Grave of the Fireflies

Why do fireflies have to die so soon?

8.4
19881h 29m

Production

Logo for Studio Ghibli

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.

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: Ghibli Fest 2025 Trailer [Subtitled]

Ghibli Fest 2025 Trailer [Subtitled]

Thumbnail for video: Official Netflix Trailer

Official Netflix Trailer

Thumbnail for video: Studio Ghibli Fest 2018 Trailer

Studio Ghibli Fest 2018 Trailer

Thumbnail for video: Clip: “You’re rich!” [Subtitled]

Clip: “You’re rich!” [Subtitled]

Thumbnail for video: Setsuko eats fruit drops. [Subtitled]

Setsuko eats fruit drops. [Subtitled]

Thumbnail for video: When they lost everything, all they kept was each other. [Subtitled]

When they lost everything, all they kept was each other. [Subtitled]

Thumbnail for video: Isao Takahata on Grave of The Fireflies (English Subtitled)

Isao Takahata on Grave of The Fireflies (English Subtitled)

Cast

Photo of Hiroshi Tanaka

Hiroshi Tanaka

Person in Bank (voice)

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Reviews

T

Andres Gomez

9/10

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.

S

sykobanana

10/10

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.

A

Alunauwie

10/10

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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