Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 Japanese animated historical war drama film, written and directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli. Based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka, the film is known for its tragic, self-contained story about family rather than political themes. Although it has some anti-nationalist impulses, many viewers view it as one of the saddest animes ever made.
The film tells the story of two orphans and their desperate struggle to survive the final months of World War Two. Geo-restrictions have made it only available on streaming platforms in a few countries, making it difficult for those traveling abroad to access the film. The film is an emotional experience that can be difficult for many to make it through in one sitting.
One pivotal scene in the film is when Setsuko dies of malnutrition, and the doctor tells her straight. This serves as a reminder that life can be hard, no matter how hard you try to survive. Grave of the Fireflies is such an emotional experience that it’s nearly impossible for many to make it through in one sitting.
In summary, Grave of the Fireflies is a challenging film due to licensing issues and geo-restrictions. Despite its gut-wrenching moments and lack of happy Hollywood endings, the film is still a significant and emotionally impactful film.
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| Grave of the Fireflies Is Missing From Netflix’s Studio Ghibli … | One distinct, incredibly important film — all the brainchild of Isao Takahata — is not coming to Netflix, Grave of the Fireflies. | cbr.com |
| Where can I watch Grave of the Fireflies (1988 movie)? | Setsuko died of malnutrition. There was a scene right before her death when Seita had taken her to the doctor. The doctor told Seita straight … | quora.com |
| How to Watch Grave of the Fireflies From Anywhere | Geo-restrictions mean that Grave of the Fireflies is only available on streaming platforms in a handful of countries. So if you’re traveling … | comparitech.com |
📹 GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES The Saddest War Film of All Time?
Topics of Terror from the Rabbit Hole of Randomness Grave of the Fireflies is NIGHTMARE FUEL For the first time …
Why Is Grave Of The Fireflies Unavailable?
Studio Ghibli, known for creating the acclaimed film "Grave of the Fireflies," does not possess the distribution rights to it. Those rights belong to Shinchosha, the company that published Akiyuki Nosaka's original short story. While Ghibli fans may recognize this situation, the licensing complexities have prevented "Grave of the Fireflies" from being available on HBO Max, which has a direct licensing deal with Ghibli and its parent company. Thus far, no streaming service has acquired the rights to the film outside Japan, making it difficult to find as part of a Studio Ghibli marathon.
Individuals seeking to watch "Grave of the Fireflies" online may have tried platforms like Netflix or YouTube without success. In Japan, the film is accessible only via DVD or Blu-ray purchases or through scheduled broadcasts. Known for its heart-wrenching narrative, "Grave of the Fireflies" recounts the struggles of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, as they attempt to survive in post-World War II Japan after their mother's death. Their situation worsens when they face neglect from their aunt and must fend for themselves in a harsh environment filled with the repercussions of war.
Though "Grave of the Fireflies" is recognized as one of Studio Ghibli's masterpieces, its availability remains limited due to rights issues, particularly since the film was produced for a different publisher. While Netflix will soon offer the film in certain regions, it currently remains absent from other major streaming platforms. In summary, those looking to view the film will need to consider alternative purchase options or wait for its limited availability in select countries.
Why Did Seita Died?
Seita dies from starvation a few weeks after World War II's end at a Sannomiya train station, surrounded by other malnourished individuals. A janitor is assigned to remove the bodies before the Americans arrive. Following an air raid that destroys their home, Seita and his younger sister, Setsuko, lose their mother to severe burns. They initially move in with their aunt, but Setsuko soon falls ill and dies of malnutrition, while Seita's health declines as well.
Despite Seita's desperate attempts to protect and provide for Setsuko, the siblings tragically succumb to the effects of war. Seita starts resorting to thievery out of desperation, ultimately leading to Setsuko’s heartbreaking death from hunger. The film poignantly captures the innocence of Setsuko, who, upon discovering dead fireflies, parallels their fate with that of their mother. Seita's character embodies the struggles of the Japanese Empire during the war, attempting to save the old way of life for Setsuko, yet making decisions that lead to their downfall.
