Some anime episodes hit harder than any live-action drama, leaving viewers completely wrecked by the time the credits roll. Whether it’s a heartbreaking farewell, a tragic twist, or a moment of pure emotional devastation, these episodes linger long after the screen fades to black.
The Challengers — Made in Abyss
Nanachi reveals the heartbreaking story of how they and Mitty were orphans taken by the White Whistle Bondrewd for cruel experiments deep in the Abyss. Sent to the terrifying sixth layer, they suffered the Curse that twisted their bodies, leaving Mitty immortal but trapped in a painful, inhuman form, and Nanachi able to perceive the Curse’s effects. Despite years of trying, Nanachi could not end Mitty’s endless suffering. With a heavy heart, Nanachi asks Reg to use his Incinerator to free Mitty, leading to a final, sorrowful farewell that captures the deep bond and tragic fate they shared.
This Day × And × This Moment — Hunter x Hunter
In a dimly lit room far from the battlefield, the once-feared King Meruem spends his final moments not in glory but in peace, seated beside Komugi, the girl who changed everything. As the poison from his battle slowly takes his life, he asks only for her company, her voice, and her hand. She stays, gently playing their game of Gungi and whispering comfort until the very end. With Komugi calling his name one last time, Meruem passes not as a tyrant but as someone finally loved.
The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant — Naruto: Shippuden
Jiraiya’s death stands as one of the most heartbreaking moments in “Naruto: Shippuden.” Outmatched by Pain, a former student turned deadly enemy, the Toad Sage dies alone after a brutal battle. Despite being fatally wounded, he holds on long enough to send a final message and name Naruto his true legacy. As he sinks into the sea, he finds peace knowing the story will continue, now led by his student.
The Ends of the Earth – Clannad: After Story
In one of the most emotionally devastating yet cathartic moments in anime, Tomoya finally begins to heal. After years of avoiding his daughter and burying himself in grief, a quiet trip to the countryside and a lost toy robot lead him to a long-overdue reconciliation with his father, himself, and Ushio. When he sees her tears and hears her call for him, he chooses, at last, to be her dad. As he speaks of Nagisa and wipes Ushio’s face, it is not just a reunion—it is redemption.
Graduation Time — Assassination Classroom
The final lesson of “Assassination Classroom” is filled with sorrow, closure, and quiet gratitude. As Korosensei lies motionless, he asks his students to fulfill the mission they were trained for. Though overwhelmed with emotion, Nagisa takes on the burden, offering a smile through his tears before delivering the final blow. Korosensei vanishes in a soft glow, leaving behind only his clothes. The classroom falls silent except for the sound of weeping, as the students say goodbye not just to their teacher, but to a chapter of their lives they’ll never forget.
Right and Wrong — Jujutsu Kaisen
Nanami walks through the chaos of Shibuya with his body broken and his spirit barely holding on, clinging to a memory of peace that feels a world away. There is no grand speech or dramatic flare—just a tired man who has given everything. When he sees Yuji and quietly passes the baton, it is a moment of deep sorrow and quiet honor. What makes his final moments so emotional is not just the loss itself, but the sense that Nanami had already made peace with his fate.
Tenko Shimura: Origin — My Hero Academia
Tenko Shimura’s origin story is a heartbreaking glimpse into a boy whose childhood was marked by abuse and loneliness. Despite dreaming of becoming a hero, Tenko’s life is shattered when his Quirk awakens during a moment of intense pain and fear, causing irreversible tragedy. The devastating loss of his family and the trauma he endures lay the foundation for his dark path, making his story one of the most tragic in “My Hero Academia.”
An Alchemist’s Anguish — Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
What begins as a lighthearted visit quickly turns into something devastating. When Ed and Al return to the home of State Alchemist Shou Tucker, they discover he has fused his daughter Nina and her dog Alexander into a chimera, all to retain his research privileges. Edward is horrified, overwhelmed by guilt and fury, knowing he can’t undo the cruelty. The image of Nina’s voice pleading from an inhuman form stays with viewers long after the credits roll.
Perpetual Time — Berserk
The final episode of “Berserk” delivers one of the most harrowing conclusions in anime history. As the long-foretold Eclipse unfolds, the Band of the Falcon is slaughtered in a nightmarish ritual that marks Griffith’s rebirth as Femto and the death of nearly everything Guts once loved. Powerless to stop it, Guts witnesses the abuse of Casca and loses both an arm and an eye in a scene seared into anime legend for its cruelty and emotional brutality. The episode closes not with comfort, but with vengeance, as a scarred and broken Guts steps into the darkness, sword in hand, to hunt the monsters who took everything from him.
Bye Bye Butterfree — Pokémon
Ash’s first goodbye hits harder than expected in this tender early episode. As Butterfree leaves to follow love across the sea, Ash is forced to let go of one of his earliest and most loyal companions. What begins as a lighthearted story about courtship turns into a surprisingly emotional farewell, capped by a sunset flight and a quiet moment of tears—both Butterfree’s and Ash’s.