Takao Akizuki is a 15-year-old aspiring shoemaker. Yukari Yukino is a 24-year-old woman. On a rainy day, Takao decides to skip school and go sketching designs in a beautiful garden. There, he meets the stunning and mysterious Yukari for the first time. From that moment on, the two of them keep meeting in that garden on rainy days, unconsciously soothing each other's hidden worries. But when push comes to shove, and the rainy season comes to an end, their relationship will be tested and the consequences will be unexpected.

Kotonoha no Niwa is a beautiful movie, in which the drama parts are all up to the uncommon relationship built up between two people with a huge age gap. Not only that, the rain and the predominant gray color of the rainy season contribute to make the viewers perceive the drama hiding behind the corner. Kotonoha no Niwa is a lesson teaching how friendship knows no boundaries, and how to let go, even when you fall in love. If this isn't dramatic enough, tell us what is!

Hachimitsu to Clover revolves around five college students who are about to enter the adult world for good. Shinobu, Yuuta and Takumi share a little room with no bath, a perfect fit for poor students like them. Hagumi is a doll-like talented artist, and Ayumi is an older sister-like girl who loves someone without being loved in return. Their lives are bound to change, and their paths are bound to part, but the bonds they managed to build will last in time.

Hachimitsu to Clover is a real roller coaster of emotions, as it basically shows many events each person comes to face in their lives. Every episode is like a revival of the times gone by, or there's something you can still relate to right now. As we follow these five characters among their ups and downs, the drama is always there to make you shed some tears. As a drama anime, Hachimitsu to Clover hits where it hurts: it shows the pain of letting go, the happiness of falling in love, the hardships of an unrequited feeling, and the importance of bonds. A real drama trip that really deserved a mention.

Yotaro spent his time in prison listening to Yakumo's performances of Rakugo – a comedic Japanese story telling – and so once he got out, he started begging Yakumo Yuurakutei to become his apprentice. As Yotaro's pleas won't stop, Yakumo accepts an apprentice for the first time. That will be a chance for him to revisit his past, recalling the old days spent with his greatest rival, and biggest friend: Sukeroku Yuurakutei.

What can be more dramatic than a lovers' suicide, when the two of them are not even sincerely in love, and it happens “by mistake”? And what if that event influences for good another person's life, who decides to keep the secret and take the blame on himself? This is just to give you an idea of what Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu's drama feels like. A story about love, friendship, and dedication, on a dramatic background able to leave the viewers with their mouths wide open or make them cry their eyes out.

Rei Kiriyama is a 17-year-old boy, and a professional Shogi player. When his parents died in a car accident, he had to move in with an adoptive family, but things didn't work out between Rei and his foster siblings, so he decided to move to Tokyo and started to live on his own. Things can turn out to be very difficult when you are a teenager, and yet you have to think about adult stuff. In the darkest moment of Rei's life, the fated meeting with the Kuwamoto sisters – Rei's neighbors – will turn the tables. Rei and the Kuwamotos, each of them with a difficult past to cope with, will create a solid bond.

We bet you felt the drama while reading the plot. 3-gatsu no Lion has very lighthearted moments, what with Rei getting embarrassed, and flustered, or Rei and Nikaidou's arguing. Yet, on the other side, the drama is right there, in Rei's flashbacks, or whenever the viewers perceive hints alluding to Rei's loneliness. In 3-gatsu no Lion there are sensitive issues debated very lightly, but it's impossible to ignore your heartstrings being pulled here and there.

Steins;Gate revolves around Rintarou Okabe, a self-proclaimed “mad scientist”, who spends his time in a rented room in Akihabara, with his two friends: Mayuri Shiina, his air-headed childhood friend; and Hashida Itaru, a perverted nerd. As a mad scientist, Okabe tries to create future gadgets – with no results. One day, though, one of his creations begins to actually work. It's the Phone Microwave, which can send emails to the past, altering the future events. When a tragedy strikes at Okabe, it will turn out to be very useful...

