Grave of the Fireflies

GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (12)

D: Isao Takahata

Studio Ghibli (Toru Hara)

Japan 🇯🇵 1988

89 mins

Animated

W: Isao Takahata [based on the memoir by Akiyuki Nosaka]

Mus: Michio Mamiya

voices of: Tsutomo Tatsumi (Seita Yokokawa), Ayano Shiraishi (Setsuko Yokokawa), Yoshiko Shinohara (Seita & Setsuko’s Mother), Akemi Yamaguchi (Seita & Setsuko’s Aunt)

As well as the majority of Hayao Miyazaki’s back catalogue being the must-watches of Japanese animation giants Studip Ghibli’s finest works is this bleak post-war anime, adapted from the memoir by Akiyuki Nosaka and based on the author’s own experiences in Japan following the firebombing of his hometown of Kobe.

The story follows the journey of a boy, Seita, and his younger sister, Setsuko, as they navigate survival in Japan following the end of World War II. With their mother having passed & their father still serving as a Captain in the Imperial Japanese Navy, the two children go to live with their aunt, who comes to resent them and they try to make it through alone.

Without getting into spoiler territory, it has to be said that this is one of the most depressing animated films that has ever been produced, and though it’s brilliant, bleak and depressing aren’t really terms you’d associate with the media style, giving it a dramatic weight that makes this an anime for adults & teenagers rather than younger kids.  This is far from a criticism though, as this isn’t just one of the best animated films of 1988, it’s one of the best films of 1988, and right up at the top of my favourite anime films of all time, alongside Spirited Away & My Neighbour Totoro (the latter of which incidentally came out the same year).

8/10