10 Inspirational Anime that Value Human Life
Anime can be violent and brutal, and with the popularity of stories that value nihilism, cynicism, death, and suffering, anime with life-affirming themes are more important than ever before.
The anime on our “Anime that Value Human Life” list are from a variety of genres. Each focuses on saving life or emphasizes the beauty of life.
10. The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent
The Saint’s Magic Power is Omnipotent follows Sei, a woman who was transported into a fantasy world. Sei quickly discovers her gift of healing, and starts working at the Research Institute, creating healing potions to save lives. She dedicates her life to protecting, healing, and restoring others.
Sei’s dedication to saving life reveals the quality of her character.
9. Lycoris Recoil
The protagonist of Lycoris Recoil, Chisato, deeply values human life. Because someone saved her life, she dedicates her life to protecting the lives of others. She’s a Lycoris—a highly trained protector for her country—but despite her ability to kill, she refuses to, instead opting for special bullets that subdue the enemy without killing them.
Chisato values human life—even when others don’t—and refuses to compromise her morals.
8. Ascendance of a Bookworm
Myne in Ascendance of a Bookworm notices that the orphans at the cathedral live in terrible conditions with little food and no quality of life. In response, she provides them food, clothing, and helps them develop life skills in exchange for them helping her in her workshop. Although her initial motivations were selfish, Myne ends up massively improving their lives.
We should prioritize protecting the lives of others and not leaving people to fend for themselves.
7. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas
I Want to Eat Your Pancreas follows a boy and his new friend, Sakura, who has a pancreatic illness that is expected to take her life. Instead of living in depression, Sakura chooses to live her life the way she wants to, and brings her new friend along for the ride.
Sakura chooses to live and appreciate the blessing of life, which is a reminder we can all benefit from.
6. Orange
When Naho receives a letter from herself in the future, she is tasked with saving a friend’s life. Naho takes her job seriously and does what she can to save her friend.
As Ichigo Takano, the author of Orange, writes, “Every life is precious. Please treasure each and every day, the present, the moment, and yourself.”
Life is indeed precious, and we should look out for our friends and support them through their own struggles.
5. Steins;Gate
The second half of Steins;Gate focuses on saving the lives of others. Due to the consequences of his actions, Okabe Rintaro is fated to lose those dearest to him, and he refuses to accept that.
Okabe is the only one who can save them—and he takes the responsibility for their lives.
4. Erased
Satoru, the protagonist of Erased, has the ability to go back in time and save the lives of his family and friends. Despite the immense personal cost, he’s determined to protect the lives of the vulnerable.
Satoru’s dedication to protecting life is admirable.
3. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind follows Nausicaä, a princess who deeply values life. After realizing where anger and violence can take you, she becomes staunchly pacifistic, fighting to protect the lives of not only her friends, but her enemies, too. And her value of life doesn’t just extend to humans—it extends to insects as well.
Nausicaä cares more about the lives of others than her own life, which is a beautiful reflection of selflessness.
2. Your Lie in April
After the loss of his mother, celebrated pianist Kousei Arima struggles to play the piano. When he meets the spirited violinist Kaori, she pushes him to find healing in the music he plays. But Kaori’s life is filled with her own struggles.
Your Lie in April is about finding healing after tragedy and finding joy in life—a beautiful reminder that translates to our own lives, too.
Although Your Lie in April isn’t as focused on saving literal lives like some of the other anime on this list, it reminds us to value the life that we have.
1. The Promised Neverland
When Emma realizes that her life—and the lives of her siblings—are in danger, she’s determined to save every single one of them.
The Promised Neverland is a complicated tale of life and death, but characters like Emma refuse to accept the loss of their loved ones.
Which of these anime that value human life is your favorite? Comment below and let us know, and let us know if you’d add any others to this list!
Cover Photo Credit: Photos from this post (all cited).
