Grave of the Fireflies
Why do fireflies have to die so soon?
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.
Backdrop
Available Languages
English
US
Title: Grave of the Fireflies
"Why do fireflies have to die so soon?"
Deutsch
DE
Title: Die letzten Glühwürmchen
"Warum müssen Glühwürmchen so früh sterben?"
Español
ES
Title: La tumba de las luciérnagas
"¿Por qué las luciérnagas mueren tan pronto?"
Italiano
IT
Title: La tomba delle lucciole
""
Português
PT
Title: O Túmulo dos Pirilampos
""
Français
FR
Title: Le Tombeau des lucioles
"À quatre et quatorze ans, ils ont décidé de vivre."
Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
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.
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.
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
Haven't Nominated for Oscar
Media
Clip
Clip: “You’re rich!” [Subtitled]
Clip
Setsuko eats fruit drops. [Subtitled]
Teaser
When they lost everything, all they kept was each other. [Subtitled]