Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Anime film · 86 min · Studio Ghibli · directed by Isao Takahata
Drama
Studio Ghibli's Grave of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata, is a 1988 drama. It follows teenage Seita and his younger sister Setsuko as they attempt to survive in rural Japan after their home is destroyed in a World War II bombing. The film explores themes of war, family, and the brutal realities of survival.
Grave of the Fireflies screencaps & stills
Reference frames from Grave of the Fireflies.
Grave of the Fireflies in motion
Short loops for study, each cut to a single shot.
The story
Following a devastating World War II bombing, teenage Seita and his four-year-old sister Setsuko are left without parents and struggle to find their place in the Japanese countryside. They face the immediate challenges of securing food and shelter while navigating the indifference of those around them.
The narrative is driven by the children's desperate fight for survival against hunger, grief, and the harsh realities of their new existence. Their bond and mutual love become both their strength and their vulnerability as they attempt to forge a life amidst the widespread destruction and societal apathy. The core of the story lies in their fragile struggle to maintain their spirit and connection in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Credits & cast
- Studio
- Studio Ghibli
- Director
- Isao Takahata
- Script
- Isao Takahata
- Photography
- Akitarou Daichi
- Character design
- Yoshifumi Kondou
- Animation
- Yoshifumi Kondou
- Voice
- Tsutomu Tatsumi as Seita
- Voice
- Ayano Shiraishi as Setsuko
Where to watch Grave of the Fireflies
Streaming services that list it. Availability changes by country.
Grave of the Fireflies colour palette
The main colours across the whole film, by share of the picture.
Colour script
The dominant colour of each sampled frame, from the first minute to the last.
Where Grave of the Fireflies happens
nightjapanesewoodentraditionalruralpathbuildinglandscape
Grave of the Fireflies background art
Frames with no characters in them: the places, as painted.
More from Studio Ghibli
Spirited Away 2001
Howl‘s Moving Castle 2004
Princess Mononoke 1997
My Neighbor Totoro 1988
Ponyo 2008
Kiki's Delivery Service 1989
Castle in the Sky 1986
The Wind Rises 2013
Whisper of the Heart 1995
The Secret World of Arrietty 2010
More by Isao Takahata
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya 2013
Only Yesterday 1991
Pom Poko 1994
Anne of Green Gables 1979
My Neighbors the Yamadas 1999
Heidi, Girl of the Alps 1974
Gauche the Cellist 1982
The Little Norse Prince 1968
Panda! Go Panda! 1972
Jarinko Chie 1981
Anime like Grave of the Fireflies
Recommended by fans who watched Grave of the Fireflies, most votes first.
- 1
21 fan votes · Shared: Drama · Historical
- 2
In This Corner of the World 2016
18 fan votes · Shared: Drama · Historical
- 3
15 fan votes · Shared: Drama
- 4
6 fan votes · Shared: Drama · Historical
- 5
Now and Then, Here and There 1999
5 fan votes · Shared: Drama
- 6
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket 1989
5 fan votes · Shared: Drama
- 7
5 fan votes · Shared: Drama · Historical
- 8
3 fan votes · Shared: Drama · Historical
Looks like it
Matched frame to frame, on style and colour.
Similar stories
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Questions about Grave of the Fireflies
Who made Grave of the Fireflies?
Grave of the Fireflies (1988) was animated by Studio Ghibli and directed by Isao Takahata, from a script by Isao Takahata.
Where can I watch Grave of the Fireflies?
Netflix list Grave of the Fireflies. Availability changes by country.
What anime are like Grave of the Fireflies?
Fans most often recommend Barefoot Gen, In This Corner of the World, Tokyo Magnitude 8.0, Rainbow. In look: My Neighbor Totoro, Castle in the Sky, Pom Poko.
See more of Grave of the Fireflies
Every reference frame and clip, searchable by what is in the shot — a character, a place, a light.
Frames and loops from Grave of the Fireflies (1988) © Studio Ghibli, shown at reduced size as reference for study and commentary. Rights questions: copyright@framethrower.ai.