Grave of the Fireflies

The feelings were different for the two different perspectives.

The anime showed the children’s perspective of the war. It told of how war is cruel in that the people, the women and children left behind must suffer. It spoke of pride and of how people can turn selfish in times of scarcity. To me, it is just a children show, meant to evoke empathy.

The live action recounted the same story in the aunt’s perspective instead. War again is cruel, again it changes people. Beyond this, it showed the bitterness of surviving. How the aunt hardened her heart for her family’s survival. It is something natural, yet when seen from the children’s perspective difficult to understand and forgive.

When the aunt saw the sweet tin and knew that they were gone, I could imagine that she would have a bit of relief that she did not have to face them from the guilt of abandoning them, and a bit of relief because she did not have to struggle to raise them up too. Putting myself in her shoes I would too.

War gives little comfort. The boy struggled to look after his sister and maintain his dignity. The aunt lives on with the bitterness of her losses and guilt.

Should you be interested, I recommend watching the anime first and then the live action.