this film prove without any doubt that animation isn not just suit to tale of fantasy and sci fi or cartoon comedy and violence . this absolutely heartbreaking japanese anime tell the story of a young boy and seito and his younger sister and setsuko and a they attempt to survive the american bombing on japan in the last year of world war ii . the story itself and base on a true story and be powerful enough but the decision to animate the film truly elevate this film to a high level . this would have be a powerful enough live action drama and along the line of spielberg empire of the sun or even schindler list . however and the studio ghibli team and have bring an extraordinary amount of life to all the character and but especially the young sibling . now be not talk realism a such here the character be in no way photo realistic and they do have the usual characteristic of japanese anime human and large eye and exaggerated expression . what this achieve however be a heightened level of subtle nuance in expression which be arguably more powerful and provocative than anything a real life actor may achieve . some may claim this be overly manipulative or sentimental and but couple with the character movement and action and it give the character such a strong and and very human and presence . you truly care for these kid and which be an astonishing achievement . the voice cast ( original japanese ) contribute significantly here also . it be the tiny moment which give this film so much power and emotional depth from subtle expression to brief scene show seito play with his sister at bath time and attempting and unsuccessfully and to cheer her up when she miss her mother . the painted background be work of art in themselves and just beautiful . and of course the scene with the firefly bring a touch of pure magic a heighten innocent reality to contrast the horrific reality of the war . the great achievement of this film be that and apart from a couple of obviously sentimental scene and such a setsuko sobbing or illness and it doesn not force any false emotion on the viewer . it really come from your involvement with the character . it completely honest to it own story and even cut off scene abruptly and which could potentially have be milk for cheap sentiment . it often seem to say this be what happen and you do not need to see anymore . another of it strengths be that it really doesn not comment on the politics of the war in any way and just the effect on innocent people . this be an intensely move film and a masterpiece of animation . if you aren not move by these character and you really need to check your pulse . positive .