Japanese animation about war: Reflections on its ethical and aesthetic dimension based on Grave of the Fireflies

Abstract

One of the most ingrained stereotypes about anime fans is that of “immaturity”. In fact, it is thought that they watch Japanese animated series and films because they do not want to assume “adult responsibilities”, such as working or forming a family. Faced with these accusations that are interwoven with the assumption that “cartoons” are aimed at a child audience, these fans – known as “otaku”– point out that their consumptions are linked to certain “artistic enrichment” and “realism”, given the great aesthetic quality and the thematic narrative depth of some of the works considered canonical around topics such as death and war. Therefore, this essay will problematize the possible relations between cultural goods, commercial and animated, and ethical-political commitments, by analyzing Grave of the Fireflies (1988), directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli. According to fans, this is “one of the most beautiful and sad animated films of all time”. The critical analysis deployed here will be based on a dialogue among reflections on the tensions between artistic productions and cultural industries, updating literary and philosophical approaches that constitute the interdisciplinary field of communication in general terms. Likewise, it will take distance from reductionist approaches, from which the market could only be associated with vulgarization operations, in order to highlight the emancipatory potential of this type of animated works, in its double condition of merchandise and art.

Keywords: anime, arts, ethics.