火垂るの墓-Hotaru no Haka

I was impressed by the story of this film. First time, I want to watch it because the film has an attractive title. I didn't know what this film talk about. Ok, now let me give a brief for this film.

火垂るの墓,/Hotaru no Haka literary means Grave of the Fireflies. Usually the word 'Hotaru' write in single kanji (蛍) but they choose to use that two kanji. Anyway, this film was an adaption from a novel of the same title written by Akiyuki Nosaka. It told us about war, yes, World War II.

Make it short, this film want to show us what is war and how much the war cost our life. Grave of the Fireflies is a poignant story between Seita and Setsuko. They are unfortunate siblings who have to survive in the war between Japan and America. Their mother was died in Kobe firebombing, Seita which is the oldest brother and the only man left in the family (his father was ordered to fight as Japanese Imperial Navy) has to protect his mother and sister to fulfill his father only wish. Unfortunately, their mother was suffering from a serious burnt that the bomb caused. After that, he must protect his only sister. War became very serious; they met with lots of trouble in order to survive. They start lacking food; Setsuko was suffered from serious diarrhea because she didn't get any good food to eat. And she died because of her illness, her brother was really sorry for her because he can't protect her sister. In short, Seita also died, he died at San-nomiya station in Kobe. And before that there were a big news, Japan was completely lost from US. And it means Seita's father died in battlefield.

If we reflect upon this story, there's nothing in war. The only one left in a war is an enormous devastation both material and people itself. We also can still remember clearly what kind of war that we witness right now. We are one of the world history witnesses. The questions are appeal; what do we aim for war? Is it a solution? Do we really need it?

In my opinion, wars only bring devastation. We can't use it as a tool to take revenge because right after we start, we'll never know when it will end. Revenge always followed by revenge, isn't it? It's our duty as a human being and as a part of the world to take a responsible action for this matter. What do you think?

p.s. I really recommend all of you to watch this movie, feel the story, think and re-think the story, and share your mind