Even though it's not exactly easy to watch the protracted deaths of two children, this is not only one of the greatest anime ever, but also an important (anti-) war film. A moving masterpiece.
Comment
09/03/08
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
90
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:21
Fresh:19
Rotten:2
Average Rating:8.8/10
Consensus: An achingly sad anti-war film, Grave of the Fireflies is one of Studio Ghibli’s most profoundly beautiful, haunting works.
Runtime: 90 mins
Genre: Dramas
Synopsis: In post-World War II Japan, a janitor finds a deathly ill boy lying beside a metal candy container. The janitor unwittingly tosses the possession into the night, beginning a most unusual tale of... [More]
Director: Isao Takahata
Reviews for Grave of the Fireflies
Top CriticClick to read the article
04/29/09
Takahata's alternately sweeping and intimate animated feature is a moving depiction of the fates of cast-off children who become casualties of war.
09/03/08
Very simply the gentlest and most touching war-related film I've ever seen.
04/30/07
Um retrato sem concessões do horror da guerra e de suas conseqüências não apenas sobre a sociedade, mas sobre indivíduos comuns. Emocionalmente devastador.
07/09/06
No review available.
08/12/05
... a beautiful lament and a moving tribute to the people we rarely consider when we think about World War 2: those Japanese who suffered for the crimes of their leaders.
01/15/05
No review available.
08/25/04
Incredibly moving. The ultimate tear-jerker.
03/12/04
A very moving, but depressing movie.
01/28/04
One of the most devastating anti-war films ever made, animated or otherwise.
10/15/03
[Evokes] the experiences of childhood grief, small moments of ordinary life and happiness amid tragedy and fear, and the overwhelming confusion of adult responsibilities falling on teenaged shoulders as powerfully as in any film I've seen.
10/03/03
Ultimately, the picture's respect for Seito and Setsuko's ability to fend for themselves results in a far more powerful piece of cinema than if they'd been portrayed as the typical scared kid.
09/24/03
The Most Human Cartoon You'll Ever See. Grave of the Fireflies can be grueling - but infinitely more rewarding.
08/10/03
Ranks among the greatest of anime.
01/17/03
I doubt this story could have been as successful as a straight drama. The spirits of Seita and Setsuko cannot really be filmed except as animated figures.
12/03/02
No review available.
11/26/02
No review available.
10/29/02
What can you say about an animated movie that brings despair and continually makes your eyes well up with tears?
10/18/02
haunting...devastating
08/22/02
Latest News for Grave of the Fireflies
August 22, 2007:
RTIndie: IFC Beefs Up On-Demand
This week at RTIndie: IFC brings indies to the people; Seth Gordon capitalizes on the success of The King of Kong; anime classic Grave of the Fireflies gets the remake... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube 
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds