Takahata’s film is a gradually depressing and utterly adult tale of two people affected by a merciless war, and the struggle of Seita to stick close to his sister and preserve her innocence in the face of death and utter suffering. This is a boy who must keep his spirits high and sadness in check in the face of his baby sister who longs for home and their parents. Takahata shows not only what war can do to each of us, but what strength we can muster up to help our loved ones in time of our great sadness.

The original author of the novel, Nosaka, lived through all the events that took place here, and blamed himself for the unfolding of events that occur in front of the audience, and knowing this will set you into a further state of sheer sadness as it did me. Takahata’s film is, as usual, a marvelous piece of animated drama, with some of the most amazing visuals that are a pre-requisite with Studio Ghibli. With a proper mixture of drama, and a slight of fantasy, Takahata explores how war drags down the smallest of people, regardless of who is fighting it.