5 Saddest Moments In Cartoons

So many of my favourite tv shows are cartoons, and there are some that know exactly how to tug at the heart strings and leave us with a lump in our throat. Here are a few cartoon moments that still get to me today.

10. Arnold's Christmas-Hey Arnold!

Hey Arnold! was such a good show, and it wasn't rare that it touched on more serious issues. In this Christmas special, Arnold draws Mr. Hyunh's name in Secret Santa, and hears the story of how Mr.Hyunh had to give away his daughter Mai during the Vietnam War, for her chance to a better life. Arnold goes seaching for Mai and eventually reunites the two just in time for Christmas. This was really moving and topical for a kids show, and a definite favourite episode of mine.

9. I Remember You-Adventure Time

I'm a huge Adventure Time fan and this episode is really really good. I added it to the list because it's really heartfelt and tragic too. We learn about the Ice King's troubled past in this episode, his transformation into the person he is today, and him being unable to remember exactly who he was before. A really good reference to the struggles people go through mentally in my opinion, but sad nonetheless.

8. Feed The Kitty-Merrie Melodies

I remember being emotionally drained watching this as Marc the dog thinks his little kitten friend is accidentally whisked up and made into cookies. Yep, it's as dark as it sounds. Fortunately the kitten was never actually in the mixer and all's well that ends well. Still, seeing that bulldog blubber his eyes out is just as tragic today.

7. Courage's Parents-Courage The Cowardly Dog

You definitely know this show; probably because it terrified you at one point or another. This particular episode shows us what happened to Courage's parents and it's so heartbreaking. We find out they were kidnapped by an insane vet, and sent to another planet. Courage desperately tried to save them but was too late. The really touching part is finding out that he was rescued by Muriel, and that's obviously why he does everything he can to protect her from the nightmare she obliviously lives in.

6.The Ending-The World Of David The Gnome

This show isn't widely known, but I have a weird memory and I know that the last episode was so. damn. sad. It basically revolves around David, his wife Lisa and their friend Casper preparing for their trip to 'The Mountain Of Beyond' (codename for heaven much?) They all talk about how gnomes live for no more than 400 years, which they are now approaching, and toast to their fantastic lives, before they make their journey and essentially transform into trees. Circle of life and all that. The saddest part is when they say their goodbyes to Swift the fox, and then to each other. The episode ends on a happy note when Swift comes across a Vixen and can be happy again, but still very very heart-rending.

5.Bye Bye Butterfree-Pokémon

I'm picking this one instead of Pikachu's Goodbye, because Ash got Pikachu back. I was obsessed with everything Pokémon and at the time, this broke my heart. As far as I was concerned, Butterfree was one of my besties. In this episode Ash's Butterfree falls for a pretty pink Butterfree who doesn't return his affection. After a lot of ridiculous but necessary Team Rocket bullshit, Butterfree finally gets the girl and for reasons I'll never know he has to elope with her, leaving Ash and the gang. Devastating isn't the word, especially when you're 6 and Pokémon is your whole world.

4.The Luck Of The Fryrish-Futurama

Futurama features a lot on this list, if you haven't noticed. This episode gives us a little more insight into Fry's background, and his older brother Yancy (that name!) From past episodes whenever Fry's family are shown they don't seem to care a whole lot about him, and this episode is eye opening to say the least. I won't ruin it just in case you haven't seen it. But yeah. Feels. And a seven leaf clover.

3.Mother's Day-The Rugrats

The Rugrats was a fantastic show, and this episode had allll the feels.This one was set on Mother's Day, and shows Chuckie questioning why everyone else has a Mommy but him. It was done beautifully and the moment where Chuckie hands Chaz a box with all his Mother's belongings... I can't. The most heartbreaking part of the episode is when Chaz shows Chuckie a poem his Mother wrote for him, while we see a flashback of them playing together in the garden.

2.Jurassic Bark-Futurama (Popularly known as "The Episode With Fry's Dog)

Oh lordy, this is the episode that everyone remembers-because it's just so sad! I looked forward to watching Futurama every week, I loved animals, and I didn't see this coming for a second. This one left me heartbroken-there's just something about a dog's loyalty that gets me like nothing else! Futurama has always been excellent at tugging at the heart strings though!

1.Mother Simpson-The Simpsons

Putting this in as my numero uno because honestly, I've got a lump in my throat just thinking about it. It's one of the saddest, most touching episodes of the Simpsons and it's only now that I'm that bit older that I can really appreciate it. If you're a Simpsons fanatic like me then you probably love Homer, and don't want to see his little heart get broken ever.  The real killer however is at the end of the episode. Homer says farewell to his Mother "At least this time I'm awake for your goodbye." and then we see him sitting on his car looking up at the stars, with beautiful sentimental music playing.