Grave of the Fireflies Backdrop Blur
Grave of the Fireflies Poster
8.4 1h 29m

Grave of the Fireflies

"Why do fireflies have to die so soon?"

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.

Top Cast

  • Tsutomu Tatsumi

    Tsutomu Tatsumi

    Seita (voice)

  • Ayano Shiraishi

    Ayano Shiraishi

    Setsuko (voice)

  • Yoshiko Shinohara

    Yoshiko Shinohara

    Mother (voice)

  • Akemi Yamaguchi

    Akemi Yamaguchi

    Auntie (voice)

  • Masayo Sakai

    Masayo Sakai

    Woman who takes care of Setsuko (voice)

  • Kozo Hashida

    Kozo Hashida

    Obayashi Chairman (voice)

  • Kazumi Nozaki

    Kazumi Nozaki

    Cousin (voice)

  • Yoshio Matsuoka

    Yoshio Matsuoka

    Gosaku (voice)

  • Masahiro Kanetake

    Masahiro Kanetake

    Aunt's House Guest (voice)

Overview

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.

Rating

8.4 / 10
6,549 Reviews
0 Popular

3 Reviews

  • Andres Gomez
    Andres Gomez
    9 Jan 4, 2013

    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.

  • sykobanana
    sykobanana
    10 May 17, 2020

    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.

  • Alunauwie
    Alunauwie
    10 Sep 30, 2025

    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)

Trailers & Clips

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