History TearJerker / RingingBell

* Finally killing Woe, who mentored him for so long, brought no satisfaction to Chirin, only more sadness and guilt. Realizing the sheep could do nothing but fear him, he returns to his mountain lair alone and dejected, futilely calling out for the wolf. As he drinks from a pool, he hears Woe voice and [[HopeSpot his reflection]] appears next to his own, but when he turns around, he sees no one.
-->''"Wolf... you accepted me... You taught me how to live like you did. Forgive me. I wasn't able to become a wolf. And because of that, I was the one to cause your death. But I'm still alive! Where do I go now?! WOLF!!! WOLF!!!"''

--->''"The snow fell for days without letting up, covering the ground with a smooth white blanket. Whatever happened on that mountain, whatever happened in the meadow, was covered up without a trace to remind those who had witnessed it. And later, some claimed to have remembered Chirin as a lamb. Others said he was a spirit from the mountain. But they were too wrapped up with their own lives to worry about it for long. And one night, during a terrible blizzard, the gentle sound of a bell was heard. But the sheep in the meadow never saw Chirin again."''

-->'''Chirin''': "I’ve gotten revenge for my mother. But my heart doesn’t feel any lighter. Please forgive me, Uo. I’ve first realized it when you died. That you were my teacher and my father. And somewhere along the way, I had come to love you. I can no longer return to being a sheep.” I can no longer return to being a sheep."

* As the sunsets and the rest of the flock are heading back to the stable, Chirin's mother is searching for her son, who has gone missing for the evening. She tries asking the other animals (notably bats, an owl, and possums) if they have seen Chirin with no luck. When she finds him later that night, she quickly scolds him and tries to keep her composure. After Chirin apologizes, tears start falling down her face as a sign of relief.

* The death of Chirin’s mother [[HeroicSacrifice who covers him from the Wolf.]] Even sadder is her last words as she's running to protect her child.

** The ''Lyrica'' adaptation from 1977 is extra heartbreaking, since it graphically described [[BloodSplatteredInnocents Chirin being soaked in his own mother's blood!]] The same applies to the Kamishibai and Storygate Picturebooks adaptations.

* Once Chirin decides to head straight to the mountain that Woe resides. He furiously marches out of the stable and takes a last look at the stable that he and his mother lived in. While Chirin is looking back, we get a shot of the sheep flock looking back at him with sad and worried expressions. As Chirin is marching out, [[NostalgicMusicbox we get a music box variation of the film's theme song]] complete with drums giving a military vibe.
* In the original book, [[BerserkerTears Chirin is crying]] as he's angrily [[https://64.media.tumblr.com/d0140e477bc90756063a0a1ac3ef62d0/tumblr_inline_o5gxi1ZMVV1qmby87_500.jpg heading to the mountain that Woe lives]]. He even says this line before he leaves the stable.
--->'''Chirin''': "I can no longer return to being a sheep."
* When Chirin finally encounters Woe, he is horrified but tries his hardest to be brave. After a couple attempts at attacking the wolf, Woe uses his tails to throw Chirin of a cliff and lands on two sharp rocks. As he struggles to climb up to a large rock, he loses his grip and falls down. In the English Dub, Chirin utters this line sounding like he's going to cry again.

* Throughout the anime adaptation, Chirin goes to so many lengths to get Woe's attention. Woe just tells him to go home so he can eat, which he refuses to because Chirin keeps dangling the prospect of being a strong ram. It's doubly a tearjerker because Woe is really trying to help Chirin, going out of his way and taking time out of his busy schedule to make Chirin reconsider, who [[PunctuatedForEmphasis just. Doesn't. Get it.]] This is evident in the scene where he tackles a deer to be his lunch.
* After Chirin's failed attempts at convincing the wolf to actually train him. One autumn morning, we see Chirin sadly taking a walk around the meadow and spots a mother squirrel and mother rabbit taking care of their offspring. Chirin can only give them a quick glance as a reminder that his mother is no longer with him and is now an orphan. The mother squirrel and rabbit both give Chirin a sad glance as he's walking by them.

