Review: Grave of the Fireflies

English Title: Grave of the Fireflies

Synonyms: Hotaru No Haka, Tombstone for Fireflies

Type: Movie

Episodes: 1

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Apr 15, 1988

Producers: Studio Ghibli, ADV Films, Central Park Media

Genres: Drama, Historical

Duration: 1 hr. 30 min.

Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Story: 8/10

World War 2 is going on, and Seita and his four-year-old sister Setsuko loose their mother to an air raid. Setsuko tries desperately to care for his younger sister, waiting for his father to return from war, but he is young and inexperienced, and is being forced into becoming a man way too soon.

Everything in it was serious and dramatic. It was very historically accurate, so much it was upsetting. I loved the relationship between brother and sister, but, it gets VERY depressing, and there’s nowhere to shift blame, it’s just plane sad. Somehow, it was beautiful in that way.

Animation: 7/10

The animation was unique, generally Shudio Ghibli gives each Movie of theirs a new look fitting to the story. This was no different, just not really, outstanding.

Music: 7/10

There was not a lot of music, but in a way it added when scenes were silent.

Voice Acting: (Sub) 8/10

I can’t accurately judge the Japanese voice actors as I don’t speak the language. I still thought they did a good job on all the characters though.

Characters: 7/10

There were very few characters aside from the brother and sister, but they were the ones that you got attached to.

Over-All: 8/10 (Very Good)

One of the saddest Movies I’ve ever seen, I saw it once, but I couldn’t bring myself to watch it again.

Rating Accuracy/Things to Watch Out For: (For Christian Parents)

(Rating: PG 13,) Rating is accurate, bloody/graphic, war.