Certain anime scenes are incredibly powerful and stick with viewers long after they’ve finished watching. The 21st century has delivered many of these emotionally impactful moments, from devastating farewells to permanent losses. These scenes have defined their respective stories and continue to be discussed by fans. Here are fifteen such scenes that are notorious for bringing on tears, with details about the series or movie they’re from, and the animation studio behind them.
Nina and Alexander’s fate in ‘Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood’
Shou Tucker’s horrifying experiment, merging Nina and Alexander, leaves Edward and Alphonse helpless and casts a grim shadow over their quest. The episode starkly illustrates the ethical consequences of alchemy. Through contrasting peaceful family moments with the sterile environment of his lab, the show emphasizes the disturbing nature of Tucker’s actions. This traumatic event deeply impacts Edward and Alphonse’s future decisions and fuels the series’ larger exploration of the dangers of experimenting on humans.
Kaori’s letter in ‘Your Lie in April’
After the concerts finish, Kousei gets a final letter from Kaori that explains her feelings and why she chose to perform. The letter answers lingering questions about their relationship and the reasons behind her dangerous surgery. The animation studio, A-1 Pictures, uses calming piano music and soft visuals while Kousei reads the letter, reflecting the show’s focus on music. This moment inspires Kousei to start playing the piano again, bringing his story full circle from when he first struggled with performing on stage.
Ushio in the snow in ‘Clannad: After Story’
Tomoya’s life falls apart when a strange illusion sweeps the city, and he loses Ushio just as he’s beginning to understand what it means to be a father. This heartbreaking event echoes a similar tragedy experienced by Nagisa earlier in the story, highlighting a pattern of both loss and resilience. The animation studio, Kyoto Animation, cleverly uses repeated images—like the vast, empty field and glowing orbs of light—to connect the family’s story and its emotional core. This pivotal moment paves the way for the story’s deeper, philosophical ending and reveals the true significance of the town’s mysterious miracle.
Mitty’s release in ‘Made in Abyss’
After learning the truth about the horrific experiments at the Seeker Camp, Nanachi begs Reg to end Mitty’s pain. This difficult moment clearly explains how the curse works and how Bondrewd carries out his experiments, all while keeping the focus on the immediate decision. The animation studio, Kinema Citrus, uses near silence to emphasize Nanachi’s plea and Reg’s reaction. This choice fundamentally changes what the group is willing to do and hints at the even greater challenges they’ll face as they descend further into the Abyss.
The Going Merry’s farewell in ‘One Piece’
As the Going Merry burns, the crew sadly says goodbye to their beloved ship, which carried them on so many adventures. The ship seems to acknowledge the hardships they faced and the damage it sustained over time. The farewell scene, created by Toei Animation, features calm seas and a peaceful sky, drawing all attention to this emotional moment. This marks the end of an era for the Straw Hats and signals the beginning of their pursuit of even greater goals.
Jiraiya’s last message in ‘Naruto: Shippuden’
Jiraiya discovers Pain’s hidden truth and manages to send a secret message before he is defeated in Amegakure. This discovery links his investigations to how Konoha will defend itself in the future, and to the training Naruto is undergoing. The animation studio, Pierrot, shows scenes from the past featuring Jiraiya’s students, emphasizing his influence as a teacher. This coded message eventually reveals the secrets of the Six Paths, changing the course of the war.
Menma’s goodbye in ‘Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day’
The group members finally confront their sadness as Menma finishes writing her final letters and fades away in the forest. Each letter helps them resolve a specific regret that had been driving them apart. The animation studio, A-1 Pictures, uses gentle summer colors during the farewell scene, reminding viewers of their happier childhood days by the river. With this closure, the Super Peace Busters are able to reconnect and rebuild their friendships, free from the burden of unaddressed guilt.
Rengoku at dawn in ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Mugen Train’
Rengoku bravely fights Akaza, protecting the train passengers and giving Tanjiro valuable advice before he succumbs to his injuries. His unwavering dedication embodies the Hashira’s commitment to safeguarding people, even when facing a stronger opponent. The animation studio, Ufotable, skillfully portrays the battle with detailed effects and dynamic camera work, emphasizing the characters’ breathing techniques. This intense encounter redefines the power levels within the series and motivates Tanjiro and his friends to push their training further.
Sasha’s final meal plan in ‘Attack on Titan’
During a sudden attack within the walls, Sasha is fatally shot, her last words a simple request for food. This shocking event reveals that enemies can now penetrate Paradis’s defenses, turning the battleground into a dangerous and unpredictable space. The animation studio, MAPPA, uses close-up shots to emphasize the vulnerability of the moment, despite a recent victory. Sasha’s death fuels a continuing spiral of revenge, highlighting the increasingly political nature of the final season.
Violet’s letters for a mother and daughter in ‘Violet Evergarden’
Violet Evergarden features a touching concept: a mother’s letters, written before her death, are delivered to her child each year on their birthday. This highlights the power of Auto Memory Dolls to keep a person’s voice alive. The animation beautifully portrays the emotional impact, using details like rain and lamplight to emphasize the physical presence of each handwritten letter. A sequence showing the letters being delivered over time subtly demonstrates the passage of years and the enduring nature of a mother’s love.
David’s last run in ‘Cyberpunk: Edgerunners’
Okay, so David’s really putting his body on the line – seriously, pushing himself way too far – to protect his crew and make sure Lucy can escape. What’s fascinating is how the animation visually represents the toll all that cyberware and the constant need to call in favors is taking on him. Studio Trigger uses this really cool technique – quick bursts of frantic movement cut with frozen frames – to show us exactly what it feels like when his systems start to overload. And the ending? It’s heartbreaking, really. It drives home how Night City chews people up and spits them out, but there’s a tiny glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, someone can actually get out.
March’s farewell in ‘To Your Eternity’
Fushi observes March willingly sacrificing herself for the sake of others, and this experience teaches him a valuable lesson about humanity. The episode explains the Yanome ritual and how fabricated stories are used to maintain power. The animation studio, Brain’s Base, utilizes a color palette of browns and close-up shots around the campfire to emphasize subtle expressions and actions. March’s personality and experiences become a lasting part of Fushi’s memories, influencing his decisions in the future.
Mami’s fall in ‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica’
When a seasoned magical girl unexpectedly falls in battle, it exposes the harsh realities behind the power they wield and the wishes they make. This shocking loss changes everything for those just starting out, and for the audience watching. The show’s unique visual style, using dark settings and bold colors, makes even the familiar transformation sequences feel unsettling. This event forces everyone to reconsider Kyubey’s true motives and leads the remaining girls to take increasingly desperate chances.
Korosensei’s final attendance in ‘Assassination Classroom’
Under the night sky, Class 3-E carries out their plan and says goodbye to Korosensei. This emotional farewell marks the end of a year where lessons secretly prepared them for a crucial mission. The story skillfully blends moments of everyday classroom life with the students’ individual development, showing how they’ve grown. Ultimately, the story connects their academic achievements to their goal of saving the world and finally resolves the bounty placed on their teacher.
Ai’s backstage confession in ‘Oshi no Ko’
Just as Ai reveals a personal secret, a shocking event dramatically alters her children’s lives. The episode explores the intense pressures within the entertainment industry and the dangers of obsessive fan attention. The animation studio, Doga Kobo, uses contrasting visuals – bright stage lights versus dark hallways – to highlight the duality of a career focused on public image. This incident kicks off a lengthy investigation and forces the main character to assume a new identity.
Share your favorite moments with us, and let us know which scenes still move you to tears in the comments below.
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2025-10-31 05:16