Grave of the Fireflies absolutely destroyed me

Submitted by [deleted] t3_z7hjpx in movies

I'm a woman in my early 30s who has always been a long time studio Ghibli fan and a massive movie buff in general, but I've never brought myself to watching Grave of the Fireflies.

Partly because I know the topic is a heavy one and for some people a very real memory. Partly because every single one of my friends or someone else who has seen it has had that same harrowing look in their eyes when they talk about it. I'm a pretty emotional person at the best of times and there is something about war movies that I just cannot do.

So, I've never watched it.

Until tonight.

I am currently unemployed and watching movies has been keeping me sane between endless applications and job interviews. I'm currently trying to find work in Japan and I have been revisiting a lot of Ghibli movies. So, I decided to watch Grave of the Fireflies tonight.

Holy shit, you guys, I am absolutely destroyed.

I am glad I watched it, but I don't think anything could have prepared me for the emotional trauma of this film.

So many things in this movie stood out to me .

The look in Seita's eyes when he sees his mother at the elementary school.

The still backdrop of the city being completely destroyed.

Setsuko crying when their mother's kimonos are taken away.

Seita crying when Setsuko tells him she knows their mother is dead. (This is when I was ugly sobbing).

The dirt and what follows immediately. Oh my god..

I don't really have words for what I'm feeling right now. It's an absolute masterpiece of a movie, but not one I will ever watch again.

I am NOT okay.

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firelock_ny t1_iy6pkv8 wrote

Weirdest thing to me about this movie is that its theatrical release was as a double feature - with My Neighbor Totoro. How's that for an emotional shift in gears?

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TheIncredibleDjango t1_iy6wiu6 wrote

Totoro is pretty tragic itself tbh. I would be a wreck after that double feature

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Interwebzking t1_iy731nh wrote

Yeah that’s true. I normally turn my brain off for Totoro and just enjoy the ride. But if you stop and think about it, it’s quite sad.

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LateNightHobbit t1_iy8r7tn wrote

The sibling dynamic in Totoro reminds me of my relationship with my younger sister. The scene when Mei is lost and calling for her sister has me ugly bawling every time.

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desde1984 t1_iy6ruz5 wrote

It's the best movie that I will never watch twice.

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n2oc10h12c8h10n402 t1_iy6nfrg wrote

I've never had the courage to watch it. I want to, but I don't think I'll be able to as I'm dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. Your post made me realize it's probably a movie to watch when I feel healthier.

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HappyKinkster123 t1_iy6nn5d wrote

Definitely save it for when you are in a better place. It's very impactful.

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Only_Self_5209 t1_iy7go28 wrote

It is an absolute masterpiece but is one of the most heartbreaking confronting movie ever made

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ze11ez t1_iy6mcmf wrote

I haven’t watched it for the same reasons you didn’t watch it. And I’m a bro-dude

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HappyKinkster123 t1_iy6mgzo wrote

I should not have watched it alone. That was a mistake on my part.

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ze11ez t1_iy6ss3m wrote

So l should watch it alone. Got it

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kyrtuck t1_iy6rm5j wrote

It was very sad, and quite educational to what Japanese civilians went through with the fire bombings and food shortages.

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malapropter t1_iy6tltw wrote

Yep, I’m about your age. I watched it once and was absolutely destroyed. I’ll never, ever watch it again, but I’m absolutely glad I did.

I’m glad you did, too. I really think this film should be required viewing for every human on the planet. It rips you wide open emotionally, but it leaves you with a much broader perspective once the wound’s healed up.

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WaterMargin108 t1_iy7gqq2 wrote

I bought the special edition DVD almost 15 years ago. I've only seen it once before then. Still haven't worked up the nerve to pop it in the player to re-watch it.

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WinkyNurdo t1_iy6n8xm wrote

It’s one emotional sucker punch after another. But so beautifully animated!

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allbetsareon t1_iy8rpag wrote

It’s been a while since I watched. Ending is what really got me. Kid was eating rocks thinking it was candy. I expected some type of silver lining but it never came.

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Karl_Agathon t1_iy95ouf wrote

> It’s an absolute masterpiece of a movie, but not one I will ever watch again.

Yep, saw it something like 20 years ago and that last sentence perfectly encapsulates my feelings about it.

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Jennieeffin12 t1_iy9ihxz wrote

I saw this film alone about 21 years ago while my boyfriend at the time was at away at work. After picking my devastated, sobbing body off the floor I swore never to watch it again but, paradoxically, to recommend it to everyone I've ever met.

It is the most potent anti war film I've ever seen (I've not seen Come and See nor do I think I want to, after this). It's also doubly devastating when you learn >!that it's a true story, essentially, except that the boy lives and is so wracked with survivor's guilt for the rest of his life that he makes this film and "kills himself." !<It's just...whoo.....never again.

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Interwebzking t1_iy738bl wrote

I watched it for the first time earlier this year with my SO and wow we both balled our eyes out. It’s one of my favourite movies ever and yet I might not watch it again for a long time. It’s just so sad. The way it builds up the relationship and their perseverance through all the hardships… only for life to keep beating them down. Truly tragic is the loss of innocence for this film.

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KeyP2021 t1_iy738oj wrote

I can't even hear the first few notes of the soundtrack without tearing up, truly a great movie that I suggested to people over the years but I will never watch it again.

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fullcreamy t1_iy7wxjz wrote

Top 3 saddest movies I've ever seen, will only watch this one once for sure.

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plaxnor t1_iy870vd wrote

watched it over 20 years ago and will never watch it again. especially now that i have kids of my own.

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sgmctabnxjs t1_iy87skt wrote

My son's school's film club (run by students) chose to show it.

I think it appeals to people because you absolutely feel the humanity of the situation.

But like so many in every thread that discusses this, I don't feel I can watch it again. Maybe I should, though. The time I watched it my family were all away, and I had flu, was feeling really ill, lying on the sofa alone in an empty house. Hoo boy. Hold your loved ones close.

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Unlikely_Layer_2268 t1_iy89hrj wrote

Thank you for the spoiler tag

I have a physical copy. I haven’t seen it yet. Still working myself up for it

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Ok-Tennis-7701 t1_iya4m03 wrote

I never had the courage to watch it, but I had the same kind of experience with « Never let me go ». I cried and sobbed for an hour after that. Although I know it was a good movie, I never could convince myself to watch it again. One should be careful because such impactful pieces can really fuck one up - especially if one deals with mental health issues.

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