The Tear-Jerking World of Heart-Piercing Anime Songs
Do you have an anime that you got so hooked on it moved you to tears?
When you encounter a work like that, sometimes just hearing a single line of the theme song out of the blue can make you cry.
Maybe the song didn’t hit you at first, but the closer the finale gets, the more heartbreakingly it starts to feel…
In this article, we’ve gathered anime songs that will make you cry and cry and cry.
We’ve included both old and new anime, so it should resonate with a wide range of generations.
By all means, enjoy the works themselves along with the songs.
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- [Tearjerker] Songs that make your heart tremble with tears & moving tracks with lyrics that touch the soul
- Anisongs that were hits in the 2000s: a nostalgic collection of legendary tracks
- [Nostalgic] Classic and Popular Anime Songs Recommended for People in Their 30s
- The nostalgic atmosphere tugs at your heartstrings. Tear-jerker songs from the Showa era.
- Anime Love Song Special [Heart-Fluttering & Tearjerkers]
- [So touching it makes you cry] A heartbreakingly wistful and sad song that tightens your chest
- [Just the Lyrics Make Me Cry] Tear-Jerking Songs That Touch the Heart
- Tear ducts guaranteed to burst! Heart-wrenching masterpiece songs I’d recommend to Gen Z
- [Collection of Epic Songs] A compilation of cool anime songs chosen by anime fans
- [Today's Tearjerker Song] Tear ducts destroyed! Timeless and trending tracks that will make you cry no matter what
- Tears won’t stop with these sentimental lyrics! Heisei-era tearjerker songs
[Tearjerkers] The World of Heart-Piercing Anime Songs (61–70)
Beautiful WorldUtada Hikaru
This song sung by Hikaru Utada is deeply etched in people’s hearts alongside the Evangelion feature films.
Released in August 2007, it was used as the theme song for the movie Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone.
With a pop sound that incorporates mid-tempo house elements, it gives voice to poignant love and a profound prayer.
Utada herself is a fan of Evangelion and reportedly crafted the track with the world of the series in mind.
The lyrics, which reflect the emotions of the anime’s characters, are sure to resonate with listeners.
It’s a moving, tear-jerking song that fills you with a bittersweet feeling.
Life is Like a BoatRie fu
The gentle piano melody and warm acoustic guitar tones seem to softly nestle up to the listener’s heart.
This work by Rie fu is a song that richly expresses the journey of pressing forward with hope alongside someone precious, even as we face rough waves on the voyage called life.
The interplay of English and Japanese in the lyrics is truly beautiful.
Released as a single in September 2004, it captured the hearts of many fans as the very first ending theme for the anime BLEACH.
Give it a listen when you’re feeling a touch nostalgic or when you need the courage to take a new step forward.
Stars swimmakaroni enpitsu
The song created by Macaroni Enpitsu as the opening theme for the TV anime “Summer Time Rendering” is a track that sings of a fleeting yet beautiful story, like fireworks coloring a summer night sky.
From the protagonist’s perspective, it portrays resolve, the grief of losing someone precious, and memories growing distant, all carried by an exhilarating rock sound.
Included on their major-label 2nd EP “Tama-shii no Ibasho” (A Place for the Soul), the song was released digitally in April 2022 and was crafted with the image of summer’s restlessness and a fate that fades like scattered sparks.
Seamlessly harmonizing with the anime’s worldview, it’s a perfect choice for those who want to delve deeper into the story or feel the bittersweet ache of summer.
Beyond a thousand nightsAqua Timez
This is “Sen no Yoru wo Koete” by the band Aqua Timez, who shocked many by suddenly announcing their disbandment in 2018.
It was used as the theme song for the Bleach theatrical anime and achieved million-selling status.
In addition to this track, the band released numerous beloved hits that anyone can hum along to, such as Niji, the theme song for the hugely popular drama Gokusen, and the classic Toushindai no Love Song.
BluestarYamamoto Aya
It’s a moving ballad that comforts repressed emotions and lonely hearts.
Sayaka Yamamoto’s clear, translucent voice gently seeps into the soul.
Released in March 2024 as the ending theme for the anime “The Demon Lord’s Slave Elf Is My Wife, But How Do I Love Her?”, it features striking lyrics about self-sacrifice, restrained desires, and the pain born from them.
Yet it also conveys a glimmer of hope.
When you’re feeling down, this song might become a source of support for your heart.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.naniwa danshi
A heartwarming mid-tempo number sung by Naniwa Danshi as the theme song for the theatrical film of Ninja Boy Rantaro, which follows the adventures and growth of young ninjas.
Its gentle melody and lyrics filled with gratitude perfectly match the film’s worldview.
Released as a digital single in November 2024, it will build excitement for the movie’s December premiere.
Celebrating the irreplaceable moments of everyday life and the bonds between friends, this song is perfect for times when you want to express thanks to someone important or simply feel warm and comforted.
Be sure to give it a listen—it’s a track packed with the charm of Naniwa Danshi.
In conclusion
Did your handkerchief get wet? You can rewatch your favorite anime as many times as you like, right? And then you add songs from that series to your playlist and carry them with you.
The comfort of always having what you love close at hand is irreplaceable.
If there’s a song that grips your heart and won’t let go, please tell me about it.