Reference
A Japanese boy cares for his little sister when their mother is lost in a Tokyo bombing during World War II. Once their mother dies, a mean aunt takes the two children in but then lets them leave as she is tired of caring for them. The boy’s father is on a ship that is part of the Imperial Army fleet and does not reply to any of his letters. The content is heavy and some of the scenes of sick or dead bodies and sickness from malnourishment are graphic and harsh for elementary school age children. In the end, everyone in the boy’s family dies. Although it is an animated movie, I would not watch it in school with my fourth and fifth graders, but maybe with my more mature sixth-grade students, with plans for heavy discussion during viewing breaks. This movie would be good for middle or high school students and allow for much discussion on multiple topics that could be taken from this movie including air raids, rationing, war-time hospital care, guilt, Japanese military, family honor and tradition, and failing to meet expectations. This DVD is accompanied by a Bonus DVD with interesting interviews and commentary that give more insight into the history.
