Cast and Crew of Grave of the Fireflies

Grave of the Fireflies

火垂るの墓

"Grave of the Fireflies" is a heart-wrenching and powerful animated film that explores the harsh realities of war through the eyes of two young children. Set in the final months of World War II, the movie follows the story of 14-year-old Seita and his younger sister Setsuko, who are left orphaned after their mother is killed during an air raid in Kobe, Japan. The film, directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli, is a unique and poignant portrayal of the impact of war on civilians, particularly children.

After the tragic loss of their mother, Seita and Setsuko move in with their aunt, who initially welcomes them with open arms. However, as the war continues and resources become scarce, tensions rise between the three. The aunt, who has her own children to feed, becomes increasingly resentful of the extra mouths to feed and the lack of contribution from Seita. Eventually, the situation becomes untenable, and Seita and Setsuko make the decision to leave and move into an abandoned bomb shelter.

As the pair try to make a life for themselves in the shelter, they face numerous challenges, including hunger, illness, and the harsh realities of living in a war-torn country. Despite their struggles, Seita and Setsuko find moments of joy and beauty in their new home, such as the titular fireflies that light up the shelter at night. However, as their emergency rations deplete and their situation becomes more desperate, the film takes a dark and emotional turn, leaving viewers with a powerful message about the true cost of war.

Overall, "Grave of the Fireflies" is a must-watch for anyone interested in animated films, war movies, or stories about the human spirit. Its unique perspective, beautiful animation, and emotional depth make it a standout film that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

Main Cast of Grave of the Fireflies

Tsutomu Tatsumi as Seita (voice)

Tsutomu Tatsumi

Seita (voice)
Ayano Shiraishi as Setsuko (voice)

Ayano Shiraishi

Setsuko (voice)

Secondary Cast of Grave of the Fireflies

Yoshiko Shinohara

Mother (voice)

Akemi Yamaguchi

Auntie (voice)

Masayo Sakai

Woman who takes care of Setsuko (voice)

Kozo Hashida

Obayashi Chairman (voice)

Kazumi Nozaki

Cousin (voice)

Yoshio Matsuoka

Gosaku (voice)

Masahiro Kanetake

Aunt's House Guest (voice)

Kiyoshi Yanagawa

Patrolman (voice)

Hajime Maki

Man who arrests Seita (voice)

Atsuo Omotem

Person in Bank (voice)

Teruhisa Harita

Station Worker (voice)

Michio Denpo

Station Worker / Doctor (voice)

Shiro Tamaki

Person in Bank (voice)

Mika Sekita

Nurse (voice)

Crew of Grave of the Fireflies

Full backstage crew list →