Thread: Most Emotional Moments in Anime/Manga (probable spoilers)

Well, seeing how we've been having a lot of recommendation threads recently in these forums, I thought it was time for a discussion thread or two once again.

So here's the topic: What are some of the greatest emotional moments in manga or anime that you've seen - and more importantly, why did they stir such emotions in you?

Going into greater depth is preferred. Spoiler warnings are probably a good idea, but otherwise feel free to wax eloquent about how a particular scene has inspired you/made you cry/changed your life/given you screaming nightmares/dissolved you into a puddle of warm goo, etc. You might also want to discuss the techniques used by the mangaka or anime director to evoke such dramatic power from the scene.

-Dizzy-

Nana. When Nana dropped the strawberry glass and it broke, and she remembered how Hachi only wanted to buy two to make it more special. It was a sign of how they were being separated without the desire to do so, and Nana's reaction was really heartbreaking. Their friendship was so strong in the beginning, and to see it as the metaphor of strawberry glasses... and then one breaks... Nana has a lot of scenes that make me cry (including anything set in the future, particularly when I realized Hachi and Nobu didn't get together - actually, the breakup of Hachi/Nobu, too), but I've read and re-read that series and that one moment gets me every time. I can't think of anything more emotional than that.

FMA spoilers.

Pretty much Hughes death. He wasn't supposed to die, damn - he brought a lot to whole plot. The idea of killing him off after making him so popular (or making him so popular after his death) was a risky but brilliant move of mangaka. Sometimes you need to sacriface those cool characters for plot development, you can't keep reviving them.

This thread goes in Misc.

Originally Posted by StealDragon

This thread goes in Misc.

It stays here, Steal. This is the kind of thread that's supposed to be here (general manga).

Happy my Nana one was first. <3

The episode of Inuyasha (163?) where one of the Sango/Kohaku siblings (I can't remember which one, but I think it was Kohaku) prevents a meeting from happening was kinda emotional, too. I mean, we waited for a hundred episodes to see them reunited, because she thinks he's under evil control, and then he prevents it out of guilt? I don't even have a sibling and I was touched. Didn't compare to Nana, though.

Originally Posted by StealDragon

This thread goes in Misc.

Are you sure? I was pretty sure it belongs here in General... it's talking about specific topic (emotion) that crosses multiple series, after all. (Actually, I think some of the other threads in Misc. that are like this should be moved here, rather than the other way around...)

Anyway, back on topic: (Spoilers for Hiatari Ryoukou)

Hiatari Ryoukou's "Why are you crying?" scene has always moved me, but I've never really explained why before now. The developing romance has just started to take off between Kasumi and Yuusaku, and when Kasumi and Katsuhiko kiss for the first time in the series, you really get a sense of betrayal. Kasumi's quietly stunned behaviour following that really gives you the impression that she's utterly confused and not sure what to do, and then when she starts tearing up in front of Yuusaku, you realise that she's only starting to come to grips with her feelings for him and even though she hasn't really betrayed him (since her boyfriend IS Katsuhiko, not Yuusaku after all), she feels as though she has. But since she can't explain it, all she can say is "I don't know". But even then, Yuusaku is still able to accept her, and gently hold her without questioning further... which just shows his kind and gentle personality that gives her space to work things out. And the fact that she only starts crying after she sees Yuusaku is an indication of how much he means to her - she can lose herself in front of him without fear, and she actually relies on him to hold her when she's down.

That's why I love that scene. It's so subtly romantic and beautiful that it remains one of my best-loved scenes in all of Adachi's work.

-Dizzy-

Rock lee's story.

SPOILERS.

Most especially the part when he was informed he can never fight again. Thank god, that kick ass character was not cut off from the fighting. That would be too much to bear.

5 Centimeters Per Second by Shinkai Makoto I would think. It's an anime movie.
((possible spoilers))
I was constantly on the verge of tears just because, well... Without being extremely dramatic every single line hits the spot. It was easy to relate too and the ending was... Painfully believable. Hopelessly believable.
((Possible spoiler end))
Definitely a must watch. Even if it hadn't been as emotionally interesting the animation was the best I've ever seen. By FAR. Very far.

When it comes to TV anime I would say Planetes. (Definite spoiler: Then ending when Hachimako proposed to Ai was... Perfect. That's how you should end an anime.) I found many other scenes in it very touching, too.

In manga... Since I've just started reading Adachi and haven't been reading much romantic/dramatic stuff before that is what first comes to mind. In Touch (Last spoiler: when Kazuya died came as a complete chock to me and moved me despite me being a very heartless person when it comes to death).

And I'll to some extent agree with DE about the scenes in Nana.

My nominees for most emotional moments in anime/manga are:
-Cowboy Bebop (anime): The last session, especially the last confrontation between Faye and Spike.
-Jigoku Shoujo (anime): The last two episodes of the first season, and the last episode of the second.
-Fate/Stay Night (anime): The time when Shirou eats Berserker's sword to save Saber and the last episode where Saber proclaims her love for him.
-Gakuen Alice (anime): The last episode, especially the flashback part when Mikan recalls the times she spent with the kids of the Alice Academy all with the stirring 'Shiawase no Niji' song playing in the background.
-Blood+: The last episode.

One piece: (Spoilers) Robin says "I wanna live!"
-When I read/listened to this, I felt her desperation which really gave a strong push into the series in my opinion.

One piece: (Major spoilers) When the Going Merry...how should I say, dies.
-The scene did an impossible thing, which made a ship talk but it was the conversation that was emotional. The crew starts apologizing about its damages while it burns, and the Going Merry just passes away thanking them for the good times they had.