Hotaru no haka / Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Set during the firebombing of Kobe in World War II, Hotaru no haka tells the story of young Seita, and his younger sister Setsuko.

There’s something profound about this movie. It’s so tragic, yet so beautiful, and carries as intense and poignant a message about war as there is. The title is ambiguous- written in unusual characters, “fireflies” has many nuances, and interpretations.The beginning and ending frame the main story perfectly. Its really amazing.

Every so often you see a stunningly powerful movie, and this is one of them. Not to be missed.