Here as of late, anime has been stepping up their emotional game. That or I have become more of a bitch as I have got older. For example, watching Eren Jager mom get snapped in half by a Titan, in Attack on Titan. Or even watching Kirito's A.I. daughter give her life to save her parents in Sword Art Online... got me choked up, had to fight them back.
Madoka Magica (like every episode, especially the finally), Grave of the fireflies (the ending is a killer), Cowboy Bebop made me tear up a little at times, Elfen Lied, Evengelion (once or twice), and a few other Studio ghibli films have made me tear up at times too.
Madoka and Grave were the only ones that had me weeping. the others just made me well up, with the occasonal tear or two rolling down the cheek.
I judge an anime by if it can make me cry or not. 4 stars for a anime that is great but cant make me cry and 5 for a anime of the same caliber but can make me cry.
Just that first picture posted of Clannad almost made me cry and that video of Angel Beats got me teary-eyed until I saw the sound wasn't synced and I couldn't take it seriously. Angel Beats and Clannad were probably the only two to make me cry the first time through but after rewatching a few endings, such as Elfen Lied, they seem even more sad than before.
lol since this is the internet and I don't have to protect my masculinity as much thanks to remaining anonymous (≧∇≦)/ , I can safely share that I cry allot when I watch a good anime, or if it calls for it. EX. Gantz, Azumanga Daioh, Soul Eater, Elfen Lied.... and a bunch more (^_^;)
Believe it or not, but I've watched Clannad, Kanon, Air, Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Grave of the Fireflies, and a few other tearjerkers, but I haven't shed a single tear yet.
Nobody should hide their emotions whenever an anime gets you into tears. It's what makes us all human. I know that if I never got into watching anime, I would have never learned about this beautiful site, and would have missed out on some of the best days of my life, and would most likely have continued to pay every month on World of Warcraft.
Also, every time I watch anime it usually has an impact on my life. I know this may sound corny, but it makes my heart feel lighter and mesmerized. Can't really explain it properly, but I hope that those of you whom know what I am talking about.