Touching Anime Ballads That Make You Cry [Moving & Heart-Wrenching]
Do you all watch anime?
The theme songs of the shows we watched tend to stick in our heads forever, don’t they?
In this article, I’ll introduce plenty of moving, heart-wrenching anime ballads that can bring you to tears.
I’ve gathered many powerful masterpieces that will make your heart tremble—songs I want even non-anime viewers to hear.
Give them a listen when you’re feeling a bit tired or in the mood for a good cry.
If you’re in love right now, you’re sure to find a song that hits just right.
If you’ve seen the anime, the combination of the song and the scenes will make the emotion even stronger.
If you haven’t seen the anime these songs come from, take this chance to check them out!
I think the songs will sink even deeper into your heart.
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Tear-Jerking Anime Song Ballads Special [Moving & Heartbreaking] (1–10)
My greatest treasureLiSA
Now a firmly established Anison singer, LiSA.
“Ichiban no Takaramono” is one of her early works.
It was released in 2010 under the name of the band Girls Dead Monster, which appears in the TV anime Angel Beats!.
In the anime, LiSA served as the band’s vocalist.
You can sense how special this song is to her from a tweet in which she wrote, “Meeting this anime is still my greatest treasure.”
I’ve listened to so many heartbreak songs, and I’m done with always crying.NEW!riria.
Singer-songwriter Riria., known for a voice that tenderly embraces those facing aching love, captivates listeners here as well.
Released digitally in July 2022, this song was written as the ending theme for the second cour of the TV anime “Summer Time Rendering.” An acoustic version is also included on the album “Kiseki,” released in January 2025.
From the heroine’s perspective, it portrays the resolve to look forward while retracing memories of a love that has ended.
Beginning with a quiet piano melody, the arrangement unfolds as if emotions are overflowing, striking straight to the heart.
Why not listen on nights when unforgettable memories bring unstoppable tears, or when you want to take a step forward from the sorrow of heartbreak?
Stay AliveEmiria (CV: Takahashi Rie)
This is a song used as the ending theme for the anime Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World.
It’s performed by Rie Takahashi, the voice actress for one of the characters, Emilia, and was released as a single in 2016.
The song is a grand, emotional rock ballad, and its transparent, pure vocals create a beautiful soundscape.
The lyrics, which express the loneliness of being all by oneself, are sure to tighten your chest.
Be sure to listen closely and take it all in.
Moving and Heart-Wrenching Anime Song Ballads Special (11–20)
youyuzuki
Introducing it as a masterpiece that sparked a major movement.
It’s a song related to the game “Higurashi When They Cry.” Thanks to the anime’s huge success and other factors, the song’s popularity skyrocketed.
It’s a legendary ballad with countless derivative works.
Many of you might remember it being popular on sites like Niconico Douga.
The song has a simple structure where the same chord progression repeats throughout, but perhaps thanks to the development and melody, it has an appeal that makes you want to keep listening.
My SongGirls Dead Monster
This song was used as an insert track in episode 3 of the anime Angel Beats! It was released in 2010 as part of the single Crow Song under the name of the in-story band Girls Dead Monster.
The arrangement is simple, performed solely with the sound of an acoustic guitar, which allows the lyrics’ message to sink deep into your heart.
It’s a wonderful classic that supports you when you’re feeling down after a failure or when you can’t find what you want to do.
It’s nothing.RADWIMPS
This song captivates with its soul-penetrating melody and delicate lyrics.
Created by RADWIMPS, it is included on the album “Your Name.” released in August 2016.
It was also used as the ending theme for the film of the same name, capturing the hearts of many.
The piece delicately portrays subtle emotional shifts in everyday life and the realizations that arise within human relationships, leaving a deep impression on listeners.
Listening to it again after watching the film allows you to grasp the deeper meanings of the lyrics.
It is a moving track that conveys the sorrow of parting from someone dear and the wish to share the precious time that remains.
Song that marks the passage of timeLia
Lia’s song “Toki wo Kizamu Uta,” used as the opening theme for the anime CLANNAD ~AFTER STORY~, is renowned as a classic anime song—so chances are you’ve heard it even if you haven’t seen the series.
Beyond the anime’s heartrending yet heartwarming story, this song, which conveys feelings for someone lost, brings Tomoya to mind and is impossible to listen to without tears.
Everything—the sound and the vocals—is beautiful, so if you haven’t heard it yet, please give it a listen.
It will surely make you want to watch the anime too!
