Any Anime That Makes You Cry More Than CLANNAD?

A recent debate on Japanese networks has resurfaced a question that seems to have no definitive answer: “Is there any anime that makes you cry more than CLANNAD?”. The discussion began on a popular forum and soon attracted an avalanche of opinions, from praise for the work to criticism of its style and narrative.

“CLANNAD,” produced by Kyoto Animation and based on Key’s visual novel of the same name, has earned a special place in the hearts of many anime fans. With its mix of comedy, drama and an emotional narrative about family, love and loss, the series and its sequel, “CLANNAD: After Story,” have been considered masterpieces of the emotional genre. However, not all Internet users share this vision.

Among the most notable comments, some Internet users passionately defended CLANNAD:

«CLANNAD is unique. You can cry up to five times watching this series. No other anime compares».
«CLANNAD is more than an anime, it is life itself».
«The scene from episode 18 After Story It's the most heartbreaking thing I've ever seen. It is the pinnacle of emotional animation».
«You only think CLANNAD is so touching because of the nostalgia factor. If you see him now, you probably couldn't even stand his character design style».
«I tried to watch it after hearing it was so emotional, but I gave up on the third episode. It just didn't connect with me.».
«The first arc of 86: Eighty-Six was much more emotional for me than all of CLANNAD».
«Have you seen ef – a tale of memories? It's the same genre, but a hundred times more intense and better narrated.».
«If we talk about crying, nothing beats Hotaru no Haka (The grave of the fireflies)».

Some comments in the debate criticized the idea of crying with an anime, calling it immature:

«Cry over an anime? That's a little kid thing.».
«Eroge like CLANNAD are for people looking for an emotional fantasy. I don't understand how they manage to connect with such fictional characters.».
«Who is the fool here? We cry and enjoy life more while you criticize everything».
«There are many anime that can make you cry once, but CLANNAD breaks you several times. It is a unique experience, although I understand that not everyone can connect with it.».

The impact of “CLANNAD” on otaku culture is undeniable. His story not only thrilled viewers, but also inspired a large number of spin-off products, such as the manga adaptation and light novels. But the question of whether it is truly insurmountable remains open.

Although opinions are divided, the debate reflects one truth: the emotional impact of anime is subjective and varies from person to person. Is CLANNAD really the undisputed king of tearjerker anime or simply a product of its time? The answer will depend on the heart of each viewer.

Fountain: Yaraon!