Grave of the Fireflies

“Why do fireflies have to die so soon?”

8.4

1988

1h 29m

AnimationDramaWar

Director: Isao Takahata

Watch on Netflix

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.

Trailer

Ghibli Fest 2025 Trailer [Subtitled] Official

Cast

Seita (voice)

Tsutomu Tatsumi

Seita (voice)

Setsuko (voice)

Ayano Shiraishi

Setsuko (voice)

Mother (voice)

Yoshiko Shinohara

Mother (voice)

Auntie (voice)

Akemi Yamaguchi

Auntie (voice)

Woman who takes care of Setsuko (voice)

Masayo Sakai

Woman who takes care of Setsuko (voice)

Obayashi Chairman (voice)

Kozo Hashida

Obayashi Chairman (voice)

Cousin (voice)

Kazumi Nozaki

Cousin (voice)

Gosaku (voice)

Yoshio Matsuoka

Gosaku (voice)

Aunt's House Guest (voice)

Masahiro Kanetake

Aunt's House Guest (voice)

Patrolman (voice)

Kiyoshi Yanagawa

Patrolman (voice)

Man who arrests Seita (voice)

Hajime Maki

Man who arrests Seita (voice)

Person in Bank (voice)

Atsuo Omotem

Person in Bank (voice)

Reviews

Andres Gomez

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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sykobanana

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.

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Alunauwie

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)

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