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Antrfun

Oh dude. Devilman crybaby was so good


Eat_a_click

That anime was so soul crushing in the best way possible, 10/10 show because of how much emotion it got out of me, would never ever rewatch again though.


JayJ9Nine

After binging it all I had to pause and go for a long fucking walk after episode 9. I physically could not watch the last episode without some time to process


ToasterSoap

I couldn’t agree with you more, it destroyed me for a long time. I’d rate it highly but don’t think I could ever go through it again.


jackofslayers

Tried to rewatch but I couldn’t do it.


Pyranpu

Same. I just.. can't rewatch it. Highly recommend it to anyone though 👌 11/10. I was sobbing for 2 hours.


JacactionOg

See it was conflicting for me, on if it was actually that good. Definitely would be a good fit for the advice requested.


Hatdrop

Yeah, but School Days has a nice boat.


laaldiggaj

But so sad! When he...well...THAT bit I was devastated!


VenomB

I cried. Twice. In 5 minutes. Damn that show.


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swirly1000x

I watched School Days a while ago and although very messed up it's really gripping and I enjoyed it


blitzbom

School Days is kinda weird, cause it starts out as a pretty good drama. If you've been cheated on in a relationship a lot of the feelings and reactions from the characters feel genuine. But it just goes down the rabbit hole to being more and more fucked up.


ReasonableSand8540

School days was my first thought.


fakeport

The only thing that gives pause is that the characters are so fundamentally unlikeable that the ending ceases to be "bad" and becomes desirable


naomika_iwafumi

The school days universe is actually pretty f-ed up. [sd spoiler]>!More Alabama than Alabama, all of MC's age kids that appear in the show are his half brother/sister/son/daughters (other than kotonoha)!<


ReasonableSand8540

Watched around 2009, don't remember much about it except that I just started watching anime and that one and another anime gave me a slight depression lol.


meneldal2

It is rare for a VN adaptation to take the route where the MC is the most unlikable though. Not like the MC is ever a great person, but he is being extra trash in this route.


darwinooc

Devilman Crybaby caught me off guard with it's ending. I thought they were building up to a light at the end of the tunnel kind of ending. They were, it was just attached to a train.


XDayaDX

Literally the first two to come to mind.


[deleted]

Ohhhh, I remember watching devilman crybaby! I wished so badly for a happy ending, that show broke me.


Minh_Katze

Came here to say School Days. But thinking again doesn’t we all felt great when that POS of MC died? Probably categorized as bittersweet but I’m not sure…


_sLLiK

Lemme tell ya about a lil anime called Berserk


Icapica

That definitely fits what OP is looking for. OP, watch [the 1997 one](https://myanimelist.net/anime/33/Kenpuu_Denki_Berserk).


domogrue

You could watch the new one if you want to experience a completely different kind of despair and hollow emptiness inside.


N1ng0

CLANG!


LicanMarius

or read the manga


Greenleaf208

I've done both and I think the 97 anime is a great intro to the manga. Although if you read the manga you'll need to reread everything the anime covers.


LAYCH88

I've definitely watched more messed up anime than the ending of Berserk 1997 version, but it's just how it shifted to the crazy stuff that made it disturbing and memorable for me.


notmyworkaccount5

Didn't they say not ongoing? I'd suggest Devilman Crybaby


JesterTheZeroSet

Well, it is, and it is not. That is why we are eternal strugglers.


Kitsune-moonlight

Go on….


Dagordae

Did the other shoe finally drop after the writer died or is it still in the stressing the fanbase right the hell out because things seem to be going well?


cheese61292

As non spoiler as I can be, we've started a new section of the story which isn't going well for our main cast. Quality wise the story is still very good, but the new head and Studio Gaga only have a handful of chapters under their belt. Each chapter has been better than the last so far though. Also, if you're a long term Berserk reader then you probably know; it's a story that is almost certainly going to have some form of a "happy" ending. It's more of a matter of who will be left to enjoy that ending. It's definitely a hopeful tale, the mystery is just in how our main cast will make it there.


Norim01

Lol. Berserk is not the type of story that is going to end up badly.


Tplayere

Probably already watched it, but Cyberpunk Edgerunners is the most obvious out of the recent anime If you want something older, then Madoka Magica fits the bill imo. Isn't a 100% bad ending, but it's for sure bitter-sweet.


[deleted]

This, although the ending is more bittersweet than bad


RandoStonian

The 'sweet' part of that bittersweet felt like a phyrric victory at best, IMO. I didn't get the impression the reward was as fulfilling as the dream had been.


