Review of Grave of the Fireflies (1988) by Acebadger — 04 Nov 2020

This movie on top of being beautifully animated (it's Ghibli so duh) is a profoundly impactful and emotional movie. This film has a strong anti-war narrative behind it; but instead of doing it in the way many American/Western studios would do it, a more slow and gradual pace is chosen.

We see a brother and sister displaced after their home is destroyed by firebombing, then briefly after their mother dies having suffered horrible burns all over her body. With their father being in the military the two are basically left to fend for themselves. It is so draining to see the brother try in vain as the story progresses to cheer up his little sister, provide for her, etc. The two are more or less just victims of circumstance and although they fall at odds with their aunt, she isn't necessarily a villain or a bad person. It's a complex situation given that it's wartime Japan, people wouldn't be likely to act in the same way they would during peacetime. There are multiple times throughout the film where I found myself tearing up, which is not to say that's the mark of the quality of a film. However, this film hit me deeply and will stay with me for years to come. I highly recommend anyone who's not seen this yet watch it.