7 Best Anime About Grief - Investment Policy

Grief isn’t simply a brief spell of sorrow; it’s an intense emotion that alters our very identities. Unlike Western cartoons that tend to avoid the more profound aspects of loss, anime fearlessly delves into the deepest depths of grief. The art form’s distinctive visual style translates inner emotional landscapes into awe-inspiring external realities, enabling viewers not only to comprehend grief intellectually but also to experience it alongside the characters emotionally.

The outstanding anime series on grief don’t just employ tragedy as a storyline. Instead, they delve into the aftermath, the voids left behind, the recollections that cause pain yet offer solace, and the gradual, lopsided journey of learning to bear loss instead of merely overcoming it. These narratives teach us that grief isn’t something to defeat but something that shapes our identity. Here are 7 powerful anime about grief that will touch you deeply.

7. A Silent Voice

Hearing Each Other Beyond The Silence

In a unique perspective, “A Silent Voice” delves into grief not through death but by focusing on the loss of bonds, purity, and personal value. This poignant movie narrates Shoya Ishida’s transformation from a bully to a penitent young adult, revealing how we grapple with the remorse of inflicting pain on others and ourselves.

In this animated series, Shoya expresses an unusual kind of regret for tormenting his deaf childhood friend, Shoko Nishimiya. This regret is so intense that it leads to his seclusion from society and thoughts of taking his own life. These experiences signify his mourning for the person he once was and the relationships that disintegrated due to his past actions.

In simpler terms, Director Naoko Yamada creatively illustrates feelings of emotional loneliness through her visual narration. Characters who Shoya struggles with or avoids have crosses over their faces, symbolizing how guilt and sorrow can separate us from others. As the story progresses, these crosses gradually fade away, indicating Shoya’s growing recovery.

As a gamer, I found myself deeply moved by this film that uniquely portrays grief not as a destructive force, but as a catalyst for change. Shoya’s regret, though excruciatingly heavy at times, paved the way for his personal development. It was evident that when faced head-on, grief can nurture compassion and enlightenment instead of merely inflicting pain.

6. Berserk

A Man Who Lost Everything, Yet Keeps Moving

In a different phrasing, “Berserk delves deep into anime’s darkest portrayal of sorrow, chronicling the story of Guts following the devastating separation from his adopted family during the Eclipse. Unlike most narratives about grief, Berserk doesn’t concentrate on recovery but rather investigates how loss metamorphoses into all-consuming fury and an insatiable thirst for vengeance.

The show explores the most devastating forms that grief can take, showing how losing someone can leave a person feeling empty except for a single driving force. Following the massacre of the Band of the Hawk, Guts transforms into a living symbol of grief’s darker manifestations: solitude, self-destruction, and relentless quest for revenge against Griffith.

Kentaro Miura’s unique artistic approach portrays the tangible effects of sorrow on Guts, as his physical body amasses scars reflecting his inner emotional traumas. The Brand of Sacrifice around his neck stands as an enduring symbol, indicating that he dwells in a liminal zone between living and dying – a poignant allegory for deep-seated grief.

In the Black Swordsman storyline, we witness an intense sense of solitude due to Guts’ profound grief. He shuns human connections out of a deep-seated fear that more pain and loss may follow. This depiction resonates deeply with those who have experienced trauma, as it highlights how grief can make one feel invulnerable or unable to connect emotionally.

5. Given

Music Fills The Spaces Left Behind

Amongst many animes, this one uniquely tackles the topic of grief within the realm of LGBTQ+ connections, focusing on Mafuyu Sato’s journey towards healing after his boyfriend Yuki’s suicide. With exceptional empathy and accuracy, it unravels the intricacies of grief.

This anime stands out for its exploration of grief in LGBTQ+ relationships, particularly following Mafuyu Sato as he copes with his boyfriend Yuki’s death by suicide. It portrays these difficult emotions with great understanding and realism.

The anime employs music not just as a tool, but also as a symbol for dealing with grief. Mafuyu’s guitar, which was once treasured by Yuki, serves as a tangible representation of his sorrow. At first, Mafuyu can’t play it, reflecting his emotional immobility, stuck in an unresolved state of mourning.

In this scenario, the event or place serves not just as a straightforward reminder of loss, but rather as an unexpected surge of grief, similar to an unpredictable tide. For instance, listening to a familiar tune or revisiting a significant location can stir up powerful emotions within Mafuyu, symbolizing how grief can catch us off guard when we least anticipate it.

The series stands out in portraying how previous sorrows influence fresh relationships. Mafuyu’s blossoming bond with bandmate Uenoyama is clouded by the lingering effects of his past heartache, probing into the guilt that often accompanies finding joy after a devastating event. The story subtly raises the query if embracing a new love lessens the one who was lost, creating an undercurrent throughout the plot.

4. Violet Evergarden

Letters That Bridge The Living And The Lost

As a devoted admirer, I can say that in the captivating world of Violet Evergarden, I find myself immersed as a fellow scribe. You see, Violet’s profession is unlike any other—an Auto Memory Doll. She’s essentially a letter-writer who lends her skills to those struggling to put their deepest emotions into words.

