Shojo anime have some of the most emotional storylines. Some viewers can relate to the characters' struggles, insecurities, or even relationships throughout the story's progression. A shojo anime can bring a lot of emotional depth to what seemed like a light-hearted premise, or they could be downright sad from the get-go.
Regardless, these stories are not to be taken lightly. Some topics and elements included may appear too serious for its reader base. But there's a message the writer wants to convey. They want audiences to understand their characters' dire situations, possibly to create a sense of belonging to anyone going through the same thing.
This article mentions depression and sexual abuse.
10 Orange Displays True Friendship At Work (Orange)
Personal connections and friendships are common elements in shojo anime. As the story progress, a protagonist will meet and bond with an array of genuine, caring people that will stay with them for years.
Orange is an amazing story, albeit sad given the somber plot. A group of high school friends are doing whatever it takes to save one of their own. After discovering letters from their future selves, they must piece together the mystery behind their friend's fall into despair and stop him before it's too late.
9 Natsume's Book Of Friends Fans Would Enjoy Another Short Story (Into The Forest Of Fireflies' Light/Hotarubi No Mori E)
Natsume's Book of Friends fans may recognize Yuki Midorikawa's other supernatural one-shot, Into the Forest of Fireflies' Light, also known as Hotarubi no Mori e. However, it has a shorter, much sadder ending.
Six-year-old Hotaru meets a masked boy named Gin, but he avoids her when she tries to touch him. It frustrates but also intrigues Hotaru as she continues to visit the forest to meet him. Their friendship gradually turns to romance as Hotaru ages, but not much can progress due to the limitations.
8 All Ash Wants Is Freedom (Banana Fish)
Ash's journey to find happiness is arduous and full of trouble. He's been mistreated and sexually abused for most of his childhood. No one sees him as a person but an object of desire. No one cares for him except his older brother, Griffin, who now suffers from a mental breakdown.
Even after escaping his abusive "home," Ash must keep looking over his shoulder and fend for himself in the harsh back alleys of New York City. Ash keeps his distance because he fears losing the ones he's close to.
7 It Seems Like There's No Break For The Sohma Family (Fruits Basket)
Sadness, isolation, and heartbreak permeate through Fruits Basket's plot. It's not just the Sohma family that deals with a long-standing curse; the non-zodiac characters they interact with have their own struggles and inner demons.
The protagonist, Tohru, hasn't fully accepted her mother's death. Further in the series, she must choose between a future with the one she loves or immersing herself in her grief. Yuki and Kyo fight for a place in the Sohma family and in society. The two struggle to accept themselves and jealousy causes them to bring out the worst in each other.
6 Full Moon Has A Protagonist With Serious Health Problems (Full Moon)
Topics surrounding severe illnesses like cancer are delicate. But writers have found ways to touch on these difficult stories while adding a personal touch. While the overall premise is sad, Arina Tanemura has a unique way of connecting viewers with her 2002 anime Full Moon. Mitsuki suffers from sarcoma in her throat but wishes to become a singer.
She's also faced with a few dilemmas: her grandmother strongly opposes music, and the one surgery that could cure her would permanently damage her vocal cords. One night, two shinigami, Takuto and Meruko, visit Mitsuki and tell her that she only has a year to live. This devastating news puts her on the spot. She must decide between giving up her dream to appease her grandmother or risking everything and making her final year her best one yet.
5 Richard Only Wants The Right To His Own Happiness (Requiem Of The Rose King)
Requiem of the Rose King's solemn atmosphere and tone is emphasized by Richard III's life. From childhood to adulthood, he faces verbal and emotional abuse from his mother, Cecily. She continues to curse Richard for his "demonic" body, accusing him of seducing the father he idolized.
Even during Richard's battle for the throne, he must always look over his shoulder and remain wary of his faithful supporters. Any person he loves or grows closer to is either killed or betrays him, forcing him deeper into solitude. Viewers watch as Richard falls further into his despair, wishing for only a glimpse of light and warmth.
4 Candy Loses Someone She Loves And Must Continue With Life (Candy Candy)
Loss is not new to Candy White. At 12 years old, the Leagan family took her in as the heirs' playmate. However, it soon derailed into years of relentless abuse from the Leagan children and matriarch. Candy spent most of her life in and out of the house through harsh punishments or servitude.
Over time, she develops genuine friendships and solid connections but loses them as quickly as she makes them. Drifting apart, death, and war are at every turn, forcing Candy to find newer ways to adapt with a smile. It's heartbreaking to see her suffer, but fans can't help but cheer her on.
3 Cosette's Childhood Is Hard To Watch (Les Misérables: Shojo Cosette)
Fans may be familiar with Victor Hugo's Les Misérables but maybe not an anime adaptation of the famous novel. This version, Shojo Cosette, is told from Cosette's perspective, focusing on her life as a slave.
It's no secret that Les Misérables is one of the most depressing stories ever made, but Shojo Cosette takes it to another level. Far from her struggling mother, Cosette must deal with her caretaker's mistreatment and work long hours under his watchful eye. It's hard for fans to watch, and those familiar with Hugo's novel know it only gets worse.
2 Rivals In Love And The Harshness Of War Are A Recipe For Destruction (Basara)
Forbidden lovers from rival groups is a breeding ground for sadness and destruction. No matter how much they wish to be together, it's always sad to see the inevitable showdown. Basara does a great job at highlighting this trope and the harsh circumstances the characters are involved in.
Sarasa's twin brother Tatara loses his life in an enemy raid. When he was born, Tatara was dubbed the "child of destiny," meant to save their clan from the Red King's tyranny. After her brother's death, Sarasa dons her brother's clothes and escapes with a band of warriors set to destroy the Red King. She has an unexpected encounter and affair with a handsome man, but little does she know that he's a sworn enemy.
1 Don't Get Too Attached To Rose Of Versailles' Characters (Rose Of Versailles)
Les Misérables: Shojo Cosette wasn't the only anime centered around the French Revolution. Rose of Versailles took place a few years beforehand, but the plot ended just before the war's climax. However, the anime was full of drama and betrayal even before the revolution. Of course, anime centered around war keep fans on their toes. It's hard to get attached to a character only to watch them die.
The characters' lives intertwined as Oscar worked as Marie Antoinette's bodyguard. Secret affairs permeated the castle walls, sparking rumors and creating enemies from within. Outside the palace, the French public dealt with starvation and disease, stirring up bitterness and anger against the royal family. Rose of Versailles' foreshadowing creeps in subtle ways, leading to the royal family's downfall.