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MOVIE DECISION GUIDE
Grave of the Fireflies
MOVIHERO READ
Steady, emotionally heavy animation with strong rewatch appeal. Best if an animated drama about civilians in war.
8.4/10
MOVIHERO RATINGWHAT IT'S ABOUT
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.
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8.4/10
MOVIHERO RATINGYOUR WATCHLISTIn 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 falli…
MAKE THE CALL
Does this belong in your night?
A decision, not a review. Choose the kind of night you want and keep your queue honest.
RELEASE SNAPSHOT
Release snapshot for Grave of the Fireflies.
MoviHero lists April 16, 1988 as the release date for Grave of the Fireflies. Isao Takahata is the listed director. The listed cast includes Tsutomu Tatsumi as Seita (voice), Ayano Shiraishi as Setsuko (voice), Yoshiko Shinohara as Mother (voice), Akemi Yamaguchi as Auntie (voice). A trailer and 5 stills are available on this page.
Release dateApril 16, 1988
GenresDrama · Animation · War
Runtime1h 29m
DirectorIsao Takahata
CastTsutomu Tatsumi as Seita (voice), Ayano Shiraishi as Setsuko (voice), Yoshiko Shinohara as Mother (voice), Akemi Yamaguchi as Auntie (voice)
TrailerAvailable on this page
Images5 stills
BEFORE YOU PRESS PLAY
Is Grave of the Fireflies right for tonight?
Pacing, attention and emotional impact are estimates from the current MoviHero Watch Profile, not verified scene-by-scene reviews.
How much time should I set aside?
Grave of the Fireflies runs 1h 29m. Allow extra time for breaks.
Is it slow or fast?
The current MoviHero pacing estimate is 5/10: a middle-ground pace.
Is it a good choice when I am tired?
The attention estimate is 4/10. The profile suggests a lower-demand watch, although preferences vary.
How emotionally intense is it?
The emotional-impact estimate is 9/10, suggesting a stronger emotional experience. This does not tell you whether the ending is happy or sad.
CHANGE ONE THING
Like this, but...
These share a listed genre with Grave of the Fireflies. Profile differences are estimates, not a guarantee of the same story or mood.
MOVIE RATING
MoviHero Rating
MoviHero Rating: 8.4/10 from 6,953 votes. Updated Nov 12, 2026.
Rating data supplied by TMDB, shown on a 10-point scale. MoviHero audience ratings are calculated separately from scores submitted here.
MOVIHERO EDITORIAL
Should you watch Grave of the Fireflies?
Two siblings struggle to survive in wartime Japan after losing the life they knew. Grave of the Fireflies uses animation to tell an intimate and deeply upsetting story about hunger, family, and dependence.
WHY THIS MIGHT BE FOR YOU
01Two siblings struggle to survive in wartime Japan after losing the life they knew
02an animated drama about civilians in war
03a story centred on the bond between siblings
QUICK DECISION GUIDE
Know the watch before you press play.
A fast read on the experience, then the reasons this movie may or may not fit your night.
01Pacing5/10
02Emotional Impact9/10
03Mind-Bending2/10
04Scary1/10
05Violence6/10
06Rewatchability8/10
PERFECT IF
01an animated drama about civilians in war
02a story centred on the bond between siblings
THINK TWICE IF
01you want animation suited to a cheerful family evening
02you are avoiding child suffering and bereavement
MOVIHERO AUDIENCE RATING
What did you think?
Your movie rating. Your audience score.
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OPTION 2
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WHAT WATCHING IT FEELS LIKE
Watch Profile
Seven estimates of the viewing experience, based on the stored Watch Profile. These are separate from the movie rating and are not verified scene-by-scene assessments.
Pacing5/10
Emotional Impact9/10
Mind-Bending2/10
Scary1/10
Violence6/10
Rewatchability8/10
Attention Required4/10
VIEWER REVIEWS
What viewers say about Grave of the Fireflies
Selected viewer reactions, in their own words. These excerpts reflect individual opinions, not an overall verdict.
Viewer reaction
“The terrible story of two orphaned Japanese kids during the ending of WWII.”
Viewer reaction
“When teenage "Seita" finds himself responsible for his four year old sister "Setsuko" after a WWII bombing raid reduced their home to rubble and separated…”
Viewer reaction
“This was the first animated movie that made me cry as an adult.”
More reactions (1)
Viewer reaction
“Grave of the Fireflies masterfully portrays the human cost of war through a deeply emotional and well-structured narrative.”
Selected review excerpts supplied by TMDB. Opinions belong to their original authors.
A CLOSER LOOK
Stay with the image.
CAST & CREW
The people who make it land.
PART OF A WATCH JOURNEY
Where Grave of the Fireflies fits.
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