Grave of the Fireflies

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Hotaru no haka (original title)

A masterpiece.

Yes, I had read about it- a Japanese animated movie (anime); critically acclaimed; a tragic war story, by Studio Ghibli, which has come out with classic anime feature films. I was hesitant to see it. I've always been hesitant to see movies or anime with sad endings. It also figures in the IMDb (Internet Movie Database) “Top 250” list at #103. So, I steeled myself to watch it, and so, I was overwhelmed by its brilliance. I can easily say that Grave of the Fireflies is the most profoundly human animated film I have seen.

It is undeniably one of the most heart wrenching and emotionally powerful movies that I have seen till now. It is not well known simply because it came out in Japan. It definitely beats Schindler's List and many other mainstream movies of the west that portray the effects of war and similar activities. It came out in 1988 and it forced a rethinking of anime in the minds of people who considered anime as cartoons for children.

This is not exactly a war movie. It is the story of two young siblings- a brother and his little sister, whose life changes because of the war- a story of their struggle and their love for each other. You know the ending- they die, and this isn't a spoiler, because this is the first scene of the anime. And then the flashback begins. Few movies can boast of making a story so moving when the ending is known.

The film was written and directed by Isao Takahata, and is based on the 1967 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka. It tells the story of 14 year old Saita and his 4 year old sister, Setsuko. Their father is away, serving in the Imperial Navy of Japan, and they live with their mother in the Japanese port city of Kobe. The World War II is raging on, and the city is firebombed by American bombers and almost completely destroyed. Their mother is severely burned and dies sometime after she is brought to the hospital, leaving the two children orphaned (there is no news about their father) and left to fend for themselves. And thereafter, their struggle for survival and the breaking apart of the lives of innocents is portrayed in a stunningly realistic manner. The behaviors on display by the supporting characters, particularly Seita's Aunt, and the farmer who beats Seita severely, and even the doctor who treats the scurvy-ravaged Setsuko - they are all models of self-involvement in the face of a deep humanitarian need. The name of the movie arises from a particularly touching scene from the movie. The kids capture fireflies in a bottle and use them to light up the cave in which they live. The next morning, Seita finds his sister burying the dead fireflies, wondering aloud why they had to die, crying, reflecting upon and accepting her own mother’s death. It is scenes like this that make this movie a masterpiece. The visuals are stunning- each frame a breathtaking piece of art.

It does not exaggerate; it simply presents, and therein lies its beauty. And because it is an anime, it can portray some aspects and bring out expression which a live action movie can never hope to. When I try to think upon its flaws, I fail to find anything substantial. The typical Japanese animation used portrays human feature a bit unrealistically and uses visuals to highlight emotions, but the emotions involved are extremely realistic.

It inspires a person to think of how selfish one is, so involved in his/her own little world. It also portrays the devastating effects of war on the lives of innocent people. Yes, I am not ashamed in the least to admit that I cried at the end. 

Watch it simply because it is a classic, even if you are skeptical. I promise you, you will not regret it – it is a must watch.