The 2000s gave fans some of the most iconic anime of all time. Many unforgettable classics across all genres come from this era. With their lovable characters, unique settings, and captivating storyline, 2000s anime left a mark on the industry and still influence new series today.
Some of the saddest moments come from this era. They convey strong emotions that keep the audience invested from start to finish. Whether it's the death of a beloved character or a tragic backstory, 2000s anime are especially good at pulling on fans' heartstrings. No matter how many times they see them, fans are always brought to tears by these compelling moments in anime.
10 Crona's Abusive Upbringing Leaves Fans Feeling Sympathetic (Soul Eater)
Medusa Gorgon is one of the most despicable villains in the entirety of Soul Eater. Even with the many atrocious acts she commits, few compare to the treatment of Crona, her biological child. They were created to be a killer and Medusa treated them more like a tool than her offspring.
As Maka grows closer to Crona, they recount their tragic childhood for viewers to see. They grew up alone and unloved, leaving Crona scarred and mentally unstable. The revelation of this abuse is one of the saddest points of the series, showing fans exactly why Crona has become so damaged.
9 L's Death Is One Of The Most Painful (Death Note)
L became an instant favorite after his debut in Death Note. Audiences love his intellect, many quirks, and the battle of wits between him and Light. L's death comes as a shock to fans and changes the series forever.
No matter how bleak things got, no one ever really expected him to die. His final moments are painful and terrifying as Light shows him who he truly is, making sure he knows that Kira won. It's a tragic yet iconic moment in the series that none will ever forget.
8 Atem Vs. Yugi Is The Heartbreaking Final Duel (Yu-Gi-Oh)
Fans of Yu-Gi-Oh followed Yugi and the spirit of the Pharoah since the beginning. They watched their struggles and saw them both grow as characters and become inseparable. In the series finale, the time finally arrives for the Pharoah to return home to his own time and reclaim his name, but he must perform a ceremonial duel with Yugi first.
It's one of the most gripping and emotional duels of the entire series, with the stakes higher than they've ever been. In the end, Yugi reigns victorious, finally setting the Pharoah Atem free. He says his final goodbyes to Yugi and the gang, tears in everyone's eyes, making for a bittersweet end to an unforgettable duo.
7 Chihiro's Breakdown In The Garden Is A Subtle But Emotional Moment (Spirited Away)
Spirited Away is a timeless classic and one of Studio Ghibli's greatest films. There are many emotional and iconic scenes throughout the movie, but few have such subtle yet strong impact as the garden scene. Chihiro finally breaks down, overwhelmed by everything that's happened to her. Haku comforts her and offers her some riceballs.
However, as she eats, her emotions boil over and she allows herself to cry for the first time since her arrival. She continues to eat, crying all the way through. Meanwhile, Haku just silently stays by her side and allows her to get all of her emotions out. It's a very subdued moment, but it's packed with profound emotion.
6 Lucy's Childhood Is One Of The Most Tragic Of The Series (Elfen Lied)
About halfway through Elfen Lied, the audience discovers Lucy's horrifically tragic past. Born a Diclonius, she lived a hard life from the start that only got harder as she grew. She was shunned and tormented every day at the orphanage. Her abuse there triggered her developing vectors, and her urge to kill manifested at a young age.
Even after meeting young protagonist Kouta, she's still unable to fight off these urges. The torture she suffers becomes too much for her, leading her down a destructive path filled with death and hatred. Lucy's childhood abuse is some of the worst of the series and shows what happens when someone is pushed too far over the edge.
5 Zabuza & Haku's Death Is The First Tragic End In The Series (Naruto)
The Land of Waves mission is one of the first major plots in Naruto. This arc introduces Team 7 to the harsh realities of being a ninja and the terrifying threats they will face as shinobi. Zabuza and Haku appear as the first big villains of the series.
Despite their actions and Zabuza's cruelty, they're some of the most beloved characters in early Naruto and their deaths are absolutely heartbreaking. They're the first villains of the series to show a kinder side to themselves, setting the tone for future arcs. Their love for each other is touching and shows early on that even the worst villains can change.
4 The Tragic Fate Of Nina Tucker Is Traumatizing (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Nina Tucker is introduced early on in Fullmetal Alchemist and quickly forms a bond with the Elric brothers. Everything seems innocent at first, but things soon take a sinister turn when Ed and Al discover Shou Tucker's immoral alchemy practices—including his experiment to alchemically fuse his own daughter with the family dog.
She's now become a horrific creature and the scene only becomes worse as she calls out in pain for Ed. Viewers can't help but feel relief when Scar puts her out of her misery later on. This moment is one of the most terrifying and heartbreaking in this series and all of anime, leaving fans scarred to this day.
3 Simon & Nia's Wedding Ends In Tragedy (Gurren Lagann)
Gurren Lagann's Simon and Nia are meant to be from the moment they first meet as kids. However, their relationship is a tumultuous battle from start to finish, especially after Nia becomes the messenger of the Anti Spiral. Throughout the fight with the invaders, Simon stops at nothing to get the love of his life back.
When they finally achieve victory, it looks like there's a happily ever after for them after all. But their happy ending is taken away on the day of their wedding. Right after exchanging their vows, Nia begins to disappear. Because she was also a part of the Anti Spiral, she began fading away with them. It's a cruel ending for a beloved pair who fought so hard to be together.
2 Tomoya & Ushio's Emotional First Trip Together (Clannad)
Clannad After Story is well-known for being devastatingly sad. However, one of the saddest moments doesn't come until Tomoya is reunited with his estranged daughter Ushio. The two take a sudden trip together, and Tomoya learns how Ushio has suffered without him.
He realizes he's made a grave mistake giving her up and wants to make things right. The two finally get a chance to talk about his absence in Ushio's life and her feelings, leading to one of the most tearjerking moments of the entire series as Ushio cries in her daddy's arms for the very first time.
1 Everyone Cries When Ash Turns To Stone (Pokémon The First Movie)
While Pokémon the First Movie was technically released in 1999, it's a staple of every 2000s kid's childhood. Few would expect a Pokémon movie to have one of the saddest moments in anime history, but no one can hold back their tears during this iconic moment.
At the film's climax, Ash is determined to stop Mew and Mewtwo's fighting, even at the risk of his own life. Begging them to stop, Ash is caught in the crossfire of their attacks and turned to stone. It's a shocking moment that fans can never forget, and everyone is brought to tears as Pikachu desperately tries to revive his best friend, making this moment one of the saddest in the franchise.