Most Moving Anime Moments?

One reason I love anime is the vast array of human experiences and emotions it deals with. So what are the anime moments that have touched people the most deeply? "Moving" doesn't have to mean "sad", anything that strikes strong emotion of whatever flavor qualifies! I'll start:

Number one is definitely Mugen's first death-and-rebirth scene in Samurai Champloo. It's beautifully done and captures Mugen's fierce spirit, the bleakness of Ryukyu life, and much much more. And the haunting music ("Obokuri Eeumi" by Isue Asazaki, if you were wondering) is just perfect.

Second: from the One Piece manga, Tony Tony Chopper's heart-rending backstory in the Drum Kingdom arc. This 48 year old hardass must admit to shedding a few tears while reading this... maybe because I know intimately what it's like to be an outcast among one's own kind, but not fit in anywhere else, either. The cherry-blossom snow part was affecting, too, in a happier but still bittersweet way.

Third: One Piece again, near the beginning of the Skypeia arc, when the Luffy and crew ride the Knock-Up Stream into the sky. Totally felt like I was sharing the joy and danger of those moments!

Honorable mention: Saiyuki and Saiyuki Reload manga. Full of intensely moving scenes, which are not harmed by the fact that they all happen to incredibly luscious bishonen.

OK, let's hear errone else's!

0 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Madamoiselle De Sade on May 3, 2010 at 9:38am

YamiNoSensei said:

And yeah I forgot a few Trigun moments, too. Wolfwood's death scene, but more than that the scene where Legato forces Vash to kill him. The combination of Vash's anguish with his back against the ethical/existential wall, and Legato's genuine weariness with the evil thing he's become is quite powerful. Although Legato should've counted himself lucky not to be as gratuitously bizarre as he is in the manga.

Cowboy Bebop, in the last episode when Faye tries to stop Spike from going to confront Vicious. The point where this tough, rootless, cynical woman has to admit that yes, she does need and care for the people in her life.

Those final episodes were a work of art. One of my favorite endings ever and rare because it really ended on the steps of that church. I think we got a glimpse of Faye's emotional side (I loved her character background episodes too, didn't appreciate them when I was younger but now I see how touching they are) in the "Pierrot le Fou" episode (had to look that up, I always just call it "Pierrot") and other episodes but it's usually in a comical way.

Pierrot le Fou is one of my favorite episodes. ..along with Cowboy Funk, Speak like a Child and Jamming With Edward. Top to bottom one of the best series I've seen and a Yoko Kanno soundtrack doesn't hurt.

I wish Trigun was in rotation more. When it was back in rotation I was either at school or didn't have cable. I'd forgotten how awesome Legato was (haven't read the manga) and how sexy his english voice was. Damn you, Richard Hayworth and your lilt!