a complex movie

Rating: Null/10 (24 September 2002)

Grave of the Fireflies gives you a horrifying glimpse of war. Dig a little deeper, and you will also discover complicated symbolism about war, pride, and fireflies. Kudos to the writers.
BEGIN SPOILERS: The movie's message is not simply "War is horrible," but "Pride is horrible." The boy Setsuko represents the proud Imperial Japanese navy and emperor. The girl Seita represents the Japanese homeland. During WW2, the Japanese navy is away fighting its war, refusing to surrender, while the homeland suffers badly through Allied bombing raids. During the movie, Setsuko is incapable of providing for himself and Seita (as evidenced by Seita's malnourishment), but he is too proud to beg for help from their aunt (who represents the West) who would berate them but also sustain them with shelter and rations. In the end, Seita dies of starvation and Japan is fairly demolished. Setsuko, his loving mother, his powerful father, and Japan's Navy are also destroyed. Everyone has suffered as the result of too much pride. I find this a much more satisfying message than simply "kids are innocent. war is bad." END SPOILERS.
I don't understand the symbolism of the fireflies though.