As expected from Studio Ghibli, this anime is beautiful albeit heartbreakingly sad. It tells about the life of a brother and sister during the war. It made me cry and my heart hurt when I watched this movie. It made me think of the effects of war on the children and how, in the end, it is always the innocent who suffer. After I watched this movie, I had to shake myself out of the melancholy that followed. It haunts you even after the movie ends. It also made me appreciate having loved ones around me. You can't help but put yourself in Seita's shoes. I asked myself if I were in his place, would I have done the same things he did. A must-watch for fans of tear-jerker movies. I recommend having tissues beside you or watch it with someone you love so you can hug the sadness out afterwards. (show less)

I have only ever been exposed to Miyazaki's "nice" and "cute" films. Sure they deal with deep issues but I have never even heard of this film before; and Grave of the Fireflies is even older than Spirited away. It is a very heartrending story about a war torn Japan and its young victims who died in the midst of battle and disdain - even abused and rejected by their own families because they are considered a nuisance. I have not seen the entire film, just about half of it and when I noticed it wasn't on here I attempted to upload it Xo Fingers crossed that it works. I can really appreciate a work like this because it really shows a dedication to realism that so-called slice of life anime have lost to popular culture. It's encouraging enough that even in anime people are urged to remember the past - the history of a great country and in so doing remind themselves of who they are and why they are. I love this film. I hope you will too :). (show less)