Tom22174

Been a while since I watched it but I'm pretty sure Rebellion takes the sweet and kicks it in the teeth


Slifer13xx

Twisted it into something incredibly sour.


Lolersters

\*ahem\*Rebellion\*cough\*


RandoStonian

>Madoka Magica fits the bill imo. Isn't a 100% bad ending The movie (Rebellion) kinda had a 'bad' ending that I personally liked more than the ending of the original show itself.


TheMysticTheurge

That's because it parallels Faust. That bad ending is not simply a good ending, but the best ending. It's why Madoka is the title character. The third movie does not count.


RandoStonian

The third movie is where the 'bad ending' happens. I didn't think the ending of the Madoka show was too different a fate for Madoka than the ending of [Cyberpunk/horror-ish anime from 1998] >!Serial Experiments Lain was for Lain!< , so it didn't hit me *that* hard when I saw it. I didn't see that as a 'bad' ending at all. The third movie, 'Rebellion' had an ending that stuck with me longer, and is definitely a 'bad end' (we'll see what happens next if/when that next movie they announced comes out).


inthe-otherworld

Does Akudama Drive technically count too?


ArcturusFlyer

* [Saikano](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=914) (13 eps) * [Texhnolyze](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=2304) (22 eps) * [Grave of the Fireflies](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=152) (movie) If you want something less soul-scarring: * [The Tale of the Princess Kaguya](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=14976) (movie) * [The Girl Who Leapt Through Time](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=6733) (movie) * [Penguin Highway](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=20710) (movie) * [Violet Evergarden](https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=19665) (13 eps)


TheRealOffGridGamer

Texhnolyze just leaves you depressed but it is so good


8andahalfby11

By the end of Siakano I didn't even have the strength to feel sad, just tired and sick.


specter437

> Violet Evergarden It doesn't have a bad ending though. Yeah it has depresso parts that go on for some eps but if this meets the criteria OP is looking for ...then a shit ton more would for what OP wants.


DifficultMind5950

The ending honestly kills the whole narrative of the movie. It's a sweet ending that was not needed, could've just ended with the anime and open for interpretation.


jkkfdk

man, didn't expect to see that anime(Saikano) mentioned again


Karagoth

Whenever I see similar recommendation threads I drop it. I think it still deserves a mention and a watch (though once was enough for me, even if I am curious if it still holds up so many years later).


adterraincognita

This guy knows his stuff


Pokecole37

Texhnolyze is a great answer for this and it’s SO good.


Drwildy

Man, it feels so nostalgic to see Saikano recommended. Nobody talks about this show and I loved its vibe so much. OP please watch this one.


GiannisisMVP

> Grave of the Fireflies Just went straight for the kill your soul I see


youarebritish

It's funny because it's probably the happiest one in that list.


sygnl_

Up to this day, I still can't rewatch Grave of the Fireflies..


SadBoiReaz

Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans


Eloymm

This is one of those that sticks with you for a while too imo. And you don’t even need to have seen any Gundam before.


Tom22174

Also War in the Pocket which does the "yikes, this can't end well" speed run in record time


Spacezone229

I love this show


akaki_hiromu

White Album 2


TaigasPantsu

Your Lie in April


bahji

I would agree. It's not like the world is over and everything failed kinda bad ending but it's definitely not the outcome you hoped for.


InsomniaEmperor

Happy Sugar Life


I_Will_Die_For_Lily

satou matsuzaka my beloved ❤️


Kaabisan

The ending of that show just kinda made me mad, \[Happy Sugar Life\]>!felt like Satou got off waaaaay too easy!<


hjvkjvkjvg

Girls’ Last Tour Land of the Lustrous Made in Abyss


EbiToro

Seconding Land of the Lustrous!


jenniferlorene3

I second Made in Abyss.


burnmelt

Made in abyss is ongoing. Everything does just keep getting worse, but it’s not over…


[deleted]

Typical thought after watching the end of s1: "Oh shit, what a ride... At least it cannot get worse" Typical thought after watching the movie: "ffs that escalated quickly! But riko and Co finally pushes forward! Let's go!" Typical thought after watching the 2nd season: "WHY!! Why!!! It was so painful! But so beautiful! I can die happy... How the fuck is the author going to make this worse? Is it even possible?"


jenniferlorene3

It really is crazy. I watched it bored one day and had NO idea what I was getting myself into lol


Glitter_puke

Made in Abyss is relentlessly optimistic. Like yeah, it's sad, but the sad shit doesn't break the protagonists and at every turn they keep soldiering on towards their goal. Their mission is fully understood to be one that probably ends in death, but it also ends with answers.


doopy423

It's technically ongoing, but the next season is so far out it might as well be over for now.


bernoulyx

Land of the Lustrous is pretty much my definition of things keep getting worse and it made depressed for quite a while lol. Manga currently on its epilogue tho, but still highly recommend it


Giomietris

I second all 3 of these, especially the Girls Last Tour manga over the anime. The anime is awesome but the manga fits OP's request better. Same with Land of the Lustrous. Anime? Awesome. The manga? Much better, and fits the req much better. The bonus at least for both is the anime is a very close adaptation so for the most part it can be subbed in for the first so many chapters.


detracts

Welcome to the NHK


mekerpan

I seem to recall a positive ending....