After acquiring compensation from the navy, it is too late for Setsuko, as she starves before Seita can help her. Following her cremation, Seita becomes homeless and dies from starvation soon after, uniting with his sister's spirit in the afterlife. While critical of Seita's pride that prevented him from returning to their aunt, the narrative expresses sympathy for his dire situation and highlights the devastating consequences of war and malnutrition. This tragic ending leaves viewers pondering the futility of his efforts and the heartbreaking reality faced by the siblings.
What Are Some Surprising Facts About 'Grave Of Fireflies'?
"Grave of Fireflies," known in Japanese as "Hotaru no Haka," is a poignant animated film directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli, released in 1988. The narrative unfolds during the final days of World War II in Japan, focusing on the tragic plight of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko Yokokawa, who struggle to survive after losing their mother and home in a bombing. The film portrays the harrowing realities of war, encompassing themes of loss, abandonment, and the impact of conflict on family dynamics.
Originally released as part of a double feature with Hayao Miyazaki’s "My Neighbor Totoro," "Grave of Fireflies" is often viewed more as an intimate family story rather than a political statement, despite its anti-nationalist undertones. The emotional connection viewers establish with the characters is profound, evoking empathy and understanding of their plight through Takahata's realistic storytelling. The film serves as a critique of Japanese society during wartime and emphasizes the devastating consequences of war, consolidating its reputation as one of the greatest war films ever made.
Drawing from real experiences and based on a semi-autobiographical novella, "Grave of Fireflies" remains a haunting reminder of the ugliness of war and the enduring human spirit. It has resonated deeply with audiences for over three decades, reaffirming the message that war is inherently tragic.
Does HBO Max Have Grave Of The Fireflies?
In the past 34 years, Studio Ghibli has produced a diverse range of fantasy and drama films. Hayao Miyazaki directed 10 of the studio's features, while Isao Takahata directed five. Notably, Takahata's acclaimed and heart-wrenching film, Grave of the Fireflies, is not available on HBO Max. While many other Ghibli classics are accessible, this particular title is absent due to distribution rights issues; Studio Ghibli does not retain the rights to the film, which are held by Shinchosha, the publisher of the original short story.
This absence raises questions for fans eager to stream the film. Grave of the Fireflies' exclusion from HBO Max is a point of curiosity, especially for those familiar with both the studio’s body of work and the film's significant emotional impact. The film is currently available on Hulu, making it a more complex viewing option for those who wish to experience it. Despite HBO Max’s extensive library including the entire Studio Ghibli collection, Grave of the Fireflies stands out as the only film missing at the platform's launch due to these rights complications.
The situation underlines the intricacy of film distribution rights, suggesting that until negotiations might change, the film won't be part of HBO Max's offerings. This makes it unclear whether HBO Max will ever secure streaming rights for Grave of the Fireflies, leaving potential viewers to seek it through other platforms. Thus, while HBO Max has brought Ghibli's magic to streaming, it is clear that certain titles, like Grave of the Fireflies, may be perpetually out of reach.
Why Is Grave Of Fireflies So Hard To Find?
Studio Ghibli does not hold the distribution rights to Grave of the Fireflies, which belong to Shinchosha, the publishing company that released the original short story. Unlike popular titles like Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle, Grave of the Fireflies is an emotionally powerful film that chronicles the struggles of two orphans during World War II. Directed by Isao Takahata, the film is based on Akiyuki Nosaka's 1967 novel and stands out as Ghibli’s gloomiest offering, telling a poignant story of survival amidst the horrors of war. The film's tragic ending is apparent from the outset, forcing viewers to engage with the protagonists' small victories and the devastating realities they face. While Grave of the Fireflies is a significant work of art that conveys profound messages, its licensing issues hinder its availability on streaming platforms. Many fans have expressed frustration at the difficulty in finding the film on streaming services or DVDs, as Disney does not distribute it. This absence in the anime library underscores the complexities of film rights, making it hard for newcomers to access this extraordinary piece of cinema. Essentially, Grave of the Fireflies, released in 1988, remains challenging to watch today due to its unique publishing rights, marking a poignant absence from the Studio Ghibli catalog and impacting many viewers' ability to experience this haunting and important film.
