Grave of the Fireflies

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Grave of the Fireflies

1988

1h 28m

Drama

War

Anime

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100%

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47 Reviews

95%

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50,000+ Ratings

A teenager (J. Robert Spencer) is charged with the care of his younger sister (Rhoda Chrosite) after an Allied firebombing during World War II destroys their home and kills their mother.

Critics Consensus

An achingly sad anti-war film, Grave of the Fireflies is one of Studio Ghibli's most profoundly beautiful, haunting works.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

It’s one thing to have a film really sadden you, but I also found it sublime in its beauty... [Setsuko and Seita's] happiness together is transcendent.

Rated: 5/5

Dec 7, 2022

Full Review

Glenn Kenny

New York Times

One of the most startling and moving animated films ever.

Jan 3, 2019

Full Review

Chris Cabin

Slant Magazine

Isao Takahata makes survival the thematic core of the story, but he never degrades his characters or fetishizes their suffering.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 30, 2018

Full Review

Sebastian Zavala Kahn

Me gusta el cine

“Grave of the Fireflies” is simply a work of art; a film that, more than thirty-five years ago, demonstrated that animation can be used to tell mature, bloody, emotional, tragic, believable and very human stories. [Full review in Spanish].

Rated: 5/5

Feb 5, 2025

Full Review

Denise Pieniazek

EscribiendoCine

It is a moving piece in front of which the public cannot remain indifferent, the story enunciates with warmth and raw honesty, the consequences of war on childhood and its irreversible consequences and how the adults seem to be absent...

Rated: 8.5/10

Feb 1, 2025

Full Review

Carson Timar

ClapperCast

The film has so much to say not just about war and death but also about pride. This is an incredibly worthy film that is a unique piece of Studio Ghibli's filmography.

Mar 26, 2024

Full Review

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Bahaa a

Lost for words just broke me more knowing it's inspired of a real picture for a kid holding his sister on his back knowing she's dead 😓.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/29/25

Full Review

Michael S

I am disturbed, and that's ok, I feel like more of a human for watching this movie. Will stay with me for ever.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/28/25

Full Review

Roberto T

To me, this anime is possibly the very best animated movie ever. Only Bambi compares.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/26/25

Full Review

Sam R

This movie is amazing, and seriously that sequence of Setusko over that beautiful opera song had me all in my feels. I recommend all you Ghibli fans out there to watch this

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/20/25

Full Review

Leprechaun K

Excellent anime about the horrors of wars. Traumatized with 1st watch. Took at least a couple of decades before working up the courage to revisit it. One of the saddest movies around.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/01/25

Full Review

Gawesha K

Heartbreaking story all times

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/25

Full Review

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Isao Takahata

Director

J. Robert Spencer

Seita

Rhoda Chrosite

Setsuko

Amy Jones

Aunt

Kathleen McInerney

Mother

Isao Takahata

Screenwriter

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Synopsis

A teenager (J. Robert Spencer) is charged with the care of his younger sister (Rhoda Chrosite) after an Allied firebombing during World War II destroys their home and kills their mother.

Director: Isao Takahata
Screenwriter: Isao Takahata
Genre: Drama, War, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 11, 2017
Runtime: 1h 28m