* Finally striking down the wolf who mentored him for so long brought no satisfaction to Chirin, only more sadness and guilt. Realizing the sheep could do nothing but fear him, he returns to his mountain lair alone and dejected, futilely calling out for the wolf. As he drinks from a pool, he hears the wolf's voice and [[HopeSpot his reflection]] appears next to his own, but when he turns around, he sees no one.

* The prototype version of the story, plus the Lyrica adaptation briefly expands on Chirin's life after killing Woe. One scene shows Chirin, after unintentionally scaring off a field full of sheep, looking down at a pond in complete and utter self-loathing just like the anime version. Upon seeing Woe's reflection instead of his own [[HeelRealization he knows what he's become]], [[IveComeTooFar but feels he has no hope for redemption]].

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tumblr_nb8pc6ezxq1qb3lkfo4_500.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:The exact moment Chirin lost his innocence.]]

** It's worse in the original book, when not only does the Wolf kill his mother. But eats the entire flock (off-screen) making Chirin not only an orphan, [[SoleSurvivor but the only surviving sheep from the flock]]. This, in effect, makes the book's ending extra heartbreaking since it implied that [[TheHeroDies Chirin died as an adult]] and [[MinimalistCast all characters (Chirin, Chirin's Mother, and Woe/Wor)]] are dead.

* Chirin's [[HeroicBSOD entire reaction to his mother's death]]. After his [[HeroicSacrifice mother protects him from getting killed by Woe]], Chirin emerges from under his mother's body. Chirin cheerfully tells her that he's lucky both of them didn't get eaten, when Chirin notices that his mother isn't responding. He tries waking her up by shaking her body. Once it hits him that his mother is dead, Chirin's body starts trembling and begins crying hysterically. Chirin is then seen crying on top of his mother's body. [[InelegantBlubbering The way Chirin cries in this movie is surprisingly realistic]] (especially in the Japanese version). Anyone who has lost a parent will know his sorrow.

--->''"However, no one has seen Chirin ever again.

** The final narration:

* A subtle detail in the Japanese version of the film that underpins the tragedy of Chirin's life is the use of specific UsefulNotes/JapanesePronouns. For most of the story Chirin uses ''boku'', which befits a young innocent lamb like himself. Only after undergoing his FaceHeelTurn and becoming a monster does he switch to the intimidating ''ore'', signifying that he truly has become a different being altogether than the lamb he used to be. Except, right as he [[HeelRealization realizes what he's become]] when he almost murders his own flock, in his mental breakdown he switches back to using ''boku'' -- it all goes to show that the original innocent Chirin, sad and missing his mother, is ''still in there'', but unfortunately it's far too late by that point for him to truly go back to being the same sheep he was before.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[BreakTheCutie The exact moment]] [[InnocenceLost Chirin lost his innocence.]]]]
[[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids For a story geared towards children and families]], ''Chirin No Suzu'' is filled with depressing and somber moments throughout the story. Sure, it [[FakeOutOpening starts out lighthearted]] [[SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming and]] [[SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel sweet]], [[MoodWhiplash but it sadly]] [[NightmareFuel doesn't]] [[DisguisedHorrorStory last very]] [[BreakTheCutie long]] to show it's true colors. Compared to [[Creator/TakashiYanase Takashi Yanase]] and [[Creator/{{Sanrio}} Sanrio Animation's]] [[Anime/TheFantasticAdventuresOfUnico other]] [[Anime/UnicoInTheIslandOfMagic films]], this is considered to be one of their most heartbreaking works.

** A different arrangement of the song is performed later in the film where a flute is played in a much higher pitch to emphasize [[spoiler: Chirin's feelings on not only the loss of his mother, but never being accepted by the other sheep to return home.]]

* [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments The sequence showing Chirin and his mother relaxing in the middle of spring,]] [[SeasonalBaggage followed by lambs eating and playing on a haystack in autumn.]] [[HarsherInHindsight Considering]] [[MoodWhiplash what happens next]], this is the very last time [[SweetSheep we ever see Chirin having a peaceful and carefree life.]] The music playing during this scene is relaxing and peaceful.