When Was 'Grave Of Fireflies' Made?
"Grave of Fireflies" (Japanese: 火垂るの墓, Hotaru no Haka) is a poignant 1988 Japanese animated historical war drama directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli. Based on Akiyuki Nosaka's semi-autobiographical short story from 1967, the film explores the harrowing journey of two orphans during World War II, highlighting their struggle for survival amidst the devastation wrought by war.
Released in Japan on April 16, 1988, the film debuted alongside "My Neighbor Totoro" as a double feature. While Studio Ghibli held the distribution rights in Japan, the international rights are managed by Toho, known for producing other renowned films like "Your Name" and "Godzilla."
"Grave of Fireflies" is critically acclaimed for its anti-war message and intricate storytelling. It delivers a deeply emotional portrayal of the siblings' plight, resonating powerfully with audiences even decades after its initial release. The film emphasizes themes of loss, sacrifice, and the cruel realities of war, making it a significant piece of animated cinema.
Accompanied by a haunting score from Michio Mamiya and Mamija Joshio, the film’s animation beautifully illustrates the tragic experiences of the characters, contrasting the innocence of childhood with the brutalities of conflict. Takahata's masterful direction brings depth to the narrative, ensuring that "Grave of Fireflies" remains an essential viewing experience for those who seek to understand the true potential of animated storytelling.
What Is The Most Heartbreaking Ghibli?
"Grave of the Fireflies," directed by Isao Takahata in 1988, is highlighted as one of Studio Ghibli's most heartbreaking films, receiving attention from Netflix viewers for its poignant portrayal of the impact of war and loss. Studio Ghibli is renowned for its capacity to evoke deep emotions, often reflecting on darker aspects of human experience, including conflict and environmental issues. The struggles of youth in a demanding world are examined across various films, with Kiki's journey in "Kiki’s Delivery Service" exemplifying the quest for individuality amidst pressures of independence.
From "Grave of the Fireflies," which poignantly depicts the harsh realities of wartime Japan, to the bittersweet farewell in "Spirited Away," Studio Ghibli's catalog presents both uplifting and deeply saddening narratives. Films like "My Neighbor Totoro" offer lighter moments among the more somber themes, while "The Wind Rises" and "When Marnie Was There" provide additional emotional weight.
The list of the saddest Ghibli films is topped by "Grave of the Fireflies," followed closely by "The Tale of Princess Kaguya" and "The Wind Rises." As of September 16, 2024, "Grave of the Fireflies" is accessible on Netflix in over 190 countries, inviting audiences to experience its profound storytelling.
What Sickness Does Setsuko Have?
In the movie "Grave of the Fireflies," the harrowing journey of Seita and his younger sister Setsuko unfolds against the backdrop of World War II. As they struggle to survive after being orphaned, their situation becomes increasingly dire as food supplies dwindle and money runs out. Setsuko, initially healthy, soon begins to suffer from severe malnutrition, leading to her illness. Despite Seita’s desperate attempts to provide for her, including raiding their deceased mother's bank account, their resources are inadequate.
Setsuko's condition worsens further, and they seek medical help, but by the time they reach the doctor, she is already on the brink of death, hallucinating from starvation. The film artfully depicts her gradual decline, contrasting her vibrant spirit with her physical deterioration. The audience witnesses the heartbreaking transformation from a playful child to a severely emaciated state, with her ribs prominently showing, highlighting the devastating impact of hunger.
Seita, struggling with the loss of his mother and the harsh realities of their situation, must confront his failure to save Setsuko. Although he experiences fleeting moments of happiness with her, the looming threat of starvation ultimately leads to tragedy. Setsuko becomes increasingly frail, and despite Seita's efforts to procure food, he resorts to stealing and other desperate measures as her health declines.
