Top 10 Most Heartbreaking Moments on Kids TV Shows

#10: GoodbyesAmphibia (2019-22)

Disney Channels coming-of-age fantasy follows a group of young friends who are thrown into a mysterious world of amphibian creatures who take them in as their own. The friends heroic adventures come to an end when they are transported back to the real world. But the shows master stroke, or fatal error, depending on what fan you talk to, is how normal their lives become afterward. The friends eventually become less close, the way so many people do as they grow older. Protagonist Anne is profoundly changed by her experiences, but she ends up back home and leads a relatively normal, if unexciting, life. Its a real life lesson made palatable for a young audience.

#9: Steven & Pearl

Steven Universe (2013-19)

Pearl may be a superhero powered by magical gemstones, but even she has a breaking point. In the season one episode Roses Scabbard, she struggles with memories of her friend, Rose, who gave her life to bring a son into the world. The pain of a lost loved one is hard, and Rose's son, Steven, is a constant reminder of the gem Pearl once knew. He does what he can to make her feel better. Once he tells her how great she is, Pearls eyes begin filling with tears. Its one of those moments that defines exactly why people became so enamored with the show.

#8: Terras Reappearance

Teen Titans (2003-06)

The original series ends with the reappearance of Terra, a Teen Titan who died in an earlier season. Beast Boy is haunted by this and the episode ends with him confronting this new version of Terra at school. This causes him to also confront the reality that all things, including people, change. Although she claims not to remember their adventures together, their last interaction is simultaneously moving and frustrating, taking on a larger meaning that carries far outside the show. What starts out as a fantastical mystery turns into a thematic way to talk about nostalgia, loss, and grief.

#7: Pikachu Leaves

Pokémon (1997-)

Ash and Pikachu are the unbreakable duo. Their partnership has defined the entire Pokémon franchise. But in season one of the original series, there was a moment where the two might be separated forever. Stumbling upon a group of wild Pikachu in the forest, Ash wonders if his pal might be happier with his own kind. He tries to leave him behind, and were treated to the saddest 90s montage weve ever seen. Do we ever really believe their adventures are over? No, of course not, but once Pikachu comes bounding back to Ash and the music swells, its hard not to absolutely lose it.

#6: The Ice Age

Dinosaurs (1991-94)

With their fourth season, the anthropomorphic dinosaurs at the heart of this Jim Henson sitcom suddenly get very serious. The original series finale goes against the grain of the half-hour format, where all the characters problems are neatly wrapped-up at the end. Corporate greed and environmental neglect inadvertently brings about a series of events that lead to a deadly Ice Age. As snow falls outside, the family hunkers down for what is effectively their apocalypse. Its a sobering and strangely humorless ending about humanitys own foibles when it comes to making money and tapping out the planets natural resources.

#5: I Remember You

Adventure Time (2010-18)

This Cartoon Network fantasy series gained a following among adult viewers too, and a lot of that was due to its deeply emotional storytelling. In one unforgettable episode, the Ice Kings series-long villainy suddenly comes into heartbreaking focus. It is revealed that his mind was scrambled by his crown, leading him to forget his former life. The moment when he and Marceline turn his apology note into an impromptu song is pure waterworks. Even when confronted with his past, he still doesnt understand. Anyone who knows what it is to watch a loved one experience Alzheimers, dementia, or mental illness can recognize the parallels.

#4: Mr. Hyunhs Story

Hey Arnold! (1996-2004)

For its Christmas episode, the Nickelodeon cartoon series opened up Arnolds world, and the world of its young audience. The episode sees Arnold connecting with his neighbor in the boarding house, a Vietnamese immigrant named Mr. Hyunh. He gave up his daughter for adoption during the Vietnam War and has not seen her since. The story brought the realities of a real-life war right into young viewers homes. But the ending, when Arnold and Helga are able to reunite Hyunh with his daughter, Mai, for Christmas. The network challenged the episode, but ultimately, it was allowed to air with some specifics about the war itself removed. It doesnt matter. The moment the two are reunited is a real tearjerker.

#3: Chuckies Mom

Rugrats (1991-2004)

Chuckie Finster is raised by his single father, Chas, throughout most of the series. His friends wonder why his mom is not around. The end of the shows Mothers Day episode provides the answer. As Chuckie and his dad go through a box of his mothers belongings, we learn she passed away due to illness. We hear Chuckies mom recite a poem she wrote for him before her death, and he realizes that his mother isnt really gone. She is always with him. Its a reality many kids could relate to, and a lesson for those who hadnt.

#2: Farewell Mr. Hooper

Sesame Street (1969-)

The citizens of Sesame Street found all sorts of ways to impart real-world, social messages to its impressionable audience. When Will Lee, the actor who played kindly shop owner Mr. Hooper, passed away in real life, the show honored him with a lesson for its young viewership. Big Bird tells his adult neighbors that he has a sketch for Mr. Hooper for when he gets back. Even adults arent immune to Big Birds confusion over Hoopers death. He doesnt quite understand whats happened. Its only with the help of his neighbors that he can grasp that Mr. Hooper isnt coming back. Its writers consulted with child psychologists and experts in child development to portray a very realistic and palatable version of grief.

#1: Leaves From the Vine

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-08)

For an animated fantasy show, Avatar consistently moved through emotional territory that showed the real emotional pain and trauma caused by war. In the beloved episode, The Tales of Ba Sing Se, Uncle Iroh remembers the son who died in a long ago war. Sitting under a tree, he sings the song Leaves From the Vine in remembrance. Devastating as it is already, this segment of the episode also has a very sad meta-story. The episode was the swan song of Irohs voice actor, Mako, his last before he passed away of cancer in 2006.

Did these moments have you reliving some traumatic TV moments? Tell us in the comments.