I still remember the moment I first saw this film. I was ten and I’d worked up early, so I turned on the television and went to the Disney Channel expecting something magical. When I got was a film that has scared me for life. So why am I watching it again? Why subject myself to such horrors? The answer is simple.
Released in 1988, this Japanese animated war drama was based on the semi-autobiographical short story (also called Grave of the Fireflies) by Akiyuki Nosaka (10 October 1930 – 9 December 2015). Released in 1967, Nosaka based the story on his experiences before, during, and after the firebombing of Kobe in 1945 – and as an apology to his younger sister, sister Keiko, who died of malnutrition.
The film was written and directed by Isao Takahata who saw similarities between the story and the double-suicide plays of 17th century Japanese dramatist Chikamatsu Monzaemon.
As a child, the realistic depiction of the carnage of war was something I had never seen in an animated film before. chard corpses, burned bodies covered in maggots. It was a shock, even now – thirty-some-odd years later it’s still difficult to watch.
Produced by Studio Ghibli, the film is set in the city of Kobe, Japan in the summer of 1945 and follows two siblings Seita and Setsuko, who are orphans of the war in their desperate struggle to survive. Eventually, both children die of starvation.
After its release Grave of the Fireflies received universal acclaim not only as a Japanese anime film, but also as a war film in general. Upon its release film critic Roger Ebert said it was “An emotional experience so powerful that it forces a rethinking of animation.” I cannot thin of a better way tot describe this film. It’s beautiful. Tragic. But, beautiful.
Though the set has been released in a multitude of formats, a limited special edition STEELBOOK was released in the UK through Zavvi. Lucky enough to purchase it that included a new dub and a plethora of extras. Currently the film is not currently in print on blu-ray. Secondhand is the only way to currently find physical copes of this amazing film.
More STUDIO GHIBLI review soon so…
Stay Tuned!
Life In Cartoon Motion 