Grave Of The Fireflies Is Not My Favorite Studio Ghibli Movie, But I Do Think It’s The Best. Here Me Out

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I always find it fascinating how many people think of Hayao Miyazaki as Studio Ghibli! He did co-found the studio, so it makes sense, but it’s easy to forget they’ve made so many incredible films that he didn’t actually direct himself. It’s like people don’t realize there’s a whole world of Ghibli magic beyond his amazing work!

Studio Ghibli is famous for beloved films like Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Kiki’s Delivery Service. But they’ve also made some lesser-known movies, including Tales from Earthsea, My Neighbors the Yamadas, and the particularly unusual Pom Poko. Aside from the films directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the most critically acclaimed Studio Ghibli movie is likely Grave of the Fireflies from 1988 (though The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is also a strong contender). Both of these were directed by Isao Takahata, Ghibli’s other co-founder.

Grave of the Fireflies is not my favorite Studio Ghibli movie, but it is their best. Here’s why.

Oh, and spoilers up ahead.

Grave Of The Fireflies (Mostly) Doesn’t Deal With The Fantastical

I mentioned that Grave of the Fireflies isn’t actually my favorite Studio Ghibli film—that title goes to Porco Rosso. I realize it’s an unusual choice! But I love Porco Rosso because it really captures the whimsical and imaginative side of Studio Ghibli that I enjoy so much. It’s about a former World War I fighter pilot…who happens to be turned into a pig. It’s a fantastic concept, and I was immediately hooked.

Unlike most Studio Ghibli films known for their fantasy worlds, Grave of the Fireflies is a starkly realistic story. This is especially interesting considering it was one of the studio’s earliest works, following Castle in the Sky and My Neighbor Totoro. The film, based on a personal story by the author, depicts the struggles of two siblings as they try to survive in the final months of World War II.

Following extensive bombing of Kobe by American forces, Seita and his younger sister, Setsuko, have recently lost their mother – though Setsuko is still unaware. Their father’s fate is also unknown, as he was a naval captain during the attacks. After their mother’s death, the children go to live with their aunt.

I’ve been so moved by this film, but it’s heartbreaking to watch. The war has taken such a toll, and you really feel the desperation as food becomes scarce and Setsuko’s mother grows increasingly frustrated. It’s a tough situation, and eventually, Seita decides they need to leave and fend for themselves. Sadly, things just get harder and harder from there. What’s so striking is how grounded in reality the story is – there aren’t any magical elements until the very end, and I’ll explain that part later.

It’s Also One Of The Greatest Anti-War Movies Ever Made

Isao Takahata, the director of Grave of the Fireflies, once said he didn’t see it as an anti-war film because he didn’t believe it could stop future conflicts. However, I strongly believe it is an anti-war film – and one of the best ever made, even though it wasn’t included on our list – because it powerfully illustrates the terrible human cost of war, particularly for civilians.

It’s crucial to remember that most people harmed by war are ordinary civilians, and especially children. The power of the film Grave of the Fireflies comes from its focus on those most vulnerable. Seita and his sister Setsuko have likely lost their parents, and Seita carries the only remains of his mother – her ashes – in a small wooden box.

After clashing with their aunt over their lack of income, Seita and his sister are left to fend for themselves. This is where the film truly portrays the horrors of war, as they face a desperate struggle for survival. With everything around them destroyed by air raids, they’re forced to scavenge for food, simply trying to avoid starvation.

However, be warned – the war ultimately leads to their demise, and they tragically die of starvation, as I’ll explain shortly.

A Lot Of Studio Ghibli Movies Have At Least A Hint Of Sadness To Them, But This Movie WILL Make You Cry

We’ve discussed heartbreaking movie deaths before, but I have to add Setsuko’s death in Grave of the Fireflies. Along with the death of “Heroin” Bob in SLC Punk!, it’s truly the saddest movie death I’ve ever witnessed.

Let’s come back to that thought in a moment. First, I want to discuss how the movie’s title contributes to its overall sadness. As I previously mentioned, Seita carries his mother’s ashes with him constantly, but his four-year-old sister doesn’t realize their mother has passed away. That changes when their unsympathetic aunt coldly tells her the news. Surprisingly, the little girl accepts it with remarkable composure, likely because the horrors of war have already stolen her childhood innocence.

The film has one truly heartwarming scene involving fireflies, and it’s the only time Seita and Setsuko appear genuinely happy. While traveling, they catch fireflies and use their glow as a source of light. It’s a beautiful, magical moment, and you can see the joy in Setsuko’s eyes. Sadly, the fireflies are all dead by morning, and this is when Setsuko quietly reveals she understands their mother has passed away. She then wonders why the fireflies – and her mother – had to die at such a young age.

The truly heartbreaking part of the movie isn’t even what you might expect. It’s when Setsuko, weakened by starvation, lovingly makes mud rice balls for her brother, expressing her gratitude for his care, before passing away. And it gets even worse – a few weeks later, Seita also dies of starvation. The film ends with their spirits reuniting – the only fantastical element in an otherwise realistic story. Seriously, who’s cutting onions? I’m not crying, you are!

In The End, If You’re Only Used To Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli Films, Then You Owe It To Yourself To Watch This Movie

My kids and I enjoy watching Studio Ghibli films together, and I know we’re not the only family who does. However, I’m waiting until my children are teenagers to show them Grave of the Fireflies. It’s not that the movie is too intense for them – I even took my son to see Godzilla Minus One when he was six – but I believe they’ll understand and appreciate the film’s difficult themes of despair better when they’re older, and be better prepared for a story that doesn’t have a cheerful ending.

Grave of the Fireflies is an incredibly bleak and disheartening film. While other Studio Ghibli movies, such as The Wind Rises and The Boy and the Heron, explore the effects of war, none are as relentlessly depressing as Grave of the Fireflies, making it the studio’s most powerful and impactful work.

If you’re familiar with Hayao Miyazaki’s films, this one is worth watching as it can introduce you to other great Studio Ghibli movies, such as Whisper of the Heart and From Up on Poppy Hill, which are often overlooked but still excellent.

Despite being the most emotionally devastating, I believe Grave of the Fireflies will remain the studio’s most powerful film.

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2026-01-26 15:10