The transience of life This is an animated film inspired by the autobiographical book “The Tomb of the Fireflies” by Nosaka Akiyuki, whose story takes place during wartime. The title says it all: “The Tomb of the Fireflies”. In Japanese culture, fireflies represent the souls of the dead and are a symbol of the transience of life. The beginning of the film is memorable and moving. I found the appearance of Setsuko’s spirit as the box of fruit candies (containing her bones) is thrown away to be a thing of beauty. I was seduced and moved by this moment of magic: lights flickering, they are fireflies in the darkness of…