The film's most tragic moment arrives when Setsuko succumbs to malnutrition. Her death serves as a powerful commentary on the consequences of war and the fragility of life during such tumultuous times. Viewers are left grappling with the emotional weight of her fate, questioning Seita's choices and the harsh realities faced by those left to navigate a world ravaged by conflict. "Grave of the Fireflies" remains a poignant reflection on loss, resilience, and the catastrophic effects of war.
Where Can I Watch Grave Of The Fireflies Legally?
The anime film "Grave of the Fireflies," featuring Seita and Setsuko, tells a harrowing story set in post-World War II Japan, highlighting the struggles of two orphans trying to survive amidst the devastating effects of war. Currently, the primary options to watch this film are through legal streaming services like Netflix, where it is available on both standard and ad-supported plans. Additionally, viewers can rent or purchase the film on platforms like Amazon Video, iTunes, and Apple TV.
While legal access is limited, some options for those located outside the U. S. include using a VPN to watch it in regions where it's available, though specific services, like Vudu, no longer carry it. Fans seeking to view the movie might also consider used DVD options, often found for under $20 on Amazon.
It's worth noting that "Grave of the Fireflies" provides a poignant reflection on the human cost of war, embodied in its rich animation and storytelling. Despite challenges in accessing the film for free, JustWatch can help users find where to legally watch movies and series online. However, currently, there are no free legal streaming options. To watch "Grave of the Fireflies," viewers must rely on paid platforms or DVD purchases.
Why Does Netflix Not Have Grave Of The Fireflies?
"Grave of the Fireflies," a renowned Studio Ghibli film, is notably absent from HBO Max and Netflix due to a complex rights issue. The film is based on a short story, with the publisher holding its distribution rights, which limits Ghibli’s control. HBO Max directly secured licensing with Studio Ghibli, leading to the exclusion of "Grave of the Fireflies" from their platform. Interestingly, "Grave of the Fireflies" is already available in certain regions, as the availability varies by country.
Initially released as part of a batch on February 1, 2020, the film’s exclusion from prominent streaming services raised questions, particularly since it’s one of the most acclaimed animated war films.
On September 16, 2024, Netflix will finally stream "Grave of the Fireflies," accessible in over 190 countries, but unfortunately excluding the US and Japan due to existing agreements. This marks a significant moment for viewers, as the film is regarded as one of Ghibli's most poignant works, directed by Isao Takahata and rooted in Akiyuki Nosaka's poignant narrative. Despite previous limitations, fans are encouraged to experience this emotive film when it becomes available.
📹 The Tragic Innocence of Grave of The Fireflies
An analysis on Grave of The Fireflies and why it’s so beautiful. Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/KevinNyaa Anime Lists: …
I finally sat down to watch this movie a week ago, I’m 48, have 4 children the youngest of whom is 18 months old and like you I subconsciously substituted her for Setsuko. Personally I found this film utterly heart-breaking and haven’t stopped giving my little one an extra hug before putting her to bed since. This has taught me that you’re never too old to cry….a lot.
I remember perusal this for the first time last year. I have a little sister whom I love more than anything on this earth but sadly we live in different cities and I don’t get to see her often. I remember picking up my phone, calling her and just saying “I love you” to her over and over after perusal this, I could feel the smile on her face and it made me feel good. This is one heavy ass movie, 100% recommend perusal it if you haven’t
There’s a live action version of this story told from the evil Aunt’s perspective. Turns out she’s not really a blood aunt, just the kids’ mothers’ friend. The Aunt suffered the loss of her husband in the war and then turned coldhearted, determined to do anything to save her daughter, even if it meant screwing over the children of her friend (who weren’t being productive in her mind, anyway.)