** [[PleaseWakeUp Then Chirin tries to wake her up]] [[BreakTheCutie before finally realizing and cries]] [[http://66.media.tumblr.com/2fd0130b07d60c8988192bc0e29e3f13/tumblr_mw1wukoZfF1r5leb3o1_1280.png while the other sheep and lambs are somberly watching on.]] One of the [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/chirinnosuzu.jpg adult sheep watching Chirin crying]] is [[TryingNotToCry actually fighting back tears.]]

* After Chirin accidentally crushes all the eggs from a mother bird's nest. [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone He starts panickingly]] [[TearsOfRemorse crying and feeling guilty]]. Doesn't help that while Chirin is crying, a dead bird (the mother) is laying right next to him. Even worse is that Woe is watching Chirin sobbing and [[LackOfEmpathy showing no sympathy]]. The animation when Chirin is crying in that scene is very heartbreaking to watch.

* A subtle detail in the Japanese version of the film that underpins the tragedy of Chirin's life is the use of specific UsefulNotes/JapanesePronouns. For most of the story Chirin uses ''boku'', which befits a young innocent lamb like himself. Only after undergoing his FaceHeelTurn and becoming a monster does he switch to the intimidating ''ore'', signifying that he truly has become a different being altogether than the lamb he used to be. Except, right as he [[HeelRealization realizes what he's become]] when he almost murders his own flock, in his mental breakdown he switches back to using ''boku'' -- it all goes to show that the original innocent Chirin, sad and missing his mother, is ''still in there'', but unfortunately it's far too late by that point for him to truly go back to being the same sheep he was before.
* Meta example: Takashi Yanase based the book on his experiences as soldier during the Japanese occupation of China during World War II, where he lost his brother, a ''kamikaze'' pilot, in the Pacific Theater. In many ways, he is Chirin, Mama is his brother and Woe is the war (or perhaps even the entire United States Army).

[[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids For a story geared towards children and families]], ''Chirin No Suzu'' is filled with depressing and somber moments throughout the story. Sure, it [[FakeOutOpening starts out lighthearted]] [[SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming and]] [[SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel sweet]], [[MoodWhiplash but it sadly]] [[NightmareFuel doesn't]] [[DisguisedHorrorStory last very]] [[BreakTheCutie long]] to show it's true colors. Compared to [[Creator/TakashiYanase]] and [[Creator/{{Sanrio}} Sanrio Animation's]] [[Anime/TheFantasticAdventuresOfUnico other]] [[Anime/UnicoInTheIslandOfMagic films]], this is considered to be one of their most heartbreaking works.

** Even worse is that he failed to protect babies, and Chirin just lost his own mother! Chirin is only a baby (and the youngest of the entire flock), [[TraumaCongaLine so failing to protect a group of unborn birds and losing his mother]] caused Chirin to have another emotional breakdown. Not to mention this is last act of kindness Chirin does while still seeking revenge.

[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sad_chirin.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:[[BreakTheCutie The exact moment]] [[InnocenceLost Chirin lost his innocence.]]]]
[[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids For a story geared towards children and families]], ''Chirin No Suzu'' is filled with depressing and somber moments throughout the story. Sure, it [[FakeOutOpening starts out lighthearted]] [[SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming and]] [[SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel sweet]], [[MoodWhiplash but it sadly]] [[NightmareFuel doesn't]] [[DisguisedHorrorStory last very]] [[BreakTheCutie long]] to show it's true colors. Compared to [[Creator/{{Sanrio}} Sanrio Animation's]] [[Anime/TheFantasticAdventuresOfUnico other]] [[Anime/UnicoInTheIslandOfMagic films]], this is considered to be one of Takashi Yanase and Sanrio's most heartbreaking works.

* A subtle detail in the Japanese version of the film that underpins the tragedy of Chirin's life is the use of specific UsefulNotes/JapanesePronouns. For most of the story Chirin uses ''boku'', which befits a young innocent lamb like himself. Only after undergoing his FaceHeelTurn and becoming a monster does he switch to the intimidating ''ore'', signifying that he truly has become a different being altogether than the lamb he used to be. Except, right as he [[HeelRealization realizes what he's become]] when he almost murders his own flock, in his mental breakdown he switches back to using ''boku'' -- it all goes to show that the original innocent Chirin, sad and missing his mother, is ''still in there'', but unfortunately it's far too late by that point for him to truly go back to being the same sheep he was before.

