I’ve seen emotional films before and I’m always fine, but this anime movie night made me realise that there is that kind of emotional film that catches you off guard. The kind that lingers longer after the movie ends. So, here I am, four days later, still feeling the weight.
So, there I was, sprawling on the floor, popcorns on my side, ready for an anime night with friends. We began with “Your Name,” a story of love and fate. Two souls across time and space find each other.
Then “Weathering with You,” a story of love amid a rainy world.
“Akira” followed, and my first thoughts were, havoc and chaos!
In all these, I was emotionally in control. I had heard the warnings,
“Grave of The Fireflies, noooooooo. It’s depressing. Sadness only. Please don’t torture anyone with it.”
But I thought it’s just an exaggeration. How sad could it really be? I knew it was claimed to be emotionally heavy, but I had no idea what exactly I was getting myself into. Tears! I did not expect them! I did not. I mean who cries over animated movies?
But when it ended, I realized that the devastation I was going through wouldn’t end anytime soon. The story of Seita and his little sister Setsuko struggling to survive in the war, was raw, painful and brutal. The sorrow, the loss… I felt it.
Writing this my eyes still feel heavy, it’s not just an anime, it’s the innocence it presents, the futile efforts of Seita to protect Setsuko. Her innocence…
I couldn’t watch “Death Note,” after this, I was emotionally unavailable and too drained that the only thing I needed was the cold wind to blow up my face and have these tears stop. Its a story that haunts your soul and tortures you in the worst way.
I prefer never to watch it again. No! Thank you! I’d rather rewatch ‘Your Name’ ten times more than experience torture again. But unfortunately, I find myself longing to hear Setsuko’s voice, see her innocent face once more. I want to remember her laughter without weeping. The pain it carries is too much, but despite all, without doubt, I’ll crown it the best film I’ve watched in my 21 years of living. It’s that beautiful painting you want to see again, but scared of what it will do to you.
Grave of the Fireflies is not easy to watch, but a must watch. If you haven’t watched it, it’s going to rip your heart out and you’re going to love it.
Speaking of great films… we’re doing this again. Join us every last Saturday of the month for the Sisi Film Collective movie night.
Lastly don’t forget to join the collective.