Steins;Gate shouts drama from beginning to end. It is a race against the time, back in time, and back to the future at the same time. From the lighthearted atmospheres of the first episodes, the tension gradually builds up, and the viewers find themselves clenching at their seats, with their mouth wide open. At the same time, Okabe's personality pops up entirely, and the viewers discover his real character. Steins;Gate is a very good drama show; if you want even more drama, though, start watching the alternative version Steins;Gate 0!

Shion and Nezumi live two sides of the same coin: while Shion lives in the city of No.6, where everything is perfect, and peaceful, Nezumi lives outside the walls of the city, where the rejects end up. It's a stormy night when Nezumi appears in front of Shion's balcony, covered in blood from head to toe. Shion can't just ignore Nezumi, so he does all he can in order to help him. The next day, Nezumi has disappeared, but the help Shion lent to Nezumi results in him being downgraded from his position in the society. Shion is deprived of his bright future, while Nezumi is nowhere to be found.

No.6 is very dramatic from the first episode. In fact, firstly we see Shion being deprived of his elitist education, and his place in the society; then, thanks to Nezumi, we discover the truth behind the city of No.6. There are very heartbreaking moments in this show, suffice it to say, Nezumi's requiem sang to the dead dogs, the conditions of the rejects outside the city, not to mention the last trip Nezumi and Shion have together, finally discovering a shocking truth. We must be honest: No.6 is 100% drama, from the first episode, to the very last frame. So beware, because you'll shed some tears!

Middle school girl Madoka Kaname, and her friend Sayaka Miki, meet Kyuubei, a magical familiar. He offers them to become magical girls, and in exchange he will grant their wishes. Homura Akemi, the new transfer student, and already a magical girl, warns the two of them not to accept Kyuubei's offer, as things are not what they seem. Yet the two girls accept and together with Mami Tomoe, and Sakura Kyouko as well, they will learn the most expensive lesson of their lives.

Usually, the magical girl genre is all pink unicorns and fluffy clouds. Well, don't be fooled: if you expect the same with Madoka Magica, you'll end up crashing against a hard wall. In fact, this show was tricky, as it started like a common shoujo anime, and gradually turned to a show full of drama and tragedy. If there's a lesson it can teach, it's that every choice you make has consequences, and you must be ready to face them. At the same time, it's a story about hope, and the importance of friendship. A valuable drama show that really deserved a mention!

Death Parade revolves around the figure of Decim. This peculiar bartender runs a bar called Quindecim, a place representing what lies between reincarnation, and oblivion. There, the deceased–unaware of that they have died–are challenged to random games. It's just a way for Decim to understand the true nature of those people and subsequently decide if they should ascend into reincarnation or fall into the void. Decim is the impartial arbiter of the afterlife, yet he will find himself facing a situation where being impartial will turn out to be the hardest thing to do...

In Death Parade, drama is the default, as it revolves around dead people who face their last trip which can end in reincarnation,or oblivion. Aside from that though, each character’s story can touch the deepest chords of the viewer’s heart, as it really makes you reflect on life, and its being fleeting and fragile. Not only that, Death Parade sheds light on another important topic: how human nature always hides darkness. If you are ready for a psychological drama show, Death Parade is the one!

This story takes place in Japan, 1955: six teenagers end up being arrested and taken at Shounan Special Reform School. Together in the same cell, they meet Rokurota Sakuragi, a former boxer, who becomes like an older brother for them. The seven boys make a promise: they will meet on the outside, when they will be finally free. Yet, a tragedy strikes at them, and the ray of hope seems to be about to vanish for good...

Rainbow is a very touching story, about courage, hope, and friendship. Throughout the show, it's impossible to ignore that this is not entirely a work of fiction, that's why when it hits, it hits harder than ever. The viewers follow these seven boys as they struggle to survive, over the humiliation inflicted upon them, over the suffering, and even when the hope has vanished.

