Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Dir. Isao Takahata

The first animation that Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata directed for the studio is based on a 1967 semi-autobiographical short story of the same name by Japanse author Akiyuki Nosaka.

I've not read the original short, but the film is an immensely powerful story of two siblings, a teenager named Seita and his baby sister Setsuko, as they struggle to survive during the attacks on Japan during World War II.

Their relationship is the heart of the work; it's a heart that beats in defiance of adversity because it's fuelled by love and family values.

The responsibility placed on Seita could crush even the strongest adult, but his feelings for his sister keep him focussed and determined.

For a narrative that's built around heartbreaking tragedy and conflict, there's a lot of joy and beauty to be found in the subtext.