Violet’s transformation from a child soldier to a compassionate wordsmith serves as a journey that delves into grief from various angles. This enchanting series masterfully weaves through the complex tapestry of human sorrow, offering insights that resonate deeply with me.

The main sorrow in the anime revolves around Violet’s uncertain situation regarding Major Gilbert’s fate. Since his death hasn’t been officially confirmed, Violet finds herself in a painful state of limbo – a condition psychologists call “ambiguous loss,” where finding closure proves challenging. Her story mirrors the struggle many people face when grappling with grief without the definitive goodbye.

In a captivating manner, Kyoto Animation skillfully depicts sorrow through stunning visuals. The color schemes delicately adjust to mirror the characters’ emotional journeys. Initially, scenes are presented in soft, dull tones, symbolizing the initial stages of grief. However, as characters work through their pain, warmer colors gradually appear, visually representing the gradual change in grief.

Among the series’ episodes, none has left a more profound impact than Episode 10, with its poignant tale of Ann receiving letters from her late mother on every birthday. This story is often brought up in conversations about the most emotionally stirring moments in anime. Its depiction of grief as something that transforms over time, rather than fading away, mirrors a universal human experience.

3. Your Lie in April

The Melody Continues After The Final Note

In a narrative titled “Your Lie in April,” we follow pianist Kousei Arima as he navigates his path through various sorrows. Initially, it’s the passing of his mother that takes away his gift for music, but later, it’s the slow disappearance of violinist Kaori Miyazono who aids him in rekindling both his love for music and finding happiness again.

The show masterfully employs classical music to portray the external manifestations of the internal turmoil of grief. Kousei’s inability to perceive his own playing symbolizes the disorienting impact of grief, making the world seem hazy and remote. Frequently, his performances reflect his emotional condition, with the compositions becoming increasingly intricate as his grief develops.

The tangible symptoms of grief are given close scrutiny, as Kousei struggles with stiff fingers and blurred vision, and instances where he appears to be overcome by emotion during performances. These vivid portrayals highlight the impact that loss can have not only on our feelings, but also on our physical selves.

In the anime, we see clearly that unresolved grief can turn into deep-seated trauma. The bond between Kousei and the piano is corrupted by his mother’s rigorous tutoring and her eventual passing, serving as a powerful example of how unexamined loss creates mental obstacles that restrict our ability to fully engage in life.

2. To Your Eternity

Immortality’s Burden Of Endless Goodbyes

In a distinctive perspective, To Your Eternity delves into grief as it chronicles the journey of an immortal entity named Fushi, who encounters loss repeatedly over countless centuries. The narrative unfolds from a solitary boy’s death in the snow, transforming into a deep exploration of life, love, and the unavoidable loss of those precious relationships.

The main concept of this anime revolves around loss and grief: The character Fushi assumes the shape of entities once they’ve passed away, effectively preserving their essence but also feeling the void left behind by their departure. In essence, Fushi becomes a living tribute to every being he has mourned.

In the series, the untimely demise of March early on sets a recurring theme – Fushi develops connections that inevitably fracture. Remarkably, the anime showcases how grief evolves rather than vanishes completely, reflecting the centuries-old sorrows borne by Fushi.

Pondering over the memories of those he’s left behind gives Fushi a sense of purpose yet endless grief, leading him to wonder if immortality brings more blessings or hardships, as it implies witnessing the demise of every beloved person in his life.

1. Grave of the Fireflies

War Takes Everything But Memory

In my gaming world, Grave of the Fireflies is undoubtedly one of the most heart-wrenching depictions of loss ever animated. During a time when World War II was drawing to its grim conclusion, this story follows me and my younger sister, Seiko, as we fight to stay alive after our mother perished in the bombing of Kobe.

In the movie, grief isn’t merely depicted as a feeling but as a heavy, lingering truth that becomes more oppressive over time. Director Isao Takahata intentionally avoids excessive drama, allowing subtle scenes of despair to powerfully portray the impact of loss.

As a devoted admirer, I find that what truly sets this Studio Ghibli masterpiece apart is its poignant opening scene depicting Seita’s demise. By starting with such a somber note, the storytellers make it clear from the outset that our journey will culminate in sorrow. This thoughtful narrative decision compels us to grapple with grief right from the start, fostering an extraordinary emotional connection as we grieve for characters who have already bid their farewells.

As the siblings’ fortunes wane, from a cozy house to a forsaken shelter, their emotional voyage through sorrow is reflected. Scant food grows harder to come by as their optimism dwindles, and Setsuko’s naive inquiries about their mother become more piercing as the harsh truth becomes clear.

1988 saw the debut of Studio Ghibli’s most solemn production, a film that continues to hold significance. It offers a stark portrayal of civilians enduring hardship, transcending its status as an anime about mourning and transforming into a profound universal commentary on the human toll of conflict.

2025-03-20 19:12