Anime as a genre has been growing at an exponential rate thanks to the surge in online streaming and easy access to the internet. However, this wasn't always the case. Long before the likes of Crunchyroll and Netflix, the distribution of foreign shows was far more difficult, and the demand was almost non-existent. The '80s is where all of this starts to change as the world seemingly gets smaller and larger at the same time with the invention and upgrades of new technology.
The success of anime today owes its respect and gratitude to its predecessors, like Studio Ghibli, for setting the foundation of a worldwide anime phenomenon. The '80s had some of the memorable moments for kids at the time, including some amazingly sad moments, and most anime fans born after probably haven't heard of most of them.
10 Saving The Unicorns (The Last Unicorn)
An adaptation of the novel, The Last Unicorn follows a lonely unicorn who embarks on a quest to see what happened to the rest of her kind. The team that worked on this film would eventually go on to found Studio Ghibli, so it could be argued that this is where it all began.
Throughout the final act of the film, there are a few contenders for the saddest moment, but the one that trumps them all would be when Red Bull releases all the imprisoned unicorns by disappearing into the ocean. This allows our protagonists to see every unicorn in the world, granting them a gift no other human will ever be able to compete with.
9 Demon King Piccolo (Dragon Ball)
The show that set the wheels of a world-renowned franchise into motion, Dragon Ball is the first adaptation of the series that introduced Goku and his pals. Fans watched a young Goku battle his way through evil enemies and world martial arts tournaments, while at the same time learning about humanity.
It's difficult to picture a Shonen anime focused entirely on boisterous fighting to tug on the heartstrings, but this is exactly what happens during the final conflict of the series against Demon King Piccolo. Piccolo ends up killing major characters, including Master Roshi, and Turtle's weeping over his grave was the opening of the floodgates.
8 The Collapse (Castle In The Sky)
Studio Ghibli's Castle in the Sky is set in the late 1800s and follows Sheeta and Pazu, who are attempting to hide a powerful crystal from a myriad of different groups, while also searching for Laputa, a legendary floating castle.
When Sheeta and Pazu decide that destroying the floating kingdom was better than letting Muska have access to the weapons inside, they recite a spell causing it to crumble. Watching the castle in the sky, which fans say resembles childhood innocence and fantasy, slowly crumble is a powerful metaphor for the difficult realities of real life.
7 Manly Tears (Fist Of The North Star)
A quintessential Shonen anime about a burly man, Kenshiro, wandering a post-apocalyptic wasteland using his fists to destroy his enemies, Fist Of The North Star may sound like a vapid, one-dimensional action anime, but it's a lot more than that.
During an era when it was considered "unmanly" to cry, having such masculine characters shed tears throughout the series was a breath of fresh air. The saddest moment was when Ken confronts Shin at the end of the first arc and is told that Yuria has forgotten him. After his entire ordeal trying to reach them, Ken breaks down but admits that he doesn't care as long as she's safe.
6 Long Lost Friends Reunite (Spirited Away)
Probably the most famous Studio Ghibli film to date, and one that even non-anime watchers have seen and praised, Spirited Away needs no introduction as this masterpiece is critically acclaimed the world over.
The relationship between Haku and Chihiro is the cornerstone of the entire film, and throughout they are unsure of why they are so drawn to one another. During the film's climax, viewers find out that Haku is actually a river spirit and they've met before when Chihiro fell into a river and almost drowned. The rollercoaster of emotions and metaphors throughout this scene is a reason this is one of the greats.
5 A Depressing Sequel (Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam)
The first sequel to a long-running franchise about mecha suits and space battles, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam follows the original series as a direct continuation of the story, and most fans argue that it's an improvement thanks to a lack of a primary antagonist, adding to the realism of the story.
The moment that hit fans in the guts was when we see Kamille crying over the death of Four. After having his heart broken multiple times, the emotions compound when he tries so hard to save the newtypes but fails to do so.
4 The Brutality Of Man (Princess Mononoke)
A beautifully animated and masterly executed work of art, with hard-hitting themes and excellent world-building, Princess Mononoke is a historical fantasy story about a prince named Ashitaka and his struggles between the greed of humans the gods of a forest.
Mankind isn't portrayed in the best light in this film, and rightfully so. It's a far too realistic portrayal of the destructive power of humans, and how it impacts the rest of the world. Watching the humans kill three animal gods, and seeing the corruption the iron bullets cause, is a too real reflection.
3 Setting The Tone (Grave Of The Fireflies)
Ask any anime fan to choose the most depressing anime, chances are they will tell you Grave of the Fireflies. Another Studio Ghibli film that doesn't pull its punches and gives a frighteningly accurate portrayal of the aftermath of war. Set in WWII Japan, we follow the story of siblings Seita and Setsuko as they struggle to survive.
The first scene, despite not being the saddest of the film, deserves a mention in this list as it sets the tone for what to expect. Seita's on the floor of a busy train station nearly dead, and commuters look on in disgust. He dies shortly after, and all the custodian does is take his belongings.
2 So-Long Siegfried (Legend Of Galactic Heroes)
A complex combination of politics, theology, war, and all the emotional nitty-gritty that comes in between, while also being set in space, Legend of the Galactic Heroes is set nearly 1000 years after mankind has moved from Earth and colonized the galaxy.
With fully fleshed-out, intriguing characters, it always hit hard when one of them died, which is something the show wasn't afraid to do. It's hard to pick a single character's death that didn't leave fans weeping, but Siegfried was so popular that fans begged Tanaka to bring him back.
1 "She Never Woke Up" (Grave Of The Fireflies)
Honestly, this entire list could have been made up of just scenes from Grave of the Fireflies. No '80s anime, in fact, no anime at all, has been able to so perfectly and devastatingly encompass the horrific effect of war.
Therefore, it's clear that the saddest scene from the most depressing '80s anime should be number 1 on this list. That's when Setsuko dies of starvation, just as Seita has found some food to give her. She offers him a rock, thinking it to be onigiri in her hallucinated state, and she dies as he prepares to cook rice. It ends with Seita briefly saying "She Never Woke Up."
