Worth watching: 5 Japanese anime films about war and peace

War can have devastating impacts on people and societies and have lasting consequences. In Japan’s case, World War II was the most impactful conflict in its modern history, having profound effects on the country’s development in the decades since.

This can be seen in entertainment and popular culture, with no shortage of films showing the war from the Japanese perspective. Some of anime movies such as Ghibli’s Grave of the Fireflies, are considered classics even overseas. Japanese animation has many moving stories that focus less on battles and more on the effects on ordinary citizens. Here are five Japanese anime films that portray the impact of the war, how Japanese people lived during this time and the lead-up to the war and its aftereffects.

In this Corner of the World (Kono sekai no katasumi ni, 2016)

Unlike other anime films about World War II, In this Corner of the World focuses less on battles or violence. It features the impact of the Pacific War on the lives of ordinary Japanese more. The film is primarily set in the port city of Kure, which is not far from Hiroshima City, in the years leading up to the atomic bombing. The main character Suzu adjusts to married life in Kure with a childhood friend. The effects of the war are shown more gradually, starting with food rationing. They then lead to air raids, with devastating consequences towards the end for both Suzu and her family. Yet despite the authentic tragedies experienced by Suzu, the film does its best to end on an upbeat and hopeful note.

Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, In this Corner of the World is available on both Japanese and overseas streaming services. An extended version going into more detail about a minor character’s story can also be seen. Additionally, the original manga has been released in English.

Barefoot Gen (Hadashi no Gen, 1983)

While In this Corner of the World focuses more on daily life during the war, Barefoot Gen does not hold back in showing the graphic and horrific death and destruction of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Barefoot Gen is based on the original manga’s author’s real experiences as a Hiroshima survivor.

The movie’s first half-hour does an excellent job of getting audiences to sympathize with Gen, a young boy living in Hiroshima. He and his family suffer through many of the same issues as Suzu in In this Corner of the World, such as food shortages and air raids. The story then shifts focus to the atomic bombing, and these scenes shine despite the disturbing and nightmarish imagery. Barefoot Gen shows the bombing victims in graphic detail during and after the act, including the effects of radiation on Hiroshima citizens who did not perish immediately.

Despite all the death, destruction and personal loss that he experiences, Gen remains incredibly optimistic. This contrast can be a bit difficult to accept at first, but it ends up being one of the movie’s biggest strengths. The viewer can’t help but cheer Gen on to overcome all the difficulties he faces.

Barefoot Gen can be watched on Japanese and overseas streaming services. Print versions of the original manga’s English translation are also available.

Barefoot Gen 2 (Hadashi no Gen 2, 1986)

Barefoot Gen’s sequel is notable for its detailed depiction of life in Hiroshima in the years after the bombing. The city has become a wasteland where people struggle to survive among the rebuilding efforts. Gen and his friends come up with various ways to get money and food, including stealing crops, shining shoes and selling scrap. With some work, they manage to build their own shelter and small community to support each other during these difficult times.

The sequel does an excellent job portraying post-bombing life, such as black markets and children attending school. It also goes into further detail about the effects of radiation, with tragic results for Gen and his family in particular. The movie also depicts discrimination against bombing victims and orphans. Furthermore, it shows the mixed feelings towards occupation soldiers, with some characters showing admiration or resentment.

Like the original film, Barefoot Gen 2 can also be seen on streaming and video rental services both in Japan and in other countries.

Be Fine Tomorrow: Half a Yam (Ashita genkini naare -Hanbun no satsumaimo-, 2005)

Like the Barefoot Gen films, Be Fine Tomorrow is a semi-autobiographical work based on experiences during World War II. It has similar story beats to In this Corner of the World and the Barefoot Gen movies, focusing on daily life during the war and the tragedies that ensue. The story structure is also similar in some ways. Kayoko is a young girl, and the first part of the film focuses on her life at her aunt’s home in the countryside where she was sent to as the war gradually ramped up.

After the brutal Tokyo Raids, Kayoko finds out she lost her family and home back in Tokyo. The story centers on the challenging life of her and her older brother, the only family survivor, as war orphans. Despite the terrible loss, the film also tries to end on an optimistic note for its main character.

Be Fine Tomorrow can be seen on video rental services. It is not available on internet streaming services, though physical releases of the film can easily be purchased in Japan.

The Wind Rises (Kaze Tachinu, 2013)

Ghibli’s most famous World War II film is, of course, Grave of the Fireflies, though the animation studio has touched upon the war in other movies to a lesser extent.

The Wind Rises is a biographical movie about Jiro Horikoshi, a famous Japanese engineer responsible for many of Japan’s airplane designs during the war. The subject matter may seem an odd choice for Hayao Miyazaki, who is known as a pacifist. However, the film does take a clear, if light, anti-war stance at certain points in the story, including characters outright condemning fighting and Germany and Japan’s actions.

Miyazaki seems more concerned about portraying his admiration for Horikoshi’s technical genius than anything else. The movie could better depict both this and the love story, which does not provide much of an impact. The Wind Rises does provide value to viewers in its portrayal of Japan in the decades leading up to the war.

The Wind Rises is not available on internet streaming services, though digital and physical releases of the film can easily be purchased in Japan and overseas.