GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES

[HOTARU NO HAKA] [火垂るの墓]
When the U.S. firebombing of Kobe leaves siblings Setsuko and Seita orphaned, they are forced to fend for themselves amid the chaos of the final days of World War II. They first take shelter with an aunt, but her cold reception and reluctance to help forces them back out on the street. They next set up camp in a cave, relying on fireflies for light. At first their adventure is full of excitement and wonder, but the harsh deprivations of war quickly become too real to ignore, culminating in a devastating finale. Roger Ebert considered this delicate and devastating tale, based on a semi-autobiographical story by Akiyuki Nosaka, to be one of the greatest war films ever made. DIR/SCR Isao Takahata, from the short story by Akiyuki Nosaka; PROD Toru Hara. Japan, 1988, color, 89 min. In Japanese with English subtitles. NOT RATED

Run Time: 89 Minutes

Opening Date: Friday, June 12, 2026

Genre: Animation, war

View Series Page