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Legitimacy Of Anime

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Legitimacy of Anime Although Japanese cartoons, known as anime, are not live action films, they are a legitimate form of art, specifically film. Anime films contain themes relevant to societal issues, which is depicted in compelling, riveting ways not obtainable through live action films, which touches the audience. The film Graves of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata in 1988, is a prime example of an anime film that provokes thought and compels emotion. Graves of the Fireflies is an animated adaption of a semi-autobiographical short story by the same name, written by Akiyuki Nosaka in 1967. The movie is set in Kobe, Japan during the latter stages of World War II and follows a brother and sister as the struggle to survive trying to scavenge. The opening scene takes place a month after Japan surrendered to the United States in World War II. The protagonist, Seita, a teenage son of a naval officer, is dying of malnourishment in a subway concourse as people walk by him and look down on him for being homeless and raggedy. Early in the film we can see the lack of sympathy from bystanders. The protagonist dies that night and in spirit reunites with his sister, Setsuko, as the scene ends fireflies surround the siblings. The following scene depicts American bombers headed to hit a target, the target happens to be Seita’s hometown of Kobe Japan. Seita is in charge of securing the house and taking his sister with him to the bomb shelter, for his mother suffers from a heart

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