It just stays with you... and tears you up.

Rating: Null/10 (27 January 2003)

I am a Japanese-Canadian and saw this movie in 1990 on a video cassette that was sent to my parents from some of their friends in Japan. I was 18 at the time and thought that I'd sit and enjoy another typical Anime film. Boy was I wrong. This movie tore me apart. So much so that I never wanted to watch another Anime feature again without reading a plot synopsis first.
I purchased and viewed the DVD version again yesterday. Even with full knowledge of the outcome and story, it still tore me up. "Princess Mononoke" was good. So was "Akira" and "Perfect Blue." None of those movies has stuck with me like "Grave of the Fireflies" has. It made me realize how lucky I am to have grown up in the place and era that I did. It reminded me of how spoiled we are. We don't need to feel guilty about how lucky we are, but a movie like this makes us appreciate it.
There is no good and evil in war. In WWII both sides did their share of evil deeds. "Grave of the Fireflies" shows us a human element that extends beyond the soldiers.
I will not re-hash the plot since many fellow IMDB members have done so. I will say that the scene that touched me the most was the scene in which Seita pours water into the empty fruit drop container for Setsuko to drink. For some reason that sequence wrentches my gut. At that point I realized that metal container symbolized Setsuko herself and how all that was left were traces of flavors. She is happy in the scene, but that is what makes the scene even more difficult to watch. At least you do have the knowledge that when her spirit is released at the beginning that she is not only reunited with her brother, but with her precious candy as well.

It's funny that in the novel that this movie is based on, the metal tin is barely mentioned. Only as a container for Setsuko's cremated ashes. The director made it a point to make it a more important element of the movie.

In closing I'd like to say that I highly recommend this movie. However, I'd be emotionally prepared before I do sit and watch this. As one other reviewer said, it is better to watch this with someone so you can discuss it during and afterwards. It does stay with you even if it doesn't tear you up as it did me.