Satoru Fujinuma developed a strange power that he calls “revival”. It sends him back in time by few minutes, in order to allow him to fix something. When a tragedy strikes at Satoru, and his mother's murdered, he becomes the prime suspect. The revival sends him 18 years back in time, when Satoru lived in Hokkaido. Could his mother's murder be connected with the abduction and murder of his classmate, Kayo Hinazuki? Satoru, in the body of an 11-year-old boy, begins the investigation!

Boku dake ga Inai Machi is a drama show involving delicate themes like domestic violence, abduction, rape, and murder. Throughout the show, we follow little Satoru's efforts at saving Hinazuki from a violent mother, and then from certain doom. This show keeps the viewers with bated breath, as episode by episode there's a lingering feeling that something terrifying is about to happen. If you feel like you can face a dramatic show involving these themes, especially where the characters are children, Boku dake ga Inai Machi won't fail you!

Kokoro Connect is a wonderful school themed show with elements of comedy, romance and a lot of drama. This show is about five students attending Yamaboshi Academy who don’t quite fit in any school club, so they decide to form their own club, the Student Cultural Society. Things get a bit freaky and twisted when these kids mysteriously start to switch with each other’s bodies, bringing about a whole lot of drama.

Kokoro Connect is all about plot twists and character development. This is a show in which you never know what can happen next, and every little change of events brings these kids close together, although not always in a good way. Kokoro Connect provides a strong insight into being in someone else’s shoes, with all the drama that implies.

Of course, we can’t talk about dramatic and not mention Nana. This is the story of Nana Osaki, a strong independent punk rock girl with dreams of becoming a rock-star, and Nana Komatsu, a naïve and dependent 20-year old girl who has the ability of falling in love with the wrong men. The two Nanas board the same train to Tokyo hoping to fulfill their dreams and end up becoming roommates and friends.

Nana is a beautiful shoujo with a lot of music and style. Watch these two girls grow up as they dive into the big city to fulfill their destinies. Of course, their paths are not easy and they have to face envy, betrayal and the ugly side of fame before they can triumph in the concrete jungle.

Another is a classic among horror and mystery dramas. The story revolves around young Sakakibara who is transferred into class 3-3 of Yomiyama North Academy, where everyone behaves rather mysteriously. In this class, Sakakibara meets a girl with an eye-patch named Misaki Mei, who is ignored by everyone else for some unknown reason. After Sakakibara and Misaki begin to interact, strange and unfortunate things start to occur around class 3-3.

Just reading what Another is about is enough to give you goosebumps. After all, dramas are not only meant to make you cry, they may also take you through different emotions. Another is an intricate story with several twists of events that will keep you biting your toenails and dying to know what’s really happening. You’ll feel an icy chill running down your spine as you unsuccessfully try to guess who’s alive and who’s dead.

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar is the story of six young boys and girls who suddenly find themselves in a world of fantasy with no memory of how they got there or where they come from. The world of Grimgar is now their reality and they have to train as knights, magicians, hunters and thieves, among others. Sadly for them, their new world may be a bit more realistic and harsh than the usual fantasy RPG games we are used to.

Even though this show shares a somewhat similar premise to fantasy shows like SAO, Grimgar focuses much more on character development and on the peripeteias or misfortunes the main characters have to go through. The scenery also plays a big role in conveying a dramatic and melancholic atmosphere. Hai to Gensou no Grimgar is a very artistic anime featuring beautiful backgrounds and a brilliant soundtrack that really help to develop the relationships between the characters and their dramatic everyday life.

In Higashi no Eden we’ll meet college student Saki Morimi, who’s on a trip to Washington. She gets in trouble with the police for trying to get inside the White House Garden but is saved by a young naked man with a gun, a cellphone and no memory. This is how she meets Akira Takizawa and they start a dangerous adventure to find out the connection between Akira’s real identity, a mysterious succession of events and a terrorist attack on Tokyo.

