi takes it upon himself to bring happiness into her life. Despite his pure intentions, Takopi is unaware of the hardships Shizuka faces, such as constant bullying at school, an absent father, and a seemingly distant mother. The only source of joy in Shizuka’s life is her loyal dog, Chappy, which only fuels Takopi’s determination to help. However, due to misunderstandings and unforeseen circumstances, Takopi’s attempts to cheer up Shizuka often backfire, leaving them both in more challenging situations.
1. “Imagine if there’s no supernatural or guiding force?”
2. “Suppose others truly don’t care or would prefer I weren’t here?”
3. “What if existence is nothing but pain and sorrow?”
4. “What if things never improve for me?”
5. “What if it’s all meaningless?”
These are some of the challenging questions that Takopi’s Original Sin explores, resonating with many when life seems overwhelmingly difficult. Despite Takopi’s best attempts to aid Shizuka, his efforts often appear futile and only worsen her situation. Yet, there’s value in good intentions and striving to improve someone else’s life, as long as those intentions are not misguided.
Takopi’s Original Sin can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
1) Grave of the Fireflies
1945 in Kobe, Japan: Following a bombing raid by American B-29 Superfortress bombers, 14-year-old Seita and his 4-year-old sister Setsuko lose their mother while their father serves in the Japanese navy. They initially live with a distant relative, who grows resentful of caring for them. As resources dwindle and tension rises, they choose to leave her care. Living in an abandoned bomb shelter, Seito battles to look after Setsuko amidst the destruction of war. With famine, disease, and the unyielding harshness of war, the siblings fight to stay together and survive, but even the fireflies don’t last long under such dire conditions.
Despite Studio Ghibli generally being recognized for creating more optimistic and inspiring films, its founders, Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, haven’t forgotten the grim realities of World War II. Miyazaki has recounted his personal experiences, while Takahata adapted Akiyuki Nosaka’s semi-autobiographical novel, “Grave of the Fireflies,” which was based on Nosaka’s own life events. This film, with its haunting narrative that echoes real, tragic events that had a profound impact, is one that many viewers find too intense to watch more than once.
Grave of the Fireflies can be streamed on Netflix.
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2025-08-09 06:14