Review

Start by asking the class to perform the following:

• Using your cell phones, find out how much damage was caused to Japan due to the dropping of two atomic bombs.
• Find out what countries maintain the largest arsenal of atomic weaponry. Which major countries have the least amount of atomic weapons?

Discussion

Separate the class into groups of 4-5 students, erring on the smaller size. Assign the following questions to the class and allocate 15-20 minutes for these small groups to discuss. As groups discuss these topics, move among groups and evaluate the content/quality of their discourse.

Discussion Questions

1. Spend a few minutes in your group discussing your opinion of Barefoot Gen. 
2. Where can you find representations of community and the in-group/out-group dynamic in the film?
3. In your opinion, what is the major theme of this movie?
4. Does the concept of "victim's history" apply to this movie?
5. Based upon the viewing of this film, what do you think Japan's stance on the war is now?
6. How can you compare and contrast Barefoot Gen with Grave of the Fireflies in the ultimate message to the viewer?

Now, have the small groups choose a single member to act as a representative of their micro-discussion. Then, give the groups 3 minutes to write a question for the class that relates to one of the previously discussed questions. During this time, go from group to group and check their question.  

Next, bring the group representatives to the front of the room or arrange all chairs in a circle to facilitate a class-wide discussion. At this point, the group representatives will take turns asking their questions to the class and seeking the other students’ opinions. Give full control of the discussion to the students at this point. The role of the instructor is to evaluate participation and the quality of the discourse. If at any time the students are wandering away from the main topics, interject and course correct them. The following Focal Points are important to cover:

• Barefoot Gen utilizes a large portion of the film to make the main characters sympathetic to the audience. Thus, when the bomb falls, their strife has a larger impact. This technique was not utilized in Grave of the Fireflies, since it begins with the revelation of the climax of the film.  
• The Nakaoka family are pariahs in their community due to their anti-war stance. Though it is not shown in the film, they are suffering more than most due of lack of food as their neighbors don't wish to associate or trade with them.
• Their neighbor, Boku Pak, is a Korean. As such, he receives similar discrimination from the community as the Nakaoka family. This is why he is one of the only people to assist them in their time of need as he sympathizes with their plight.
• The dropping of the bomb is marked by a dramatic change in animation style. Survey the class for their opinions on this change.
• Barefoot Gen is often seen as "less serious" due to the simplified animation style and heavy Hiroshima accent of the characters. Barefoot Gen seeks to cover a gruesome topic while maintaining a visual connection to the source material.
• Community and the in-group/out-group dynamic can be seen very clearly in this film. Gen's family forms the strongest representation of the in-group. Even when it is sundered by the bomb, Gen ensures his family's best chance at survival by rebuilding it. The adoption of Ryuta, as a surrogate for the recently deceased Shinji, emphasizes this. Furthermore, the crazed woman, who breastfeeds infant Tomoko when Kimie cannot, also illustrates this concept. Gen and Ryuta support their own in-group, while supporting the community, by taking care of the injured painter. Unlike Grave of the Fireflies, where Seita only worked to support himself and Setsuko, Gen shows the initiative to help not only himself, but others as well. The audience is shown that this is the "correct" decision, as Gen survives and is hopeful at the end of the film while Seita and Setsuko perish.
• In terms of "victim's history," very little attention is paid to the Japanese aggression during the war.  Note, however, that the nationalist people in the film are shown in a negative light and a clear anti-war approach is taken by the main characters.  The story of the bomb in Japan is the ultimate representation of the "victim's history" and will become the most common theme in post-war narrative.
• The animation of the American soldiers who drop the bomb is different than any other style in the film.  This serves to reinforce their status as the "other."  Note, however, that they are portrayed neither positively nor negatively.  
• In start contrast to Grave of the Fireflies, Barefoot Gen expresses a message of peace and hope.  This is represented by the release of the boat at the end of the film. Additionally, the sprouting of the wheat and the hair on Gen's bald head also exemplify sparks of hope.  Whereas Grave of the Fireflies concludes with a melancholy message of remembrance, Barefoot Gen does so with an uplifting message despite the grave nature of the film.  
• Students interested in the further adventures of Gen and his family should be encouraged to read the English translation of the original comic.

Homework

Assign the following reading as a homework assignment.  Readings are available on repositories such as JSTOR:

“No More Words – Barefoot Gen, Grave of the Fireflies and ‘Victim’s History’.”  Susan J. Napier.  Anime from Akira to Princess Mononoke.  New York:  Palgrave, 2001, pp. 161-174.

Assign the following quiz. This quiz can either be assigned as a take-home open book test or given at the beginning of the next class period.  Correct answers are highlighted.

1.  What are the two most famous anime dramas about World War II?
 
a.  Barefoot Gen and Letters from Iwo Jima
b.  Barefoot Gen and Grave of the Fireflies
c.  Grave of the Fireflies and Letters from Iwo Jima
d.  Grave of the Fireflies and Tora! Tora! Tora!
 
 
2.  The term "__________" describes the Japanese people as helpless subjects of a corrupt and evil conspiracy between their government and military.
 
a.  Pacific suffering
b.  nationalist leaning
c.  victim’s history
d.  mie
 
 
3.  In contrast to Grave of the Fireflies, one of the themes in Barefoot Gen is ___________.
 
a.  nationalism
b.  death and rebirth
c.  living in constant fear
d.  hopefulness in adversity
 
 
4.  What is the name of the American bomber that delivered the atomic bomb to Hiroshima?
 
a.  Enola Gay
b.  Fat Man
c.  Little Boy
d.  Washington B-29
 
 
5.  What city is the setting for Barefoot Gen?
 
a.  Hiroshima
b.  Nagasaki
c.  Tokyo
d.  Kobe


Download a printable PDF version of this quiz here.

Prepare

In preparation for the next class, assign the viewing of Godzilla.