7 Most Emotionally Devastating Anime of The Past Decade, Ranked

No matter how stoic you are, anime has plenty of stories that can draw out your deepest and purest emotions. Especially in the past decade, from 2016 to 2026, we got several anime movies and series that are more than capable of making you cry or leaving you scarred for life, in a good way, of course.

So, if you haven’t been able to catch up on much of the past 10 years of anime and wish to watch something truly emotional, then consider giving these 7 anime a try. We’ve even ranked them based on the psychological toll they might leave on you, so that you can head in better prepared.

7 A Place Further Than the Universe Tells an Inspirational Tale

Childhood dreams often get buried in the hustle and bustle of growing up. But should you actually let them fade away just like that? The answer lies in A Place Further than the Universe. It tells a coming-of-age story of a teenage girl, Mari, who constantly regrets the uneventful life she has led so far.

But after a surprising turn of events, Mari later forms a group of friends who also share similar sentiments in one way or another. And the four of them get a grand opportunity to go on a trip to Antarctica. Yes, you read that right! However, their journey is filled with ups and downs that can easily tear you up.

6 Maquia Masterfully Explores the Themes of Motherhood

Despite being set in a fantasy world, the core narrative of Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is much more grounded in reality. After all, it’s an emotionally rich tale of a mother and her adoptive son. While it may sound simple, the movie masterfully explores themes of motherhood.

Similar to elves, Maquia tells its story from the perspective of a race called the Iorph, who live far longer than humans can even imagine. It follows the series’ MC, Maquia, who takes in a human child. Despite all the odds, she tries her best to give him a fulfilling life. Thus, it secures the 6th place on the list.

5 I Want to Eat Your Pancreas Can Make a Grown Man Cry

It is not a spoiler to say that the main girl in this movie dies! Yes, that’s right. At the very start of the film, it is revealed that Sakura has an incurable disease. Therefore, the story explores how she spends her remaining days alive on Earth. And with every moment, you know the inevitable is coming.

The title may sound a bit uncanny, or even like a horror, but there’s a wonderful metaphor in play here. The movie tells that eating a part of the human body that is causing pain might just cure their problems. Though it’s just a superstition, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas beautifully builds upon it with much realism.

4 The Ending of A Silent Voice Hits Harder Than One Expects

Teenagers are prone to self-harm if something even slightly unfortunate happens to them, and suicide often becomes their primary gateway to escape reality. But is there really no coming back? And what exactly can cause them to go to such extreme lengths? A Silent Voice explores all that perfectly.

The creator, Yoshitoki Oima, poured her soul into writing each character and their internal dynamics. Themes of self-acceptance and learning how to become a better person are some of the core narrative takeaways from the movie. Especially the ending of the film is as satisfying as it is inspirational.

3 Made In Abyss Delivers Trauma With Peak Worldbuilding

Made in Abyss perfectly mixes fantasy, adventure, trauma, and gore. But a content warning: this is not a show for the faint of heart. At first, Riko’s journey to find her mother in the bottomless Abyss starts cheerfully, but the deeper we go, the stakes keep rising, and there’s no turning back!

The worldbuilding in Made in Abyss is unlike any other fantasy adventure series. By the end of Season 1, the series will hit you with one of anime’s most traumatising story arcs (Nanachi’s story). And if that wasn’t enough to break you, then the sequel, Dawn of the Deep Soul movie, will certainly do the trick.

2 Takopi’s Original Sin Questions the Definition of Happiness

Takopi’s Original Sin presents deep human trauma in one of the most realistic ways possible; the kind of trauma that is hard to get rid of because it reflects how you’ve grown up. From parental abuse and social bullying to constant neglect, all of this can leave scars on a child that may never fully heal.

Now, although this anime explores all of that, it does so in the most unexpected way. Here, you meet an alien named Takopi, who comes to Earth to spread happiness. However, during his journey on the planet, he realizes how humans can often succumb to a darkness completely stripped of true happiness.

1 Violet Evergarden Excels at Exploring Human Emotions

Understanding human emotions may not be as easy as it sounds. We often jump to conclusions about someone’s feelings without giving them proper thought, because doing so can be quite tiring. But Violet herself takes on this task every day, to understand the meaning behind her Major’s parting words.

Almost every episode of Violet Evergarden will leave you reflecting on your own life choices, regrets, or even the good times. It has a narrative grip that ensures no episode passes without bringing you to tears, all while telling Violet’s overarching, breathtaking storyline. Thus, it easily deserves the #1 spot.

TITLE	RELEASE DATE	IMDb RATING (as of May 23, 2026)	WHERE TO WATCH
A Place Further Than the Universe	Jan 2, 2018	8.1/10	Crunchyroll, Netflix
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms	Feb 24, 2018	7.4/10	Netflix
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas	Sep 1, 2018	8.1/10	Netflix
A Silent Voice	Sep 17, 2016	8.2/10	Netflix
Made In Abyss	Jul 7, 2017	8.3/10	Crunchyroll, HIDIVE
Takopi’s Original Sin	Jun 28, 2025	8.7/10	Crunchyroll, Netflix
Violet Evergarden	Jan 11, 2018	8.4/10	Netflix

Even some recent series like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, and Ikoku Nikki could make the list. However, while they are masterpieces in their own right, they cannot be judged solely based on their emotional value. That said, in the coming years, many more anime with equally or more touching storylines are expected to be released, so it’s always worth the wait.

What are your thoughts on the list, though? And do you have any other recommendations that deserve a spot here? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.