Grave of the Fireflies is an unrelenting, beautiful portrayal of the horrors of war and a child's loss of innocence, and is a huge tonal shift from my only other Studio Ghibli experience, My Neighbor Totoro.

The very first scene of the movie tells us this isn't going to end well and adds tension throughout the film as watch the boy try these noble, desperate acts to take care of his sister, knowing they're in vain. He tries his best, but in the end, he's still a child, too, and he tries to hide the war from his sister as best he can, for a while. It's shown in the little world they build for themselves in the shelter, a tiny kingdom hidden from the world. The girl retains that childlike innocence and grace until the end: always playing, dancing, with her brother, with her reflection. The film takes time to show these small moments of comfort.

The animation is stunning; every scene is beautifully rendered and the lighting adds immense depth to every sober moment. This is a film that will leave a deep and lasting impression on you between its excellent, complicated characters (side and tertiary characters included), skillfully directed scenes, and great respect for its source of inspiration. There's a reason Grave of the Fireflies is on so many "Best Movies Ever" lists, without even the caveat that it is animated. Take note: this movie is animated, but it is definitely not a children's movie.