Grave of Fireflies (Hotaru No Haka)
Your suicide watch starts now

// Synopsis: In the latter part of World War II, a boy and his sister, orphaned when their mother is killed in the firebombing of Tokyo, are left to survive on their own in what remains of civilian life in Japan. The plot follows this boy and his sister as they do their best to survive in the Japanese countryside, battling hunger, prejudice, and pride in their own quiet, personal battle.

// Review: Let me start off by saying this: after watching one of the most famous anime titles I wanted to slash my wrists. My other response was to feel shamefully embarrassed by what I have and how much I take it for granted. People say that war is hell and I used to think that idea was restricted to the battlefield, but it seems like the civilians are the one that suffer the most.

/ Times are so hard that these kids' aunt pretty much turns them out in the streets and they end up living in a cave with no food. The beginning starts off with the ending, so the entire time you know where this is heading, and your heart breaks a little more as it draws to its conclusion. The human spirit is indomitable but here that spirit is not triumphantly rewarded.

/ At the risk of sounding gay this is really a beautiful emotional story. There is no huge conflict or plot intrigue. It's just life and just raw survival as a big brother, who is still a kid himself, does everything humanly possible to keep his sister alive, while still dealing with death of their parents.

// Wrap up: Touching, moving, sad, and tear jerking. This classic isn't something that just entertains (in a somber way), but one that revolutionizes your perspective.

Entertainment rating: 5