Grave of the fireflies

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Today, I will be talking about an anime that I have watched multiple times, and each time I have felt something new. It’s an unforgettable anime, and I think many can relate to it. I’m talking about none other than Grave of the Fireflies. When I watched this anime movie for the first time, I cried for the first time. I do not cry a lot, as I am not that emotional of a person, but this movie made me cry from the core of my heart. This is truly a sad anime and a harsh reality of today’s world. I feel many of you have seen this anime movie because it’s an amazing film that is hardly not seen by anime lovers. I believe if you have not watched this anime movie yet, then you should read my review about it. After that, you will absolutely feel like watching it at least once.

Creator: Akiyuki Nosaka
Release date: April 16, 1988
Running time: 1h 29m

! [Spoilers Ahead!]

Plot

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The story is set in the timeline of World War II. There are two siblings who lost their parents due to the bombing, and they decided to take shelter in their relative's house. One of the siblings is Seita, the older brother, and the other is Setsuko, the younger sister. Both of them were struggling to survive in this war. The relative they stayed with was not happy with the siblings being around, so the elder brother decided to move out with his sister. In the beginning, they took shelter in a cave, and they stayed there for a few days, which went really well until they craved food. The younger sister was too young to keep her hunger in control; eventually, she fell ill. The elder brother tried his best to get food; he also tried to steal from others, but nothing worked. His sister's condition was getting worse day by day, and it was really hard for the brother to see his sister in this condition. The story depicts the scenario of how ordinary people suffer during war.

Review

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I liked every part of the story, as it was super realistic. We can still see war happening around the world, and we can do nothing about it but only pray for their well-being. The people who go through war are the only ones who know how it feels, and the writer wanted us to face it too, so he made an incredible anime movie showing us the reality that we avoid seeing. Through the movie, we could feel the sorrow. The anime movie is about how the big brother struggles to save his younger sister during the war, as well as the feelings they go through, which we can also feel.

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I could not imagine what people go through in war until I watched this anime. I feel sympathy for the people who are still suffering and wish for the war to end very soon. What makes this movie incredible is its raw emotional honesty. It does not glorify war; it just shows the consequences of conflict on innocence and on family. The animation is beautiful and is almost paradoxical in its softness. The story is heart-wrenching, so watch it at your own risk.

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