Hadashi no Gen (1983)

A powerful statement against war, Barefoot Gen is a disturbing story about the effect of the atomic bomb on a boy's life and the lives of the Japanese people.

Director:

Mori Masaki

Writer:

Keiji Nakazawa (manga)

Stars:

Issei Miyazaki, Catherine Battistone, Yoshie Shimamura

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Issei Miyazaki	...	Gen (voice)
Catherine Battistone	...	Gen (1995) (voice)
Yoshie Shimamura	...	Kimie (voice)
Iona Morris	...	Kimie (1995) (voice)
Masaki Kôda	...	Shinji / Ryuta (voice)
Brianne Brozey	...	Shinji (1995) (voice) (as Brianne Siddal)
Barbara Goodson	...	Ryuta (1995) (voice)
Takao Inoue	...	Daikichi (voice)
Kirk Thornton	...	Daikichi (1995) (voice) (as Kurk Thornton)
Seiko Nakano	...	Eiko (voice)
Wendee Lee	...	Eiko (1995) (voice)
Takeshi Aono	...	Eizo (voice)
Michael McConnohie	...	Eizo / Bully / Doctor / Easerly / Milk / Soup / Yama (1995) (voice) (as Amike McConnohie)
Katsuji Mori	...	Seiji (voice)
Dan Woren	...	Seijo / Banzai / Bullied / Enola (1995) (voice)

Storyline

Gen and his family are living in Hiroshima as Japan nears the end of World War II. Gen's father has come to believe that the war is unwinnable, thus earning the wrath of the town officials and, in turn, discrimination from the rest of their neighbors. Shunned by the local merchants and tradesmen, food becomes scarce for Gen and his family. All these concerns soon pale, however, as the American military begins its final assault on Japan with the unleashing of its terrible new weapon.

---

Plot Keywords:

based on manga | gouging | glass shard | airplane | air force | 

---

Taglines:

The Bombing Of Hiroshima As Seen Through The Eyes Of A Boy.

---

Genres:

Animation | Biography | Drama | History | War

---

Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese English

Release Date:

13 June 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Barefoot Gen

Company Credits

Production Co:

Madhouse, Gen Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was part of a 1980s cycle of films about atomic bombs and nuclear warfare which had started in 1979 with The China Syndrome (1979). The films included Silkwood (1983), Testament (1983), Threads (1984), WarGames (1983), The Day After (1983), The Atomic Cafe (1982), The Manhattan Project (1986), Whoops Apocalypse (1982), Special Bulletin (1983), Ground Zero (1987), Barefoot Gen (Hadashi no Gen (1983)), Rules of Engagement (1989), When the Wind Blows (1986), Letters from a Dead Man (Pisma myortvogo cheloveka (1986)), Memoirs of a Survivor (1981) and The Chain Reaction (1980).

---

Goofs

When the boys are about to abandon Seiji, his hands are bare and his feet only partly bandaged. By the end of the scene, seconds later, his extremities are fully covered.

---

Quotes

Kimie Nakaoka: [desperately looking for someone to feed her baby] Please, isn't there anybody who can help me with just a little milk? My baby's starving.

---

Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Ways Humans May Cause Their Own Extinction (2017)

User Reviews

Is it just war and is this just an animation!?

I'll admit that there were moments throughout this movie that really did move me and I'm sure they'll be many for you too.

I was stuck between the cloaked jovial and optimistic nature that it began with, based on the characters it centered on, even though being fully aware I was an watching an anime/film and also it's unnerving character study of sorts.

What's you'll see in "Barefoot Gen" is a frightful though provoking tale,of an event never to be forgotten, that occurred at 8:15 am on an August morning in 1945, as one of the many concluding and devastating catastrophes of WWII.

I didn't know whether to laugh at moments, or to go with my gut instincts and be stricken with awe, by the poignant portrayal,depicted before me,of the lives the Japanese "PEOPLE" had lived before and after the atomic bomb hit Hiroshima.

I say "PEOPLE" because what were dealing with,in this interpretation of the events,is simply that;everyday people, normal human beings, like you and me, who were just powerless to decisions made by their corrupt government officials, trying to satisfy their insatiable appetites of greed and power.

The political context, when such a historical event is retold, can not be escaped.However, I don't see this as an anti-war story and Japan was not completely innocent, but no innocent person, man, woman, or child, should have to suffer for the wrong doings of a country they have no power over and to then share the blame when they themselves are blameless, is quite simply a human rights violation.

I think the film shows the power of the human spirit, however clichéd that may sound, but I think it is true.When all hope is literally gone, what else have you got to rely on, but your own self will,or the love you have for others to see you all through, to a better day.

That's what I think you'll get from "Barefoot Gen".The story of a young boy whose loses half of his family, due to this horrific disaster and how he copes with it.Pushed on by his hunger for food and the love for his mother, with expectant baby sister due.

Overall, this a wonderfully moving anime,full of wisdom,drama and light hearted moments that is good for a one time watch.However, return viewings would be a must for teaching younger generations to come, in a colourful and engaging way, the depravity of humanity at times and the strength of will we all must have to help eradicate it.