[[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids For a story geared towards children and families]], ''Chirin No Suzu'' is filled with depressing and somber moments throughout the movie. Sure, it [[FakeOutOpening starts out lighthearted]] [[SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming and]] [[SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel sweet]], [[MoodWhiplash but it sadly]] [[NightmareFuel doesn't]] [[DisguisedHorrorStory last very]] [[BreakTheCutie long]] to show it's true colors. Compared to [[Creator/{{Sanrio}} Sanrio Animation's]] [[Anime/TheFantasticAdventuresOfUnico other]] [[Anime/UnicoInTheIslandOfMagic films]], this is considered to be one of Sanrio's most heartbreaking works.

** An extended version of the song is played during the film's end credits while showing the descendants of Chirin's family and siblings [[SoundtrackDissonance playing and having a cute]] and [[SceneryPorn peaceful life]]. The credits plays off like the first 10 minutes showing Young Chirin having a carefree and fun life with his mother and siblings but viewed in a heartbreaking light.

[[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids For an animated film geared towards children and families]], ''Chirin No Suzu'' is filled with depressing and somber moments throughout the movie. Sure, it [[FakeOutOpening starts out lighthearted]] [[SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming and]] [[SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel sweet]], [[MoodWhiplash but it sadly]] [[NightmareFuel doesn't]] [[DisguisedHorrorStory last very]] [[BreakTheCutie long]] to show it's true colors. Compared to [[Creator/{{Sanrio}} Sanrio Animation's]] [[Anime/TheFantasticAdventuresOfUnico other]] [[Anime/UnicoInTheIslandOfMagic films]], this is considered to be one of Sanrio's most heartbreaking works.

* The book ends with Chirin crossing the mountains into nowhere [[HopeSpringsEternal which could imply that he might be still alive]]. However, the last two pages of the Lyrica adaptation have Chirin walking through the mountains on a dark and snowy night and one image shows him lying down in the snow. The final page shows Chirin's footprints heading off into a part of the mountain that only Yanase knows where.
* In an ending exclusive to the expanded versions of the story, a mother sheep tells her lambs that if they cry, Chirin will come in and kill them. What makes this heartbreaking is that Chirin is now [[ZeroPercentApprovalRating condemned]] by sheep society as an evil creature, when in reality, he really isn’t.

[[WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids For an animated film geared towards children and families]], ''Chirin No Suzu'' is filled with depressing and somber moments throughout the movie. Sure, it [[FakeOutOpening starts out lighthearted]] [[SugarWiki/CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming and]] [[SugarWiki/SweetDreamsFuel sweet]], [[MoodWhiplash but it sadly]] [[NightmareFuel doesn't]] [[SurpriseCreepy very]] [[BreakTheCutie long]] to show it's true colors. Compared to [[Creator/{{Sanrio}} Sanrio Animation's]] [[Anime/TheFantasticAdventuresOfUnico other]] [[Anime/UnicoInTheIslandOfMagic films]], this is considered to be one of Sanrio's most heartbreaking works.

** It's worse in the original book, when not only does the Wolf kill his mother. But eats the entire flock (off-screen) making Chirin not only an orphan, [[SoleSurvivor but the only surviving sheep from the flock]]. Making the book's ending extra heartbreaking since it implied that [[TheHeroDies Chirin died as an adult]] and [[MinimalistCast all characters (Chirin, Chirin's Mother, and Woe/Wor)]] are dead.

** Another version of the story with newer illustrations by Yanase [[https://i.imgur.com/OX9Vhww.jpg shows Chirin crying]] (complete with a single tear) after realizing his mother is dead while parts of the sheep stable has been busted open by the wolf. This illustration plays out similar to the 1978 film adaptation, compared to the original story [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DrfYZgrU0AAq9YI.jpg where we see Chirin emerging from his mother's dead body.]]