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Though doomed romances are tragic, they are also there to show viewers that sometimes people come into their lives for a reason. Though it may be for the better or worse, there are always important lessons to be gleaned from an ill-fated love affair. They can teach viewers gratitude, the beauty, and the pain of life, as well as highlight that sometimes it isn’t about finding the ‘one’ but the one that can be learned from. Warning, spoilers ahead.
8 5 Centimeters Per Second
One of Makoto Shinkai’s (Your Name) earlier films, 5 Centimeters Per Second is a romantic drama anime film released back in 2007. The story follows the early life of Takaki Tono and the girls that come and go in his life. Separated into 3 distinct chapters that take place at different moments of Tono’s life, the story revolves around Tono’s particular relationship with childhood sweetheart, Akari Shinohara.
Though Tono carries a flame for Shinohara and fantasizes about being with her, the film has both characters move about the country, leading separate lives, and drifting apart. The film essentially highlights that life doesn’t always pan out in the way that people want and to move on, people have to sometimes let their desire go. It’s a bittersweet realization that Tono eventually accepts.
7 I Want To Eat Your Pancreas
Although bearing a strange title and seemingly comedic at first glance, I Want To Eat Your Pancreas contains a more layered message for those who have seen it. The story centers around an average high school dude, Haruki Shiga, and Sakura Yamauchi, a girl who suffers from a fatal illness in her pancreas.
The two deepen their bond even as Sakura is hospitalized due to her condition. Though she is eventually discharged, her life is tragically cut short when she becomes the victim of a stabbing incident. The film showcases the random cruelties that life can sometimes bring but at the same time, it reveals the positive impact another person can have on someone, no matter how short it was.
6 Angel Beats
A strange premise in which limbo/purgatory is set in a high school environment, Angel Beats is an anime series that focuses on souls overcoming their hardships and regrets via trials to be reincarnated.
As the main characters gradually overcome their trials and ‘graduate’ (move on into the afterlife) the two leading protagonists, Otonashi and Kanade, remain. Otonashi confesses his love for her but unknowingly helps her move on with his declaration of love. Kanade thanks him as a heartbroken Otonashi remains behind, alone.
5 Golden Time
Golden Time is a hilarious yet painful amnesia-fueled drama about love, loss, and the trials of life that follows the adventures of Banri Tada at a Tokyo law school. As Banri makes new friends, creates new memories, and finds love, he discovers that he was involved in a life-threatening accident years ago that caused him to have amnesia.
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As remnants of his former life begin to return, his current life is thrown to the boil particularly when an old flame (who’s very much still in love with him) threatens to destabilize his current relationship. Comedic and hilarious at times, Golden Time manages to combine the humor, drama, and tension in a mature way most shows involving amnesia don’t.
4 Plastic Memories
Plastic Memories is the embodiment of pursuing a doomed romance and attempts to explore why people do it through protagonist Tsukasa Mizugaki. Employed by the Sai Corporation, Tsukasa is partnered with Isla, a Griftia (android) assistant. The duo is part of the ‘Terminal service’ department that seeks out and deactivates Giftias that are nearing the end of their lifespans. This is to prevent Giftias from becoming ‘Wanderers’, Giftias who are at the end of their lifespan and have become violent.
Tsukasa ultimately falls in love with Isla, who unfortunately is near the end of her life cycle. The show highlights that people sometimes can’t choose who they fall in love with, even if that’s to their detriment. Yet amongst all the pain, there are still moments of joy and gratitude.
3 Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day
A story about childhood, regret, and moving on from a traumatic past, Anohana changes the perspective in regards to doomed romances. Meiko ‘Menma’ Honma is a ghost who comes back to haunt her friends (in a nice way) because she needs help for her to wish to be granted to move on. The trouble is that she’s forgotten what she wished for.
One of the characters, Jinta Yadomi holds a torch for the dead girl and begins to see her ghost. He begins to convince the rest of his gang (friends of Menma) who have drifted apart to try and lay her spirit back to rest. What follows is their attempt to move past the pain and guilt whilst finding the strength to set both Menma and themselves free.
2 Clannad: After Story
Based on the popular visual novel of the same name, Clannad: After Story is a direct sequel to Clannad, a romantic comedy and slice of life anime. The story follows Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa after graduating from high school and becoming adults.
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What follows requires a mountain of tissues as Tomoya’s life starts to take a turn for the worst. The show, although rosy in some aspects showcases how hard life can hit people, seemingly out of nowhere, and how difficult it can be to try and overcome those difficulties.
1 Your Lie In April
This show typically ranks high in most romantic anime drama lists, and it’s no different here. Your Lie In April is a modern classic that follows Kousei Arima, a talented piano player, who loses his spark for music due to the untimely death of his mother.
His life turns around when he encounters Kaori Miyazono, an eccentric yet carefree violinist who rekindles his love for music. What follows is a delightful tale that will tantalize both fans of romance and classical music. As the two become closer, Kousei learns that Kaori is suffering from a debilitating disease, which everyone knows is something that never ends well.
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