While the name of Studio Ghibli is famous for its films directed by Hayao Miyazaki, it is important to remember that Isao Takahata is another one of the company’s founders and as such has played a large part in its success. Grave of the Fireflies is a film he himself directed, and is very far removed from the feel-good family fare that Ghibli fans are familiar with. It is based on a semi-autographical book by Akiyuki Nosaka and also draws inspiration from Takahata’s own wartime experiences.

In the opening scene we meet the character of Seita, a young man on the brink of death. It is quite jarring to find out that the main character dies right at the start of the film, but as the events unfold we learn how Seita and his younger sister Setsuko have met such an unfortunate fate. Japan is enduring the latter stages of the Second World War and enemy bombers are laying waste to the towns and cities. With their mother killed in an air raid and their father enlisted in the Navy, Seita and Setsuko have no choice but to stay with relatives. Unfortunately times are hard and it is a struggle for families to survive themselves, let alone take in and feed two more children. Being the independent and proud individual that he is, Seita takes it upon himself to look after Setsuko on his own, and the result is a harsh fight for survival.

Grave of the Fireflies is rightly considered to be a classic but is also notorious for being utterly tragic. Things go from bad to worse for Seita and Setsuko but what Takahata does not do is descend into melodramatic sentimentality or placing blame. The aunt who looks after them initially is portrayed as being cold and insensitive, yet ultimately has her own family’s interests at heart; Seita on the other hand puts Setsuko first but his pride is part of the reason for the fact that they have to fend for themselves. The enemy is little more than a distant dot in the sky: a far-away and abstract concept that manifests itself as fire bombs and news reports but not much else. For the civilian population, the most important thing in life is to get by as best they can.

Some of the most pivotal and hard hitting scenes are portrayed in a very matter-of-fact and understated way, emphasising the film’s view as being through a child’s eyes. In contrast, the more trivial details such as a day at the beach, a hot meal or the sight of a swarm of glowing insects at night are given a great deal of care and attention, and add some moments of wonder to the cold realities and moments of despair. This is all heightened by the traditional sounding music that forms the soundtrack, which is both emotional and haunting.

These simple things in life are the main sources of interest for Seita and Setsuko, as is the constant search for food. The sense of desperation that they feel and the lengths that they go to find it are conveyed so strongly that it is really quite painful to watch; at the same time the sheer beauty of the countryside and the love that exists between them keeps the viewer glued to the screen. Even though I knew that their efforts were ultimately futile, the attachment that I felt towards Seita and his sister prevented me from turning away for an instant.

For a film of this age, it is still visually stunning thanks to the superb remastering. From the harrowing realism of the firebomb attacks to the serene rural setting that Seita and Setsuko come to call home, the familiar Ghibli touch makes for characters and backgrounds that tell a simple story with exquisite beauty, technical accuracy and eloquence that is almost without equal.

In Summary

Grave of the Fireflies is an unflinching and moving portrayal of a terrible time in human history. Instead of showing the action and glory of war, it reminds us that it is the ordinary, innocent civilian who suffers most of all. For many who lived in Japan at this time the hardships the war brought and the nature of Seita’s and Setsuko’s plight was very much a real-life sight; because of this their heart-rending story is possibly the most powerful wartime drama ever set to film. Quite simply, Grave of the Fireflies is a film that everyone should see.