Fresh
Writer-director Isao Takahata, a frequent collaborator of Miyazaki's at Studio Ghibli, adapted a partly autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka, and his handling of the tragic story is masterfully understated.
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Grave of the Fireflies
Why do fireflies have to die so soon?
1988 · 1h 29m · Not Rated
Animation, Drama, War
Directed by
Isao Takahata
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.
Director and cast
- Isao Takahata Director
- Tsutomu Tatsumi as Seita (voice)
- Ayano Shiraishi as Setsuko (voice)
- Yoshiko Shinohara as Mother (voice)
- Akemi Yamaguchi as Aunt (voice)
- Justin Doran as (voice)
- Masayo Sakai as Woman who takes care of Setsuko (voice)
- Kozo Hashida as Obayashi Chairman (voice)
- Kazumi Nozaki as Cousin (voice)
- Yoshio Matsuoka Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
100%
Tomatometer
Fresh
An emotional experience so powerful that it forces a rethinking of animation.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
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