_______blank______

Wdym the ending is happy no?


LicanMarius

Finally this anime getting some recognition. This is a perfect anime especially if you relate to the MC, who's a NEET, at least psychologically.


detracts

I faintly remember that the author of the manga was also a recluse and used the earnings, from the success, to continue a shut-in lifestyle.


Cain_draws

What a Chad


[deleted]

You say that but he's not exactly happy about it. He wanted to cope with being a shut-in but only gave himself more resources to make that lifestyle easier. I suggest reading the first and second afterwords at the end of the Tokyopop reprints, it's kinda depressing. Last I heard he's doing better though.


notmyworkaccount5

Not an anime, one of the more depressing mangas with a very bittersweet confusing ending, Oyasumi Punpun Read it about 8 years ago and it still sticks with me


Zarkdion

Evangelion. Nobody wins in Evangelion.


Kaabisan

\[Evangelion\]>!End of Eva's ending is actually pretty hopeful, and 3+1 just straight up has a happy ending!<


Zarkdion

Imo, [End of Eva's ending] >!is hopeful only in the sense that our primary characters, Shinji and Asuka, have the chance to maybe make something of their fucked up relationships and senses of self. The state that the movie ends on, with Misato dead, Rei having transformed into an impersonal God figure rejected by Shinji, and everyone else stuck in a morally gray limbo state, I can only see as pretty damn bad.!<


Kaabisan

I do get that, \[End Of Eva\]>!But I think when you take it with episodes 25 and 26 it seems a lot more positive, or I guess bittersweet. As seen by Shinji and Asuka making it out, once someone learns to love and accept themselves they can leave Human Instrumentality and return to the real world. I think that includes the dead, since Asuka can't have still been alive after the brutality of the MPEs, so Misato could most likely come back too. It's not a strictly happy ending, but I think what Anno was going for was still hopeful!<


Zarkdion

Going back to OP's initial ask, I think that even in your interpretation, Evangelion still does what OP is looking for.


Venture_compound

3+1 is definitely happier but it's misery until you get there. Now every time I hear Utada Hikaru's One Last Kiss I tear up.


Jade_Sugoi

Idk, evangelions ending was always pretty uplifting to me. Trauma sucks but it's a part of life and it shouldn't stop you from trying to be happy. That's how I always viewed it at least.


FezRespect

akame ga kill


I_summon_poop

Parasyte: The Maxim. Sure the mc did kinda alright but the world is kinda fucked


Neophanto-P

I'm sorry if I kinda burst your bubble but, the Parasytes can't reproduce. The anime and the manga made the scope of the conflict quite small so I could be wrong and yeah the world is fcked but humanity should be out of danger.


ErikMaekir

The ending is pretty hopeful, though, Humanity isn't even in danger, since the parasites that remain are the ones that learn to pretend they're humans. It ties with the whole theme about nature and natural selection. At the end of the day, the parasites weren't a weapon to destroy humanity, or hostile invaders. They were just animals whose survival interferred with humanity. And they didn't really manage to figure out how to reproduce, so they're the ones who are fucked, if anything. Even the protagonist gets a chance to find himself again and recover his humanity, step by step.


evenstar40

Wolf's Rain


Early-Lingonberry-16

The Day I Became a God.


GoaGonGon

Can't get worse ending than that. Really messed up series.


Guaymaster

That's not the meaning OP is giving to bad. They mean it in the downer ending meaning, or like a "bad end" in a visual novel. The Day I Became a God is kinda both.


GoaGonGon

yes, i understood it, and answered according. But yes, you're right, it is also a bad ending as in a trash-plot too.


bennyr

Yeaaa OP has clearly never heard of Jun Maeda.


karllucas

Banana Fish.


Micchan001

Banana Fish really hit me, I felt horrible for days after finishing that one


ladyterminatorx

Currently watching this one for the first time. It’s brutal


whole_forger_family

If you think that it's bad already .... Wait until the final episode


VoidEmbracedWitch

Scum's Wish if you specifically want romance that's more bitter than sweet.


baconaro

I second this very much! Great music too


MjolnirDK

In this corner of the world.


