Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Studio Ghibli’s anti-war masterpiece is a stark but beautifully made classic.

Brother and sister, Seita and Setsuko, are left homeless after their village is bombed in 1945, and they’re forced to find ways to survive with few resources and little hope. This is a devastating and unexpected piece that doesn’t pull any punches in its depiction of a country at war, and of a family desperate to stay together at all costs.

1988 Japan
Directed by
Isao Takahata
Produced by
Ryoichi Sato
Written by
Isao Takahata
Featuring
Ayano Shiraishi, Tsutomu Tatsumi
Running time
90 minutes

Ranked in The Greatest Films of All Time poll

Sight and Sound

Who voted for Grave of the Fireflies

Critics

Antti Alanen
Finland
Jennifer Lynde Barker
USA
Alasdair Bayman
UK
Marco de Blois
Canada
Sam Clements
UK
Alex Dudok de Wit
UK
Zalaba Ferenc
Hungary
Tara Judah
Australia/UK
Vassilis Kroustallis
Estonia
Andrew Osmond
UK
Richard Propes
USA
Jennifer Sabine
Australia
Mayukh Sen
USA

Directors

Michaël Dudok de Wit
Chuko Esiri
Nigeria
Lucile Hadžihalilović
france
Hicham Lasri
Morocco
Joanna Priestley
USA

Articles related to Grave of the Fireflies