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Tokyo Weekender
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Grave of the Fireflies: The First Ghibli Movie To Stream in Japan Is Also Its Angriest
For the longest time, Studio Ghibli was against making its catalog available for streaming. But when Hayao Miyazaki needed funds for his third 'final' movie, The Boy and the Heron, the studio relented and Ghibli films began streaming around the world in 2020 — except for Japan, where Hayao Miyazaki preferred for Ghibli releases to be experienced primarily in cinemas. This will change on July 15, 2025, when Grave of the Fireflies comes to Netflix Japan. There are many reasons why this 1988 war anime by Isao Takahata was chosen to break the Ghibli streaming fast, but the biggest one is probably Ghibli not actually owning the rights to it. They reside with Shinchosha, the publisher of the original story the movie is based on. It's all for the best, though, since Grave of the Fireflies is the perfect movie for testing the streaming waters in Japan. After all, if people will flock to possibly the angriest entry in the entire Studio Ghibli collection, then all its other whimsical stuff should go down a treat! List of Contents: A Sad Movie That Should Make You Furious The Movie HAS Villains: Most of Its Adult Characters Children Are Not Small Adults Related Posts Image Courtesy of Netflix Media Center | © Akiyuki Nosaka / Shinchosha Publishing Co., 1988 A Sad Movie That Should Make You Furious Grave of the Fireflies is about two children who die of starvation. That's not a spoiler because the movie is almost 40 years old and, also, the film establishes the deaths of 14-year-old Seita and his 4-year-old sister Setsuko within the first few minutes. The movie may be one of the most infamously sad anime of all time, but if its goal was to make audiences cry, it would have toyed with our emotions more. It would have made us think that maybe Seita and Setsuko could've survived 1945 Japan on their own after the death of their mother in an air raid, only to then pull the rug out from under us. Instead, we know what happens to them from the get-go. So, while the two children's deaths are tragic and continue to be incredibly hard to watch, a closer look suggests that the movie wasn't aiming for tears. Rather, it seems to want our fury. But not fury aimed at war, since it wasn't war that killed Seita and Setsuko. It was a harsh, oppressive and uncaring society that utterly failed to stop its children from making a bunch of dumb, fatal mistakes. The Movie HAS Villains: Most of Its Adult Characters The vast majority of adults that Seita and Setsuko come across in the aftermath of their mother's death are horrible people. While they may not be traditional 'bad guys,' they nonetheless do function as antagonists and are ultimately responsible for two children dying of hunger. It wasn't really what they did, though, but rather what they didn't do. Seita and Setsuko's aunt, who takes them in but keeps calling them freeloaders — even after taking most of the food they bring with them and selling their mother's kimono for rice — is undeniably unkind. But her biggest sin is not stopping the two when Seita decides to move out into an abandoned bomb shelter. Yes, it was late-stage World War II and rations were dwindling — but when adults don't take care of kids, then what even is the point of society? Throughout the movie, we see many grownups who know that two children are roughing it out in inadequate living conditions, and no one lifts a finger to stop them. A farmer urges Seita to apologize to his aunt and get help from neighborhood organizations (i.e. rely on society), but it's not clear why he insists on talking to Seita as if he were an adult who has a say in the matter. Even the 'kindly' policeman who doesn't book Seita after he's caught stealing crops drops the ball because he just lets him go, doing nothing to protect the boy from his own still-developing, pride-filled, stupid brain. Children Are Not Small Adults Seita cannot be held responsible for moving out, not seeking medical attention for Setsuko sooner or waiting too long to buy nutritious food for them. Because he is a child. He does an admirable job for a lot of the movie as Setsuko's guardian, protecting her from air raids and keeping her spirits up. But that's where his 'adult' responsibilities should have ended. He should not be expected to know how to take care of himself, much less a 4-year-old, for the same reason we don't expect kids to make their own dinner every day: They'd either burn the house down or rot their teeth out of their mouths from eating nothing but chocolate. Seita and Setsuko should have been dragged, by force if necessary, back to their aunt, who should have been yelled at until she was shamed into acting like a human being. Then someone should have given Seita a serious talking to for thinking he had the right to risk not only his life, but also that of his little sister. Then another round of yelling at everyone who didn't want to get involved in the matter because it 'wasn't their place.' In the end, the bulk of Japanese society circa 1945 would get a dressing down for their astounding apathy, but maybe that was the point of the movie. Watch it for yourself when it premieres on Netflix on July 15 and see what you think. Editor's note: For those eager to delve deeper into Isao Takahata's work, an exhibition celebrating the late Ghibli director is currently running at Azabudai Hills Gallery. Check it out before September 15. Related Posts Isao Takahata Exhibition: The Man Who Planted Japanese Animation Barefoot Gen: The Unflinching Atomic Bomb Film From Japan's Perspective The Commodification of Studio Ghibli
The Mainichi
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Mainichi
Yoroku: Streaming of 'Grave of the Fireflies' in Japan a chance to revisit tragic tale
The animated film "Grave of the Fireflies" (directed by Isao Takahata) was released in 1988 and screened together with "My Neighbor Totoro" (directed by Hayao Miyazaki), both produced by Studio Ghibli. At the time, I watched the films as a double feature, something which has now become rare. The lighthearted atmosphere created by "Totoro" was completely transformed by "Grave of the Fireflies" and I remember the people leaving the theater in tears after the screening, moved by the heart-wrenching storyline. "Grave of the Fireflies" tells the tale of siblings Seita and Setsuko, who lose their parents in World War II and eventually perish. The film is based on a novel of the same name by writer Akiyuki Nosaka, who also lost his younger sister at the place where they evacuated during the war. In the past, the movie was regularly aired on Nippon Television Network's "Friday Road Show," but screenings have been discontinued since a memorial broadcast in 2018 following Takahata's death. Video-on-demand service Netflix has now announced that it will stream "Grave of the Fireflies" in Japan from July 15. The film has been available in over 190 countries and regions since last fall. It ranked seventh in the non-English film category during its first week, garnering international attention. Some believe that the film's depiction of injuries caused by air raids is one reason for its absence from recent TV broadcasts. While it is true that there are painful scenes, that is the reality of war. And the film encourages viewers to think about war and society from various perspectives. When streaming the film, Netflix says it will provide advisories including the film's target age group, but in any case, it will be an opportunity for many people to encounter or become reacquainted with this masterpiece. Responding to an inquiry, Nippon Television said it was "considering" airing the movie this year. 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the air raid on Kobe, which darkened the fate of Seita and Setsuko in the film. ("Yoroku" is a front-page column in the Mainichi Shimbun.)
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Grave of the Fireflies returns to U.S. theaters for Ghibli fest 2025
Grave of the Fireflies is an award-winning animated movie from Japan's famous Studio Ghibli . Unlike fantasy hits like Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle, this movie tells a very real, heartbreaking story. It follows two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, trying to survive during World War II after losing their home and family. It's not just a anime it's a powerful drama about loss, survival, and the effects of war, often considered one of the greatest animated films of all time. Grave of the Fireflies Ghibli fest 2025 screening dates and details Every year, Studio Ghibli's best movies return to theaters across the United States through GKIDS' Ghibli Fest. Fans look forward to watching iconic films like My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away on the big screen. In 2025, Grave of the Fireflies joins the lineup for the first time in seven years. Directed by Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata , the film offers a raw, emotional look at wartime Japan through the eyes of two innocent children. Grave of the Fireflies will be shown in U.S. theaters for three special days: by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo August 10, 11, and 12, 2025. This rare event will give fans a limited chance to experience the film's emotional impact inside a theater — something that makes the heartbreaking story even more powerful. Why Grave of the Fireflies is studio Ghibli's saddest masterpiece Studio Ghibli is often known for magical adventures, colorful worlds, and heartwarming characters. Films like Kiki's Delivery Service and Howl's Moving Castle offer fantasy escapes. However, Grave of the Fireflies is different. It tells the devastating real-world story of 14-year-old Seita and his 4-year-old sister Setsuko. After their mother dies during a bombing raid, the siblings struggle to find food, shelter, and hope as their world falls apart during World War II. The movie does not shy away from showing the brutal realities of war. There are no fantasy elements — only the pure, painful emotions of two children trying to survive. Many critics and fans call it one of the most important anti-war films ever made, animated or not. Prepare for an emotional journey. Fans often describe Grave of the Fireflies as 'the film you can only watch once' because of how deeply it affects viewers. If you plan to attend, don't forget to bring tissues. Ghibli Fest 2025 lineup changes: New additions and missing classics The Ghibli Fest 2025 schedule brings some exciting new additions but also a few surprises. This year's lineup features only eight movies from May through October, fewer than usual. New additions: Grave of the Fireflies (1988) The Boy and the Heron (2023), Hayao Miyazaki's latest Oscar-winning film Missing from the 2025 schedule: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind Castle in the Sky Princess Mononoke (recently had a special IMAX re-release) Whisper of the Heart While some beloved classics are missing, the rare chance to see Grave of the Fireflies in theaters makes this year's Ghibli Fest especially emotional and unforgettable. Fans both old and new will have the opportunity to experience some of Ghibli's deepest, most powerful stories on the big screen. Stay updated with the latest Best Hindi Movies , Best Tamil Movies , Best Telugu Movies , Best english Movies , Best Malayalam Movies
