Steve Reviews: Barefoot Gen 2

Following 3 years onwards from the Hiroshima bombing, Gen and his family are trying to rebuild their lives from the war. You'd think with the war over life would start getting easier, but that couldn't be further from the truth. As not only is the city still left in ruins, but new threats begin to emerge.

Music:

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[Constellaphile]

I think these kids made songs that sounded cheery out of their trauma as a way to cope. It's something many people who have been through traumatic events do to try and make light of the situation in order to emotionally handle the pain. It's especially going to be common with these children considering they don't really have any adults to turn to.

[dawsonfradin]

A lot of the emotional whiplash and the jolly "dark" nature of the kids is something I find neat. My grandparents were kids in Korea when the communists invaded. They remember losing family, watching their villages burn, and the third world conditions they faced. Despite that, there is a strange sense of nostalgia when they talk about it. They talk about playing with loose ammunition, yelling at soldiers, and begging for candy. I suppose its a childs way of processing the difficulties. I think the movie did a good job in that way.

[Mein-Darth]

"I think the teacher should reconsider his facial hair." Unexpected lmao moment.

[astrowolvez]

I think the humor is also there to remind people that these are children. Children would laugh at moments that for many would be serious. Kids would have moments of joy during bleak periods.

[SaturnGrl]

I think the main issues with the constructive criticism is, this story is based on the Author's life. Saying his mother should have died at a certain point didn't fit with what happened in his life. Its not just a story made up for entertainment, its a story based on the life experiences of the creator. While the points made could have made a better told story for entertainment or drama, it doesn't mirror what happens in real life.

[cellytron]

Yeah, I definitely can’t fault Gen for reverting to childhood when he finds out his mother is dying. I think it happens to everyone, no matter how old they are

[baryardeni]

I had a feeling you’ll eventually cover this one day. 
After the horrific events of the first film, we see that nobody returned to be what they used to be. It sure shows that even after a war ends, the impact remains. People still lost so many things important to them. Family, home, body parts. It’s something that you unfortunately can’t get rid off. Wars change you, and you can’t comeback from these changes, no matter how you try. It’s something that nobody of us want, and we should indeed make sure to never reach to such horrible times and rock bottom of humanity ever again.

[aboutashow]

I think Gen's rushed resolution to keep going is a reflection of Japanese gaman culture. Giving that cultural context, it makes sense why the movie ended this way

[silashurd]

WAIT: there’s a sequel?! Well who knew? Steve did! This, as always, will be interesting

[FlavioCrusiGrisari]

About you wanting Masa to die at the end and Gen taking over as the leader: I've read that in the manga, Masa ACTUALLY betray Gen later on, as it was revealed that the former is a Yakuza member. So yeah, he did in fact led the street gang after all

[reganstormtail]

Our library has the manga. Very much worth the read. Also makes the plot lines make sense. It is semi- autobiographical, as the mangaka was also a child survivor of Hiroshima.

[antonking]

The extremes that they went with the characters to bring them momentarily out of trauma seems beautiful. Realistic even.

[connorthompson]

I’m glad you covered this, because this sort of subject is very important. If you haven’t read the manga, I highly recommend it. I’ve only read parts, but I think the girl with the scars eventually gets a bigger role. In fact, I wish the movies had been able to continue, and cover the rest of the story from the manga.

[gnomeknight]

It’s not a movie but “now and then here and there” is a wild ride.

[TheCommenterDragon]

In my opinion, The sequel isn't as good as the first one. But it is an interesting take on what life in Hiroshima was like after the atomic bombings happened, Because the aftermath of the incidents especially years later were a perfect example of what living in an apocalytic setting would be like.

[AnimationBliss]

Wow. I didn't know that Barefoot Gen even had a sequel, until you reviewed it!

[moonwave]

When the mom wasn’t there when they had the beef I was already ready to cry.
These movies are amazing and the most sad thing every. Like the movie didn’t need to re- traumatized us

[MichaelMorbiusever]

I'm glad that you've finally reviewed the sequel!

[LegoCookieDoggie]

In east Asia it’s very common for kids to sleep by their parents esp when she’s dying. It’s again a reversion back to child like ness

[Xophistos]

i watched your original barefoot gen video years ago and just got around to watching it this year. then you hit me with a sequel.