The Japanese Empire was responsible for some of the most vile and reprehensible atrocities during the war. From brutalizing women to the horrific treatment of allied Prisoners But at the same time, war blinds us to the reality that on the other side there are normal people as well, with their own lives and dreams
What I find the most amazing, yet crucial, detail about these anti-war movies is that (with the exception of Elim Klimov’s Come and See) they never intended to make them anti-war. That just drives home the fact that war in of itself is awful without anyone even needing to tell you. This movie in particular is no respecter of my stoicism and got me to cry all throughout and a few hours after! I was going to say, y’all need to do this but you seem to have already done it and I’m late to the game.😅
Personally i interpret the fireflies as a representation of life in the story. They present the lives of civilians through war, and how each one is struggling to survive ( especially the middle and lower class). The bright glow shows their burning desire for and hope for peace and for a normal life. However, in the movie Setsuko asks why they die so quickly as she shovels their bodies into the grave. The mountain of firefly corpses piling up demonstrates how insignificant lives of civilians appear to be in the face of war. Also the overly calm and normality of the characters seeing dead rotting bodies everywhere brings a quiet horror of just how devastating war is.
I’m not defending the aunt’s actions, but I do think the movie provides important context that explains the conflict she has with the children and why she behaves bluntly and cruelly. About 30 minutes in we see Seita looking through some of his aunt’s leaflets that were drawn exactly like real life war propaganda the Japanese government put out. The next scene shows them having a family dinner where they discuss the war and the hardships it is bringing–only to have dinner interrupted by an air raid. The aunt isn’t an evil villain, she’s an imperfect real life person who has been war-hardened. She resents Seita in particular for (from her perspective) not trying to contribute adequately to the war effort, and as resources becomes more scarce, she sees here distant nephew and niece as competition for food with her daughter. One other comparison to be made in this vein is with the two doctors in the film. The doctor early in the film who is treating Seita and Setsuko’s mother is very compassionate, tries to be reassuring and as helpful as possible under the conditions. When Seita takes Setsuko to another doctor later in the film, he shows no compassion, bluntly declaring she is malnourished and needs water and food, offering no compassion, practical advice, comfort–even a glass of water. Keeping in mind that the first firebombing of Kobe occurred on Feb 3rd, 1945–Its not that the first doctor was nice and the second doctor was cruel–its that the first doctor still maintained his humanity near the start of the bombings, while the second doctor had been war-hardened by months of seeing countless starving and dying people and young children.
I think the ultimate lesson in this movie is, what kind of person will you become at your most desperate? The aunt wasn’t necessarily evil but she was trying to push them away to save her own family to survive. Meanwhile the children maintained their dignity, innocence, and appreciation of small beautiful moments life has to offer. Even in the darkest and ugliest moments there will always be moments of light and beauty to find.
14:24 I’m a big sister. My father is abusive, and he absolutely hates me. I am old enough to stop going over to my dad’s, I’m can’t leave my little sister. I’ll never leave her. That’s why this movie absolutely broke me down. I saw myself in Saita, and my sister in sasuko. Wonderful movie, never perusal it again. 😢
fantastic article. That line “She never woke up,” though, to me weakens the power of her death, softening the blow. I saw a documentary discussing how the filmmaker decided to tell the audience in the fist scene that they are gong to die,because he thought it would be too emotionally brutal to see, without being prepared for it. I suspect “she never woke up” was intended to soften the blow, and probably was added later for that purpose. Although hopefully I’m no sadist, I think this film works by being brutal, and should have just let the audience see her dying. I think the images of Seita lying next to her and cradling her after he says “she never woke up” were intended to be her final living moments. Also, the scene where he obtains the wicker basket to burn her corpse is to me dilutes the impact. I believe the most powerful way of revealing her death is the music-accompanied scene of debris by their shelter, where she appears as a series of ghost-like memories. With the “No Place Like Home” accompaniment,” the now quiet and shelter with littered remnants of their desperate and sad life there is the ultimate expression of death. Setsuko’s absence, punctuated by flashback images, to me shouts DEATH more powerfully than any other aspect of her final chapter. When a loved one dies, there is a visceral, palpable ABSENCE that makes the death feel so real. I wish the film relied more on that scene with the incredibly perfect and apropos musics, whose main lyric is “though it be ever so humble, there’s no place like home.
