Most Emotional Anime (30 Days of Anime – Years 1 to 5) – Day 3
For the third day of the 30 Days of Anime challenge, I’m revisiting the most emotional anime that I reviewed from each of the last five years. You might want to bring some tissues!
Most Emotional Anime (30 Days of Anime – Years 1 to 5) – Day 3
It’s time for the Most Emotional Anime! For this one, I decided to mix things up by not just picking shows that delivered an emotional gut punch. I picked some that left me thinking and one that had me pondering the meaning of my existence. Each of these shows left me changed in some way. They resonated with me in a way that made them all some of my favourite anime.
Year 1 – Dr. Stone (Season One)
Dr. Stone was the anime that I used to launch the Otaku Author. It had just finished airing when I had scheduled the big switchover from my old site, but that wasn’t the only reason I brought it with me. This show was packed full of incredible moments. I came into it expecting a post-apocalyptic survival story and while I got that, I got so much more. I’ll never forget the moment that Senku created a pair of glasses for Suika who had never seen clearly before. Or the time he created antibiotics to save Riri. I loved the bromance between Senku, Chrome, and Kaseki. Of course, nothing will compare to the story of Senku’s father watching the world turn to stone from the International Space Station and then finding a way to create a legacy for Senku, knowing that his son would endure. This really is a special series.
Year 2 – Akame ga Kill! (Season One)
I’ve seen a lot of criticism directed at Akame ga Kill! and I can honestly say that I’ve never understood any of it. I don’t see how anyone can watch the episodes where we get to know Shelle and then feel nothing when she dies. The same goes for Bulat, Mine, and Chelsea. I’ve seen people moaning about the ending, but again, can’t see what they mean. I’ve read and reviewed both the anime and the manga, and I think the ending in the anime is actually stronger with the sacrifices made. However, nothing hit me harder than seeing Leone walking through her old neighbourhood, smiling at everyone before she staggered down a dark alleyway and died alone. I love this series. This one left me absolutely shaken when it ended.
Year 3 – My Dress-Up Darling (Season One)
I was a little late to the My Dress-Up Darling party but made up for that as I binge-watched the season in a couple of days. For most series, I am content just to write up episode and season reviews. However, occasionally, a story will grab me and make me want to explore more. This was one of those. The observations that this series made about people and the things they loved were incredible. There were nuggets of advice at every corner, many of which resonated with me. This series was emotionally uplifting. It’s perfect for recharging your energy and leaving you in a happier, more content space. I have since reviewed all of the available manga and am eagerly awaiting the next season.
Year 4 – Domestic Girlfriend (Season One)
When I started watching Domestic Girlfriend, I had just suffered a herniated disc in my spine and was unable to do much. So, I lay in my bed and watched a bunch of anime to pass the time. I watched the entire season in two days and then probably spent the next week thinking about nothing else. Natsuo’s attempts to become a writer connected me to the story in a way I had not expected. Then, whenever, Natsuo faced a trial that could derail his attempts or a piece of advice that might push him forward, I felt like I was living it with him. There were a lot of hard truths that I needed to hear and on top of that, the story was absolutely captivating. I’m amazed that I’ve not heard more people raving about this series.
Year 5 – Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (Season One)
I started watching Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End on a whim. I knew nothing about the story other than it was a fantasy series, but I dived straight in. The first four episodes were released on day one and after watching all of them back to back to back to back, I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of an adventure. This series had me tearing up in the first and second episodes. We hardly knew anyone at that stage, but it still managed to floor me. The thing with this series is that it’s not the deaths that did it, but the realisation of how short and precious life is. We saw the world through the eyes of an immortal with very little concept of time. This series showed us how quickly the greatest of deeds can be forgotten. I came away invigorated but also wondering how I might leave my mark on the world and even then, how quickly would the world move on without me? This was an epic masterclass in storytelling. However, more than anything, it was the way it connected us to the characters that made it so special.
Final Thoughts!
Making my selections for this category was a lot harder than I thought it would be, but that just shows how lucky I’ve been to cover so many wonderful shows that managed to impact me deeply. Anime really is a treasure trove of wonders. I can’t wait to see what shows I watch in year six that leave me breathless. Anyhow, tomorrow’s category will definitely shake things up as I reveal my Favourite Hot Springs Episodes! You’re not going to want to miss this! Thanks for visiting.
Other Posts in the Series
30 Days of Anime (Years 1 to 5)
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Definitely agree with Frieren. Except for me the whole thing with her being a memelord mixed into the story about rediscovering memories through adventure was also a great blend.
Agreed. I loved the way they showed us both adventures simultaneously while linking them through Frieren’s experiences.
Oh yeah. Are you also reading the manga too?
Not yet, although I have it ready to go as soon as I have the time.