Overview:

Original Title: Hotaru no Haka (Grave of the Fireflies)
Year: 1988
Running Time: 93 minutes
Country: Japan

Director:
Isao Takahata
Screenwriter:
Isao Takahata, based on a novel by Akiyuki Nosaka
Cast:
Animation
Music:
Michio Mamiya
Cinematography:
Animation by Nobuo Koyama
Producer:
Studio Ghibli

Genre:

Animation, Drama, War | World War II, Childhood, Family, Adult Animation, Cult Classic
Production Group:
Studio Ghibli

Synopsis:

Set during World War II, the story follows a 14-year-old boy named Seita and his 4-year-old sister Setsuko as they struggle to survive in the Japanese city of Kobe. After losing their parents, the siblings flee their war-ravaged home and take refuge in an abandoned bomb shelter in the countryside. While they initially find a brief sense of safety, they soon face the harsh reality of scarcity, fighting for basic necessities such as food and water as the war progresses.

Rankings:

• #2 Best Animated Works for Adults
• #3 Best Animated Movies
• #9 Best War Movies

Critics' Reviews:

• Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times describes the film as "an emotional experience so powerful that it forces a rethinking of animation," awarding it ★★★★.
• J.R. Jones of Chicago Reader praises Takahata's understated handling of the tragic story, which is based on a semi-autobiographical novel.
• Tim Grierson from Rolling Stone suggests that Grave of the Fireflies could be "the pinnacle of adults-only animation," noting that its emotional depth surpasses even some of Pixar's most tear-jerking moments.
• Chris Cabin from Slant appreciates how the film centers on survival without exploiting or sensationalizing the suffering of its characters, giving it ★★★ .
• Tasha Robinson from AV Club commends the film's deeply human portrayal of its characters, a hallmark of Studio Ghibli's work.
• Steve Rose of The Guardian calls the film "a war story as wrenching as any live-action movie," highlighting moments of beauty amidst the tragedy, awarding it ★★★★★ .
• The Independent calls the movie "achingly sad and hard to bear" while praising its poetic restraint.
• Dan Jolin from Empire describes the film as "a beautifully constructed, animated drama" that delivers a "devastating heart-stab," giving it ★★★★ .