Grave of the Fireflies
Why do fireflies have to die so soon?
AnimationDramaWarsibling relationshiphungerworld war iiwartimeshelterstruggle for survivalbrother sister pacific theateradult animationsemi autobiographicalanti waranime
A devastating portrait of two orphaned siblings struggling to survive in wartime Japan, told with unflinching tenderness and profound sorrow.
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.
Essence
Ensemble
Tsutomu Tatsumi
Seita (voice)
Ayano Shiraishi
Setsuko (voice)
Yoshiko Shinohara
Mother (voice)
Akemi Yamaguchi
Auntie (voice)
Masayo Sakai
Woman who takes care of Setsuko (voice)
Kozo Hashida
Obayashi Chairman (voice)
Kazumi Nozaki
Cousin (voice)
Yoshio Matsuoka
Gosaku (voice)
Masahiro Kanetake
Aunt's House Guest (voice)
Kiyoshi Yanagawa
Patrolman (voice)
Hajime Maki
Man who arrests Seita (voice)
Atsuo Omotem
Person in Bank (voice)
Closest match
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same mood
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Go darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Something gentler
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Hidden gem
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
