Grave of the Fireflies, Japanese Anime Movie

This movie was made by Studio Ghibli in 1988, which is equivalent to Walt Disney studios animation film production. This movie was referred to me by a student of mine who loves these types of films. The movie was made in 1988 by a Japanese’s director Isao Takahata and was based on semi-autobiography by Akiyuki Nosaka. It is based on a Japanese town during WWII where the main character mother dies and his father who is serving in the war later dies too. He is then left to take care of his younger sister and provided for them both. They go through many hardships including not having a place to live and needing to steal food to survive. Eventually his younger sister dies of starvation and later burns her body. He is left alone and with no one to turn to, he eventually dies too.

If I were to show this movie to my class I would make a comparison to the current refugee crisis going on around the world. I would compare the protagonist’s struggles to what many refugees are struggling today. Maybe have class discussion and complete a Venn diagram on the similarities and differences. This is a great movie to watch, but sad at the same time. Very emotional movie that can help students empathize with struggling refugees.