In This Corner of the World (2016)

Based on the Japanese manga of the same name the animated film In This Corner of the World shows us something American audiences seldom if ever get to see, a depiction of daily civilian life in World War II era Japan. It is the story of Suzu, a young woman growing in Hiroshima in the 30's and 40's, so we know at the outset what all of this is building to. Suzu is a very sincere and sympathetic lead character, it's hard not to love her, and the supporting characters are a nice patch work portrait of her time and place. Beautifully and simply animated, at times very moving, In This Corner of the World shows what can be done with dramatic animated storytelling, something that seems to be done better overseas then in the states, sees also Persepolis and Mary and Max.  This film is so impressive that I watched it two nights in a row, something I almost never do. ****