grave of the fireflies

[NausicaaBoy]

it is without a doubt the finest anime of all time. the story tears at your heart, and the soundtrack can bring tears to your eyes. I think it deserves a flat 100. So what do you guys think is comperable in quality? Lets hear your thoughts?

[7Raven7]

I don't too openly admit it, but if I were to rate my anime movie collection from most enjoyable down, Grave of the Fireflies is by far my least favorite. (awaits flaming to commence.)

Now I am one of those who can still respect a movie even if I don't particullary enjoy it and I do so here, GotF is a Gibli and it shows in the animation and characteration. The "moving" story and the historical significance as well as the symbolism is a spot on match to the studio's portfolio of perfection as well.

However, the things that absolutely rub me the wrong way are 1.) when an anime reveals too much in the beginning like GotF is guilty of and 2.) the nihilistic demeanor that this movie treats the story and its characters; the lives of the two characters and the tragedy that befals them makes no difference and change nothing. That and the fact that every time I watch it the movie makes me sick to my stomach :p

[Jeannie]

Umm... okay I'll chew.

Nothing is 100%. That's what makes things great in today's world. Grave of the Fireflies is an outstanding move but it does have it's downfalls. I don't know a single person (and I would be shocked if I did) that can say "I loved that! Let's watch it again!".

For this reason alone I don't compare anime myself, I don't think there is any one anime that is comparable to quality (especially to GotF) simple because whatever I could compare it to wouldn't have been going for the same impact, story, character development, etc. that GotF was going for.


Mod Edit: Most of the post was fine, the added-on flaming was not ~Mana

[Niner]

Internet. Serious Business. yarly. Take a chill pill, everyone.

And yeah, it was about time for another Grave of the Fireflies thread, we haven't had one in a few months. Since it's late and I can't be arsed to formulate a coherent thought pattern, I'm just gonna say what I said last time. Nothing in my opinion's really changed since then, so it all still works.

"It's one of those movies you watch maybe twice. Once for yourself and again to show someone else. But beyond that... I don't know why anyone would want to subject themselves to such lachrymose cinema. It's a beautiful and moving film, to be sure, but it's definitely one of those things that you don't want to be watching very often at all, if ever again."

La.

[ant]

The fact that it is so hard to watch it more than once is a testement to its greatness. Even though it has been years since I have seen GotF it still moves me to this day. I probably will watch this movie again whenever I get one of them backbones, or when someone rips out my heart.

[A-R@D]

Grave of the Fireflies
Is it enjoyable? I think so
Is it entertaining? Most definatley
Is it happy? Most definatley not

I think most can agree that if you look at Grave of the Fireflies criticaly it is perhaps the most engrossing and entertaining anime movie that has been made. Whether one can enjoy it or not is entirely dependant on if you can a enjoy sad and downright depressing film. For me, I can enjoy and be entertained by a movie without the movie having to be positive.

If one looks to watch movies in order have an engrossing and entertaining experience I think one must be open to all emotions, including sadness in order for the experience to be as vivid as possible.

[NausicaaBoy]

I agree with everyone’s opinions and feelings that have been put forth in this thread. I would also like to point out that I agree with Jeannie ---> No anime is truly 100% perfect, because there will always be something to come along that is better. That is what keeps us as the viewers coming back for more.

A-R@D raises an excellent point. As with all art forms whether visual or otherwise, anime draws on human emotions to bring life to its characters, motifs, and worlds. In my opinion Grave of the Fireflies does ensnare the viewer’s emotions (at least mine, due to my apparent lack of backbone...*sigh*), and draws one into a truly engrossing and enthralling experience.


Responding now to Ant and Niner: I agree with both of you, the fact that this animated film can be so moving and create such a stir of emotions inside the viewer is the reason that is renowned as one of the best of all time. As such, it would be interesting to see if another film could be produced that depicted another emotions such as joy, or love, ergo we as viewers could debate whether or not a movie can have such depth without an element of sadness. (Don’t burn me alive yet).

I know there are many great movies based on motifs other than sadness. However, when one delves into art forms in general, the greatest or most famed to be great, all seem to revolve around the emotions surrounding sadness and grief. Agree or disagree?

[C0MPL3X]

I think all greatly depressing animes have elements of happiness and beauty in it. We feel so depressed because we see how their happiness and joy of being together has been lost by naive mind of one little boy, and his helplessly weak sister. Without seeing such happiness, how can we feel so depressed at the end? And I don't particularly see the movie as being nihilistic, the boy clearly had a choice and chose a wrong path to walk. It might have been the road to a bitter tragedy, but a stray dog is for me a much more interesting character than a tamed dog chained by his aunt's tyranny (oops Champloo reference), and willing to sacrifice his and his sister's happiness for more comfortable life. Of course we know they'll eventually become happier once the war was over, but he doesn't know that. Last scene might feel a bit nihilistic because he kind of no longer has a purpose, but remembering back to the beginning of the movie, director has them nice and cozy together as spirits under fireflies which is probably better than being bossed around by that bitch ass aunty.

[Mana]

I cleaned up the thread a bit, now let's keep it that way. People, please remember than that flaming and insults have no place on this forum. If you have a problem with someone, take it to PMs.

On Topic, I enjoyed GotF, and think it's review is pretty fair. It's not perfect, and, like Requiem for a Dream, something to be enjoyed on occasion, but not something to watch often.

[Scoot]

it is without a doubt the finest anime of all time. the story tears at your heart, and the soundtrack can bring tears to your eyes. I think it deserves a flat 100. So what do you guys think is comperable in quality? Lets hear your thoughts?

What story?


Kids' parents die. Kids act like spoilt brats and leave relatives. Kids die of starvation.


The soundtrack was really nothing special either - at no point did I feel the onset of wetness, and it left very little impression on me.

The film's strengths are the quality of design, the fluid animation, and the characterisation.

It is also a very powerful piece of anti-war propoganda, though in my opinion Now and Then, Here and There presents just as strong an image, whilst wrapping the message in a far more interesting and gripping storyline.

I do love the film, but I hardly consider it "the finest piece of anime" of all time.

[NausicaaBoy]

True the anti war message is a motif that makes GotF a classic <-------it will stay that way forever...as it has morals as relevant today, as when it was created, and as when the story set

[sohryu]

I'm sorry I cannot comment on the anime, as I have not seen it yet, but I would like to mention that...

What story? Kids' parents die. Kids act like spoilt brats and leave relatives. Kids die of starvation.
Spoiler tags are your friend, Scoot! >_<

[Scoot]

You are so right Sohryu, thanks for pointing that out - it has been fixed and my sincere apologies if I ruined the *ahem nonexistant* plot for anyone in the mean time ;)

[NausicaaBoy]

Well I think we have thoroughly discussed GOTF....So I thought maybe we should move on to Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind...

Do you guys like it? Besides the obvious environmental motifs and themes... Do you think it was as well done as It could have been?? Dunno ..just thought I would bring something new up

[C0MPL3X]

It blew one fat insect cock thats what I think, I suppose now you want to move onto SM fetish in Now and then here and there

[Mana]

Since the poster feels this thread has said what it needs to say, it will be closed.

If you want to talk about a specific anime, do so in the Anime forum. First, run a search to see if other threads have been made, and either post in that thread, or make a new thread accordingly. This forum is for discussion of reviews.

* Mana sighs. All my hard deletion work for naught...