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T
he behaviors on display by the supporting characters, particularly Seita’s
Aunt, and the farmer who beats Seita severely, and even the doctor
who treats the scurvy-ravaged Setsuko - they are all models of selfinvolvement in the face of a deep humanitarian need. The name of the
movie arises from a particularly touching scene from the movie. The kids
capture fireflies in a bottle and use them to light up the cave in which
they live. The next morning, Seita finds his sister burying the dead
fireflies, wondering aloud why they had to die, crying, reflecting
upon, and accepting her own mother’s death. It is scenes like this
that make this anime a masterpiece.
The visuals are stunning- each frame a breathtaking
piece of art, the re-mastered version even more
so. The music is serene and melancholic at the
same time. The Japanese voice acting is par
excellence. They went ahead and cast a 5 year
old
as the voice actor of Setsuko, which made it all the more
realistic. I’ve heard that the English dub is very nicely
done too.
The film does not exaggerate; it simply presents, and
therein lies its beauty. And because it is an anime, it can
portray some aspects and bring out expression which a live action movie can never hope to. When
I try to think upon its flaws, I fail to find anything substantial. The typical Japanese animation
used portrays human features a bit unrealistically and uses visuals to highlight emotions, but the
emotions involved are extremely realistic.
It portrays the devastating effects of war on the lives of innocent people. It inspires a person to
think of how selfish one is, so involved in one’s own little world. It moves one’s heart and begs for
emotion to overflow. Yes, I am not ashamed in the least to say that it made me cry and made an
impression that will last me for a lifetime.
Watch it simply because it is a classic, even if you are skeptical. I assure you that
you will not regret a single moment.
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Anime Reign | Issue 2 | 2013