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 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Grave of the Fireflies
- Review Date: February 11, 2010
- NR
- Genre: Drama
- 1988
Common Sense Media says
Japanimation WWII tragedy the saddest. Cartoon. Ever.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that fans of Japanese animation -- heck, fans of all animation -- pretty much agree, this is the saddest cartoon of all time, a potentially traumatic viewing experience. Two sympathetic children sicken and slowly die (and their mother is hideously wounded before her own demise), with the only balm being that the kids' spirits have a tender afterlife reunion. There is a beating, wartime aerial bombardment and gunfire, and other dead bodies are shown, both soldiers and civilians. The larger issues of WWII (like why Americans might be incinerating Japanese villagers) are never discussed. A few minor plot details are best comprehended with a knowledge of Japanese custom and culture (especially funerals!).
What's the story?
In a Japanese train station in September 1945, a ragged, starved, homeless youth dies, barely noticed by the cleanup crew getting set for the arriving, victorious American WWII forces. The boy's spirit unites with a little girl, and in a flashback we learn that they are a brother, Seita, and his small sister, Setsuko. With Seita's father serving in the Japanese Imperial Navy and their mother ailing, Seita spends most of his time looking lovingly after Setsuko. When American bombardment destroys their home and kills their mother, the two children move in with an unwelcoming aunt, Seito keeping the awful truth from Setsuko as best he can. Unable to tolerate his aunt's insults, Seita leaves with Setsuko to live by themselves in a disused bomb shelter, catching fireflies for illumination and stealing food. But malnutrition and illness ruins Setsuko's health. As Japan surrenders, Setsuko dies, and a heartbroken Seita (resigned that his father is also likely dead) cremates his little sister shortly before his own end.
Is it any good?
Even seen-it-all critics such as Roger Ebert admit to having been moved to tears by GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES -- which is based on actual events. Though the author of the 1967 novel, who lost his kid sister during the war, obviously lived to write ruefully about it afterwards, one gets a tragic sense from this material of witnessing a story that comes from directly the voiceless, the countless unnamed, unknown child casualties of war and government violence, not necessarily in WWII but everywhere.
The visually beautiful but realistic animation offers no fantasy heroics, no talking-animal sidekicks, and only the merest comfort (actually a whole new level of poignancy all by itself) when the deceased brother and sister meet again as spirits. There are far more violent WWII films -- and anime -- but this doesn't need graphic bloodshed for devastating impact, and it should be watched with the same caution that some parents might reserve for Schindler's List.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the way the characters react to the strife of wartime. What might you have done in Seita's place?
Why does Seita make the calamitous decision to try and live with Setsuko all on his own?
Would this story have been equally as affecting if it had been told using live-action, not animation? What if characters had been grownups, not kids?
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 16 years old
May 6, 2011
AGE
Sad, graphic family film.
Keep a tissue box next to you. It's likely you will be brought to tears by this film. It includes death and bombings, and both are the main tear jerkers. Young kids shouldn't watch it alone, despite my review. Watch it as a family. Discuss the issues of these vicious attacks. You will be moved after watching this film, or I will pay you my entire college fund, saved up since I was five.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 23, 2010
AGE
*sniffles* definately most saddest movie. EVER.
It is the most depressing, saddest movie. I almost cried (i never cry in movies) My mom burst in HUGE tears just when the mom got bombed. My sis was just playing nintendo, so i cant decide for her. In the story, both main characters die. The boy in the beginning is him... It is very sad, and touching at the same time (i will never look at the fact WE bombed 'em) *sniffles* I'm definately not gonnna watch THAT again. *clicks "delete" from netflix* parents be warned, this is very sad. Best to watch in late tweens and up......*sniffles*
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Teen, 17 years old
December 4, 2010
AGE
soooo sad
it was sooo good and i cried very, very hard by the end.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 4, 2010
AGE
Epically brilliant
I think that this is a brilliant film one of the best animes i've ever had the pleasure of watching. This is an astounding film. what love about it is we see the ww2 history through the eyes of the supposed enemy which we dont get to see much. This film is probably one of my top 10. the only thing i would say to look out for is the heavy intensity of the violence and gore. Its also incredibly sad at the end SPOILER when i saw the little girl die at the end it broke my heart and a tear dripped out of my eye its a sad epic film. Remarkable any fan of anime cant call themselves a fan without watching this film
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Teen, 13 years old
December 3, 2011
AGE
sad but real view on war
this is truly the saddest film i have ever seen, but it is still a brillant one, it shows the awfulness that war causes, the fact is, the film is based of a true story, when i first watched this, i was 11 and cried, i got rid of the video, recently i bought the dvd and although it was still sad, it was a great film, i rate it on for 12 and up
What other families should know:
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Adult
May 16, 2010
AGE
I cried on the inside the whole time.
isao takahata just like hayao miyazaki is pure genius. This movie is soo good and soo sad. Seitas entire immediate family dies over the course of the movie and then he does, which is forshadowed in the begining. this is a story of how he and his sister try to survive post WWII, and is a work of art. i rented it on vhs from Hollywood video, a long time ago but will be getting it on dvd with 17 of studio ghiblis movies. A masterpeice all the way
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Parent
September 29, 2011
AGE
This the best war movie ever made. I don't mean that in the usual way.
This is not a happy film at all. But it's one that children absolutely must see. The beauty of Grave of the Fireflies is that it drives home the human cost of seemingly far-away wars. This is a film about the ones left behind, and it's the saddest and loveliest anti-war message I've yet to see. It's a story of people like everyone, just children, doing the things that children do in response to wartime poverty and parents stolen from them and society turning its back.
I saw this for the first time when I was twelve. I wish that every child could see it then, and could have parents that discussed the movie with them. Grave of the Fireflies is not light fare, but it is exactly the sort of fare that children understand viscerally and can relate to. This is a very important movie, and when my children are old enough, I will watch it with them and talk about the implications. That is the highest compliment I can give a film. This one deserves it.
What other families should know:
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Kid, 12 years old
November 22, 2010
AGE
Saddest Anime Ever
The Grave of the Fireflies is the saddest movie I have ever seen. Many characters die in it, and there are a few graphic scenes. One scene in particular is very graphic and shows a bloody, bandaged body with flies buzzing around it. But if you can look past the sad parts, you will see a wonderful movie with great animation. I would recommend this movie to any anime lover who is 13 or older.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 13 years old
May 31, 2010
AGE
SO SAD!!!
I bought this movie at Chinatown having NO IDEA how sad it was. It was wonderful, but so sad! My mom says it's a great movie, and my sister(who's eight) was so happy during the show, even at the end, but I think I'll never watch it again because it's so sad.
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Teen, 15 years old
August 20, 2010
AGE
A story of brotherly love
Isao Takahata's masterpiece hasn't recieved as much attention as it deserves. The animation is beautiful, and touching. Possibly the saddest cartoon ever made, but certainly one of the best.
While the story is sad, (it starts with the death of Seita, the brother,) it's also beautiful. Because it's so sad, I'd reccomend it for kids twelve and up.
The story will stay with you forever-- this is one you cannot miss.
What other families should know:
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| Studio: | Central Park Media |
| Director: | Isao Takahata |
| Cast: | J. Robert Spencer, Rhoda Chrosite, Veronica Taylor |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 77 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | April 16, 1988 |
| DVD release date: | July 7, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | NR |
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