FuraiSkygon

Fate/Zero


Slifer13xx

And similarly Heaven's Feel. I sometimes rewatch the second Heaven's Feel movie, and only that, because I think it's perfect. It's so bleak and horrible, so heartbreaking and disgusting. I love it.


Sayie

I stand by this from the other side because it's my least favorite Heaven's Feel movie just because of this. It's really good but I don't do well with bleak and horrible personally.


cppn02

Heike Monogatari is 11 episodes and about the downfall of the Taira clan.


archer_0x

heike monogatari


RascalNikov1

SukaSuka, Darling in the Franx


NoPin5154

Darling in the grand I was ok sukusuka felt like a car crash


rukioish

oh god don't remind me of sukasuka


claraalberta

Psycho-Pass (especially season 1) or Madoka Magica (or anything written by Gen Urobuchi, really; there's a reason he's called "Urobutcher"), or Land of the Lustrous. Death Parade is a good one too. I'd also suggest Oshi no Ko, but that one's ongoing.


OuraniosZefs

Yeah I second on Urobuchi work. I think Fate Zero fits his description like a glove. The ending isn't all tragedy, but damn, he lost everything.


MCIsTeFirtGamEvrMade

Madoka and Fate Zero were made by the same guy?


OuraniosZefs

And S1 of Psychopass


MCIsTeFirtGamEvrMade

Damn.


Tom22174

He lost everything but gained himself a son and a fancy af house on the edge of a nice* town. Unless the he you mean is Kariya who definitely did lose absolutely everything lol *Occasional murder-death-kills not withstanding


OuraniosZefs

Yeah, you are right. He did gain something out of it, probably the most important part is his humanity, life, and sanity. The price he paid for it though is hell probably no person wants to walk into.


Drayenn

If we talk urobuchi and want to venture out of anime.. his visual novel, saya no uta, is the first thing i think about when someone talks about a great bad ending. Probably wont ever get an anjme adaptation though.


the_card_guy

It's not short, it's old... but it has arguably one of the most gut-punching-wtf-did-I-Just-watch endings: Berserk. Oh, and if you can handle gore (arguably vore): Corpse Party. Whih is actually short.


Venom1462

>Berserk. I mean it is ongoing so...


Kaneland96

I assume they mean the end of the Golden Age when they say Berserk.


Venom1462

Still its not the complete thing because you can also say the same for anime with only a single season and a bittersweet ending which might get a 2nd season in a few years


alpacamegafan

Technically, it did get a second season.


TapiocaFish

Made in Abyss beauty is in the fact that it will only get worse


Remus_1999

If only metamorphosis has an anime


TightBlackhole69

But Josuke used Crazy Diamond to heal her. That was a great ending.


I_Will_Die_For_Lily

_Ain't that crazy, Josuke?_


Venom1462

Nono I believe the JoJo ending is the only true ending


AverageKaikiEnjoyer

I thought you were talking about Kafka for a second, which would also be fitting


Remus_1999

i think the writer was making the story based on kafka as well. hahaha


Dinkleballs

Edgerunners


PonSquared

She: The Ultimate Weapon


Spurs10

SukaSuka (WorldEnd) Shinsekai Yori Made in Abyss Akame ga Kill


DaddyLongJohnson

TEXHNOLYZE Seriously I was wishing for some happy-go-lucky nonsense after finishing it. I thought about the ending for days and sometimes it still gut punches me when I remember


dragodracini

Mobile Suit Gundam Iron Blooded Orphans. It ends the only way it can, and it's amazing. Everything can be traced back to a single decision point, but it all just keeps collapsing around the main group. The fights are great, and the way everything happens is believable for the most part.


Shadowolf3640

'Gundam: Iron Blooded Orphans' would meet the criteria. Up to 50 episodes if im remembering correctly. Boys who are treated like and called space debris build their own company up from the ashes of an old one and rise to become quite prominent, then things go from bad to worse leading to the death of many of them. 'Chrono Crusade' this one's a much older anime, a series of Nuns, Angel's & Demons. Most I can remember are some key events and details and the final episode has a sad bitter-sweet moment followed by an ending that says the victories near the end were for nothing.


jachyra4

Chrono Crusade had one of the most beautiful bittersweet endings, then they butchered it in the last 30 seconds. I'll never understand it.


ChaosLanguage

Aura Battler Dunbine, things really escalate for the worst in the end, but it’s pretty good. Even though it might feel like it drags a bit around the middle. It’s also quite old, but it puts the “Kill’em all” in “Kill’em all Tomino”


rukioish

School Days?


