A very sad, insightful and cautionary film on the suffering caused by war.

Rating: 10/10 (4 September 2002)

This movie is proof that anime is not just a little kids. This film deals with the suffering caused by war on civilians, and the children. This is an excellent cautionary tale about the consequences of war on innocents, and should be required viewing for high school and college history classes that deal with the time period of WW2. I would NOT recommend it for children not yet in high school.
Film students should also watch this, to gain an understanding of how an emotionally powerful film does not need special effects or cloying plot twists. All a film needs is a simple, powerful script that is genuine, with a direction that does similar service to the message. I won't claim nobody can watch this film without crying, or at least feeling choked up. However, the number is very few. My eyes were certainly moist towards the end of it.