This Movie Will Make You Cry (Grave of The Fireflies review)

Welcome back to the WHY US? Channel, we got a doozy for y'all today. Grave of The Fireflies is guaranteed to hit you in the feels. If it doesn't you may not be human.

Grave of the Fireflies is a 1988 Japanese animated war film directed by Isao Takahata, and produced by the renowned Studio Ghibli. The film is based on the semi-autobiographical short story of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka, and it tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, as they struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.
The film opens with the haunting image of Seita, a teenage boy, dying in a train station. As he slowly fades away, his spirit meets the spirit of his younger sister, Setsuko, and they embark on a journey through their memories to revisit the events that led to their tragic fate.
We learn that Seita and Setsuko lost their mother in an air raid, and their father is serving in the Imperial Japanese Navy. With nowhere else to turn, the siblings move in with their aunt, who resents their presence and treats them with cruelty. Fed up with their aunt's abuse, Seita decides to take Setsuko and move into an abandoned bomb shelter in the countryside.
Life is difficult for the siblings as they struggle to find food and shelter in a war-torn Japan. Seita does his best to take care of Setsuko, but they face countless hardships along the way. As the war rages on and resources become scarce, the siblings' situation becomes increasingly dire.
Despite their circumstances, Seita and Setsuko find moments of joy and tenderness in their bleak existence. They play in the fields, catch fireflies, and create a makeshift home out of the abandoned bomb shelter. But as the war drags on and food becomes scarce, their situation becomes more and more desperate.
Tragically, Setsuko falls ill and eventually succumbs to malnutrition and illness. In the film's heartbreaking climax, Seita is left alone with his sister's ashes, realizing that he has failed to protect her in the midst of war and devastation.
Grave of the Fireflies explores themes of war, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit. The film showcases the devastating impact of war on innocent civilians, especially children, who are caught in the crossfire of conflict. Through the eyes of Seita and Setsuko, we see the toll that war takes on families and communities, and the heartbreaking consequences of violence and destruction.
The film also delves into the bond between siblings, and the lengths that we will go to protect and care for those we love. Seita's unwavering devotion to Setsuko is both heartwarming and tragic, as he sacrifices everything to ensure her well-being in the face of overwhelming odds.
Grave of the Fireflies also highlights the power of memory and storytelling in preserving the past and honoring the lives of those we have lost. Seita and Setsuko's journey through their memories reminds us of the importance of bearing witness to history and honoring the resilience of those who have suffered in the face of adversity.