【2025 Must-Watch】Top 20 "Tear-Jerking" Anime Voted by Japanese Netizens! Do You Agree with "Assassination Classroom" Winning First Place? If You Haven't Cried at "Violet Evergarden", Don't Say You Understand Pain!
Hello everyone! As a seasoned anime fan, today I'm here to chat with you all about those "masterpieces that make you cry" from back in the day, the ones that made us use up pack after pack of tissues! ｡ﾟヽ(ﾟ´Д`)ﾉﾟ｡
Recently, there was a super insightful poll in Japan that selected the "TOP 20 Anime That Absolutely Make You Cry." When the results came out, it was truly a mix of surprise, joy, and the urge to cry (?)—wait no, it makes you want to go back and rewatch them, and cry all over again!
Without further ado, let's get straight to the list and see if your tears are in sync with Japanese netizens!
Ta-da! The results of the Japanese netizens' poll for the "If You Don't Cry, You're Not Human" Anime TOP 20 are announced!
【No. 1】《Assassination Classroom》 When I saw this in first place, my jaw almost dropped! Although that part with Koro-sensei at the end really... sob sob... Who would have thought a comedy action series could have such a powerful emotional punch at the finale! Sensei இдஇ
【No. 2】《Violet Evergarden》 This one didn't surprise me at all! Produced by KyoAni, it's basically a tear-making machine! Every episode is a tearjerker, especially that part with the Major... Ugh! Just talking about it makes me want to cry again! If you haven't watched 《Violet Evergarden》, don't even say you understand what nuanced emotion is!
【No. 3】《Attack on Titan》 Attack on Titan is also full of tear-jerking moments, but its crying points are a bit different—it's that complex emotion woven from grandeur, despair, and the cry for freedom! Every time I see the Survey Corps charge, or when important characters die... it really hurts my heart!（心臓を）捧げよ！！
【No. 4】《My Hero Academia》 Huh? My Hero Academia actually made it to fourth place!? Although those scenes with All Might vs. Nomu and Deku saving Eri were really hype and touching, for it to rank this high, it seems everyone really resonates with the passion and sacrifice of heroes!
【No. 5】《Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day》 A classic tearjerker masterpiece! Menma~~~~! Found you! Just this line alone is enough to make the tears flood, right! This is one you really have to rewatch every summer, and cry every time T_T
Next up are places 6 to 20, see if your favorite made the list:
- 《Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba》 (Big Bro didn't lose!!!)
- 《86 -Eighty Six-》 (Shin and Lena QQ)
- 《BANANA FISH》 (I don't wanna hear it, I don't wanna hear it... Ash...)
- 《ONE PIECE》 (Marineford Arc, Going Merry... there are too many!)
- 《CLANNAD》 (One of the original life tearjerkers!)
- 《Your Lie in April》 (A spring without you... is coming...)
- 《Gintama》 (Makes you die laughing when it's funny, makes you die crying when it's emotional!)
- 《Haikyuu!!》 (Tears of热血 and感动!)
- 《NARUTO》 (Jiraiya, Itachi... sob sob)
- 《A Silent Voice》 (A gentle yet heartbreaking story)
- 《Bungo Stray Dogs》 (Odasaku QQ)
- 《Hetalia: Axis Powers》 (??? What's the crying point here? Is there some lore? Please enlighten me!)
- 《Natsume's Book of Friends》 (The gentle yet lonely youkai...)
- 《Angels of Death》 (Zack and Ray, please get married on the spot!)
- 《Inuyasha》 (Tears of an era, Kikyo QQ)
Wow~ After looking at this list, did a lot of memories come flooding back? Some really make you cry every time you watch them, while others leave you feeling heavy-hearted afterwards, with a super strong aftertaste.
Speaking of 《Assassination Classroom》 taking first place, do you all think it's well-deserved? Or do you have an even more tear-jerking masterpiece in mind that didn't make the list? Personally, I feel like 《Made in Abyss》 should have a spot too! That Nanachi... (gazes into the distance)
What's your personal TOP 1 tearjerker anime? And which ranking surprised you the most? Let's share our tears together! Remember to share this with your anime otaku friends and see if their crying buttons get pushed just like yours!