I can understand the Aunt giving Seita a hard time but making Setsuko suffer accordingly as a result? What did she expect from the kid? She was only 4! My theory is Seita just wasn’t willing to leave Setsuko in a situation where he would have to go and let the Aunt look after her. After all, he doesn’t choose to leave the Aunt until Setsuko says she hates living with her. It’s safe to say any concerns Seita may have had about the Aunt being mean to Setsuko would not have been unfounded.
What gets me is how the movie starts out. To a degree, the beginning and end of the movie are two ends that tie together in the shape of guilt for the viewer. When I first saw the movie and saw Seita slumped over. Instantly I simply thought, “What an unfortunate boy. I feel so bad for him.” But in the beginning, those words hollow out empty for everyone perusal. So by the end of the movie, there’s this piece of you that feels guilt, for not feeling the pain you feel now. For not really putting too much thought into them being a life, a child and a story of just 2 lives. It is so much easier for us to suppress the truth and cruelty of our selfishness, when it comes to helping the starving, the homeless and the dying. It’s so easy to microdose yourself with a sense of guilt when you see people sleeping on the street but then go home and drown out the thoughts with “happy entertainment.” While the bodies of all the Seitas and Setsukos in the world, withered into ashe and dust. There comes a sea of emotions the moment you see their ghosts resting together in the modern era. The cities, planted over the ashes and bones of innocent children who suffered unimaginable horrors before their painful death. And yet, life moves on. We forget the names. So many names we don’t know. Billions through our history and even today have suffered at the hands of evil people. The feeling of anger, sorrow, despair and wishing you could have helped them, wash over you. Enough that it changes you, regardless of age.
Someone more knowledgable about the subject could probably talk at length about it, but I think it’s very telling that most of the American war films are about these epic soldiers who yes, do struggle but eventually have a glorious victory and get to go home and live, or snipers who in actuality went through and committed horrible deeds, but are now celebrated, how those who go to war are heroes. While the rest of the worlds war films are about the suffering- about the families torn apart, about the traumas of survival, about the fact that even the so called ‘winners’ still loose in the aftermath of the war.
Just discovered your website and been binging all night but i just realized something. Anyone whos a fan of metal, The Raven Age have a song based on this film called “Grave of the Fireflies”. Its absolutely heart breaking. “Mother and father Will dry your eyes Now that you sleep with… the fireflies”
Sadly, a big part of WW2 was not only the soldiers fighting on the front lines, but the targeted approach to hit the civilian population as hard as possible to make them do the regime change for the enemy. Especially in the last years, when the Allies had complete air superiority, some pretty… in my humble opinion, brutal and in hindsight even unnecessary (because the uprising never came) raids happened. Japans wooden cities were burned to the ground and got two nukes as the icing on the shit-cake, Cologne and Dresden (historically a shame) and the damn-bust in Germany – pretty horrific stuff. Of course Germany did Scorched Earth in Russia and Japans war doctrine was f´ed up completely. The people that fueled the war were never in danger or had to endure any shortages – and to this day, if the war is fought in YOUR country, civilians will always suffer. That´s why we tend to fight them far, far away. Aw man… you think we should learn lessons at some point, but it goes on and on and on… Oh, and the movie is heart wrenching and hard to watch 😞
People forget that Seita was also a child too. I don’t like the fact that most people expected him to get it right when he was trying to take care of his sister with all he had, he wasn’t an adult. It really amuses me that they expect a 14-year old child to perfectly care for his little sister. He made due with the resources he had, although he made a slightly foolish mistake leaving his aunt, he can’t really be blamed. She was manipulative and rude. He actually did better than most full grown adults do. The adults around them didn’t help, no one did. His so called “aunt,” didn’t even bother looking for them. Not even after his little sister died.
