War, Peace and Pop Culture

Time of India

05-06-2025

picture credits - Battle.net
What happens when the struggle for political supremacy between two nations ends up becoming the life of a commoner? In some cases, it brings out the worst in people, whereas in others, it destroys their hopes for a better future. Some of the greatest animated works ever created stem from a single, haunting question, 'What are the effects of war on those who had no part in it?' It is time for the world to decide whether they would fight for power or for peace.
War Through the Eyes of Animation
From post-war trauma to modern-day globalisation, animation has come a long way. Once introduced as a gateway to fantasy and child-centric entertainment, animation has now evolved into a medium for social commentary, cultural reflection and emotional depth. Animated masterpieces like One Piece, Naruto, Grave of the Fireflies, and even video games such as Warcraft and Wolfenstein have at times offered rich narratives into the impact of war.
image credits - Studio Ghibli
by Taboola
by Taboola
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Case Studies: Fireflies, Pirates, and Pain
Back in 1988, when Studio Ghibli was a relatively new entity, it gave us Grave of the Fireflies. Set against the backdrop of the brutal Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombings during World War II, the film explores the lives of a young war-orphaned duo navigating life with whatever sliver of hope they can find just to keep their heads above water. Throughout this film, we experience different stages of emotions, including grief, betrayal, trauma, loss and apathy.
Between 2014 and 2016, One Piece aired one of its greatest storylines, Dressrosa Arc, with primary antagonist Donquixote Doflamingo. A high-borne noble, forced to the life of common folk due to a decision made by his father. He was shown guilty of many crimes, such as forcing slavery, fratricide, trafficking, attempted genocide, mass murder and usurpation, among many others. While it is difficult to appreciate someone like him, one of his quotes struck a universal chord. 'Kids who have never seen peace and kids who have never seen war have different values!'
Img credits - Eichiro Oda/One Piece anime/Toei Animation
Naruto, another highly appreciated anime, once brought to life what can be called as the 'physical embodiment of one's true pain.' One of the most intimidating villains in the history of fantasy entertainment, Pain was one of the three war-orphaned kids barely surviving in a desolate land. Arguably Pain's motive was justifiable, but his actions weren't. While most of Pain's screentime was about sharing philosophical reflections about trauma, sacrifice and loss, there are some that truly stand out. 'No matter how pathetic the reason, it's enough to start a war,' indicating that the leaders don't always need a reason to send their men to die for them.
'Those who do not understand true pain can never understand true peace,' echoing Doflamingo's quote on acceptance, 'If you don't share someone's pain, you can never understand them,' indeed.
Img credits - Masashi Kishimoto/Naruto Anime/Pierrot and Aniplex
What Pop Culture Teaches Us About Peace
Animation is no longer confined to childhood nostalgia or niche fandoms. It's a living, evolving reflection of our collective hopes, traumas, and curiosities. Whether it's a war film like
Grave of the Fireflies
or the swashbuckling, freedom-loving world of
One Piece
, these stories have not only depicted pop culture but have become pillars of it.
The only thing we win from a war is orphans and the only thing worth fighting for is peace. As Varian Wrynn, a protagonist from Blizzard Entertainment's popular video game series World of Warcraft, once said, 'Peace is the noblest aspiration. But to preserve it, you must be willing fight.'
Img credits - Battle.net/World of Warcraft/Blizzard Entertainment
As global conflicts continue to displace millions, perhaps it's time we listened more closely to the stories we consume, because in those animated worlds, the line between fantasy and reality often blurs, revealing who we really are. In a world increasingly defined by visual storytelling, perhaps animation is the truest mirror we have of who we are — and who we aspire to be.