Hibakusha

I wasn't expecting an animated short to make me feel this much, but here we are. The story follows Kaz Suyeishi, a Hiroshima survivor, and man... the way it tells her experience is just stunning. The animation is simple but powerful, and the way they show the flashbacks along with her narration really makes you feel like you're right there.

What I really love about this film is how it respects the history. Like, they didn't make it all dramatic just for the sake of it. It's just raw, emotional, and real. And it's crazy how stuff like this isn't talked about more. The message sticks with you long after it ends. It's not just about the past, it's about making sure we never let something like this happen again.

Steve Nguyen and Studio APA did an amazing job bringing this story to life. It's short, but it leaves an impact. If you haven't seen it yet, do yourself a favor and watch it. Just be ready to feel something.

Kudos to Choz and Steve for making this film because the story needed to be told in some form! I was fortunate to see this film come into its development stage to what it is now. The story of the Hiroshima bombing has been told several different ways, but none like this. In a graphic novel/film noir type setting, the guys at Studio APA took a completely serious subject matter and transformed it into a work of art.If you have no prior or existing knowledge of the history that took place in Japan during the end of World War 2, Hibakusha does a great job retelling the story that doesn't make it seem like a boring history lesson. Kaz Suyeishi (the lady that the film is based on) goes through an intense journey to find the strength to move past the horrible events that have taken place after the surprise bombing. After this film is over, you will have a deeper opinion of the issues that surround the discussion of right/wrong.

Steve Nguyen and Choz Belen's Hibakusha (2012) is not just an animated short; it's a deeply moving and visually poetic retelling of one of the most harrowing events in human history. Based on the true story of Kaz Suyeishi, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, the film transports us into the raw and heartbreaking experience of those who lived through the unimaginable.

What makes Hibakusha so powerful is its ability to capture the emotional weight of history through animation. The storytelling is delicate yet devastating, blending dreamlike visuals with painful realism. Instead of relying on shock value, the film draws its power from subtlety, through haunting imagery, the innocence of childhood, and the gradual realization of catastrophe. The choice to animate this story rather than using live-action makes it even more impactful; it allows the film to visually depict memories, trauma, and emotions in ways that feel almost otherworldly, yet deeply human.

Kaz Suyeishi's story is told with such care and reverence that it's impossible not to feel her pain, resilience, and hope. Her voice echoes beyond the film, serving as both a testament to survival and a warning against the horrors of nuclear war. The film's sound design and score add an extra layer of poignancy, immersing the viewer in a surreal yet deeply personal journey.

One of the greatest strengths of Hibakusha is its ability to make history personal. Many of us have learned about Hiroshima through textbooks and documentaries, but this film takes us beyond statistics and into the heart of a survivor. It forces us to confront the reality of war, not through political discussions or military strategy, but through the eyes of a young girl who had her entire world shattered in an instant.

At just under 45 minutes, Hibakusha manages to be more powerful than many feature length films. This is not just a film; it's a piece of history, art, and advocacy wrapped into one. I highly recommend it to anyone who values meaningful cinema, historical awareness, or simply a beautifully crafted narrative.

10/10 A necessary masterpiece.

Hibakusha blew me away. As someone who didn't know much about the personal stories of atomic bomb survivors, this movie gave me a whole new perspective on that tragic moment in history. The way they brought Kaz Suyeishi's story to life was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. The film does an incredible job of balancing the horrific aftermath of the bombing with the resilience of the people who lived through it. The voice actors did an amazing job. Every emotion felt raw and real. James Bak, Yuan-Kwan Chan, and Karin Anna Cheung gave such powerful performances that it made me connect deeply with the characters. The pacing was perfect, and I was hooked from start to finish. What I really appreciated was how the film didn't just focus on the negative side of war but also showed the strength of the human spirit. This movie made me reflect on how history shapes the present, and it's one I won't forget anytime soon. It's a mustwatch, for sure.