All things considered, they pretty much asked themselves to be bombed to shit by attacking Pearl Harbour. They knew it VERY well that attacking US was going to haunt them later, and it did. The worst part about Grave of the Fireflies is that it sends the wrong messages to the Japanese compared to its intended audience. It’s supposed to be an anti-war film, depicting the brutal nature of “Total War” and how civilians were affected. Most audience recognised that. But for the Japanese? It sort of had the complete opposite message that instead of depicting war is terrible, it pretty much told them the Americans are evil, and thus, their actions towards the Americans during the pacific war was completely justified (making the Geneva Convention look like a check list). To add another layer of complication onto that, the general Japanese public weren’t aware of the shit they did during Second Sino-Japanese War and WW2, and they still aren’t aware of most events till this day. And to add ANOTHER layer of complication on top of that, almost ALL of Asia enjoyed the film for the COMPLETE wrong reason. While the film is a masterpiece, the reactions it gathered was a clusterfuck.
I have currently been perusal through Studio Ghibli and I plan to check out all of their films this year… Apart from Grave of the Fireflies I don’t feel ready for it at all. I will watch it one day and will most likely try to go in as blind as possible but at the moment, I think I’ll save it for when I’m more ready
I remember perusal this movie a long, long time ago for the very first time and really enjoyed it. At the time I never seen the movie so I really wanted to see it. Now after realizing what the movie is about and remembering my first experience with it, all I can say is that this movie is really hard to watch more than once. I typically love perusal movies more than once, but this one… this is only a movie you see once. Twice if you really want to understand it after your first experience. Now when I see the movie I can’t help but breakdown when it ends because, you just don’t want any of this to happen to these two characters. Or anyone for that matter. But… I joking say this line a lot but in all seriousness, in terms of this movie alone… “What can you even do?” This movie is really amazing and I love this movie, but when you watch it and take in what’s happening to Seita and Setsuko… you can’t help but just crack when you witness their heartbreaking story. If this movie was to ever be in theaters again… I’d probably go back to see it again. But, this is really something you should only see once. It’s really tough to watch but, it’s a must watch if you have the chance to see it.
I absolutely LOOOOOVE this anime film!!! I first saw it through, erm… this ancient brick and mortar store where ancient Humans could go in and to browse and then rent out for a certain amount of days, for viewing in the privacy of their homes. Well, anyway, that’s how I got to see this one but it was in a locally owned and mum-pup operated shoppe that had an extensive section of genres for the Japanophiles (or whatever). I watched it over and over again until the due date. Nowadays, it’s hard to find on streaming services, like MAX (where they have a Studio Ghibli section) but it’s never a part of their library. Another one that I equally love as much is called, “In This Corner of the World”. I believe it’s Netflix owned? But the impact is just the same. Only difference is the animation style.
The worst thing that happened when I watched this was that I associated Setsuko with my Little Sister Samantha, and it hit me like a truck. The only reason I didn’t burst out bawling was because my two goofy friends were there, so I was easily able to move past the TRAUMA that this movie shows. It is reminder that there really are no good sides in war. It is just people. Yes, some are far more evil than others, with the Japanese soldiers committing just as many attrocities as the Nazis did, but when I see the innocent face of a little girl, regardless of where she is from, it is haunting to realize the cost of war. The cost of these heinous actions that will forever shape the world.
I saw this movie and I see how his relative treats him and his sister so badly 😢 never depend on your relative because they only help their own kind like her own kids not her sister children only her own kind 😢 on less you have money to gave them or have job too help out but if you don’t have a job she will not keep you 😢
I think you go a bit easy on Seita. Yes he is a sweet big brother, but we know from the start of the movie she died, then throughout the movie we see why she died. She died in his care because he didn’t feed her enough. After perusal this I was terrified of not feeding my daughter enough, i have actually been overfeeding her.
I hate this movie I’m sorry. It fuels my depression. I hate the big bro. Why would you freakin leave your sick little sister?? I know it’s not his fault but still. I hate that fxing doctor. I’m just imagining alternative ending in my mind. A happy one. Wish Rick and Morty travel to the past and save those 2, lol.
I despise this film. The director essentially stole another man’s real life tragedy, and used it to try and guilt the teenagers of that time who were standing up to the rigid, often stifling traditionalist values of their parents, to shut up and just follow in their footsteps. This is not my opinion, he has explicitly stated this is the entire reason he made the film. It’s manipulative, it’s messed up, and it’s exploitative af.