Higashi no Eden is a really cool and original story that has a bit of everything. This dramatic thriller has elements of romance, comedy, sci-fi, mystery and action, so it’s really no surprise how this show can take us through a roller coaster of emotions. As if the tension arising from a terrorist attack were not dramatic enough, the unexpected twists of events and Akira’s mysterious identity will provide you with the adrenaline and the edginess you were looking for.

Plastic Memories follows the story of Tsukasa Mizugaki, who gets a job at SAI Corp, a company known for producing androids known as Giftias. These Giftias are very similar to actual human beings, with the only detail that their lifespans are of 81,920 hours (around nine years and four months). Tsukasa’s work consists of retrieving Giftias who reach their expiration date, and to do so he counts on Isla’s assistance, who is a Giftia and an expert on retrievals. To make the story a bit more complicated, Tsukasa realizes he has feelings for Isla, but this love has an expiration date.

Plastic Memories is a romantic science fiction anime which reminds us a lot of another epic drama featuring charming androids, Chobits. Judging from both shows’ huge success, this type of romantic dramas has proved to be a winning formula. Plastic Memories is a story to feel in love but also to learn to let go. Oh yeah, it’s also a story to cry like a little girl.

Your Lie in April tells the story of prodigious piano player Kousei Arima, who falls into a depression after the death of his mother and he quits playing. For a couple of years, Kousei carries a dull and music free life. Of course, that is only until he meets Kaori Miyazono, a gorgeous violinist girl who rocks his world and makes him want to play and live music again.

Your Lie in April is a lovely romantic school drama filled with music, optimism and second opportunities. This is the kind of show to believe in second chances and starting over again. Still, Your Lie in April is not all about rainbows and butterflies. In fact, you are bound to experience many different emotions while watching this inspiring yet heart-breaking drama.

AnoHana (for short) presents a group of childhood friends who have grown apart after the tragic death of one of the group’s members, Menma. Years later, Menma’s spirit appears in front of Jinta, one of the boys, which brings the whole group together again to try to help Menma’s soul find her rest. These boys and girls will have to re-live their childhood stories in order to help Menma’s spirit and to get rid of the ghosts of their past (see what we did there?).

AnoHana is a magnificent supernatural slice of life show that will make us cry our eyes out by teaching us some beautiful and valuable life lessons. This dramatic production is all about cherishing what we have, not taking things for granted, learning to let go and appreciating our friends. AnoHana is definitely a ride of emotions.

Probably no other anime screams out DRAMA as much as Tokyo Magnitude 8.0. This is the story of Middle School student Mirai Onozawa, who takes his 8-year old brother, Yuuki Onozawa, to a robot exhibition on the same day a devastating earthquake hits the city. The siblings find themselves in the middle of the destruction and they set off on a journey through the horror of a collapsing metropolis as they attempt to get back home safe to their parents.

Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 will get you immersed in a world of hopelessness, fear and misery with occasional glimpses of hope and optimism that serve as relief. It’s the kind of production that makes you suffer for the main characters and pray for them to get out of that awful situation (just like in The Pursuit of Happyness or in The Impossible, to name a few insufferable movies). Tokyo Magnitude 8.0 will give you a lot to think about the importance of family and the ephemerality of life. If that’s not dramatic then nothing is.

And then of course we have Clannad: After Story, because no drama list would ever be complete without Clannad. If you are really into drama anime then chances are you’ve already heard about this anime. Clannad: After Story has a reputation for being the anime that causes the greatest amount of crying. You seriously need to have an ice cold heart to watch Clannad: After Story and not shed a single tear.

Clannad: After Story follows the everyday life of Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa after they graduate from high school. As they enter adulthood, these two will face the struggles of growing up and getting into the real world. Join them along their dramatic journey to learn about the importance of family and how to endure the trials and tribulations of life.