I need a tragic anime...

[Admiral Stukov]

The Gunbuster OVA. It's kinda old now and it's more of a bittersweet ending, but hey.
The sequel Diebuster also have a bittersweet ending.

And Mai-HiME if you ignore the

Spoiler: Info about last episode

Oh hey all worked out in the last episode and a happy ending magically appeared from nowhere

.

Code Geass as mentioned a few times above.
The three part OVA of Gunnm/Battle Angel Alita should count too.

 

[Ashendarei]

I've heard School Days had a sad and pretty messed up ending.

I actually reccomend watching the first 10 episodes of School days, and just stopping there.

You'd probably be happier for it in the end.

 

[Dagnius]

I've heard School Days had a sad and pretty messed up ending.

I actually reccomend watching the first 10 episodes of School days, and just stopping there.

You'd probably be happier for it in the end.

I stopped half-way through 9 because there was so much drama. >.> that wasn't what i was expecting after i read the description of it.

 

[DarkRyter]

Angel Beats, once you really get into it.

 

[Carlston]

4Kids' dub of One Piece was pretty tragic.

4kids anything is tragic...

The again, One piece (funimation) or even jap dub It's very light hearted and bout every 12 to 5 episodes gets fairly dark...
But not the everyone dies in the end type of tragic...

 

[Danzaivar]

Death Note is pretty tragic. Starts out as this really good anime and then halfway through it just turns crap.

That poor story.

 

[Breaker deGodot]

Blood+, Princess Mononoke, and GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES. Especially that last one. Oh, and Higarashi no Nako Koru ni.

 

[Breaker deGodot]

Death Note is pretty tragic. Starts out as this really good anime and then halfway through it just turns crap.

That poor story.

No arguments here. Fuck Near.

 

[Breaker deGodot]

Graveyard of the Fireflies

It is a film, rather than a series, but it is argueably the most tragic anime in existence.

oh god, i saw that in the 5th grade that was a very tragic movie

What kind of sick teacher shows THAT to a group of 5th graders?!

 

[GG Crono]

I haven't seen it myself, but I've heard Bokurano described as "like Evangellion, but even more depressing". So there's that.

 

[icame]

I actually did enjoy Death note even though when...You know went away the anime did turn to crap.

Looks like i have some catching up to do.

 

[Darktau]

Code geass 2 seasons long, the ending of the second season is the single best anime ending I have ever fucking seen ever, if you haven't seen it it is definitely a must watch!

 

[nicholaxxx]

Higurashi comes to mind, though I think many people will disagree with me on it.

 

[Sara Fontaine]

I agree with Elfen Lied; some of the things that go on, as well as the ending really got me down...

Wolf's Rain was pretty depressing in parts, but it still remains one of my favourite series.

I can't really think of anything else except one tragic character that I always feel sorry for, and that's Melfina in Outlaw Star. Even though she does appear pretty upbeat she just seems so lost and confused all the time, but one could argue she has reason to be.

 

[Staskala]

Kaleido Star. Starts out rather up-beat, but fuck the ending. Seriously, I cried like a *****.

The KEY adaptations (Clannad and Kanon), though I'd recommend reading the VNs over watching the anime. Air's adaptation is rather messy, VN isn't translated, so skip it.

Iriya no Sora, UFO no Natsu. Well, more of a personal favorite of mine, but it's only 6 episodes long, so you might as well give it a shot.

Now and Then, Here and There. Protagonist is your average shounen hero and doesn't really fit in the anime at all, but all side characters are tragic and much more developed. Themes include child soldiers, death, rape, torture (of kids), and plenty more.

Bokurano. Kids fighting in a game in a giant mech, only the game is actually real and they die when they are killed.

Infinite Ryvius. Wastes a lot of potential but is still pretty high up there.

Well then there's the whole slew of Lodoss, Code Geass, FMA, Higurashi, Death Note, etc., that aren't tragic per se but have dramatic aspects/characters. Oh and Evangelion of course, but I don't recommend it to look edgy and cool.

That's it for now, could name a few more if you want, but it really depends on if you want to watch a drama or just an anime with dramatic aspects.

 

[fulano]

Gungrave

I second this. Had I not been the manliest of manliest men I'd have cried.

That anime, oddly, knew how to gauge plot and character before following the trappings of the game, which it still did, but only as the culmination of the overall story arc.

Somehow a 27 plus minute shooting game (yes, the game was that short) for the PS2 morphed into the story of a couple of loser good-for-nothing late-tweeners as they dealt with the trials and tribulations of growing up, trying to find and belong to a family, and the ultimate conclusion of said family. And with a royally sad ending to boot.

 

[Noyes33]

Gungrave has an amazing and tragic story and the character development is great!!

 

[FutureHousedad]

4Kids' dub of One Piece was pretty tragic.

Zing, Pow!

OT: You could consider Katanagatari tragic at times. Also it's wonderfully written and i highly recommend it. Bakamonogatari is also excellent.

 

[Prof. Monkeypox]

5 Centimeters per Second is pretty tragic to anyone who's ever been in a long distance relationship (like me). The fact that's it's also beautifully animated is just icing.

I was also going to say Grave of the Fireflies, but I see I was already beaten to it. It's worth restating though: Grave of the Fireflies is TRAGIC.

 

[Duruznik]

5 Centimeters Per Second was pretty heart rending, I fully recommend it.