Anime Exploring Grief and Healing in Uplifting Ways

Anime frequently tackles the difficult topic of grief with moving stories and beautiful visuals. These shows and movies explore the many ways people cope with loss, showing their journey towards healing and finding hope again. By highlighting the strength of the human spirit, they offer viewers comfort and a new outlook. Here are some examples of how different characters find peace and courage after facing heartbreaking events.

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ (2023–2024)

‘Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End’ tells the story of an elf mage who realizes how short human lives are after losing a close friend and fellow adventurer. As she revisits places from their past, she forms new bonds and keeps the memories of her friends alive. The series beautifully explores themes of time passing and the importance of valuing the moments we have with loved ones, showing how Frieren learns to understand and express her feelings while honoring the impact those she’s lost have had on her life.

‘March Comes in Like a Lion’ (2016–2018)

Rei Kiriyama, a talented shogi player, is haunted by the loss of his family and feels deeply alone. His life starts to change when he’s taken in by three kind sisters who offer him a loving home. The story beautifully contrasts the pressure of competitive shogi with the comfort of family and friendship, showing Rei’s gradual journey to heal from depression and find a place where he truly belongs.

‘Clannad’ (2007–2009)

This follow-up story shows us Tomoya and Nagisa as adults, dealing with the realities of family and growing up. When a heartbreaking event happens, Tomoya struggles with intense grief while trying to be a good father to his daughter, Ushio. The story looks at the power of a father’s love, the sacrifices parents make, and the special bonds that connect families—even beyond what we can see. It builds to a very emotional moment, ultimately offering a hopeful message about how kindness and determination can bring miracles even in the darkest times.

‘Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day’ (2011)

After a tragic accident takes the life of their friend Menma, a close-knit group of childhood friends slowly grows apart. Years later, Menma returns as a ghost, asking her former leader, Jinta, to fulfill a wish she’s been unable to express. To help her find peace, the friends must come back together and finally deal with the guilt and sadness they’ve been holding onto. ‘Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day’ beautifully shows how important it is to talk openly and support each other when dealing with a shared, painful experience.

‘Violet Evergarden’ (2018)

Violet, once a child soldier, is haunted by the last words her commander said to her – “I love you” – before he vanished. Now, she works as a ghostwriter, crafting letters for others who struggle to express their feelings. Through each client’s story, Violet begins to heal from her own past and learn about emotions she never had the chance to experience. The story explores finding meaning after trauma and the power of writing to process pain.

‘Your Lie in April’ (2014–2015)

After losing his mother, piano player Kousei Arima can no longer hear the music he plays. His life starts to brighten when he meets Kaori Miyazono, a lively violinist who inspires him to perform again. The story uses music to represent how people connect and affect each other’s lives. ‘Your Lie in April’ beautifully shows how even brief relationships can be meaningful and the courage it takes to keep going when facing difficult times.

‘Clannad: After Story’ (2008–2009)

Years after severely bullying a deaf classmate, Shoya Ishida tries to make amends. Both Shoya and Shoko Nishimiya carry deep emotional wounds from their experiences in elementary school. Their story follows their difficult path toward forgiveness – learning to understand and accept not only each other, but also themselves. The film powerfully portrays the damaging effects of loneliness and the importance of true connection and understanding.

‘To Your Eternity’ (2021–2023)

Fushi, an immortal being, comes to Earth and transforms into things and animals it finds beautiful. As Fushi meets different people, it learns about happiness, friendship, and the sadness of loss. Each time someone dies, Fushi gains a deeper understanding of what it means to be human – learning about love, sacrifice, and how those who are gone continue to shape who we become. The story shows how the memory of lost loved ones lives on within us and helps us grow.

‘Natsume’s Book of Friends’ (2008–2017)

Takashi Natsume discovers a book filled with the names of spirits his grandmother once controlled. Because he can see these spirits, he sets out to release them from the book and give them their freedom. Throughout his journey, Natsume comes to terms with his difficult past and learns to build meaningful connections with both people and spirits. The series is made up of individual stories that highlight the importance of compassion and the lasting power of relationships, even beyond the boundaries of life and death.

‘Orange’ (2016)

Naho Takamiya gets a letter from her future self, alerting her to a potential tragedy involving a new classmate named Kakeru. The story centers on Naho and her friends trying to save Kakeru from suicide by making different choices today. It powerfully explores the challenges of hidden depression and how crucial it is to have people who care. ‘Orange’ demonstrates that even simple acts of kindness and friendship can make a huge difference in someone’s life.

‘Wolf Children’ (2012)

I recently watched ‘Wolf Children,’ and it absolutely wrecked me in the best way. It’s about a woman named Hana who suddenly finds herself a single mom to two incredible kids… who happen to be part wolf! After a tragic accident, she decides to move to the countryside, hoping to give them the space they need to figure out who they are and what they want. The movie beautifully captures how tough it is to raise kids on your own, but it’s also so heartwarming to watch them grow and eventually spread their wings. Honestly, it’s a really lovely tribute to a mother’s strength and the unbreakable bond of family.

‘A Place Further than the Universe’ (2018)

Mari Tamaki travels to Antarctica with three other girls, hoping to find the mother of her friend, Shirase. The dangerous journey is as much about helping Shirase heal from years of grief as it is about the search itself. Along the way, the girls become incredibly close and learn a lot about themselves. The story ends with a sense of peace and the promise of fresh starts for each of them.

