Poster of Grave of the Fireflies

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

火垂るの墓

Why do fireflies have to die so soon?

1988-04-16 · Animation, Drama, War · 89 min

★ 8.4 (6951 votes)

Directed by Isao Takahata

Overview

In the final months of World War II, 14-year-old Seita and his sister Setsuko are orphaned when their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan. After a falling out with their aunt, they move into an abandoned bomb shelter. With no surviving relatives and their emergency rations depleted, Seita and Setsuko struggle to survive.

Cast

  • Tsutomu Tatsumi Tsutomu Tatsumi Seita (voice)
  • Ayano Shiraishi Ayano Shiraishi Setsuko (voice)
  • Yoshiko Shinohara Yoshiko Shinohara Mother (voice)
  • Akemi Yamaguchi Auntie (voice)
  • Masayo Sakai Woman who takes care of Setsuko (voice)
  • Kozo Hashida Obayashi Chairman (voice)
  • Kazumi Nozaki Cousin (voice)
  • Yoshio Matsuoka Gosaku (voice)
  • Masahiro Kanetake Aunt's House Guest (voice)
  • Kiyoshi Yanagawa Patrolman (voice)
  • Hajime Maki Man who arrests Seita (voice)
  • Atsuo Omotem Person in Bank (voice)
  • Teruhisa Harita Station Worker (voice)
  • Hiroshi Tanaka Hiroshi Tanaka Person in Bank (voice)
  • Michio Denpo Station Worker / Doctor (voice)
  • Shiro Tamaki Person in Bank (voice)
  • Mika Sekita Nurse (voice)
  • Kyoko Moriwaki Kyoko Moriwaki (voice)

Crew

Director
Isao Takahata
Director of Photography
Nobuo Koyama
Editor
Takeshi Seyama
Original Music Composer
Michio Mamiya
Producer
Tooru Hara
Screenplay
Isao Takahata

Details

Budget
$3,700,000
Revenue
$4,979,495
Homepage
https://gkids.com/films/grave-of-the-fireflies
IMDb
tt0095327
TMDB
12477

Keywords

  • adult animation
  • anime
  • anti war
  • brother sister 
  • children in wartime
  • hunger
  • hyōgo, japan
  • orphan siblings
  • pacific theater
  • semi autobiographical
  • shelter
  • sibling relationship
  • struggle for survival
  • wartime
  • world war ii

Videos

Reviews

CinemaSerf · ★ 7 · 2026-10-31

When teenage "Seita" finds himself responsible for his four year old sister "Setsuko" after a WWII bombing raid reduced their home to rubble and separated them from their mother, he finds quickly that survival is going to be very difficult. Initially, they can seek refuge with their aunt but that doesn't quite work out and despite the risks he decides that the pair are better off trying to make it on their own. With much of their wooden-structured surroundings now splinters and with the population largely forced into a degree of existence-based introspection, it's going to prove tough for him to keep them both safe. What, realistically, are their chances? This is certainly one of the most touching stories I've ever seen committed to film and the style of the sympathetically-paced animation using often quite faded and muted tones helps convey a message of hope in the face of what has to be very limited expectation. Moreover, this film doesn't attempt to rose-tint their struggle not does it shy away from illustrating the mortality of it's characters living under the threat of those great metal beasts menacingly and noisily flying overhead dropping their bombs. It's not without it's moments of levity and joy, too, but for the most part it's a fairly damning indictment of the effects of war that might just bring a tear to the eye.

Alunauwie · ★ 10 · 2025-09-30

Grave of the Fireflies masterfully portrays the human cost of war through a deeply emotional and well-structured narrative. With powerful animation, moving performances, and a haunting soundtrack, the film delivers a timeless and heart-wrenching message about loss, survival, and humanity. It's a must-watch war film that emphasizes empathy over action. Read the full review here: (Indonesian version : alunauwie.com) and (English version : uwiepuspita.com)

sykobanana · ★ 10 · 2020-05-17

This was the first animated movie that made me cry as an adult. It still does. Two children are left as orphans in World War 2 and have to survive. Such a basic premise, but this shows intimately what the effects of war are on children (a topic not covered by other movies). And as it's about children, it has more of an emotional impact. Described as one of the greatest war movies of all time by Roger Ebert, the work of art will impact you like no other anime. Its interesting to note that this was released originally with My Neighbour Totoro. Both are films about childhood. But where Totoro is about innocence maintained and the joy of childhood, **Fireflies is innocence lost**, a light dimmed after a short period.

Andres Gomez · ★ 9 · 2013-01-04

The terrible story of two orphaned Japanese kids during the ending of WWII. Incredibly well told and totally moving, without using clichés. A must seen in the anime arena.

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