Grave of the Fireflies

Grave of the Fireflies is an animation film set during WWII. The film follows a young boy, Seita, and his little sister, Setsuko, through the struggles of war. The movie begins with the bombing of their small town in which they lose their mother and need to live with a distant aunt. Their father is in war throughout the film and in the end they discover that he too died in battle. The movie is appropriate for ages Middle school and up, although I would suggest a parent permission slip for 7th and 8th grade due to the graphic nature of the bodies in the beginning scenes. The film will teach empathy toward civilians of war and show WWII from the perspective of the Japanese.