‘Fruits Basket’ (2019–2021)

Following her mother’s passing, Tohru Honda unexpectedly moves in with the Soma family, who carry a unique and ancient curse linked to the Chinese Zodiac. She soon learns that many of them have been deeply hurt by emotional abuse and past trauma, often caused by a controlling family member. Tohru’s genuine kindness and understanding help them begin to heal and overcome their struggles, both within themselves and in their relationships. The story deeply explores how trauma can be passed down through families and how the power of selfless love can be truly transformative.

‘Haibane Renmei’ (2002)

Rakka is a young girl who unexpectedly appears in a walled city filled with winged beings. As she grows and learns about her new home, she unravels the secrets of who she is and watches her companions leave one by one. The story explores themes of regret, finding peace, and seeking forgiveness – almost like a journey through a waiting place. Ultimately, it shows how important it is to accept support from others when dealing with difficult times and inner struggles.

‘Kotaro Lives Alone’ (2022)

Four-year-old Kotaro Sato starts living on his own in an apartment building and quickly becomes friends with the manga artist next door. Because of a difficult past, Kotaro is surprisingly self-sufficient for his age. As the neighbors get to know him, they begin to act as a found family, giving him the care and security he’s always needed. The story deals with serious issues affecting children, but balances them with both humor and genuine emotion.

‘My Roommate is a Cat’ (2019)

I recently discovered this incredibly touching story about a reclusive mystery writer named Subaru. He’s really withdrawn after losing his parents, and honestly, I could relate to his need for space. But then he takes in a stray cat, Haru, who’s had a rough life too. What’s really special is that the story is told from both Subaru’s and Haru’s points of view – you really get to feel what each of them is going through. It’s a really gentle and beautiful look at how a pet can help someone heal and rediscover connection with the world, and it honestly left me feeling so hopeful.

‘Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms’ (2018)

Maquia is an immortal woman who discovers a baby boy, Ariel, after he’s orphaned and chooses to raise him. Because Maquia doesn’t age while Ariel does, she faces the heartbreaking reality of eventually outliving her son. The movie beautifully portrays the joys and sorrows of life, motherhood, and facing death, ultimately showing that the love we share makes even the inevitable pain of goodbye worthwhile.

‘I Want to Eat Your Pancreas’ (2018)

A distant high school student discovers his popular classmate, Sakura’s, private diary and learns she has a serious illness and isn’t expected to live long. Despite being very different people, Sakura asks him to help her fulfill a list of things she wants to experience before it’s too late. The story highlights the importance of appreciating life and living fully in the present, rather than worrying about what might happen. Through their connection, the boy learns valuable lessons and is deeply changed by Sakura’s influence.

‘Blue Period’ (2021)

Yatora Yaguchi is a well-liked student who feels unfulfilled until he discovers a love for painting. Despite starting late and facing tough competition, he sets his sights on getting into the highly respected Tokyo University of the Arts. The story realistically shows how emotionally challenging it can be to create art, and how being true to yourself through art can be incredibly healing. It explores feelings of self-doubt and the search for meaning in a challenging world.

‘The Ancient Magus’ Bride’ (2017–2023)

Chise Hatori, a lonely and lost girl, is bought at auction by the powerful mage Elias Ainsworth. As she becomes his apprentice and eventual wife, Chise discovers a magical world that reflects her own healing process. Throughout the series, she slowly overcomes the trauma of her past and learns to see her own value and take control of her life. The story blends dark fantasy with a realistic portrayal of emotional recovery and building self-worth.

‘Ranking of Kings’ (2021–2022)

Okay, so I just finished watching this incredible anime, and I have to tell you about it. It centers around Bojji, a prince who’s both deaf and physically weak – basically, everyone, even his own family, looks down on him. He’s dealing with a lot, especially after losing his mom, but he’s absolutely determined to become a fantastic king. What really got me was his friendship with this shadow creature, Kage; together, they navigate all this crazy betrayal and political stuff. Honestly, it’s a really heartwarming story about being kind, finding strength within yourself, and challenging what people expect from you. It’s a total feel-good show, and I highly recommend it!

‘Given’ (2019)

Ritsuka Uenoyama, a guitarist who’d lost his love for music, finds new purpose when he meets Mafuyu Sato, a boy with a damaged guitar. As Ritsuka teaches Mafuyu to play, he learns that Mafuyu is still grieving the loss of his previous boyfriend. Together, they form a band and write a song that helps Mafuyu finally confront and express his deep sadness. The series beautifully and realistically portrays how art can be a powerful outlet for dealing with grief.

‘Colorful’ (2010)

A person who lost the will to live gets another chance when they wake up as a 14-year-old boy who just died. They have six months to figure out what led the boy to take his own life, all while navigating his everyday world. As they do, they discover the complicated relationships within his family and the secret pain others are carrying. Ultimately, the experience leads to a powerful understanding of how complex life is and how people can change.

‘Erased’ (2016)

Satoru Fujinuma has a unique power: he can travel back in time to avert disasters. When his mother is killed, he’s sent back to his childhood, 18 years in the past, and tasked with stopping a kidnapper targeting his classmates. The story explores the lasting effects of childhood trauma and the power of protecting those who can’t protect themselves. It highlights how facing the past and helping others can lead to deep healing.

‘Blue Spring Ride’ (2014)

Futaba Yoshioka is thrilled to reconnect with Kou Tanaka, a boy she liked in middle school, but she’s surprised to find he’s become distant and cold. She soon learns this change is due to the grief he experienced after his mother’s death. The story centers on Futaba’s attempts to help Kou open up and deal with his past trauma. ‘Blue Spring Ride’ is a heartfelt story about the challenges of growing up, and how kindness and support can help people heal.

Share your thoughts on these moving stories in the comments.

2026-01-21 22:49