The most powerful anime ever created

Rating: 9/10 (8 April 2012)

I'm usually not the sort to be "moved" by a movie, therefore the prospect of an anime being able to sadden me was one I dismissed. However, I could not have been more wrong.
"Grave of the Fireflies" made me feel more empathetic, more saddened and more "moved" than any other film to date. Visually, Studio Ghibli have done tremendously well as always with their animations. However, the soundtrack of this movie is what I found most striking; every instrumental is moving and ensures that the action on-screen is incredibly engaging.
In addition to this, the characterisation is incredible. Every relationship and interaction between each and every minor and major character throughout this movie is believable and honest. I have never felt deep empathy or such a care for characters in any movie before (or at least not to this extent).
Perhaps what makes this movie so powerful and haunting is the brutal honesty throughout. There are no subtleties when exhibiting the costs of war; just hard-hitting portrayals demonstrated by characters that are all wonderfully easy to relate to - despite their predicaments.
What prevents this movie from being perfect in my view, is the ending. I wont go into detail as I do not wish to include spoilers, however I was just left feeling a little unsatisfied and unsure what to think.
Overall, this movie is a must-see. Not only is it the most powerful anime ever created, but one of the most powerful movies ever created. "Grave of the Fireflies" is engaging yet haunting and moving yet saddening. If you have a tendency to shed a few tears during sad films, this will have you weeping throughout. An unmissable movie.