• Rottcodd@ani.socialEnglish
    2·
    5 days ago

    In the purest sense of the word “cathartic,” absolutely 86. There’s nothing - literally nothing, in any media - that’s ever touched me the way the last episode of that series does.

    Honorable mentions:

    In a similar sense, Akudama Drive. It’s especially rewarding because with the vividly over-the-top beginning, it doesn’t feel like that’s the way it’s headed, but it is.

    In a milder sense, Honey Lemon Soda. There’s just something about that series - to me, it’s far better and more satisfying than any of its better-known rivals.

    In a similar vein to that, Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop, which as a bonus is visually stunning too.

    In a somewhat different sense, the original OVA of Little Witch Academia. It just sweeps me up from the very first frame and doesn’t let go until the last.

    And in the more traditional sense, say what you might about the series as a whole, but Sword Art Online S01E03 - The Red-nosed Reindeer - is beautifully touching, as is the entire Mother’s Rosario arc.

  • Jumi@lemmy.worldEnglish
    5·
    6 days ago

    The only one that sometimes comes to mind even though I haven’t watched anime for many years now: Flying Witch

  • Unboxious@ani.socialEnglish
    5·
    7 days ago
    Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

    In FMA:B it turns out the government is being run by a bunch of inhuman, genocidal monsters and a bunch of people band together and do something about it. So yeah, probably this one.

      • Ayutsu@lemmy.zipEnglish
        2·
        6 days ago

        Thank you! Brotherhood is great but it always felt like it was banking on the audience to have already read the manga.

    • Rottcodd@ani.socialEnglish
      2·
      5 days ago

      I’d definitely second 86. When I really want a solid dose of catharsis, there’s nothing that even begins to compare with that last episode. I can’t even think about it (or, for instance, write about it) without it bringing tears to my eyes.