Here are some recommended sad anime and novels:
1. " Unheard of Flower Name ": This anime used sadness as its theme, telling a story about loss and growth. The characters in the story have experienced many sorrows and difficulties, but they try their best to find hope and reunite.
2. Clannad: This was an anime that was recognized as a tear-jerker. The story was about the emotional development of a young man and a girl who talked to herself after meeting each other, as well as the sadness and growth they experienced together.
3. April Is Your Lie: This is a healing anime, but it also has a sad plot. The story tells the story of a piano genius and a violinist. They found resonance with each other through music, but they also faced sadness and separation.
4. [When the Cicadas Cry in Cold]: This was a tragic anime that told the story of a tragic event that happened in a small village. The protagonist and the people around him were in danger, and the truth of the story was gradually revealed.
5. Nausica of the Valley of the Wind, a manga by Hayao Miyazaki, ended in tragedy. The story takes place in a destroyed world. The protagonist and a mysterious girl begin an adventure, but in the end, they face sadness and sacrifice.
These recommended animes and novels all had sad plots and endings, which could bring a deep emotional experience to the audience and readers.
A great sad anime story often has strong character development. For example, in 'A Silent Voice', Shoya's journey from a bully to someone seeking redemption is really moving. His relationship with Shoko, a deaf girl he once bullied, is full of complex emotions. When you see how they both grow and the pain they go through, it makes the story very sad and also very powerful.
Another great one is 'Clannad: After Story'. It shows the life of Tomoya Okazaki after high school. He has to face many difficulties in life, including the loss of his wife Nagisa during childbirth. The story is extremely sad as it portrays the harshness of life and the importance of family. It really tugs at your heartstrings.
Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day' is also a sad anime. Menma has died, but her spirit lingers. Her friends are haunted by her death and their past actions. They gradually come to terms with their feelings of guilt and grief as they try to help Menma move on.
There were many animes that had been adapted from sad novels, such as Sword God's Domain, About My Reincarnation as a Slime, Index of Forbidden Magic Books, Gate to the Stone of Destiny, and so on. These anime works were all adapted from sad novels. By adapting the anime, the plot and characters in the novel were presented more vividly and attractive. These anime works not only had a breakthrough in the storyline, but also made a lot of efforts in character creation and emotional expression, which was deeply loved by the audience.
Another is 'Clannad'. Tomoya Okazaki meets Nagisa Furukawa, and as their relationship develops, we see the story of her family, including her relationship with her parents and her sister. There are many sad elements, especially when dealing with family hardships and the challenges of sibling relationships in the face of illness and difficult family dynamics.
Grave of the Fireflies. Set during World War II, it tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko. They struggle to survive on their own after their mother is killed in an air raid. Eventually, Setsuko dies of malnutrition, and Seita is left alone and later also perishes. It's a heart - wrenching tale of the horrors of war and the vulnerability of children.
Often, these anime have a lot of emotional depth. They make you feel for the characters deeply. For example, in 'Clannad', the relationships between the characters are so complex and real that when bad things happen, it really hits you hard. The music and the art style also play a big role in enhancing the sadness. Darker color palettes and melancholic music are common in such anime.
An anime with a sad ending (the female lead dies) can refer to the following example:
Detective Conan was an anime with a reasoning theme. The death of the female lead, Yuanshan and Ye, in the game became one of the clues for Conan to find the truth.
Naruto also had many scenes where the female lead died, such as the ninja Tsunete of Kinoha Village, the mother of Naruto Uzuzumaki, and the female lead of Sanin Village, Saninobu.
The female lead of Tanjiro, Hinata Hinatsu, in the movie 'Ghost Blade' also ended with death.
Other animes with sad endings included the female lead of Death Note, Yagami Tsuki, the female lead of Fate Stone Gate, Rentaro Okabe, and the female lead of Fate/Zero, Rin Tosaka.