The beauty ofanimeis its wide range of genres and themes, and sometimes, fans need a break from action-packed series and exciting thrillers to get in touch with their more sensitive side. Some anime may seem simple at first glance or appear to not be more than a light watch to kill time, but end up beingincredibly moving experiences that will make viewers shed more than a few tears.
Some great anime are underrated gems despite being capable of making viewers cry due to their shades of sadness and explicit scenes that are difficult to digest. From strangely melancholic science fiction series to stories of self-discovery and hope that can change viewers' perspective on life,these underrated animeare as special as they are emotional and heartbreaking.
Grandpa and GrandmaTurn Young Againis a cozy and wholesome slice of life that flew under the radar of many viewers in 2024. The anime follows an elderly couple who are unexpectedly brought back to their youthful selves, showing the impact of this change on their lives and family. This led to many hilarious situations and wholesome andromantic interactions between Shouzou and Ine.
While its premise may appear simple, withGrandpa and Grandma Turn Young Againbeing fun and relaxing, it also has tense moments as it develops its overarching plot, successfully stirring the audience’s feelings and playing with their emotions. This makesthe anime more than a lighthearted story.
With a unique, bittersweet charm,Grandpa and Grandma Turn Young Againis a deep and touching short animeshowing the importance of valuing relationships and enjoying every day and giving a great lesson in life to viewers with one of the most beautiful season finales that won’t leave them indifferent.
Kotaro Lives Aloneis one of themost underrated anime on Netflix, which has a perfect blend of comedy and drama.Kotaro Lives Aloneshows a self-sufficient boy who lives by himself in an apartment complex as he begins to form a great bond with one of his neighbors, with the anime slowly revealing the circumstances around Kotaro’s everyday life.
Kotaro Lives Alonehas a unique charm similar to animes likeBarakamonandBunny Drop,being a fun and heartwarming series that shows the world through the innocent perspective of a child. However, the anime will also leave a deep impression on the audience by showing difficult issues of today’s society with thorny moments that will surprise viewers.
The lesser-known work by the same author ofA Silent Voice,To Your Eternity,is also ananime that destroys emotionallyand will surely bring a tear to the viewers' eyes.To Your Eternityfollows an immortal being, Fushi, who sets out on a journey as he looks for the meaning of his existence and purpose.
Despite this giving the series a sense of adventure, enhanced by its action sequences due to the presence of antagonistic forces and enemies,To Your Eternity’s biggest trait is how Fushi lacks any kind of knowledge about humans, with his journey being filled with curiosity as he learns to develop his own emotions and feelings by creating many meaningful relationships with the different people he encounters.
This givesTo Your Eternitya unique beauty but also a melancholic atmosphere, as the series doesn’t shy away from showcasing dreadful and heartbreaking experiences. As a result,To Your Eternityhas many intense and sad moments that transmit difficult emotions in life, like loss, loneliness, and grief.
Ranking of Kingsis an anime that is easy to underestimatedue to its childish and colorful artwork, unusual character design, and lead duo.However,Ranking of Kings is one of the best fantasy anime in recent years, featuring a deaf-mute prince who aspires to become king despite being subject to mockery, which has given the story an emotional depth hard to see in much shōnen.
Ranking of Kingshas a hopeful idealism that captures the spirit of classic fairy tales.
Despite its cruelties,Ranking of Kingshas a hopeful idealism that captures the spirit of classic fairy tales, showing a unique clash of kings while delving into the pain caused by bad decisions and the debates between honor, loyalty, and doing what’s right, and introducing characters that feel real with their own struggles.
Ranking of Kingsis full of complex antagonists and tear-jerking moments, touching themes like discrimination, betrayal, loneliness, and overcoming hardships, elevated by incredible twists and exciting battles. This makesRanking of Kingsa must-watch anime that will mark viewers and make them fall in love with the innocence and determination of Bojji.
One of the hidden gems in the Spring 2025Apocalypse Hotel,unfortunately, went unnoticed by many anime viewers. Seeming like another surreal story set in a dystopian future,Apocalypse Hotelquickly proved everyone wrong by being one of the most original anime of the last decade and conveying a touching story of humanity through the journey of an android.
Apocalypse Hotel,much in the style ofWALL-E, is set on a desolate Earth many years after humanity went into space, showcasing a hotel with a staff formed by robots who continue their everyday lives trying to fulfill their programmed tasks as they wait for humanity and the possibility of finally receiving guests.
The anime not only has one of the best animations of the year, going from absurd comedy to dynamic action and touching character interactions, but it also has many melancholic and nostalgic moments, teaching about the fleeting passage of time, the search for one’s place and identity, and the importance of moving forward, being a more lighthearted and hopeful story than its title suggests.
Although seinen anime often stand out for their excessive violence, which may put off many viewers,Rainbowbecame one of those anime where its brutal content was the necessary vehicle to convey a powerful message, as the story of a group of boys confined in a reformatory would evolve into one of the most unforgettable journeys of perseverance.
Rainbowis a dark anime with an exceptional atmosphere that perfectly conveys the harshness and inhumanity of people, serving as a strong social critique of Japan in the 50s. This makes the anime dense and difficult to watch, but it manages to captivate the audience thanks to its surprising narrative rhythm and complex, relatable characters.
Despite failing to reach mainstream status compared to others in its demographic,Rainbowremains as one of the most depressing, crude, and yetmost hopeful and emotionally charged stories in anime. Likewise, amid its difficult themes,Rainbowshows how a meaningful friendship can change life, including many touching moments that won’t fail to pull the heartstrings of even the toughest viewers.
No other anime featuring an all-female friend group took viewers by surprise, likeA Place Further Than the Universe. A Place Further Than the Universefeatures the fateful meeting of a group of teenagers, each with their own circumstances and struggles, as they embark on an expedition to Antarctica, covering the early steps towards their goal and how they adapt to the glacial environment.
Anime following a female cast has become frequent in the medium, going from girls' bands likeBocchi the Rock!andK-On!to friend groups making animation likeShirobakoandKeep Your Hands off Eizoken!
While its premise seems like the typical cute slice-of-life anime of characters stepping outside their routines, the anime hides a powerful and inspiring message about friendship, family, and dreams. The anime is lighthearted and comforting by including many hilarious moments as the girls strengthen their bond. However, it’sa self-discovery journey that is not only relatable to the audience but also emotionally striking.
