Time moves on fast and now we are in August. August is often referred to as the month of Independence because it is the month where World War II ended and led to Indonesia’s independence. The greatest war in history that claimed the most lives was always remembered as the greatest conflict of mankind that must be avoided for the next generation, as illustrated in several anime recommendations themed the end of World War II.

In August, which is the independence month, Dunia Games would like to recommend several World War II-themed anime to enrich your knowledge. Here’s the list of World War II-themed anime that you can watch in August/

1. Battle of Surabaya

This cool animation made by Indonesians is one of the recommended anime about WOrld War II. MSV Studio from Yogyakarta worked on an anime movie entitled Battle of Surabaya which was released in 2015. As the title suggests, this anime is about the battle of Surabaya a few months after World War II ended and Indonesia proclaimed its independence.

The defeat of the Japanese who colonized Indonesia due to the Americans bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki made the Indonesian leaders Bung Karno and Bung Hatta declare independence on August 17, 1945. The surrender of Japan to the Allied troops in September made the British troops who were riding the Dutch NICA come to Indonesia to interfere with its independence.

The protagonist in this anime is Musa, a boy who delivers letters that contain a message hidden in the lyrics of keroncong songs. Yumna, a young Surabayan girl of Chinese descent who is voiced by popular actress and singer Maudy Ayunda, also joins the fight with Musa in the turbulence that is taking place in her city. 

The well-known actor Reza Rahadian also voices the character Danu, a young ex-military Defender of the Homeland or PETA who dares to fight the British army to protect the city and the people he loves. The battle that took the lives of 2 high-ranking officers at the level of a British general, the victor of World War II, took place in the city of Surabaya, where Indonesian fighters fought to the last drop of blood to defend their independence.

2. Grave of The Fireflies

Grave of The Fireflies or Hotaru no Haka is a legendary World War II-themed anime and succeeded in popularizing Studio Ghibli's fame. The suffering of children who are victims of war is shown in this anime that will surely make you feel frustrated. The deaths of the two protagonists was shown at the beginning of the story, but that’s why you will cry when watching their struggle.

Two siblings from Kobe, Japan suffered because of the Allied air raids which forced them to flee their homes, especially when their mother died of wounds from the bombing. The poverty and hunger that Japan suffered as a result of losing the war made their aunt throw the poor children out of her house.

Living in an artificial cave that looks like a former air raid shelter. Seita and Setsuko who are still struggling to live.one of the saddest scenes in this movie was when Seita found a canned candy filled with water so Setsuko can drink sweet water.

3. In This Corner of The World

This World War II-themed anime by Mappa Studio is recommended for those of you who like slice of life. This historical and slice of life anime is set in Hiroshima during World War II. The action scenes usually made by Mappa Studio are amazingly good, but this studio is also good at animating scenes that are calming, relaxing, and touching.

In This Corner of The World or Kono Sekai no Katasumi Ni was aired in theaters. This anime adapted from a manga with the same title by Fumiyo Kouno which was made in 2007 to 2009 and was made into animation in 2016 and it was so popular that it was made into a live-action in 2018.

This anime tells the story of Suzu Urano, a young woman who has a talent for illustration and painting. As an adult she married Shusaku who was 4 years older than her and worked as an officer in the Imperial Japanese Navy. After marriage she went to live with her new husband's family in Kure, Hiroshima and she enjoyed drawing warships that docked there, including the Yamato, the largest Battleship in history.

The conflict started when Japan was in the midst of World War II and the country finally lost. Hiroshima, which is one of the centers of Japanese military bases, was hit by the world's first atomic bomb from America.

Suzu lost her loved ones as well as her right hand, which was very precious to her. 9 days after the bombing, Suzu slowly begins to rise in the new Japan, for herself and those around her. Many good motivations can be obtained by watching anime about the struggle of life at the end of this war.

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4. Barefoot Gen

Barefoot Gen or Hadashi no Gen is an anime released in 1983, this anime shows the bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 in detail. 1945 was a time when all Japanese people were fooled by their own country's militarist government, which often spread false propaganda that Japan would win World War II.

All the Japanese people were asked to donate everything to the country as a war resource, but the peace-loving Nakaoka family was branded traitors by all the people around them. The Nakaoka family's friendship with their neighbor from Korea named Park Boku makes Gen Nakaoka and his parents make things worse and branded as unpatriotic.

The summer in August 1945 was really rough when the Enola Gay B-29 plane from America dropped the atomic bomb called Little Boy which instantly destroyed the entire Hiroshima. Barefooted Gen must fight for life and save his entire family who was crushed in his collapsed house due to the atomic bomb explosion, not to mention that his pregnant mother was about to give birth on that fateful day.

5. Ushiro no Shoumen Daare

Ushiro no Shoumen Daare or Who's Left Behind and Kayoko's Diary are recommended World War II-themed anime that focuses on the struggle of a girl in wartime. This anime is based on the true story of the creator Kayoko Ebina who grew up during World War II.

This anime was produced by Mushi Productions and first aired in March 1991, tells the story of Japan in 1940, there lived a cheerful girl Kayoko but she was also a crybaby. Kayoko is surrounded by good siblings, a loving mother and friends who love to play with her. But slowly all that excitement slowly faded as Japan lost various battles.

Inevitably Kayoko must learn to grow up and understand the causes and effects of a war, especially as it nears the end of World War II in 1945, where cities in Japan almost every day experience air attacks that threaten the safety of many civilians.

6. Giovanni’s Island

Giovanni no Shima is World War II-themed anime about the invasion and colonization of the Soviet Union in the Kuril Islands, northern Japan. In August 1945 Soviet troops came and occupied the island and set up their headquarters there. The protagonist's house was confiscated and made into the house of officers from the Soviet army so they have to live in the kitchen which doubles as a horse stable.

At school, Junpei and Kanta then meet Tanya, a Russian girl who turns out to be the daughter of the Soviet army commander. They also establish friendship, despite the many differences that occur between them, which reflects the peace of the two countries that previously fought each other.

Things got even more difficult when the entire population of the Kuril Islands was moved to Sakhalin Island in the west to be put to work in forced labor camps like the Gulags. Junpei and Kanta's desperate struggle through a snowstorm to meet their father who was captured by the Soviets was dramatic and moving.

That’s the list of the 6 World War II-themed anime that you can watch in this month of independence. Which one is the best anime? Share you answer in the comment section!

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