Grave of the Fireflies

9 reviews - 42.0 total score (Explanation of the rating system)
avg. score: (4.7)

9. Chris

One of the best war movies I've ever seen. This is one of the best movies I've ever seen, period. Basically, it tells the story of Seita and his little sister Setsuko. The movie starts by showing that everything has gone wrong for them, but there isn't much of an emotional reaction at that point. Then the show kinda flashes backwards to the beginning of when everything went wrong. Simply put, Seita and his sister were victims of the firebombing that the US reigned down on Japanese cities. The movie never really blames the US for this, however. The point of the story is simply to show the effect of war on the victims of the war. By the time the movie is near over, almost anybody who watches this will be near tears. Highly recommended. Oh, and I feel that the dubs are excellent on this, so feel free to watch it either dubbed or subbed.

8. Marshal of Manga

The US is planning to invade mainland Japan near the end of World War II, and for the people not in the army, it was a matter of either working to support it, or fighting to preserve one's life.

We follow two orphaned children as they adjust to the frantic months leading to Japan's capitulation, and see them try their best to survive in the midst of all the confusion and hardship - for life goes on regardless of circumstances, and the children are dragged along the river of life wherever it takes them.

This means food when hungry, medicine when sick, and what entertainment there is to affirm that life has a point and is worth living. Happiness in wartime can simply mean a stroll along the sea, a meal of white rice, or being carried piggyback.

There is a war of survival inside the country itself, as people scramble to preserve what assets they can and ensure their own safety and livelihood. No longer can people do things out of charity, and this means the children have to resort to theft to scrounge the basic necessities.

Few people are actually portrayed as evil though - merely asserting human desires for self-preservation. Though many innocent people may suffer as a result of decisions made by a militarist regime, we are subtly reminded that crowds cheered Japan's armaments campaign, that there is a pride in the people of their army's infallibility, and that just as the people had experienced the joys of Japan's successes, they now must bear its demise. The tragedy is the children forced to endure something they neither created nor endorsed.

In Grave of the Fireflies, we see moments of innocence, moments of happiness, and moments of sadness… sweet dreams and a bitter reality.

Verdict: More an animated documentary than a movie, this is worth watching to affirm that neither the best nor the simplest things in life can be taken for granted - always appreciate what you have.

7. Jin

If I could give this more than 5 stars I would... One of the best anime ever to grace the anime world. Grave of the Fireflies has so much story and emotion to it that it's almost impossible not to feel some type of emotion as the story progresses. Unlike most WWII movies which focus on the effects the war has on individuals rather than the war itself. The animation does show some type of aging look when compared to the anime of today but, by far, this anime is driven by the story. The music sets the scene perfectly. The voice actors sound so realistic to a normal person which creates an even more emotional effect. The ending is also one of the most touching scenes I've
ever seen in an anime. One of the best out there and should be picked up by any fan. Anime fan or not it should be bought!

6. Polaris

Grave of the Fireflies is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen, anime or not. The movie revolves around a boy named Seita and his sister Setsuko as their lives are drastically changed by the effects of World War II. Grave of the Fireflies is a stunning portrayal of human suffering during war. It shows with brutal honesty exactly how painful life is when war strips us of everything we once took for granted. I rarely feel emotionally attached to characters but this was an exception. The suffering of Seita and Setsuko are examples of war destroying the lives of innocent people and under similar circumstances could do the same to anyone else. I recommend this movie to anyone who has not seen it, regardless of whether they watch anime or not. You will not be disappointed.

5. bremmi

I suppose I was predestined to dislike this film. I hate movies and anime about WWI and WWII, they hold absolutely no interest to me. Still, warfare isn't a huge part of this movie I suppose, it's mainly about the effect of war on the Japanese people. But unlike most I felt no sorrow for Seita and shed no tears as the show progressed. I think it is up to the story itself to draw me in enough to care about the characters and their lives; since this film failed to do so, I did not like it at all. I will admit that Hotaru no Haka is among the best of its genre; unfortunately it's the genre itself I dislike, so I have to rate it accordingly.

4. Tempy

Based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka, Grave of the Fireflies tells the story of young boy Seita and his little sister Setsuko during the end of the second World War. Without giving anything away, Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most depressingly sad movies I've ever seen, anime or live-action. It intersperses Seita and Setsuko's daily life, their happy moments together, and the almost objective observation of the war around them, combining these elements in a most effective way to reduce its audience to withering snotbags. A hauntingly beautiful movie.

3. Dreamer

GotF is not just an animation, it's a story of human suffering and poverty during the war. Set in the final days of WWII, the tale shows how ugly the war is. The animation is not revolutionary even when compared to past Studio Ghibli's titles, but, and most importantly, the story is nothing less than breathtaking. It really shows the people's side of war, of sorrow, and lost feelings and how these people are always the first victims in these wars and up until the surrender of Japan. As I mentioned before, the show stressed the human side of a war story. A story of a young lad and his little sister, whose father is out in the combat field and mother seriously wounded, on how they strive to live an extra difficult life in a such hard circumstances. So if you are tired of all action and lovely girls anime, give this one a slot in your must-be crowded anime schedule and you will definitely like it.. Don't be surprised when a tear escape tenderly from the prison cell of your eyes, the situation is really worth it.

2. guf

I rarely cry for a mere film; Grave of the Fireflies made me weep. This war drama, beautifully animated and sublimely painted, recounts a tale of quiet human tragedy and struggle in Japan during American fire bombings at the end of World War II. The contrast of simple and understated art direction with very real suffering heightens the tension of this film powerfully, and despite the subject, Grave of the Fireflies never sways into sappy sentimentality. The movie begins at its end, and its direct opening line grabbed me immediately. I was held rapt as the movie carried me full circle to recount a story which I already knew would not end not in the sun, but in the dark. Perhaps the real irony is that the happiest moments of the film are arguably its saddest moments as well. Along with Perfect Blue, Grave of the Fireflies serves as a prime example of the expressive range of animation, tackling mature and complex subjects that are usually ascribed to live action movies. I highly recommend this movie for all serious anime fans.

1. weasl

Grave of the Fireflies is often billed as a classic of the anime genre, and having now finished watching it I understand why. Taking place in Japan during World War II, it tells the tragic tale of 2 orphans who struggle to survive. As with most Ghibli movies the visuals, and music are excellent, and when combined with great pacing, allows you to be quickly sucked into the movie for it's hour and half running time. An extremely moving piece from Studio Ghibli that joins my essential list for all fans of excellent movies, fans of anime or not.