Introduction to Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
I'm writing my review of Grave of the Fireflies after watching it for the first time, and I don’t think I will ever be ready to feel that heart-wrenching sensation again. Still, I chose to share my perspective despite that feeling because it motivates me to do so.
The film Grave of the Fireflies tells the story of two children, a brother and a sister, whose mother died during the bombing of their city by planes, and whose father was absent from them because of his participation in the war. They found themselves alone without shelter, so they went to their aunt to take care of them, but they were surprised by her cruelty towards them, so they took refuge in one of the caves near the village and lived alone, trying to stay alive. But divine mercy took care of them and took their souls, far from this hateful world.
It is ordinary people—the elderly, children, women, and men—who suffer the ravages of war, gaining nothing in return but pain, deprivation, and the loss of loved ones.
The psychological pain inflicted by the film *Grave of the Fireflies* is more severe than the most debilitating illnesses, driving you to both rage and profound sorrow. It is a negative energy capable of destroying anything in its path.
Why do nations, indeed the entire world, issue orders to bomb cities and innocent civilians without mercy or consideration for the fate of the people? If war is necessary, it must be for a respectable purpose, such as liberation or rescue. Even if it is for other reasons, it must be confined to soldiers on the battlefield. This is the honorable war, the inevitability of which I understand.
The suffering of these two children is a true message to all of humanity, urging efforts to keep wars away from innocent civilians. This can only be achieved if there is a law that criminalizes and severely punishes such actions, but, strangely enough, it already exists and is completely inoperative, turning a blind eye to the many disasters that wars create.
Because of the cruelty that characterizes the film Grave of the Fireflies, I found myself asking why all peoples don't unite to stop all wars. Why don't we call for that? For example, let's designate an international day on which everyone stands in front of their homes, holding banners with one sentence: "Stop all wars."
Grave of the Fireflies is unquestionably the greatest animated film ever, and everyone should watch it to grasp the scale of the impending catastrophe.
Disclaimer: Grave of the Fireflies is based on a true story and directed by the talented Isao Takahata.
A serious warning: No heart patient should watch this. Let someone else tell you, as that's definitely the better option.
Shocking facts
Despite the presence of two children, this film is unsuitable for them. It's filled with disturbing and painful truths that could crush the innocence and hope children have in life. Although such truths are readily available to everyone nowadays, I find this film far bleaker.
I never thought an animated film could have such an impact on people, but Grave of the Fireflies effortlessly did so, thanks to its heart-wrenching scenes, Setsuko's innocence and vulnerability, and Seita's forced premature manhood. It also carries a heavy burden of profound sadness.
Furthermore, there's a truth your mind and heart will immediately confirm after watching this nightmare: it's impossible to watch it again. It will wring you dry of every last drop of emotion.
Another truth is that there is no mercy among humans when basic needs clash with others' needs, and that need is the worst thing one can experience.
Clinging to a simple hope in a difficult, pitiful, but ongoing life, only to have that hope snatched away at every stage, first through the loss of the mother, then the loss of the father, and finally the great blow to Seita when the sister died. What scenario could be worse than this that could happen in life? The knockout blow will not come until after receiving many painful punches.
Brilliant similes
The film is rich in beautiful metaphors and imagery, such as comparing the two children to fireflies that glow briefly before their light is extinguished at their deaths.
Also, the opening scene, which moved everyone to tears, depicts Seita's death and the arrival of his sister's spirit, waiting for him so they could be reunited far from this cruel world, where nothing could harm or separate them again. This symbolizes that although a person may not be physically present with us, their spirit remains with us, waiting for us in the afterlife.
Total loss
After losing his mother and then his father, he lost his only sister—what kind of psychological devastation is this? Could a child like Seita bear it?
It's beyond the capacity of even adults. Setsuko's death was the end for her brother as well; he lost the last piece of his heart with her. Even though the war ended and his mother's money was withdrawn, it wasn't enough to give him the will to go on living.
One small question: Where was that money in the first place after they left their aunt's house?
But I realized that young Seita either didn't understand that things would deteriorate so quickly, didn't have enough time to withdraw the money, or simply forgot about it when they had food and shelter. He's just a child, after all.
The most heartbreaking ending among the films
Words to all humanity
Shame on you, humanity, for watching these moments in children's lives and failing to act until your own children and families are threatened. It is heartbreaking to see war destroy everything green and innocent everywhere. You are not immune to this. It will inevitably affect you sooner or later. One day, you and your family will become the next victims.
Let's say the music in this movie fully conveys the event. You can close your eyes and listen, then easily guess what is happening. Its emotional impact is beyond words. It really stands out as one of the movie's remarkable creations.
There is a saying that adversity shapes men, and I saw this truth in Grave of the Fireflies. Despite his mother's death, the loss of his home, and abandonment by his cruel aunt, Seita endured many hardships to protect his sister, Setsuko, until she fell ill and died.
Sickness and death are solely in God's hands, and all humans will eventually die. However, we should seek to understand the reasons behind this and the circumstances surrounding them. It is difficult to accept the idea of two children dying alone, without anyone offering help or caring about what is happening to them. This is a waste of the good human nature that God created within us.
The movie as a whole teaches us to be kind to one another, to care for one another, to stand together against the scourges of war and disease, and against other threats. However, it does so with great harshness, making us feel the pain of neglecting these qualities, so we must pull ourselves together and begin. It marks a new stage that honors all those we've lost in previous eras and renews hope for future generations, so they may live in mercy, peace, and love.
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