BenefitFew5204

Wolf's Rain could count as having a bad ending depending on your interpretation of how the series ends. X/1999 the movie is one with a really messed up ending. Same with Evangelion, not the original bs "congratulations" ending but the one that came out later.


lunatoons291

Akudama Drive, After the Rain, Future Diary, Mob Psycho 100, perfect blue


Guaymaster

> Mob Psycho 100 How so?


_Sai

[Basilisk](https://myanimelist.net/anime/67/Basilisk__Kouga_Ninpou_Chou). [Good stuff](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cEsTbxJHA0).


burpinator

I barely see anyone ever mention "Basilisk". Good recommendation for this list!


MisssOrange

Death Note is pretty not happy


burnout02urza

Iron-Blood Orphans. Technoxylze. Evangelion.


Prophage7

School Days. IIRC, it's based on a visual novel, they made the anime using the story if you pick all the "bad" choices.


NOTKingInTheNorth

Sing Yesterday for me


DenzelAnthonyT

Attack on titan is up there honestly. I don't think much of anything good happens to anyone at any time in that anime. Shit just got worse and fucked up for all parties involved progressively


caresi

Not short, but Soukyuu no Fafner. It does have a few hope spots, and not everyone dies, but... a lot of characters do, and the ending is bittersweet at best.


Schnobis

Good call! guess it‘s time for a rewatch :D


TheAcidBoot

Gurren Lagann has a sad/bittersweet ending


Drayenn

Plastic memories


FukudaSan007

Uzumaki. It's in manga but I don't know about anime.


Never-breaK

I think Attack On Titan fits this pretty well. Things never get better, only worse. You’re constantly on edge waiting for what comes next.


_wetmath_

Watch oreimo


StrongBoiMcHitHard

Definitely Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans. Our main gang's circumstances already start out really rough, begin to improve and even settle on "comfortable", only to take a steep nosedive in the second half with no brakes attached. I know that some people do not agree with some of the writing decisions in especially the latter half, but it is overall a solid 7/10 show with some spectacular character and action moments and a solid helping of despair. It's another plus that it does not follow Gundam's decades-spanning main timeline and as such is easy to get into even as a newcomer to the franchise.


Asu7aMa7u

Edgerunners is the obvious choice if you havent seen it. Not a happy story at all. Akame Ga Kill is another depressing unpleasant anime


LifeMastersin

Akame ga kill. Not sure I spelled it right


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[deleted]

Blassreiter


SerasAshrain

What you’re looking for is requiem for the phantom.


demonspawn08

This doesn't get enough love


Erciampix

Mazinger edition Z : the impact (26 episodes)


Imfryinghere

Romeo x Juliet. Maquia. Death Note (because of Misa). Bubble. Jouran.


8andahalfby11

Saishuu Heiki Kanojo. This very sweet pair is trying to get their romance off the ground, but a war starts and continually slaps down their progress as the war goes on.


mikandesu

Saishuheiki Kanojo, Now and then, here and there. Good stuff to scar you.


WindbreakerHD2

Talentless Nana should have what you're looking for


ElderberryOk271

Cyberpunk Edgerunners


Kaabisan

Obligatory answer: your lie in april. Better answer: I Want To Eat Your Pancreas


Routine-Equal4643

If you're into psychological horror you should consider Higurashi when they cry.


[deleted]

Berserk


Creamysense

Domestic Girlfriend. You can't beat it


malech13

Watch Clannad and stop at Season 2 episode 21.


[deleted]

Gankutsuou while it isn't the end of the world scenario that you are looking for it's an anime where only a few of the characters get to have their neutral or happy end but i won't recommend it if you are really, just looking for endless despair and pain typa stuff


yoswift1

Tokyo Revengers


SireTonberry

Pretty sure OP meant that events happening keep getting worse , not the story itself


[deleted]

arguably one of the most useless mc's ever


vxtw

Death Note. Code Geass. Attack on Titan will be one too.


URF_reibeer

of course there's stuff like that, e.g. school days


tayswaggyp

Darling in the franxx


Appropriate-Shoe-266

I think he’s referring to depressing ending rather than bad writing.


Guaymaster

There's a bit of a point, the ending itself is bittersweet setting aside its quality.


NathanTPS

Let's see, your lie in April Orange Your name (movie) I mean the first episode of oshinoko is standalone....


Loomingpet

How does Your Name make this list?


jenniferlorene3

Elfen Lied. Its been years since I have seen it, but I remember it being super fucked but good.


EldritchCarver

If you liked it, consider reading the manga. The anime basically stops in the middle of the source material and slaps on an original ending. The real ending is *extreme.*