Suggest a Dramatic Anime!

[Fappy]

I've made a "Suggest an Anime" thread in the past, but this time I'm looking for something a bit more specific. You see, it's just my luck that every time I pick a new anime to watch it will likely have an incredibly sad ending. I usually don't have a problem with these kinds of stories as tragic endings can be quite beautiful if done right, however after finishing Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom tonight my heart is a bit more weary than usual and I could really use a pick-me-up. I'm not really asking for a lighthearted fun anime, but rather a dramatic, mature anime that despite everything that happens to the characters ends on a positive note. It can be a bittersweet ending, but I really need more sweet than bitter right now.

Thanks in advance guys :3

 

[Smertnik]

A few titles on top of my head

Tokyo Godfathers
Kaiba
Kemonozume
Bunny Drop (That's more of a lighthearted one, though. And the ending isn't really memorable, the series sort of just ends)

Or go with film and watch Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade.
I'm pretty sure he's asking for animation which isn't completely depressing. I mean, it's a good movie but I don't remember there being much "sweetness", neither in the ending, nor anywhere else.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

Or go with film and watch Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade.

 

[Waffle_Man]

If you haven't ever watched monster, it might be exactly what you're looking for. The anime gets incredibly dark at times, and there are characters that come to rather unhappy ends, but it makes the characters that do find positive resolution much more significant. I think it's 74 episodes long, but I find that the writing is a cut above most other anime, it's paced in a way that offers intermediate sized conflicts, does a good job of never getting bogged down with a status quo. Some people have said that it's drawn out, but I personally like the more novelistic approach it takes.

 

[SlaveNumber23]

If you haven't ever watched monster, it might be exactly what you're looking for.

Completely agree with Monster, while the ending isn't the most satisfying one I've ever seen, its not a bad ending and its the journey that counts. Monster will take you on a fantastic and absorbing journey with some beautifully written and hauntingly realistic characters, its easily one of my favourite anime series.

Out of my other favourite anime series, two of them don't exactly have the happiest endings for the characters[footnote]Gungrave and Code Geass[/footnote] but Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is simply amazing, do yourself a huge favor and don't miss out on it. However, it isn't exactly the most 'mature' anime so it might not be exactly what you are looking for. It deals with some mature themes and issues but the overall tone of the series is on the lighthearted and somewhat silly side of things.

 

[Tanis]

Clannad + After Story?

That's dramatic...and kind of depressing at times.

 

[[Kira Must Die]]

The only thing that comes to mind based on your description is Madoka Magica, if you haven't seen it yet. It's from the same writer as Phantom.

 

[saintdane05]

How about the classic Death Note? It is bitter, bitter sweet, but mostly everyone lives!
Or Black Lagoon?
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[Al-Bundy-da-G]

How about the classic Death Note? It is bitter, bitter sweet, but mostly everyone lives!
Or Black Lagoon?
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Where the hell were the electric guitars screaming in the background huh? Screw it we'll do a re-shoot.

SGT. Frog gets pretty dramatic at times. Very intense stuff.

 

[Tyson Andrews]

Wolf's Rain is excellent and mature but in a weird way. So many feels...

 

[Slashe]

Watch Tonari no Kaibutsukunn (aka My Little Monster). Its both dramatic and romantic, but incredibly upbeat and optimistic. It manages to achieve deep emotional moments without delving into excessive melodrama, and do great comedy without being hammy or puny.

The show just finished this season, and you will get alot of feels and laughs for it. Its my top for the past autumn season.

However, it is a rom-com, so if you are an action fan and must get your flashy scenes, you wouldn't find them here. But otherwise, its fun and interesting, not something only rom-com fanatics can enjoy.

 

[Rastrelly]

Original NGE (not End of Evangelion).

 

[Ultress]

Bunny Drop (That's more of a lighthearted one, though. And the ending isn't really memorable, the series sort of just ends)

To be fair that's how the manga ends the fourth volume(the last one before the time skip),and it's slice of life so that kind of ending tends to happen. Plus that final image of the show is still burned in my mind.


OT:Now and Then, Here and There,the things that happen through out this series are just plain horrible but there is this underlying sense of hope that keeps you going.

There is also Vision Of Escaflowne, a decent mix of fantasy and mecha with a sweet ending.Though there is a really outplace section where the shojo elements seem to be more prominent and the bad guy has a machine to make people fall in love. It felt really weird in a series where both the shonen and shojo parts were in perfect harmony.Overall really good.

 

[xplosive59]

Legend of The Galactic Heroes, in my opinion is the cream of the crop in terms of dramatic anime. I am very picky when it comes to anime with alot of praised anime such as Wolf's Rain and Death Note being very poor in my opinion, however LoGH deserves all the credit it has been given. It is a lot like Code Geass in the way the characters are portrayed but is not as over the top, Reinhard has essentially the same motivation as Lelouch but about 20 years prior.

 

[Slitzkin]

Honey & Clover is think is the archetype of what you just described. But I'm just assuming you haven't seen it, when you probably already have.

 

[God's Clown]

You should watch Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei, just cause second opening is awesome.

 

[NearLifeExperience]

Definitely this. An absolutely brilliant anime movie that is both heart breaking and warming at the same time.
The characters are well crafted and you quickly become attached to them, especially the protagonist Gen.

 

[hazabaza1]

Gurren Lagann.
But I'll say that about any anime.

Maybe a Studio Ghibli film?

 

[Xannidel]

Kimi ga Nozomu Eien (Rumbling Hearts)

You want drama then there you go.

 

[Shinsei-J]

Most of the greats have been recommended so I'll go with one that's perfect yet kinda odd.
[HEADING=3]Steins;Gate[/HEADING]

A time travel anime that hits every key.
I'd liken it to Darker Than Black in its tone but it's has a kind of calm terror at times instead of action sequences.
Just watch it and you wont be disappointed.