Grave of the Fireflies

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Grave of the Fireflies

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1h 28m

Drama

War

Anime

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49 Reviews

95%

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10,000+ Ratings

A devastating meditation on the human cost of war, this animated tale follows Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi), a teenager charged with the care of his younger sister, Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi), after an American firebombing during World War II separates the two children from their parents. Their tale of survival is as heartbreaking as it is true to life. The siblings rely completely on each other and struggle against all odds to stay together and stay alive.

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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

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Glenn Kenny

New York Times

One of the most startling and moving animated films ever.

Jan 3, 2019

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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

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Ben Sherlock

Screen Rant

Grave of the Fireflies' story of two children living through the horrors of World War II isn't easy to watch, but it's a movie everyone should see.

Rated: 10/10

Aug 11, 2025

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

It is indeed magnificent. But it’s also among the most depressing movies I have ever seen, ranking alongside Italy’s Bicycle Thieves, New Zealand’s Once Were Warriors, the U.S.’s Requiem for a Dream, Russia’s Come and See, and Sweden’s Lilya 4-ever.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 15, 2025

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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

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Rad

heartbreaking not just for the story it tells but for the fact that countless stories just like it are happening before our very eyes today. God bless the suffering children of the world.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/12/25

Full Review

dandksmommyisme S

Another great Studio G movie. For us it was sad but not to the point that we cried as others have reviewed. My kids appreciated the history behind story in an animated form.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Elijah

the saddest movie you'll ever see. but youll love the determination the brother had to save him and his sister.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Ryan

Sad but truly an amazing story

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Anna

This was such a moving movie. Make sure you pack tissues when you go to see this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

Scot O

Loved this movie. Its a masterpiece and Im so glad that I got a chance to see it. It was so moving, I cried at the end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/11/25

Full Review

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Isao Takahata

Director

Tsutomu Tatsumi

Seita

Ayano Shiraishi

Setsuko

Yoshiko Shinohara

Mother

Akemi Yamaguchi

Aunt

Shannon Conley

Additional Voices

Grave of the Fireflies: Studio Ghibli Fest 2025

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Grave of the Fireflies: Netflix Trailer

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Grave of the Fireflies: Trailer 1

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Grave of the Fireflies: Fathom Events Trailer

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Synopsis

A devastating meditation on the human cost of war, this animated tale follows Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi), a teenager charged with the care of his younger sister, Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi), after an American firebombing during World War II separates the two children from their parents. Their tale of survival is as heartbreaking as it is true to life. The siblings rely completely on each other and struggle against all odds to stay together and stay alive.

Director: Isao Takahata
Producer: Toru Hara
Screenwriter: Isao Takahata, Akiyuki Nosaka
Production Co: Studio Ghibli
Genre: Drama, War, Anime
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 8, 1994, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 28, 2014
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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