Grave of the Fireflies

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Grave of the Fireflies

Released Oct 8, 1994

1h 28m

Drama

War

Anime

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50 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.

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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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

It’s a dark, depressing, occasionally beautiful experiment in telling an important story, but it doesn’t do so in an indelible manner; it’s historic, tragic, and sad, yet far from unforgettable.

Rated: 6/10

Aug 23, 2025

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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

Full Review

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V

Your eyes will be blurry from start to finish.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/22/25

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Will

The best experience I've had in theaters in quite a while honestly. Cried multiple times throughout the movie along with others in the theater.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/18/25

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Christopher

I’m glad I saw it but I don’t want to see it again.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

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Stella

I thought this film deeply, beautifully and sensitively portrayed the horror of WWII in Japan, from children's perspectives. My friends and I loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

Renee B

This was a very different (difficult) experience, when compared with the more recent Ghibli movies, but still such a powerful and beautiful message depictedwhile mortality is challenging and eventually will require every human to transition beyond the veil, there is incredible beauty possible if we choose to see and experience it. There is purification of character and beauty from ashes. possible in the most demanding of lifes challenges. Wonderful character development depicted herein through these characters, as they faced each daythere was hope even in the hopelessness

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

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Andrea D

Gorgeous yet devastating. The animation quality is excellent as is expected but the story itself is brutal, but extremely important. Everyone should see it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/14/25

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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